Donkey's Tour Puntarenas CR

Very upsetting experience. Started off at the gate, the boat was supposed to leave at 8:45 and we weren’t told it was cash only which from the start i thought was very strange. We paid $150 for 2 me and my fionce. There were 8 other tourists on the tour with us as well. We went over to Tortuga Island but in process was POURING RAIN. Rain was pelting all of our faces, and honestly the boat should’ve turned around when it began (as that is what we were told with the other tours we were looking into doing them). We sat on Tortuga island for closer to 2 hours and it was pouring rain the entire time. The tour guides swore up and down that the rain was going to stop “any minute”. We were told to try Arley’s Cocolocos, he apparently makes amazing Piña colada’s. So we did, we were told only $6 for one drink so we got two. Arley charged $21 (which i learned after i got back to town and started asking questions) #scamartist, for two drinks that didn’t even have the flavor of alcohol. I drank mine fast and didn’t even get a buzz, and I’m not a drinker and i was on an empty stomach. Fast forward to getting to see a whole family of probably 30 boars and one TEENY, TINY (maybe days old) baby pig. And when i say baby like so little you could barely see the legs. All tourists got pictures and videos of said baby, and about 20 minutes later the tour guides decided to catch that said baby in a trash can by throwing food in the can and holding it hostage.the baby would not stop squealing, which in returns mad e a young girl bawl her eyes out with the way they were treating all the boars. We were told they let it go, but truthfully we never saw the baby ever again, and all the boars were around. We then got asked what type of meat we’d like (either chicken or fish) and we both said chicken. Y’all i have pictures of these platters. Mine looked to be chicken but had a weird flavor and my fionce’s was definitely NOT chicken. We even had a couple of vegetarian’s with us and she was sure that wasn’t chicken too. (RED MEAT) We asked the tour guides if it was and it seemed as soon as we asked, they all got on edge and stayed quiet and had quite a bad staring issue. With that being said NONE of us were able to eat our food due to the inconvenience. Nonetheless, they mistreat the hell out of these said boars. They kick sand at them and with that trash can, hit them as hard as they can over the top of them. The vegetarians did end up mentioning how they’re staying at a rescue center in Guacima and one thing they learned was when boars have babies they really come in 6-9 and numbers can vary. But that it was very strange to them to only see that one tiny baby. They also brought the fact that you’re not supposed to feed any animal, and they definitely were feeding loads of fruit and i did see the female cook throw raw (red) meat out to the boars. The whole group truly believes that they re caught that baby, and are going to raise it for their own meat (mind you which is highly illegal inthe country of Costa Rica to kill any living thing. Highly illegal. This was a very unsettling experience, especially for the first time time going to Tortuga island. We sat there on that island for the remaining of the time, until 2pm. At 2 pm we got to ride to the smallest island and Snorkel. The tour guides started passing the snorkel gear around and honestly has Mildew permanently stained on the goggles and the mouthpiece. These snorkel gear is in horrible condition, especially for them to be name brand (Intex). I do not recommend this day trip for anyone. I have pictures & videos that i will be more than willing to share as well! Please do yourself a favor and never go through Donkey Tours no matter the cost.

I was thrilled to find someone to take us to one of Costa Rica's most beautiful destinations, and one of my personal favorites, taking advantage of a visit from some people who were traveling from the United States. Unfortunately, the experience wasn't what I expected from the crew. I was traveling with three elderly women, one of whom had some mobility limitations. At one point, a member of the team started yelling rudely and disrespectfully in front of everyone, demanding that she get on the boat quickly and telling the guide that he should have authority and hurry people along. The situation was so uncomfortable that other tour participants got up to help me get her onto the boat with great effort, while he continued yelling. This leads me to the conclusion that before exercising authority, one must have RESPECT, EMPATHY, HUMAN WARMTH, and above all, treat customers well. ⸻ With great excitement, I searched for a company to take us to one of the most beautiful destinations in Costa Rica — one of my personal favorites — while hosting visitors from the United States. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet my expectations due to the behavior of the crew. I was traveling with three elderly women, one of whom has limited mobility. At one point, a crew member began shouting in a rude and truly disrespectful manner in front of everyone, demanding that she board the boat quickly and telling the guide that he needed to assert authority and rush people. The situation became so uncomfortable that other tour participants stood up to help me lift her onto the boat with considerable effort, while he continued yelling. This leads me to conclude that before exercising authority, one should first have RESPECT, EMPATHY, HUMAN WARMTH, and above all, proper customer service.

Trip Analysis Sometimes, the best moments arrive quietly, and yesterday was one of those days that will be etched in your heart. One of the greatest gifts was walking through the historic sites of San Lucas Island. Although the neglect is palpable in its walls, you can also hear the echo of human suffering, of so many lives that were locked away, cut off from the world. It's a place that invites reflection and compassion. Then, the sea... that sea that caresses with its sea breeze, that invites you to let go and rest. The sea at Tortuga Island welcomed us like a vast open-air pool, embraced by silent mountains, witnesses to the beauty of this corner of the world. Snorkeling there was like glimpsing a secret world, deep, full of life... and mystery. I also want to acknowledge the people who made this experience possible: the guide, the woman who monitored the route from the boat, and the captain. Simple, local people who dared to offer, with dignity and warmth, an alternative to the large-scale tourism industry. They showed us that authenticity can also shine. Thank you to everyone who shared this moment, and especially to those who made it possible. It was more than a trip: it was an experience for the soul.