Costa Rica Forum: Driver - Wilson Rojas

My husband and I hired Wilson as our driver/guide for our June CR trip. I contacted 3 recommended drivers from the Trip Advisor forum via e-mail. While the prices were similar, I chose Wilson based on his quick response and specific suggestions. We e-mailed back and forth and even before our trip I felt comfortable with my decision. And it turned out to be a great decision.

Wilson has an excellent command of the English language and is a reliable and safe driver. We used him for a day outing from Alajuela and for 3 legs of our trip (for the 4th we used the tax-boat-taxi from Arenal to Monteverde). In addition to the typical tourist stops and good lunch picks, Wilson took us to places we would never have seen--a CR swing dance bar, a small factory making Sarchi oxcarts, etc. He was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country and his job. I should also say 1) that he has a lot of contacts and 2) that at the end of each trip he always asked if we wanted or needed to make another stop. I could not have been more pleased and highly recommend Wilson.

Just wanted to update the original poster...Wilson Rojas was a great choice for a driver for our trip. If you have not already booked him, I suggest that you do.

We had a few drivers for our vacation, and felt Wilson was the best. He is very down to earth, and we immediately felt comfortable with him. Wilson brings along snacks and several beverages in a cooler. He also havs lots of dvds to choose from if you'd like to watch a movie during the drive.

I found that email communications were quick and easy, and Wilson willing to work with us when we needed to make some changes.

Good luck with your trip planning.

Just curious- where is there a Costa Rica swing bar? Do you mean swing as in swing dancing?

The swing bar was in Sarchi. Wilson called it swing dancing, but I would guess that is not like the jitterbug or west coast swing done in the US. But it was an interesting dance hall/bar that we would have tried had we stayed closer to Sarchi.

My wife and I are flying out to Costa Rica at the end of this month. After reading good things about Wilson on Trip Advisor, I emailed him in November. His wife replied back promptly since Wilson was traveling (she's the one who makes the reservations, etc ). She said Wilson was already booked for the end of December, and offered to arrange another bilingual driver for us. So far they've been really prompt, professional, friendly and helpful via email, and I am feeling quite comfortable with my decision of hiring their services. I'll write more about my experience after I return from my trip.

Our party of four adults was extremely fortunate to connect with Wilson Rojas (aka Coati Tours) at the recommendation of our hotel in Naranjo. Wilson provides transportation, tour planning and excellent guide services. He works with his wife, Elsy, and as a team they were accessible, prompt, reasonably priced and a joy to work with. Wilson is very knowledgeable of travel and touring opportunities throughout Costa Rica and on several occasions turned up pleasant little surprises in places off the beaten track. He is very well connected with other guides and activities and is objective about them. He has a good sense of humor, goes out of his way to exceed his clients’ expectation and is concerned not only with his clients’ enjoyment, but with their safety as well. He is proud and realistic about Costa Rica and what it offers the traveler. We would all enthusiastically recommend him.

You won't go wrong if you contact Wilson to be your driver. If he is not available, his wife, who takes care of the booking, will try to find another driver for you. This was the case when we travelled over the Christmas holiday. The driver that we had, Jose, was great!

Just to update everyone... Wilson was booked solid for December, however he recommended his friend Jose for the job. My wife and I were extremely pleased with Jose's service. He was courteous and very obliging and went out of his to make us feel comfortable and welcomed. Jose has a 7 seater air conditioned van just for the two of us. We hired his services to drive us from Alajuela to Jaco Beach, and after two days from Jaco Beach to the Arenal Volcano area (La Fortuna). We stayed here for two days and then Jose drove us from La Fortuna to La Paz Water Falls and then back to Alajuela.. On our various trips, whenever we wanted to stop for coffee or lunch, Jose knew just the right cafe or restaurant for us. We would highly recommend Jose to everyone wishing to hire a pleasant and well mannered, English speaking driver who is always there to please his clients!! Great job Jose!!! and Thank you!!

I am so happy that the feedback and experiences with Wilson are so positive. He is a great driver, guide, and human being and for anyone to meet him and have a chance to see his country partially through his eyes, should forever be grateful for the experience!