Testimonials

                

 

This is a special commendation for Johno, the energetic, all-knowing, and attentive tour guide who helped me and my group of friends discover all the vast wonders of Santa Teresa in Costa Rica.  Even though my trip to Costa Rica only lasted 2.5 short days, I feel that I’ve experienced a great deal with the efficiency and positive energy Johno brought to our group.  He escorted us to some local hot spots that were less crowded than the more touristy areas, which was great because it enabled us to experience the lifestyle and true culture of Costa Rica.  Santa Teresa is a beautiful city within itself; but Johno was able to show our group sites we would never have found without his help.  The waterfalls/fresh water springs is a place I’ll never forget! Also, the food was always delicious and unique; with Johno’s suggestions, you can’t go wrong!  I’m already due for another trip to Costa Rica (considering I’ve only been there for 2.5 days), and when I do make it out there I’ll definitely hit up Johno for more touristy advice!  --Leilani Quiogue

 

I wanted to thank you for all your help while on our vacation to Santa Teresa. I had come down with a lot of people and you had made things so easy for us. Your  help with setting  up the Quads for our easy travels to and from town was greatly appreciated.  Also a huge thank you for your knowledge of the local restaurants and places to shop.  While having such a large group without your help, things would have been much more difficult and missed.  I have made so many great friends while in Santa Teresa thanks to you.
I cannot wait to come back and watch the sunset at Roca Mar with you  guys.
Thanks again for all your help and knowledge and see you next year!
Jean Marie Luzny
Credit and Collections Rep

 

I met Johno 2 years ago this past February, through a close friend of mine. I always had wanted to get out to beautiful Costa Rica and try my hand at surfing. For the past 2 years we've made that happen, & it wouldn't have been possible without Johno's help. He made it all seem like we had been there 10 times before, showing us the best local spots for great food, drinks, adventure, relaxing, partying, or whatever we were looking to do! Helped to the perfect places to stay the work work with our budget. Johno was the man hooking us up with surf lesson, great tips & even offered me his owe personal boards, without a thought! He's a super generous dude with the local knowledge of Santa Teresa that made it the perfect vacation! He's a great tour guide & a great dude! SO MUCH FUN!!! Next year never comes fast enough!!!   Brendan Galligan Pa

 
 
My  wife  Shannon  and  I  have  been  vacationing  in  Santa  Teresa  Costa  Rica  since  2008   
when  we  were  married  there.    I  can’t  say  enough  good  things  about  Johno  for  without    
him  none  of  it  would  have  been  as  memorable.
From  the  beginning  stages  of  planning  of  our  adventure  to  any  little  detail,  Johno  was   
there  to  help.    Being  from  the  Sates  and  now  living  in  Santa  Teresa  Johno  has  a  great   
knowledge  of  the  area  and  all  of  its  many  hidden  treasures.    He  was  more  than  just  a   
tour  guide.    He  went  out  of  his  way  to  make  sure  we  had  the  best  vacation  ever.
Quad  tours  throughout  the  mountains  and  beaches,  surf  lessons  as  well  as  snorkeling   
excursions  and  zip  lining  craziness,  Johno  can  help  set  it  all  up.
In  2008  my  wife  and  I  decided  to  have  a  very  small  wedding  getaway.    We  invited  5   
friends  and  all  made  the  journey  to  Santa  Teresa.    During  the  stay  Johno  orchestrated   
a  fabulous  wedding  ceremony  right  on  the  beach  at  sunset  for  us.    He  handled  getting   
food  and  drinks  as  well  as  creating  a  beautiful  fresh   lower  archway  in  the  sand.  It   
was  absolutely  something  both  of  us  will  never  forget.      
Suggesting  fabulous  mountain  top  restaurants  and  hidden  breath  taking  sunset  views   
that  the  average  vacationer  might  have  never  found,  is  just  the  beginning  to  what  Johno   
added  to  our  trips.    In  2009  our  vacation  crew  grew  to  10  people  and  in  2010  we  had  grown  to   
17  people!    Johno  helped  everyone   ind  accommodations  to  suit  many  different  budgets  and   
interests  with  ease.    He  also  helped  everyone  book  lights  and  set  up  taxis  to  get  the  crew  into   
Teresa.    Having  a  local  go- ‐to  guy  in  Santa  Teresa  is  priceless.   
Each  year  we  extended  our  vacation,  this  year  we  had  the  pleasure  of  staying  for  three  weeks.      
Our  goal  is  to  be  able  to  stay  an  entire  month  and  with  Johno  helping  along the  way  I  am  sure   
we  will  make  that  a  reality  soon.    I  would  highly  recommend  checking  out  what  Johno  can  do  to   
\help  with  all  your  vacation  needs.   Tom  LeFevre  /  Bethlehem,  P

 

Our New Year's Eve 2011 vacation in Santa Teresa was an unforgettable one.  And it wouldn't have happened the way it did if it wasn't for Johno, our local tour guide.  He might as well be the mayor of Santa Teresa, because it seemed like he knew everyone, not to mention the best places for everything:  food, surf, activities, lodging...  and if by chance he wasn't familiar with something, he would check it out for us.  In fact, we booked our rental house based on a recon visit he made to the property months before our stay so he could give it his personal stamp of approval.  This kind of attention to client service and care is what makes Johno a great source with valuable local insight.  

A common thing I heard around town whenever we mentioned that Johno referred us was, "Normally our price is _____.  But for Johno, it's a special price."  So not only did Johno give us the best advice, he got us the best prices as well, from quad/surf rentals to taxis and more.   

Johno's passion for giving visitors the best experience in Santa Teresa is what makes him unique:  He actually gives a shit.  And he'll give you straightforward, knowledgeable answers based on your personal preferences, budget, and concerns.  He's not just about making a profit, but about giving the best experience tailored to your needs.

But wait.  There's more.  Johno's actually a good person and cool dude to hang out with as well.  One day we went on a day trip to the Montezuma waterfalls.  One of my cousins jumped off the 40-foot waterfall and landed improperly in the water, which made him incapacitated for a bit at the lower pool.  Johno treated him like HIS cousin, climbing like a monkey up and down the waterfall rocks to check on him, comfort him (with cold beers... for his back, of course, haha) and hang with him til he felt better enough to climb back to the main pool where the rest of the group was.  Who the hell else would do that?

Johno's made not only return clients out of us, but also friends.  We were a group of 8 coming from LA, San Francisco and New York.  And we're already looking forward to our next visit.  Thank you Johno for everything.  We wouldn't have had such a great start to 2011 if it hadn't been for you.  Stay cool and be well.

Ruth Mamaril
NYC

 I recently went to Costa Rica for New Years 2011 with some cousins and friends. We were there for 10 days and to say it was a great experience would only say the least! It was more than a great experience it was an experience I will never forget. And mostly due to Johno who was like a brother from another mother and took us around like locals showing us all the good stops to hit up, see and experience. Definitely without him our trip would not have been the same. We shared laughs and made many friends for life all due to Johno being the Mayor of Santa Teresa. (Even if not the real mayor he sure seemed like it knowing everything and everybody around Santa Teresa!) So if you ever are thinking of going to Costa Rica and want to have a the best vacation of your LIFE....You better get in touch with Johno "Goodtimes" Longo.
-Paul Sabater LA

Playa Santa Teresa is a gorgeous part of Costa Rica with plenty of beautiful things to see and do. To help you curate all those activities to the absolute most fun, you have to hook up with Johno Longo. During my 9 days on the beach I spent most them with him and I couldn't have made a better decision. The knowledge of the geography, people and culture make him the premier guide in the region. My trip would not have been as amazing as it was if it weren't for him. I'm very grateful to have met Johno and can't wait to see his infectious smirk again. Shanti, NY

My wife and I went to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica for our honeymoon.  I reached out to John Longo concerning our flights, travel plans, accommodations, etc.  John was extremely helpful in our pre travel planning and what to expect/look forward to on our honeymoon.  We flew into San Jose, where John was waiting with a rental car.  John drove us to Santa Teresa which saved us from trying to navigate to our destination.  John recommended Red Palm Villas resort due to our honeymoon and location to surf breaks.(Both myself and wife surf.)  Since we wanted to surf most of the trip, John was helpful in telling us what breaks to surf, tides, wind directions, and when certain breaks were best.  This local knowledge was extremely valuable and made the most of every surf.  John was also great in setting other activities, such as yoga, dining, and site seeing.  One site seeing trip was to Montezuma.  We went on a canopy zip line which was so much fun.  We also had time to enjoy the waterfalls as well as do a small cliff jump into a tidal pool.  From start to finish, John was always there to be helpful, make recommendations, and be a hospitable guide.  John's services were extremely valuable and made our trip a memorable one.  I would recommend John to anyone traveling to Costa Rica.  Pura Vida!!!!

Jeffrey D. DeGroote
South End Surf Shop Inc.
P: 910-256-1118
F: 910-256-2011
jeff@southendsurf.com

 

True to his word Johno is waiting for me at the San Jose airport.  My flight did not land until after midnight and by the time I’m out of customs it is 1 AM Monday morning.  This man may be a saint.  We check into a hostel next to the bus station, nap for three hours, and sleepwalk to the 6 AM bus that will bring us to Santa Teresa.  This is a six hour trip that will take us to the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula.  The bus ride is beautiful.  It takes us out of the city and onto windy roads through hills of beautiful canopies.  In Puntarenas we ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya which is breathtaking!  Arriving in Santa Teresa at noon we immediately grab some Pilsner beers and hit the beach.  For dinner we go to this cool little restaurant in Mal Pais called Piedra del Mar.  I ate arroz con camerones sitting twenty feet from the waves breaking on the rocks.  And then reggae night at Day and Night beach club.  

Tuesday was more beach time.  I’m still building my energy and my courage to surf.  I’m also nursing a little headache from the night before.  That evening Johno and I rode the quad to Gumbo Limbo hotel and restaurant.  This hotel is beautiful!  It is more of a boutique as it sits high on a hill with only FOUR rooms all of which over look the small town and ocean below.  We sat in the infinity pool and watched the sun set with one of the owners, Sonny, who happens to be a Virginia Beach local!  After sun set we all make our way to the restaurant where we share cocktails and stories.  Miguel, Sonny’s business partner, joins us and makes some wonderful rosemary potatoes.  I know this is just a taste of the wonderful food they serve here.  I’m looking forward to going back for dinner before I leave.

Wednesday morning I’m wishing Erica was here to encourage and distract me with her crazy antics.  Johno pulls out his 7’3” Al Merrick and hands me the surf wax.  It’s been a year and a half since I’ve been on a board.  I am definitely a beginner, but I love going out and getting tossed and tumbled.  Unfortunately it is something I only get to enjoy few and far between.  Johno  kindly spends an hour in the water giving me a surf lesson.  I’m up and on my own from here on out!

More surfing on Thursday!  Then a sunset quad ride through the “country” to Monzenillo.  Awesome!

I have two more days left in Costa Rica.  It has been eight years since I was here last, and I am now reminded of why so many people from all over the world come here to make this beautiful country their home.  It truly is the Pura Vida.  Erin, Colarado

To learn more about Santa Teresa and surrounding areas in Costa Rica, visit Johno’s site.  He can help with available real estate, vacation rentals, surf lessons, and guided tours.  HYPERLINK "http://www.playasantateresa.com" www.playasantateresa.com

For information about Gumbo Limbo Hotel and Restaurant please visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.gumbolimbocr.com" www.gumbolimbocr.com