Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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328 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Robert Griffiths

Reviewed March 2025

The country that keeps on giving

A fantastic and memorable experience. We would never be considered as bird watchers but you can not help getting caught up in the excitement of spotting some of the many exotic species of bird, reptile or mammals. A truly memorable holiday for all the right reasons. If you are considering visiting Costa Rica, then don’t wait!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, every location gave something memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jonny Villalobos was a walking encyclopaedia. He is an extremely professional and friendly man whose enthusiasm and knowledge of Costa Rica wildlife, fauna and history was immense. Nothing was too much trouble for him, often adding on extra walks that were not included in the itinerary. His soul aim was to make our Costa Rica experience unforgettable which he achieved. He is widely regarded by his fellow guides as one of the best if not the best guides in Costa Rica.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the guide notes are comprehensive there are a few additional point to make. 1. There is no requirement to take lots of dollars as credit cards are accepted everywhere, the only dollars required are for tipping as indicated in the itinerary notes. 2. The exchange rates from dollars to colones is poor especially if you are exchanging from sterling to dollars to colones. 3. Large dollar bill are not accepted everywhere. 4. People do not dress up, smart casual clothes will do. 5 The voltage in Costa Rica is 120V, and not all hotels have hairdryers. 6. Do not wear expensive jewellery in San Jose 7. Binoculars are advised as is a good camera or a telescopic lens attachment for your phone.

Robert Griffiths

Reviewed March 2025

The country that keeps on giving

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, every location gave something memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

John Kaminer

Reviewed March 2025

Amazingly Diverse Country!

Saw many different biomes and rain forests.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting our first quetzal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny Villalobos is an excellent leader. He gave us information on everything the country has to offer, and it was in a friendly, interesting way. His knowledge of the country, its flora and fauna, especially the birds, the places, and the people is incredible and he was always generous with his time and help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather varies considerably from the first place to the 6th and last place we visit so bring layers and raingear.

Paul Jones

Reviewed February 2025

A most memorable and inspirational two weeks.

Our Exodus Discover Costa Rica trip has been such a memorable tour. So much bird and animal life to see. We deliberately opted for a small group of 16 people so we would not miss a thing. We also chose a wildlife and birdwatching expert Guide. Staying for two nights at each location, in different climates (rain forest, mountainous etc) gave a great insight into this beautiful country of Costa Rica.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Respendent Quetzel. Also lots of Scarlet Macaws, hummingbirds, toucans. The whole experience was inspiring and will stay with us forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David Vargas went above and beyond to make our trip incredible. He was interesting, informative, flexible, knowledgeable and easy to chat to. Together with our driver Randall, they provided us with memories that will last us a lifetime.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Early starts (often by 8am) to get to next location. Usually arrive by lunchtime, but we did have at least one or two longer journeys (one was most of the day) but all journeys are broken up with toilet stops and stops to see points of interest including birds/animals etc. None of the journeys felt a chore, and the minibus was comfortable with air con. There was usually at 5.30am bird/nature walk before breakfast. All accommodation was clean and comfortable and bug free. Bring clothes for all temperatures, hot and humid or cool and rainy in more mountainous regions.

Peter & Liz Rooke

Reviewed February 2025

A great introduction to Costa Rica

A brilliant trip that shows the diversity of Costa Rica. From lagoons to rainforests to dry forests and cloud forests and beaches we saw so much of this lovely country and its flora and fauna. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights include seeing scarlet macaws, a sloth with her baby, toucans, humming birds and the boat trip from Tortuguero were all special, but there's so much to see and it's all amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andres was very knowledgeable, passionate about the plants and birds of Costa Rica and looked after our group very well. A shout out for Keylor, our driver, who was also excellent and often spotted wildlife along the way (macaws, monkeys, a trogon and a quetzal).

Advice for Potential Travellers

At the time the trip seemed quite busy, but in retrospect the pace was about right. Be prepared for some early starts and some long drives, but it's all doable, just go with the flow... Take small denomination dollars: 1, 2, 5, 10 dollar notes are useful. Make sure you only take new notes - nothing torn or damaged as these may not be accepted. Take a decent pair of binoculars. You don't need a massive camera, a decent compact or even a phone with a good camera was fine for everyone in our group. When it rains, it can be a tropical downpour, so take waterproofs. We took ponchos (handy on the boat trips), plus waterproof jackets, trousers and walking shoes and used all of them at some point. Most hotels have umbrellas you can use, so not essential to take your own. Definitely pack warm layers for cool evenings and mornings, particularly at Monteverde and Savegre (our waterproof overtrousers came in handy as an extra warm layer!). You can get clothes laundered at almost all the hotels and lodges (although Esquinas Lodge didn't iron ours). Just budget for getting laundry done en route as even lightweight travel clothes didn't dry overnight in the humidity. Tea and coffee making facilities are rarely in the rooms, but ask at reception/restaurant - all the staff were happy to oblige us. All the hotel staff were helpful and generally spoke good English. If you have free time in San Jose at the start/end of your trip, the Jade Museum and Gold Museum are worth a visit. In particular, the Jade Museum is excellent for giving an insight into pre-Columbian Costa Rica and the indigenous people's lives. The trip is a bit flora and fauna based, so this is a good counterbalance. (Also, we recommend the 'Capital Coffee Roasters' cafe opposite the Jade Museum for a coffee or lunch.)

Allen Holmes

Reviewed November 2024

Everything Was Simply Amazing

I’m a wildlife photographer and chose to do the Discover Costa Rica trip with Exodus. Even in September, the start of the “wetter season “it was beyond my expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was that good, I can't pick just one. But if pressed, for me having Hummingbirds buzzing so close around me that I felt their wingbeats was special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Jorge Lizano and if he is your leader in the future, then you are very lucky. He goes above and beyond to make your trip special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a packed itinerary, but there is plenty of time to yourself early in the mornings. Get out of bed and make the most of it!

Jadwiga Henshaw

Reviewed July 2024

A truly beautiful trip

Eduardo and Victor were exemplary; they made the price of the trip worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day being even more different and incredible than the previous. Seeing the Quetzal so close up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo was incredible! His knowledge about his country was detailed and Eduardo had a great way of communicating his enthusiasm to the group. His credentials as a guide are exemplary. We learnt about the way of life in Costa Rica, the issues it faces and how tourism is managed. Eduardo really was our friend in Costa Rica. He knew everything about any creature or flora. He enhanced the experience immeasurably. Eduardo always gave more; a longer walk, stopping at points of interest to see crocodiles, rhino beetles, pineapple plantations, amongst other wonders. Our driver Victor was the best. Not once did he take a risk; we always felt very safe in his hands, an excellent driver. Victor would also go over and beyond, helping anyone in the group who needed a hand, always smiling and welcoming. Whenever we arrived at a destination Eduardo would call 'OK amigos, we made it!', with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the high prices in Costa Rica, even in a supermarket. The Hotel President in San José was excellent with a wonderful restaurant with delicious dishes. There was nowhere else to eat out nearby, so this was lucky. Next to the hotel was a good bakery/ lunch place.

Liz Richardson

Reviewed June 2024

Incredible Tour

Travelled first time with Exodus to Costa Rica and it was a very well organised and exciting tour of the beautiful country. Travelled to many different lodges and national parks. Arriving in San Jose we were welcomed by our wonderful tour guide Gwenda, we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide, so much knowledge about the country, culture and wildlife. Gwenda is truly an valuable member of Exodus along with Randall our amazing driver keeping us safe on our travels.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspiring moment was when we first saw the sloths up close at the Sloth Sanctuary!!! Also the zip wiring was exceptional in Fortuna highly recommend!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gwenda our tour guide was amazing a real credit to Exodus, very professional and friendly, kept us all well informed with a whatsap message the night before detailing what was happening the next day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of light clothes as it was very humid.highly recommend this tour.

Ruth Webster

Reviewed April 2024

Discover Costa Rica

Excellent introduction to a lovely country

Most Inspirational Moment

Many related to the wonderful birds and wildlife we saw.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alejandro Rodriquez

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for various temperatures and degrees of humidity. Transfers between areas took longer than I expected although the bus was comfortable and there were plenty of stops.

Kurt Mills

Reviewed April 2024

Fun But Tiring

This was a jam-packed itinerary, with many walks and other activities, combined with a lot of driving. We moved on every two days, which was necessary to see everything, but it also meant there was no down time. Although this was a wildlife trip, at times the wildlife was rather shy. Some walks we saw very little. We probably saw more wildlife on the boat trips. Our expectations were probably not realistic, but we expected toucans and sloths to be hanging off every branch. It’s not like that (at least in the dry season). We didn’t see a sloth until halfway through the trip when there was one on a tree next to our hotel. Never saw a yellow-billed toucan, although we did see other toucans and toucanets (never knew there was such a thing!). Final count was around 150 different birds, as well as many other creatures (many of which we didn’t know existed). So the wildlife was amazing, but you need to know it doesn’t necessarily just pop out at you. On some walks, especially in Manuel Antonio, there were so many other groups looking at the same thing that it was quite difficult to get in to see things and was quite tiring at times. The walks throughout the trip were also very slow and we understand the pace was to suit looking for wildlife but walking so slowly was difficult and tiring in the heat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting wildlife in its natural habitat is wonderful.And looking at the stars on the beach in Tortuguero. Amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jonathan had an encyclopedic knowledge of birds and other wildlife. We've never had a guide who knew so much detail about everything we were seeing. However, the organizational side was a bit confusing at times. It would have been useful to have had an opening formal briefing with everybody introducing themselves and then daily briefings to let us know what was going on the next day, which we have had on other Exodus trips. Our driver Keylor was great, getting us over some quite rough terrain at times, and even spotting and stopping for monkeys and other animals along the way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Half of the group got sick (plus Jonathan and Keylor). We are not sure exactly what the source was - although it may have been improperly filtered water from a hotel. So bring enough Imodium for a few days (to help with the long bus rides in particular) and we found rehydration salts helpful. A couple of people brought ciprofloxacin just in case. We don't want to over emphasize this aspect, but we've never been on a trip with so many people falling ill and it did impact our enjoyment of the trip as we had to miss out on some activities. Obviously not Exodus' fault - just the nature of the type of region we were in. Note that you can get laundry done along the way, and the prices are reasonable, especially at Esquinas Lodge. It is difficult for things to dry if you wash them yourself since it is humid and you don't much time at any one place.

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