We noticed you are browsing from
Summer’s Calling? Answer with Last-Minute Adventure Savings. Explore Here
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.
Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!
Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.
Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.
Select a trip specific review:
Excellent trip, lots of wildlife to see, turtles,snakes, frogs,birds,cayman, crocodiles and much more all explained by our knowledgeable guide. Lovely beach for swimming in the Pacific and spas. Locals very friendly, a great place to visit.
Watching turtles hatching on the beach and heading to sea. Riding zip lines over the forests
Very helpful and extremely knowledgable of everything Costa Rica
Get plenty of sleep beforehand it’s very full on but great
Costa Rica is a wonderful country, mainly for its variety and volume of wildlife.
Of course Costa Rica is well know for its bird life. While many will have seen humming birds, (as I have) it was a superb sight to be close to these magnificent birds as they weaved their way around us lumbering giants. I never grow weary of watching these creatures.
Howler, Spider and Capuchin monkeys using their prehensile tail moving from branch to branch provided an often amusing spectacle. Other animals featured were the Tent Maker Bats and White Lined Bats, Agouti, Coati, Caiman and Green Iguana.
Although not an ornithologist, brightly coloured birds such as Toucans, Curassaw, Acorn Woodpecker, Scarlet Macaw, Flame Coloured Tanagen and Emerald Toucanet, I find a delight to watch, particularly watching them feeding. It seemed as though even when driving along the roads animals almost posed for us to record them.
One would expect to be roughing it, but it was the last thing I would use describe our accommodation, while the food was always good and often outstanding.
The places visited represent the full variety of environments, from high altitude cloud forest (at Savegre) , to transitional forest (Manuel Antonio Reserve), to tropical wet forest (Tortuguero) to rainforest (Esquinas).
I cannot leave my summary without mentioning the inspirational Michael Schnitzler who as a conservationist has obtained over $4 Million from his Austrian sources to purchase land and develop Esquinas Lodge. Amazingly he has done this in between travelling to between Costa Rica and Austria, where he is an internationally admired violinist and concertmaster the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra. A truly remarkable person developing a remarkable environmental project.
Friends who have seen the videos from the trip have been enthralled. Others to whom I have described it have suggested that it be added to their “bucket list”.
There were some unique sights of sloths, one mother and child and another of a rarely seen encounter between two alpha male sloths. I was able to obtain unique footage of these events. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TvsyT9BACI&t=3s I was not able to capture the sound of the impact, but they hit the found with a real thud. Andreas in 18 years had never seen the sloths fighting. The amazing thing was that after that fall from 15 meters they kept on fighting! - Albeit in slow motion!
The guide Andreas had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the habitats and plants and animals we found. He was helpful always willing to oblige - the best guide in some ten or so trips I have undertaken abroad.
In a word - Go! Substantial waterproofing is needed and the full array of photographic equipment and back up devices. Check carefully on extra trips, particularly if inclement weather might affect the experience. I also thoroughly recommend the night tours. The one at Esquinas enabled me to produce some great video material.
The group size of 14 was ideal with plenty of different personalities. The locations selected were a good combination of places which illustrated the diversity of wildlife habitats. The real bonus to the holiday was the guide (Katia) and driver (Chico). Katia was the real deal. Her English was good, she was very knowledgeable about wildlife, and she went out of her way to help and try to meet everyone’s needs. Katia was a very professional guide indeed. We were also fortunate to have Chico who was always happy and helpful. He would often stop to let us see something he had spotted. The guide and driver always considered our safety not only when stopping to take in the view, but also in pointing out any potential dangers such as pickpockets, rip currents when bathing, etc.
The boat trips from Tortuguero were wonderful. So many birds and other animals were pointed out to us with the Green Iguanas in the trees being particularly inspirational.
Brilliant
It can be very hot and humid in the tropical rain forest but also cooler in the mountains. Casualwear is definetly what you need.
The group size of 14 was ideal with plenty of different personalities. The locations selected were a good combination of places which illustrated the diversity of wildlife habitats. The real bonus to the holiday was the guide (Katia) and driver (Chico). Katia was the real deal. Her English was good, she was very knowledgeable about wildlife, and she went out of her way to help and try to meet everyone’s needs. Katia was a very professional guide indeed. We were also fortunate to have Chico who was always happy and helpful. He would often stop to let us see something he had spotted. The guide and driver always considered our safety not only when stopping to take in the view, but also in pointing out any potential dangers such as pickpockets, rip currents when bathing, etc.
The boat trips from Tortuguero were wonderful. So many birds and other animals were pointed out to us with the Green Iguanas in the trees being particularly inspirational.
Brilliant
It can be very hot and humid in the tropical rain forest but also cooler in the mountains. Casualwear is definetly what you need.
We were very lucky to have Johnny Villalobos as our tour leader. He is a walking encyclopedia on the flora and fauna, caring, flexible and a great organiser. We saw spider, capuchin, howler and squirrel monkeys, three and two toed sloths , lizards, iguanas, a green turtle laying her eggs (very moving) and much more. I can’t remember how many species of birds we saw (loads), all of them very colourful and often very close up. This is one of the best trips I have ever done.
There were many but without doubt the time we spent at Tortuguero was tops. Hancy, our boat captain, was able to spot wildlife when all I could see was vegetation. The extra excursion to see the Green Turtle laying her eggs was very moving. We formed a 'guard of honour' as she hauled herself back into the sea. Also watching the capuchins stealing the bananas meant for hotel guests at the Villa Bosque and both the capuchins and squirrel monkeys using the overhead cables to move from where they spent the night to feed. We stayed in some lovely lodges/hotels. The only slight disappointment was the hotel at Manuel Antonio (Villa Bosque) as the rooms and bathrooms were small. Carlos, our driver, was very careful.
Johnny Villalobos is amazing. His knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none. He often arranged extra stops on the drives to break up the time spent travelling, although I didn't find the drives long. I'm afraid of heights so didn't do the canopy walk, Johnny made sure that I would be OK waiting at the centre while the rest of the group went off, showing me around so that I knew where everything was. He also showed us around and explained things when some of us went to the hot springs. I had my birthday while we were away and Johnny arranged a cake with a central candle, which lit a ring of candles and played Happy Birthday! He and Carlos also gave me a small gift. Johnny is the best group leader I have ever had.
Only really what everyone else has said. Protect your camera from the rain and protect yourself from insect bites. Even though your clothes don't get wet, the humidity will make everything feel damp.
What an amazing trip! Incredible wildlife at every turn – sloths, monkeys, turtles, iguanas, frogs, coatis, the list goes on, beautiful birds and unusual plants too. Seven very different locations, shortish travel times and great hotels. Just be prepared to sweat more than you thought humanly possible!!!
Watching a green turtle lay her eggs at Tortuguero (optional extra). And the sloth with her baby hanging low on a vine beside the river.
Fabulous.
15 day trip travelling around Costa Rica discovering all it has to offer.
Seeing the wildlife close up. Being in the rainforest,amazed at the trees,vegetation and flower species.
Very knowledgable and professional.
Maybe try to put your clothes in sealable bags as first days are in rainforest and everything will get damp and stay damp. Don’t pack too much, opportunity to wash clothes at halfway point of trip. Protection for camera or make sure you have one with two viewfinders in case of water ingress (my camera broke down on third day!). Good protection if you suffer from insect bites.
This holiday was superb for exploring different landscapes and seeing lots of wildlife. The tour includes a wide variety of places to visit, allowing you to see the shifts in environment and wildlife, which was very interesting, and we were awarded with so many fantastic wildlife spots – both birds and mammals. We stayed in a collection of lovely hotels set in beautiful gardens where you would often have your own cabin and small terrace. Food was tasty and local people were very friendly and accommodating. You will definitely return home with plenty of stories to tell!
As someone who enjoys bird watching, I found it exciting to learn about the different species and see them first hand. Seeing 145 new species of birds in two weeks was phenomenal! I was most surprised at how close the wildlife was; with an average pair of binoculars, I had excellent views, although some wildlife - hummingbirds, armadillos, reptiles for example - were all so close that I didn't need them. Seeing such colourful and exotic wildlife was definitely the highlight of the trip.
The guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, providing fascinating insights into the country's economy, wildlife, plants and people, all imparted with humour and dry wit. He led the group with such assured ease, that the whole holiday felt effortless. As someone who normally travels independently, it was a real treat to be led by someone who really knew what they were doing. His enthusiasm and knowledge improved the holiday immeasurably.
The temperature fluctuates drastically between the different locations. You will need both warm clothes and waterproofs as well as light summery clothes. Whatever you bring, make sure it is quick-drying, including shoes - the humidity is so high that nothing really dries. Take binoculars too - it will increase your enjoyment of the holiday no end.
We had am amazing time on this trip from the moment we landed in San Jose. Our guide Andres kept us informed about what to expect, and bring for each activity. He had an amazing knowledge about his country and was passionate that we should like and enjoy our tip. Our Driver Juan was also excellent. He kept the bus spotless and was keen to help.
The accommodation was of a good standard with the last lodge being the icing on the cake.
The plants, animals and scenery were also fantastic. Overall an amazing trip.
Seeing the turtle lay its eggs.
Our group leader was full of knowledge and prepared us well for what to expect each day. He was polite and quick to resolve any problems that occurred.
We travelled in August . There was a lot of rain. Wellingtons may have been useful. We took sturdy shoes and Walking boots but did not really need the boots.
Cosa Rica has such diversity,you will experience rouged mountains,rolling hills,virgin forest ,tropical beaches and beautiful waterways to view the homes of the turtles,not to mention the
numerous butterflies,birds and mammals you will encounter.
San Jose is not a place to savour but after a good nights sleep in a fabulous city hotel (the decor,staff and food is first class ) you will be off to start your adventure.
You will have good accommodation in lovely locations.
Be warned some nights you will be chilly and the dampness can be a problem,after all you are often in a rainforest environment,when I returned everything in my suitcase and its contents were damp.
This is a small price to pay for the things you will see!…do be willing to take the walks,you will miss out so much if you decide to stay at the base or take a bus.
We had lovely weather every morning before the rain came most afternoons…so dont go for this type of holiday to stay in bed till 9….you will miss the best times!…up at 6 and bed at 9-10 is a norm.
This trip has a nice balance of trip and leisure with a brilliant guide,it you want a holiday….dont go!…if you want an experience book now!
Having the pleasure of a different bird or mammal every day....they really are there.
Extremely good... very experienced and full of knowledge....told us important thing.... but appreciated silence! Didnt treat us like we were on a sunday school outing.
Take plenty of cheap t shirts etc because you will not have chance to wash and dry as your always moving ..it wont dry in time.....its not a fashion show...be practical.