Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Two in particular.  The canopy walk in Monte Verde was wonderful - a great chance to get above the forest and have a bird's eye view.  The second standout is Esquinas - the night hike was a great experience.  The sheer variety of sounds in the frog chorus is amazing.  There were others too - the beach in Manual Antonio and Tortugero etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio's knowledge of the flora and fauna of Costa Rica is amazing.  It was obvious that he enjoys showing off his beautiful country.  Also a very nice guy who made sure we has a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I went in May/June - off season and the rainy season.  It rained most days but not all day and didn't prevent us from doing anything.  The compensation was visiting all these wonderful places and having many almost to ourselves.  In particular it was lovely in Tortugeuro - we had the run of the place!  Don't be afraid of the rain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the Agouti walk out of the woods in front of me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent natural history knowledge.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best moments for me were when walking on our own on a trail at Manual Antonio NP where we got to watch a troop of Capuchin monkeys crossing the path in the trees and then were rewarded for climbing further with a group of Squirrel monkeys very close to us as well. The NP here was very beautiful but each place was different and inspirational in it's own right.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was great! He had a good sense of humour and good knowledge of the wildlife, history and diverse ecosystems of Costa Rica.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good camera with good zoom lens for wildlife shots.

Most Inspirational Moment

wild life and birds

Thoughts on Group Leader

very experienced one - marco polo

Advice for Potential Travellers

weather is colder than we think, beware theft in hotel, they can unlock your door and get in your room to steal things

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being in the forest and seeing all those exotic plants, mammals, birds and reptiles in their natural environments would have been utterly wonderful. But the tapestry of night and morning sounds (frogs, monkeys, birds) was a revelation, each place having its own soundscape. I have recordings which evoke the humidity, temperature and atmosphere of each place we stayed even more than the photos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We could not have asked for a better leader. He (Jeff Munoz) was knowlegable, enthusiastic, and determined both to show us as much as he could of the country and its natural history and to impart his knowledge. Both the leader and the driver (Mario Jiminez Ortiz) were conscientious and accommodating. They arranged optional group visits to restaurants, which would not otherwise have happened, and always offered interesting trips during the free time when they should, presumably, have been off duty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read up about each place you are visiting and where there is time for optional excursions ask your group leader about alternatives. In Monteverde we enjoyed the activities we did (bridges walk, zipline experience, hummingbird viewing, forest walk) but personally wish I'd spent more time exploring the primary forest rather than ziplining or visiting secondary forest (Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve - short walk). Definitely do the boat trip on the Tarcoles River if you get the chance. Don't obsess about seeing a quetzal - there are so many other exciting creatures to see!

Most Inspirational Moment

- Boat trip in the back canals at Tortuguero.- Children at school.- Humming birds !!! How beautiful they are.- rainforest and cloud forests - very unique experience and the well chosen lodges made them very enjoyable. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was very knowledgable and had good contacts with other guides to help spotting animals.  The only comment I could make that he could have much better managed timing in the interest of the group (instead of his own interest) to make the most of the day.  Often days were splitn with short breaks that you could do nothing meaningful.  The driver was brilliant, he well looked after the bus and people safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- It's a wildlife tour, so don't expect much cultural experience.- Food is great but nothing authenticate; ask for plain grilled fish when on the coast to enjoy the real flavor of fresh seafood and don't let it spoiled with marinade and sauce. - Bring a water bottle - tap water is safe to drink !- Don't forget your fleece, it's freezing in the mountains in the night.  - You are going to rain/could forests, don't expect your cloths to dry:-) 

Most Inspirational Moment

Aerial walkways in the cloud forest - walking in the clouds!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcos is a great guy, larger than life, seemed to know just about everyone in the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

seeing the sloth have a scratch!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very professional and a excellent guide

Advice for Potential Travellers

GO! Costa Rica is an amazing country to visit if you are into the environmentl love animals and a wide range of habitats

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the otters hunting and feeding from out boat in the back canals at Tortuguero.  No mention of otters on the Trip Notes (in fact our guide said they were the first he'd seen).Seeing squirrel monkeys in Juan Antonio NP.Humming bird wonderland! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was very good.  On a trip were there were lots of options he managed (with a little difficulty) to keep tabs on the group.  He didn't over-regiment the group.  He also went beyond his remit to help me shop for my 40th wedding anniversary present for my wife!His one black mark was our final group meal (see below). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes carefully.  These are the best notes I can remember from Exodus.  They are very accurate in that there is a lot of travelling; the wet season in rain and cloud forests is wet. Don't say you weren't warned!

Most Inspirational Moment

The main highlight for me was just observing the amazing variety of wildlife. I think our group were very lucky in what we saw but even if you see only half of the creatures we came across you are in for a treat. During the course of the 2 weeks we saw over 100 different types of bird (including the elusive Questzal), crocodiles, caimans, 3 different types of turtle, 3 different types of monkey, an armadillo, a few cheeky racoons, a couple of whales, a snake or two, an otter, 2 different type of sloths just hanging around in trees and quite a lot more including a praying mantis that just decided to pop into the bar for a drink one evening.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Anotino was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the country. He had a great sense of humor an spent a lot of time with every member of the group answering queries, identifying the birds and generally helping out with anything the group needed. He was also excellent at spotting the wildlife hidding in trees, (even when we were going past it at 30 miles an hour in the bus driven expertly and safely by Luis Deigo), so we missed none of the wildlife that came within eyesight.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My main advice is to have fun. Take plenty of deet with you. Take a good camera with something to keep it dry and don't let any rain you might get spoil your enjoyment.Always keep you eyes peeled for movement in the tress or undergrowth. You never know what might be lurking just waiting for you to discover it.In addition to the included activites members of our group opted to see the turtles laying their eggs on the beach, went through the jungle canopy on 13 zip wires and did a canopy walk. All of which added to the overall expierence.