Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

How we all got on! With the help of our guide Armando. and then seeing an Osprey grab a fish and fly away in Tortuguero Then there were the Toucan's, Tanager's and a Tayra - and that's just the letter T! Most of us had Tortuguero down as our favourite spot. The inland waterway on one side -the roaring surf (like noisy air con at night) on the other - truly inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

First class. Friendly. Caring. Funny. With knowledge and intelligence to bring the best out of the surroundings and the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes The trip is one big journey in a suitcase. Take time out at the end to relax before heading home.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the ocean, seeing the quetzal bird, loved the boat trips through the rainforest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mayer was simply amazing!!! He was group leader/ cater/ problem solver, that man deserves a medal.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack more warmer clothes, it wasn’t warm very often and you can get a frost in some locations. Use the laundrettes at the beginning of the journey, the end part is super expensive. Pack snacks for long journeys. Have an amazing camera. Be prepared for long journeys.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say as there were many. It is between seeing Quetzals in Savegre and the beauty of Esquinas Lodge and the inspirational story of how it came about. Costa Rica has been lucky that it listened to some inspirational people. We also met several inspirational people who have created a life from what was a very hard environment. Real explorers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny Villalobos is an amazing person. You don't need a bird expert trip because he is one. He is also encyclopedic and very proud about the stories of Costa Rica. It is all put across in a very calm way and he always seems in control. Most mornings at 6am he would do an extra bird walk for those who wanted to attend and along with Wilbour our excellent driver added several extra activities at no cost. He is still answering questions on Whats App.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it. The country is very stable and beautiful and that cannot be said for many places these days. We were there in the dryer season and we found we didn't need walking boots. Good walking shoes were enough. If required as it was for the night walk rubber boots will be supplied and are compulsory. I was unlucky at the end so pack some immodium (I was the only one) and if it's bad visit a pharmacy. But don't let that put you off it can happen anywhere. Wash a few things everyday as you go along. I never needed to use a laundry.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife in the Tortuguero river area was absolutely beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Glenda was outstanding. Her wildlife knowledge was second to none, and nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even if you go in what is classed as the dry season, take good waterproofs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing macaws flying in the wild.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As already said, he was brilliant. It takes something to get me out of bed before sunrise on holiday, but I did it several times. He also suggested very good extras and also when it appeared we might miss out on something, he got it sorted. Also, the driver, Victor worked well with David. A real dynamic duo.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When in Manuel Antonio grab a cold drink from the supermarket and sit on the beach with the locals to watch the sunset.

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed Manuel Antonio Park and beach

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Very knowledgeable about birds and animals. Also very informative about Costa Rica generally

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on every activity you can. It’s a varied and wonderful country

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda is very knowledgeable about wildlife and about birds in particular. And best of all she identified for me all the pictures of birds that I took. I will always be grateful to her for that. And she also wants to make it an enjoyable trip for everyone. However, her employer did not give her the tools needed to make her an effective guide. (1) Her company and herself was not able to give me information about the tour start and meeting point despite 2 days of calls to the company and trying to reach her. So the trip started with great frustration. (2) Glenda did not have an electronic communication device. Therefore when she spoke in the front of the bus or boat I could no hear her when I sat at the back. (3) She was not completely informed about all the optional activities that were contained in the Exodus travel guide. If I had not asked her about the kayaking option we would not have gone on that important part of our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only expect level 3 accommodations. At 2 rain forest hotels there was no temperature control in the rooms- only fans. So we were hot and sweating all the time. The only level 1 hotel was Sevegre Hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wildlife

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely 1st class a credit to her country

Advice for Potential Travellers

Glenda our guide was extremely professional and had amazing knowledge of the wildlife and fauna she united our group and became a friend to all of us for life I would definitely like to go again if she was our guide,and a mention to Charlie our driver who was a very safe and accommodating driver they made a great team

Most Inspirational Moment

Only one? That would be difficult. At the beginning of the trip, after the first day in Tortuguero where the wildlife is extremely abundant, I felt like I could return home satisfied. It got better from there..... I have to mention dinner in Manuel Antonio - we looked out of the restaurant and saw a sloth mother with baby on her tummy, travelling along the telephone wires in the pouring rain!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was truly outstanding. He is friendly, helpful, fun and extremely knowledgeable about Costa Rica - its geography, history, wildlife and ecosystems, and happy to share that knowledge. I learned a lot on this trip, thanks to him. His skill at spotting wildlife is impressive, as are his bird calls! I'm sure we wouldn't have seen half of what we did without his help. He ensured that everyone was comfortable, and went out of his way to help some of us with our post-trip arrangements. We couldn't have had a better, or nicer, guide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sunscreen and insect repellent are a must. Costa Rica is hot and humid - pack accordingly. It's helpful to have light-weight, quick drying trousers for walks in the forests. Laundry facilities are available at two locations. It was useful to have an extra pair of walking shoes, since one pair got drenched in a rain shower and took a couple of days to dry out enough to wear. It is quite cool in the Dota region (Savegre cloud forest), so a warm jacket is definitely needed there. Be prepared for rain - I had a raincoat, but a poncho or backpack cover would have been helpful. If you have a camera - consider how you are going to protect it from the rain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the baby turtles emerging from their nest in the sand and scampering down the beach towards the sea. Getting up really early and climbing to see the Quetzals high above us. Visiting the sloths in the Sloth Sanctuary. In fact I enjoyed everything, even the rain.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Johnny was an amazing guy. He was extremely knowledgeable about his country and was excellent at spotting both birds and animals. He was also very kind with a good sense of humour and was always willing to help each and every one of us to maximise our enjoyment of his fantastic country. Percy our driver was also excellent and was extremely helpful in making sure our luggage was where it should be.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Costa Rica is a very lush and beautiful country and is very green due to the heavy rainfall. Pack an umbrella and a waterproof ! Then just go and enjoy.