Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the natural habitats and observing the wildlife including Hummingbirds feeding from your hand Finding hatchling turtles on a beach Observing a quetzal in the wild

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Glenda was exceptionally informative and friendly and made you feel very welcome in the country. Glenda’s enthusiasm and knowledge greatly enhanced the holiday experience as did her help with photographs. Our bus driver Charlie was brilliant at spotting wildlife and eager to help our tour members. Both are a great asset for Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take quick drying clothes, the humidity and rain in some areas make clothes drying difficult. The rain also requires that your camera is well protected.

Most Inspirational Moment

The guide Glenda and driver Charlie.BRILLIANT!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional

Advice for Potential Travellers

If Glenda and Charlie are involved you will have an exceptionally well organised ,informative and above all safe and happy trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Excellent variety of wildlife environments visited.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding, enthusiastic and well suited to the role as a specialist wildlife guide (Glenda). Good rapport with experienced driver and wildlife spotter (Carlos ‘Charlie’ Fernandez) and local guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It will rain, quite a lot at times so be prepared to protect photographic equipment etc. Air conditioning not available in some locations so drying washing not always feasible

Most Inspirational Moment

All of the tour it was absolutely incredible seeing so much wildlife and especially being extremely fortunate to see a Quetzal which is one of the birds I really wanted to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda is outstanding with all her knowledge on nature and wildlife and answered questions on other subjects the group asked about the country She is a huge asset representing Exodus positive, enthusiastic, extremely passionate about nature and wildlife and was informative with facts with every discovery we found which was alot.We were the lucky group thanks to Glenda finding so much wildlife. We have experienced the best guide ever who is compassionate in all respects looking after us in in a very professional way with a lovely sense of humour excellent organisation /communication skills, and ensuring the group are one big family. Charlie our lovely driver always smiling and happy also extremely passionate about nature wildlife spotting wildlife too again Charlie is a Asset to Exodus.They are a great team work brilliantly together. Nothing is too much trouble for either of them and will go out of their way to assist /help in anyway they can.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe in my case not do first optional night walk its very long and after doing two other activities walk in morning on hanging bridges and zip wiring found it too exhausting...could of been though didnt sleep to good night before bit anxious re Zip wiring. Would thoroughly recommend zip wiring if your anxious ask for staff member to be with you this put me at ease on day and wasnt afraid just super excited and ended up doing some on my own it was absolutely incredible. Second optional night walk Esquinas Lodge I personally thought better.

Most Inspirational Moment

Turtles hatching and the amount of wildlife observed at all times

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant, knowledgeable, helpful, funny, flexible and constantly available for anything we needed

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an umbrella

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife seen throughout the trip is amazing but by far the best moment was experienced in the Esquinas Rainforest Nature Reserve when we treated to the rare sighting of a Tayra as it came to the lodge to feed on the bananas there. Equally inspirational was learning how so many of the Reserves were privately owned, run by and for the benefit of the local people in an effort to preserve the local flora & fauna.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armando was just the most amazing guide and he, above everything, was responsible for making this such a memorable trip. With his sunny smile and quick witted humour he had the whole group gelling together in no time. His skill at spotting wildlife even in the depths of the forest was amazing. At the start of the trip he asked each of us what we were hoping to get out of the visit and what we most wanted to see, he then made it his mission to tick off as many of those birds/animals as possible. We saw all 4 species of monkey and 4 out of 6 species of Toucan. He knew where to find the endangered Scarlet Macaws and, of course, succeeded in finding the Resplendant Quetzal. I challenged him to find a sloth with a baby & he did that on day 3! The only animal he failed to find was a tapir but we all agreed that the Tayra made up for that. Some birds/animals were difficult to spot but he would set up his telescope so that we were all able to see them and then he took pictures through it with our mobile phones. Nothing was too much trouble for Armando and equally for our driver Randall. They made a great team and if you are lucky enough to get them on your tour then you will not be disappointed. Pura Vida!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend taking some dollars to get through the first few days as it isn't easy to get to an ATM. Credit cards can be used everywhere but cash is needed for tips. Food & drink is quite expensive but portions are extremely generous and one dish could easily be shared between two. Temperatures vary between locations and some warmer clothing is definitely required for the last stay in Savegre.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the female turtle laying her eggs, covering them and returning slowly to the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent knowledgeable guide with a charming personality.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy every moment and take more money than you think as the alcoholic drinks can be expensive!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We visited at the end of the rainy season, so yes it did rain - the term rainforest rather gives the game away - but usually the mornings were dry and sunny. Ponchos proved very useful to protect rucksacks and cameras during the downpours. The high humidity meant that clothing took a long time to dry, so would recommend taking as much quick drying technical clothing as you can, although there were regular laundry opportunities. I'd also packed walking boots, which were not necessary. Stout walking trainers were perfectly adequate. Card payment is virtually universal in Costa Rica.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing baby green turtles emerging from the nest and scrambling to the sea

Thoughts on Group Leader

Randall couldn't do enough for us. His knowledge of the wildlife and plants and Costa Rica in general was amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for rain! Costa Rica is not a cheap destination either - food and alcohol is quite expensive. We took Costa Rican Colones as we thought why take US dollars for them to convert to local. In the event they prefer dollars, as it's more stable, and convert from dollars to Colones.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whale watching trip was truly unforgettable: as the speed boat leapt over the Pacific Ocean swell, none of us were prepared for the amazing performance laid on for us by a humpback whale and her calf. For 30 minutes we were enthralled by the ballet the two of them put on breaching every two to three minutes. The excitement of this experience was truly unforgettable, and we were all felt privileged to have been given an opportunity to see nature at play in this way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda was a real star: she was full of energy and life, sharing her passion and love of her country. Throughout the trip, Glenda made sure that we were her priority and that we were all given the best chance to appreciate the wonders of her country. No request was ever too much for her, and her sense of fun and humour helped us all relax throughout the trip. Her knowledge of her country’s biodiversity, and her ability to spot and identify both flora and fauna was remarkable. Without her I am not sure we would ever have discovered the elusive quetzal, but with her we saw makes and females twice - and then she used her skill to enable us to have photographs on our phones through her telescope. Glenda wanted us all to feel like we were part of her family, and her wish was that we would persuade others to come and enjoy her country. I hope many more will follow in our tracks - you won’t be disappointed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the humidity and the rain. September was the start of the “wetter” season, but mornings were nearly all sunny and hot, and actually we only had two afternoons which were torrential. But you will need to have a good poncho or waterproof top - perhaps a small umbrella? The humidity can be very high, so there is a need to have a good change of clothes as wet clothes do not always dry overnight. The other issue might be whether to have cash or use debit/credit cards. Some extra activities could only be paid for with cash (US dollars) and it is important to understand that not every ATM gives dollars but they all take commission.