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A truly great nature holiday. We saw all of the wildlife listed in other reviews. A great group and an excellent leader. Sometimes it is when things go wrong when you find out if the travel company has sufficient support. 5 days into the holiday I caught covid. The leader and the local team came up with a plan that made sense where myself and my wife separated from the group and met up for the flight home. I am very grateful for the local support and for the hotel for taking a covid positive person. In the near future I’m sure covid positive people will carry on with the other guests but this was not the case on this holiday where government rules meant I had to isolate. Thanks Exodus and team.
Watching a leather back turtle making its way back into the Caribbean Sea.
Johnny was excellent both in a personal way and in his extremely high level of knowledge of flora and fauna.
Deet insect rollon was good. Swimming towels are obtainable from the hotels. You can get fairly cheap washes half way around so you don't need to take too much stuff. Make sure you have good binoculars and lightweight ponchos.
This is certainly a trip for wildlife lovers, and on that score it certainly does not disappoint, though a good pair of binoculars is probably more important than a good camera. However, I think marketing this trip as something which can be enjoyed in the rainy season is misleading at best. It doesn’t just rain for a bit then the sun comes out – when it rains it can rain for hours and hours. While we were lucky in that in rained mostly at night on our trip, on a few occasions we were caught in it, and our trip was at the beginning of the rainy season.
The early starts were too early at times, and when you’ve just come on two long flights involving twenty four hours of airports, security checks, passports, flights . . . being told you need to get up for a 6.00am breakfast seems just cruel.
Our tour leader argued that because of the early sunset around 5.30 – 6pm we needed to make the best of the day light, which is a fair point, but our afternoon trips invariable finished well before dinner, so a later breakfast at say 8am would not really have created a problem.
The best were the unplanned, like when the traffic stopped because a Boa Constrictor was crossing the road - really! and another time when a two toed sloth had to be rescued from the middle of the road. Another time I had just settled down to drink a Pina Colada at the hotel bar when a monkey casually walked by on the telephone wires above me, like it was just going to the shops. You spend ages trying to see these creatures in the trees, then suddenly there they are in front of you. Watching a flight of scarlet Macaws was also quite special.
Jonny is very passionate about his country, his is very knowledgeable, and he has a remarkable ability to spot wildlife which was invisible to the rest of us until he points it out. But he talks too much, and especially when your tired, being stuffed full of information is not fun.
Get good quality anti-mosquito ointment. I took Life Systems 'Expedition Plus insect repellent' and I didn't get bitten once.
Costa Rica is well known for its biodiversity, and this itinerary is well designed to show it off given the wide range of habitat visited over the 2 weeks. Starting on the Caribbean coast, we spent our first 2 days exploring the waterways of the Tortuguero National Park. From there, we visited various rain forests and then cloud forests as we increased altitude, climbing the central mountain range that divides the country and then descending to the Pacific coast.
Be prepared for contrasting weather as go, from hot and (very) humid to much cooler at the greater elevations, and be sure to pack accordingly. It’s interesting to see the flora and fauna vary with these different ecosystems as you progress through the trip.
As previous reviewers have already commented on, the range of wildlife we saw (and heard) was huge, and included birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. Highlights for me include the toucans, humming birds, quetzal, sloth, and some impressively sized crocodile.
The accommodation was very comfortable and very well presented and the various eco-lodges certainly fitted the focus of the trip, helping you to feel immersed in the forest. Most had wildlife walking trails that you are able to explore without a need for a guide. I’d highly recommend the optional (guided) night walks as an opportunity to see the tree frogs and other amphibians and snakes.
I visited at the end of May, and decent waterproofs were essential – If, like me, you’re taking cameras, make sure you have a waterproof bag for these too. Having said that, the weather was kind to us and although it rained frequently, it was pretty predictable and tended to be limited to the evenings so didn’t impact on the excursions – but be prepared and aware that the itinerary is flexible to account for the weather if required.
The conservation ethos is Costa Rica is impressive. Their dedication to the protection of their natural habitats is paying obvious dividends. The sounds of the forests is something that will stay with me for a long time, particularly first thing in the morning!
Our guide, Johnny, deserves a special mention. His knowledge and friendly manner were exceeded only by his enthusiasm and contagious passion for his country and it's wildlife. It was really nice to see his obvious excitement at some of our wildlife sightings (notably a huge boa constrictor crossing a road during one of our bus transfers!).
Pack a comfortable pair of closed toe walking shoes. These are required for some areas due to the potential for snakes, particularly if you want to make the most of the self-guided trails or night walks at the lodges. ..and waterproofs. If you're planning on taking advantage of the laundry services as to go, be aware that these tended to get more expensive as we went, so I'd recommend doing what you can earlier in the trip.
Had a fabulous time on this trip in March 2022.
The itinerary means that you cover a wide area of Costa Rica from the comfort of your small coach with likeminded travellers. Johnny was a great guide – very experienced at knowing what to say when with a smile and good humour. Chico was our safe driver with a cheeky smile.
The accommodation was good and varied but mainly lodges situated right where the forest and wildlife were.
I would say that this would suit as an introduction to the varying eco systems in Costa Rica as the tour takes you from Caribbean to Pacific coasts and with rainforests, cloud forests, beaches, volcanoes and lagoons . Wildlife sightings included sloths, hummingbirds, toucans, scarlet macaws (and numerous other birds), caiman, iguanas, monkeys . tree frogs etc. Some were hidden in the greenery of the forest and others were visible and I got some good photos – it is not so easy to take photos than, say, African safari.
Lodge employees were friendly and the food, when included, was delicious. There was some opportunities to eat in local restaurants as well.
There are a lot of early starts but it was also dark early so the itinerary made the most of the daylight hours.
Seeing a sloth moving (slowly of course) through the trees was a sight to behold. Also, red eyed tree frogs - both so iconic for Costa Rica.
Johnny was a great group leader - with 27 years experience of leading tours. He shared his knowledge and knew exactly when the group needed information - size of lodges we would be visiting, what we were doing the next day, when the next rest stop would be etc. etc.
Be prepared for some early starts. Weather in March (although dry season) did include both hot and wet days - bring clothing for both. Take insect repellent - although not a malaria zone there were insects aplenty! Be ready with your camera to capture those fleeting glimpses of wildlife - practice bird shots so that you can get photos of those fast moving hummingbirds! The Pacific ocean was like a warm bath to swim in.
From meeting our guide, Andres, and our excellent driver, Victor, we had an unforgettable two weeks visiting different regions of Costa Rica. It is not just the sights but also the sounds that make Costa Rica such a special destination – it’s so green and the wildlife is so colourful. We were delighted to see so many different species and we really appreciated Andres’ willingness to share his knowledge with us. The accommodation was very good and it worked well spending 2 nights in each of the different locations. Our group of 16 got on well and we helped each other to spot birds etc. The food was very good – portion sizes are very generous but you can ask for a half portion. This was a special holiday and it didn’t disappoint.
I'll never forget Tortuguero - all the birds and animals that we saw on the boat trip to the island, the montezuma oropendola building their nests, the toucans visiting their nest, the tree frogs, the leafcutter ants, standing on the beach where the turtles lay their eggs (though not in March) - the variety of humming birds, and seeing a pair of quetzals checking up on their nest at Savegre. I also enjoyed paddling in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.
I will be nominating Andres for the Exodus tour leader award. He is SO knowledgeable about Costa Rica and was always happy to answer our (numerous) questions. He was very patient, always professional, and took excellent care of the group, making sure we knew where we were going and what to expect. On the day of our departure, when our fight was delayed by 24 hours, I was particularly impressed that he made contact with British Airways staff and made sure we were in good hands before taking his leave (much later than planned).
1. Read the other reviews - I found them really helpful. 2. If you pack light, you can expect to use the laundry service and/or got into the habit of washing clothes as soon as you arrive at the new destination. I sometimes wore 3 different tops in a day due to the humidity. I'm glad I bought quick drying clothes in the Rohan sale! 3. Bring a camera with a good zoom lens and a good pair of binoculars or a monocular. I have enjoyed looking at the short videos that I took which capture the sounds as well as the sights. 4. You might want to bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper - the frogs are quite loud at night.
Just completed a fantastic two-weeks traveling around the wonderful country of Costa Rica. This was primarily a wildlife viewing holiday, and it certainly didn’t disappoint – sloths, caiman, crocodiles, monkeys, lizards, iguanas and of course birds. Many different types of heron and flycatchers, plus tanagers, honey creepers, toucans, mot mots, macaws, humming birds – the list is long! We even saw and photographed the elusive but absolutely Resplendent Quetzal! Overall, yet another fantastic Exodus trip!
Hard to say! Probably seeing the Resplendent Quetzal at Savegre, but the sloths and Capuchin monkeys at Manuel Antonio were highlights too, as well as all the varied wildlife at Tortuguero. The Esquinas Rainforest Lodge was absolutely delightful. It was great to visit the different types of habitats - coastal rainforest, dry forest and cloud forest - and the various hotels and lodges that we stayed at were all great.
Our guide Alejandro did a brilliant job, not least stepping in at minimal notice when our original (and also great) guide unfortunately got sick. He had just come off two back-to-back tours, but quickly got up to speed with all the arrangements, and was really informative as well as being great at spotting wildlife. Our driver, Chico, was first-class and also helped with the wildlife spotting on the way.
Take a good pair of binoculars, and if you plan to photograph the wildlife take a good camera with a long lens! If you can, arrive a couple of days early to get over the jet-lag before starting this fairly full-on trip.
From the moment we met our local guide, Pedro Benavides and our excellent driver, Gabriel, we had the most wonderful two weeks visiting many different regions of Costa Rica. From the pounding surf of the Caribbean to the stillness of the lush forests and then from the heat of the Pacific coast to the cool air of the cloud forests and Paramo region at the top of the Continental Divide every National Park we visited had its own character. We were somewhat disappointed at the lack of birdlife visible (or heard) on many of the forest trails, but overall we saw an amazing variety of species and with sloths, iguanas, monkeys and crocodiles adding to the wildlife sightings it was truly magnificent. Accommodation was great – the various wooden lodges varied in character but all provided comfortable beds and in the more remote locations, which were all-inclusive, the food was excellent. The Hotel Presidente in San José for the first and last nights was very comfortable and its central location made it ideal for shopping, interesting museums and visiting the National Theatre and Metropolitan Cathedral. Our group of 14 travellers gelled together easily despite a wide age range and the overall verdict was that this was a trip which could be highly recommended. Thank you, Exodus.
The optional boat excursion on the Rio Tárcoles - Jungle Crocodile Safari - was a highlight for us all. So many birds and other creatures to see at fairly close quarters during the short boat trip - amazing.
Pedro was very good. He organised the days very well and without any fuss, giving us options where appropriate and on the whole making it clear to everyone what time and where to meet etc etc. He was quite skilled at finding wildlife for us and knowledgeable about the various species of birds we saw. He had a good command of English and a wonderful sense of humour. He was very proud to tell us about Costa Rica itself and good at pointing out things to see on our journeys. Our driver Gabriel was also good at spotting wildlife and where he could do so safely he would park the coach so we could all disembark for a closer look.
Take plenty of insect repellant, antihistamines if you are liable to be bitten and lots of cool clothes but also warmer layers for the mountains. Be prepared to live out of your suitcase for 2 weeks. And where it's most humid be prepared for swimsuits taking a long time to dry.
This is a leisurely trip as stated with plenty of downtime. That said, expect breakfast at 7am most days. Most of the hotels are very good. Travelling in February, it provided a pleasant break from the British winter with the added interest of unusual animals and birds.
The highlights were wildlife spotting in Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio and seeing a Quetzal (at Savegre).
The leader was able to keep the group together and provided clear information. His eyesight was amazing: he could spot wildlife that I would never have seen without it being pointed out. He also new the names of all the birds and much of the flora.
There is little need to carry much money in Colons: US dollars are acceptable in most tourist places. In addition most places take credit cards which is the best way to pay provided your card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. None of my credit card payments had a handling fee as suggested in the trip notes. If a mid-week departure isn't a problem, then trips departing on a Thursday avoid being at Manuel Antonio at the weekend when it is claimed to be busy. Don't bother with the night hike: there are far too many people too close to roads to see anything interesting.
This was a retirement present to myself and was certainly worth the two year wait. A great group of people, diverse locations, amazing wildlife, all brought together by our amazing guide ,Andreas.
Having the courage to Zipline through the rainforest and experience the Tarzan swing. A very memorable activity with a group of equally terrified group members. An experience not to be missed. The guides are patient and take great care with your safety. Would thoroughly recommend.
Andreas was a charming and knowledgeable guide. He made great efforts to ensure we knew what was happening every day and always had our safety in mind. Without his expertise we would have missed much of the wildlife(he had eyes like a hawk!) He personally went the extra mile helping me to exchange old currency that was obsolete. He made sure we had time by ourselves if we wished and also made sure that nobody felt left out. A very capable and passionate leader. It was his discreet organisation that ensured the trip ran so smoothly. Thanks
Pack light, take plenty of repellent. I found a mixture of colons, dollars and cards proved useful.
I thought this was a great trip and I was very fortunate to end up travelling with a fabulous, like minded group of people. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and the itinerary is well designed to fit in lots of places but without feeling rushed as you get to stay everywhere for two nights. It did not feel as intense and tiring as some trips I have done as there is ample chance to chill out on the verandas of the lodges or by the pool with a book or just watching the wildlife.
It is very focused on the nature, scenery and wildlife side of the country, in particular birds, so be prepared for that. There is a chance to do a few other things such as the hot springs and zip lining which are well worth it.
I thought all of the accommodation was excellent. Although they varied in terms of facilities everywhere was clean, comfortable and friendly, in excellent locations, with beautiful grounds and with good food (food especially good in Savegre) and most had pools which was an added bonus.
There were quite a few amazing moments and the whole country is just a joy to explore. I was desperate to see a sloth and we managed to see a few but seeing my first one by the pool in Tortuguero on day one was a definite highlight. I also loved the boat trips we did. We also saw an Armadillo and porcupine here as well which are apparently quite rare to spot so that was very exciting as was seeing a troupe of monkeys jumping from the trees across the river on the boat trip. In terms of the optional trips I really enjoyed the hot springs in La Fortuna as well as the zip lining and canopy walk in Monteverde and would definitely recommend doing these.
Alex Castro is a brilliant tour leader. He has an infectious enthusiasm and love for his country and a seemingly endless wealth of knowledge regarding all the animals, birds and plants. Quite how he could identify birds at such a great distance when all I can see at best is a blob without my binoculars will forever be a mystery! He was always charming and polite with a great sense of humour and had endless patience with us when we were asking for the twentieth time what a certain bird was or getting excited about an 'animal' that turned out to be just a lump of moss or leaves! Also, I have to mention the best bus driver in Costa Rica - Mario. A lovely, friendly guy who navigated the winding and sometimes bumpy Costa Rican roads brilliantly and safely, and who was always happy to try and help me with my awful Spanish!
It is not necessary to take colones. You can get by easily with American dollars. Be warned that Costa Rica is at least as expensive as the UK if not slightly more so. Both Monteverde and Savegre can be on the cool side so make sure you have some layers. Take binoculars as you need them to spot all the birds and animals. I wondered before I went if I should have booked to stay in San Jose for longer however having done the trip I don't feel it is necessary. We had a few hours on the last day so got to do a quick tour of the city centre and then the gold museum which is very good and then as the flight was not until the afternoon the next day I was able to do the 9am tour of the National Theatre which I would highly recommend.