Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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!
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329 Reviews
4.8 out of
5
Reviews
Karen Lim
Reviewed April 2019
Absolutely wonderful - totally recommend!
This trip really did offer a lot – rainforest, cloud forest, canopy, beaches, waterfalls, hot springs, lots and lots of birdlife, wildlife, hot weather, cool weather, sun, rain. Costa Rica is a land of contrasts and diversity! It was one of the best holidays I have ever had.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many memorable moments - seeing the resplendent quetzals, the monkeys, the hummingbirds, the sloths, the macaws, swimming in the waterfall, the hot springs. Learning to distinguish the calls of various birds (particularly the black-faced solitaire, aka the squeaky door bird).
Thoughts on Group Leader
I've joined the Johnny Villalobos fan club - excellent guide and great guy, passionate about birdlife, wildlife, his country and the environment. It isn't surprising he was named Leader of the year 2017. A special mention to our very able driver Frank who kept our minibus clean and shiny.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring binoculars, a camera with a good zoom lens, suncream and effective mosquito repellent. No need for hiking boots, waterproof walking shoes/trainers will do. Shorts most of the time, trousers for the colder areas. Two swimming costumes (the first one may not dry in time).
Kathryn Gregg
Reviewed April 2019
Extremely Memorable Trip
This trip exceeded our expectations in every respect. We had a fantastic holiday with a small group of like-minded people and every day we saw something special thanks to our excellent guide, Berny. Our transport and driver were also first class.
Each destination was unique. The accommodation overall was excellent, especially the remote forest lodges where you really feel part of the wildlife experience. The food included was also very good, as were the optional restaurants we visited as a group with the guide when dinner wasn’t included. No-one wanted to miss anything and everyone got along so well, which is always a bonus. We were very lucky with the weather and only got wet twice.
We only took two of the optional (extra cost) excursions – the suspension bridges and the night hike, both at Monteverde and both very good. Berny obviously enjoyed showing us the diverse flora and fauna at each destination as he included additional walks and hikes almost every day, even if we only had an hour or so free and only one or two wanted to go while others stayed behind at the resort and relaxed.
We spotted the elusive sun bittern at Tortuguero at the start of the trip and a pair of rare nesting quetzal at the end of the trip at Savegre – really exciting as we were searching for them and so special when we found them and saw them flying in and out of the nest.
Really too many memorable moments to mention, but if you enjoy viewing wildlife, birds, plants and flowers without the walking being too strenuous then this is the trip for you.
Most Inspirational Moment
The excitement of searching for, and finding, the quetzals.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Berny was excellent, so enthusiastic, knowldgeable and proud of his country and birthplace.
Advice for Potential Travellers
No need to take heavy or expensive waterproofs if you're travelling during the 'dry' season. Shorts and a cheap poncho/light showerproof jacket will suffice as the temperature is quite warm and the showers brief. It did get a bit chilly high up in the mountains - Monteverde and Savegre - but a sweater/light fleece did the job.
Also, don't forget to take a pair of lighter sandals/swimming shoes, especially if you're planning on spending time around one of the many available swimming pools. Most walks required light closed-toe walking boots, but there are a few walks where a pair of open-toed trekking sandals will do.
Peter Gornall
Reviewed April 2019
A very happy traveller
Although on paper it might look as if we were in a bus a lot, every moment was worth it for the variety of terrain and wildlife we saw, and the people we met. The wildlife was stunning, made more so through the expertise of our guide, the Tortuguera boat pilot, and the bus driver too. The accommodation was invariably clean and well looked after.
The only concern was Manuel Antonio park, which is highly commercialised. We queued for a hour from just after 7 am to get in, and there was (in contrast to all the other parks) close to mayhem inside. I suspect that mangrove wildlife is not as happy as it should be there.
The coffee farm and the over-canopy walkways were well worth the money. The visit to a dairy farm was very good too, and the farming ladies did so much to make us welcome.
The National Museum in San Jose is excellent.
Most Inspirational Moment
Swallow-tail Kite starting out and rising on a thermal.
Being watched by a caiman
The spider monkey adventuring in the dining hall in Tortuguera
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent guy - (Meyer Jiminez). He was very considerate and helpful; he knew how to rearrange a timetable when we had been held up by first road works and then an accident, and we still fulfilled the programme for the day. He is a considerable bird expert, and has a good knowledge of trees, geology, economics, ecology, farming and all sorts. I'd say we were very lucky to have him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy!!
Be aware of the range of temperatures from coastal heat to mountain cool
Someone on our party was able to get Colons from a Travelex office in a large Tesco. Colons work a bit better than dollars, though you are not going to be badly out-of-pocket with them.
Joan Littleton
Reviewed April 2019
Trip of a lifetime
From beginning to end this trip never ceased to enthrall me. The organisation was spot on. The accommodation was first class. From the cloud rainforest to the hot and humid jungle we saw so much wildlife it was awe-inspiring. Our guide led us through this Wonderland with amazing knowledge and enthusiasm. I have travelled to many parts of the world but never been so inspired. What a wonderful country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Zip wiring
Hanging bridges
Swimming under waterfall
Early morning boat in Tortogerou
Thoughts on Group Leader
Glenda Araya was wonderful She told us so much about her country and showed us flora and fauna with such humour and knowledge and enthusiasm
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack for hot and cold. Such variation in temperature
Karen McCormack
Reviewed March 2019
Pura Vida!
I have been wanting to visit Costa Rica for a number of years and it didn’t disappoint. What an amazing and diverse country, so many different landscapes and microclimates in such a small country. If you are interested in wildlif and birds then this is the trip for you – I tried to make a note of everything we saw and I still only captured about half of it! You stay in every place for 2 nights which is great as you have time to relax and explore each place. All the lodges and hotels are in great locations and of good quality. Some of the best wildlife spotting was in the beautiful grounds of the lodges – you could just sit outside your room and wait for it to come to you! Driving distances are not too great and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy your surroundings- some of the roads are very uneven so you do get a good massage but our fantastic driver, Carlos did his best to keep this to minimum. I shared the experience with a great group which made the trip even better, you had plenty of time to do things together or take time out and do your own thing if you wanted.
Most Inspirational Moment
It’s very difficult to pick out one moment - seeing my first sloth in Tortuguero, seeing the sunrise on a deserted Caribbean beach, zip lining through stunning cloud forest in Monteverde, being woken by howler monkeys doing what they do best, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, enjoying the amazing surroundings of Esquinas Lodge, becoming blasé about hummingbirds after seeing so many, listening to coyotes howling in Savegre or enjoying happy hour!! Make the most of every moment as it’s over far too quickly and you’re back to reality.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I chose this trip in March as it was being led by Jonny Villalobos, tour leader of the year 2017, as I’d read so much fantastic feedback about him and I can honestly say it’s all true. His knowledge of and passion for his country and it’s wildlife just shines out of him and it’s utterly infectious. He was so attentive to our groups needs, we had a number of vegetarians, vegans, gluten free and dairy intolerant in our group and he made sure there was always something for them to eat. He added extra walks and wildlife spotting opportunities if you wanted them or he gave you time to just unwind in your beautiful surroundings. March is probably the peak time to go but Jonny was brilliant at getting us away from the crowds which were really only evident in Manual Antonio national park, which you don’t want to miss as the beaches are stunning here. Jonny is a brilliant ambassador for Costa Rica and for Exodus
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for all weather conditions - ensure you have a good poncho or waterproof as the only thing I can guarantee is you will need it at least once!! Dry bags are also very useful to keep your camera and other essentials dry. Avoid this trip if you don’t like early mornings - I stayed on UK time so was up early most days to enjoy the sights and sounds of Costa Rica which were at the best in the early mornings.
Tim McGrath
Reviewed March 2019
Wuc
Fantastic trip helped by very knowledgeable and helpful guide + driver
Most Inspirational Moment
Birds
Thoughts on Group Leader
First class. He did have to go over things more than once but only because certain people preferred to talk rather then listen
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy
Ann Ford
Reviewed March 2019
Excellent
As someone who wasn’t bothered about our trip to Costa Rica I can honestly say I have fallen in love with this country and it’s people. The trip with Exodus was so good. The guides, the activities and accommodation was first class. I would recommend this trip and Exodus to everyone. Fabulous.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the Quetzel .. I have fallen in love with bird watching.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was brilliant. Helpful, inspirational and an all round wonderful guy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes.
Jenny Brown
Reviewed March 2019
Costa Rica for variety
This 2-week trip took us to several geographically different regions ; volcano, tropical rain forest, beach and cloud Forrest. All had their individual climate and wildlife. We travelled with our guide and driver in a comfortable air-conditioned coach, staying in each location for 2 nights.
Most Inspirational Moment
1. Seeing sloths moving around in the treetops in Tortuguero NP , and seeing a sleeping toucan through the telescope of our night-walk guide.
2. The rough Caribbean Sea and the power of the waves
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group leader was excellent. He is also a bird-watching guide and was able to identify everything we saw. He was able to answer questions on other topics too.
He was very careful about looking after the 2 people who needed to eat gluten-free meals for medical reasons.
His English was excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for extreme climate. It is unbearably hot in the southern rain forest and you have to realise that doing anything, even walking, is exhausting.
Harriet Woodcock
Reviewed March 2019
Everyday a highlight
We’d wanted to go to Costa Rica for some time and this holiday did not disappoint. In two weeks we saw amazing things on the coast, in the mountains, in the jungle and in the cloud forest. Our guide, Katia, was extremely knowledgeable and was excellent at spotting wildlife and explaining all about it. Indeed all the drivers and guides we encountered on the journey were excellent and also good at spotting wildlife. The accommodation was good all round including some great jungle lodges. We really felt that we ‘discovered costa rica’ and were really impressed with the whole holiday and the country.
Most Inspirational Moment
It's hard to pick the most inspirational moment of the trip as there were so many of them. Esquina lodge was special. It was a small lodge in the jungle and everywhere you looked there was wildlife. The afternoon we arrived we had a fantastic thunderstorm so we got to truly experience the rainforest. At night the jungle came alive with the sound of frogs and other wildlife.
But we also were captivated by the sloths in the cloud forest, the monkeys at Manuel Antonio, the humming birds everywhere ( who knew there were so many varieties?), colourful toucans at Tortuguero, and of course the quetzal in Savegre Lodge.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Katia was so knowledgable about the wildlife and very patient with those of us who aren't natural 'birders' . She also gave us a great insight into the country with lots of information and stories to bring the history and politics to life. She was very personable and one of the best guides I've had on a holiday like this. A big shout out to Juan Jose our driver who was also good at spotting bird and kept the bus immaculately clean and tidy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a fab holiday with lots of opportunities to spot wildlife so book it now! The walks are undemanding compared to what we are used to doing, they use made paths or boardwalks and can easily be done in approach shoes or trainers. There are some steps and inclines and some of our companions found sticks useful but we didn't feel we needed them. All the lodges are designed to keep out bugs and beasties but occasionally some creep in (you are in the forest/jungle after all) so check your room before you go to sleep! The hotel staff are on hand to extract any unwanted creatures. Do try the coffee, it's excellent everywhere- non of this instant coffee stuff. There's lots of nice fish to eat fresh from the sea. You have to eat gallopinto at least once - I got quite addicted to it and will be cooking it at home.
Only one downside and that was San Jose Airport. We waited three hours to get through customs on the way in so be prepared for a wait. We were told the average is around two hours.
Rosie Ritchie
Reviewed March 2019
Well worth visiting!
Lots of wonderful wildlife and plants, beautiful surroundings, great company and leader 🙂
Most Inspirational Moment
Staying at Tortoguero National Park was an education! We stayed at the lovely Laguna Lodge in comfy rooms within the grounds and within a few minutes walk of the Atlantic Ocean. Taking to the waterways to view wildlife was something I hadn't experienced before and I found it fascinating when the boat came to a stop so we could see birds, monkeys, iguanas and even orchids up close and personal.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Hector really knows his stuff. And his love and knowledge of the wildlife, as well as the plants, really came through with everything he told and showed us. His patience in answering our questions was great and he is also resourceful. When we had bad weather on one occasion, he immediately found another activity for us, and he also had plenty of suggestions for good restaurants.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Remember to take mosquito repellent, suntan lotion, a swimsuit, and a waterproof.
