Most Inspirational Moment
Waking to the sound of howler monkeys.
Thoughts on Group Leader
A really good guy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Think carefully about when to go. We thought the rainy season would be on its way out. We were wrong.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Discover Costa Rica
A great trip, full of wildlife. Quite different from the other Exodus trips we’ve taken to South East Asia. Costa Rica is doing well in promoting eco-tourism and deserves a lot of credit. As usual we had an excellent guide.
Costa rica
The wildlife was incredible, the colours, the sounds, the variety, the landscapes…
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing sea turtles being born and seeing their journey back to the sea.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Superb! Knowledgeable, patient, enthusiastic, with great command of the English language
Discover Costa Rica
An outstanding trip that explores the full range of what Costa Rica has to offer, from the hustle and bustle of San Jose to the quiet stunning beauty of Piedras Blancas.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the turtles make their way back to the sea after having laid their eggs.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gustavo was amazing. His enthusiasm was sky high each and every day.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a rain jacket in raining season!
Discover Costa Rica
We had a fantastic holiday in Costa Rica. The holiday was well planned and managed perfectly by our great tour guide, Gustavo. The holiday allowed us to experience the diversity of this lovely country and had just the right amount of mix of activities, walks and free time. The lodges and hotels were all good, friendly, well managed and in fantastic locations particularly in Tortuguero, Golfito and Savegre
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing amazing wildlife in their natural environment
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gustavo was great. He ensured everyone was well looked after and experienced everything Costa Rica has to offer during our short visit.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Add Costa Rica to the top of your travel list!
Discover Costa Rica
This was an amazing 2 week long adventure exploring all that Costa Rica has to offer – a vast amount of birds and wildlife, gorgeous flowers and plants, beaches, walks and, for the more adventurous, ziplining. Most of the accommodation was superb, often nestled among the cloud and rain-forests where the abundant wildlife roamed freely and the organisation of the tour was excellent with just the right amount of time in each place to fully explore and not feel that the trip was rushed.
Most Inspirational Moment
I'll share three with you, all slightly different.... 1) Swimming in the waterfall at La Fortuna, after a long walk down the steps to get there. The refreshing water was certainly welcomed after the humid day! 2) Sloths - Spotting a sloth with her baby clinging on (for dear life it seemed!) slowly moving from tree to tree. The second sloth encounter at the side of the road as we were driving past was just a fantastic sight and one we were so lucky to see. 3) The beaches - Although the beach at Tortuguero was not the most picturesque with its black sand, it was still a beautiful sight and only a stones throw away from the village. It was also lovely to spend a couple of hours at the beach at Manuel Antonio with its white sand and crystal clear waters.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gustavo was very knowledgeable about everything! Plants, birds, wildlife, you name it and he could give us some information about it! Anything he didn't know he looked up as he was so keen to please and ensure we had an answer. Gustavo was always very professional and wanted to make sure everyone enjoyed the trip. He arranged some very nice meals at local restaurants and even ensured we got back to watch the Olympics opening ceremony in San Jose on our last day!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Costa Rica is certainly not a cheap country but do not worry about taking local currency. Take a lot of US Dollars and you will be given the change in local currency (Colones). Even in the markets, stallholders were able to quote prices in and accept US Dollars. Just be sure to find the ATMs that dispense Dollars as not all do! It is a very hot and humid country, particularly in the cloud forest and rainforest regions. I only wore my waterproof a couple of times, preferring in these areas to wear a cheap plastic poncho to cover my rucksack, camera and me. A small umbrella also wouldn't go amiss! I went in the 'wet season' and as such we did have a fair amount of rain. Luckily this was usually confined to times when we were on the bus, or of an afternoon or evening when we had reached our hotel or lodge. However you might wish to carry a poncho or small umbrella with you at all times as the rain does come in quickly! You do spend a reasonable amount of time on the bus. It is air conditioned and has wifi however! The travelling time is broken up with lots of stops so keep your camera handy in case your leader spots some elusive wildlife en route! Food is good to excellent - some places it is a set menu, others you order from a small choice and a couple of places have a buffet. No-one will starve but you may need to be a little flexible if the set meal is not to your liking. Most hotels have a laundry service and have a speedy turnaround (often drop off before 8am means return by 5pm). Check whether the cost is per item or per bag as we got stung with a $15 bill for 4 items as the charge was per bag!
Discover Costa Rica
I enjoyed all aspects of this tour. It was well organised and structured with lovely accommodation and delivered on the wildlife experience it promised. A couple of the driving days are quite long but not bad as we had a great and enthusiastic bunch of people along for the ride
Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to say --being out amongst nature is inspirational every day--maybe our guide's enthusiasm
Thoughts on Group Leader
Pedro was very well informed on the wildlife , helpful ,well organised and good company. He was also very inclusive, very important for single travellers like me.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like to get out in nature and are a reasonable walker I really recommend this trip
Discover Costa Rica
This is a fantastic holiday – in some strange way managed to be relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. It was the first time we had taken a group holiday and our reservations about it were completely unfounded. We visited lots of different eco systems – cloud forest/ rain forest/ beach – and saw lots of amazing scenery and wildlife. It’s a real outdoor holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
1. On the last but one morning Gio gave us the opportunity to go Quetzal spotting. We met at 5.15 am and WOW was it worth it. I think that they put on a display specially for us ( or maybe the quetzals had heard that Gerado - our driver - had threatened to dress up in his quetzal outfit if the real thing didn't appear!!) 2. Walking down to the waterfall at La Fortuna and swimming in the pool at the bottom A-MAZE-ING. 3. Being with the group - definitely added to the enjoyment 100%
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gio was ace. We haven't done group trips before but can't imagine anyone better. He stuck a perfect balance between friendliness and professionalism. We knew exactly what time to be everywhere, what to wear, what to bring with us etc. He is a brilliant bird spotter - sharing my passion - and found stuff we would never have seen on our own. Also he made sure that I was well catered for food wise as I am vegetarian. He is very knowledgeable about his beautiful country and shared that with us. Word must also be given to our brilliant driver Gerado. He did a great job.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We flew via the states - 5 hour wait in NY on the way - all perfectly smooth but very long day. Take Imodium and Dioralyte with you just in case. You need to be careful with hand washing etc. but don't let it put you off. You won't starve in CR but don't expect haute cuisine. It's fine for vegetarians. Just take US dollars - they give you change in Colones ( local currency) but all transparent and everyone seemed honest. You spend quite a lot of time on the ( comfortable AC ) coach. Just relax and enjoy the scenery or snooze.
Discover Costa Rica
A great introduction to Costa Rica & its wonderful wildlife. Its diverse climatic conditions make for a varied and interesting trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
We particularly enjoyed the boat trip to and inside Tortuguero National Park, there is lots of wildlife to see in its peaceful surroundings. The short visits to the primary school and the local farm also gave a good insight into local people and life styles. The short walks in the Rain & Cloud Forests were also magical.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader, Gio Madrigal, was top rate. His enthusiasm, local knowledge & wildlife expertise were second to none. We have been on many Exodus trips and Gio is certainly one of the best.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take plenty of Imodium and hydration salts as almost all of our group suffered with "The Runs" at some stage (but it did not spoil the trip). The Rain Forests are very hot & humid so take plastic / waterproof bags to keep your clothes dry. It's not necessary to take local currency as American Dollars are accepted everywhere. The prices overall are about the same as the UK so don't expect it to be cheap. We took walking poles but found them unnecessary.
Costa Rica in April
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour which was tiring but very rewarding. Our tour leader, Johnny Villalobos, was determined that we should see as much as could be fitted into the days, and was very knowledgable. The accommodation was just the right balance between location and comfort, and the necessary travel between centres was well broken up by interesting stops. The locals were very friendly throughout, although San Jose is like any large city.
Most Inspirational Moment
At several locations, sitting quietly outside our lodge, and seeing the wildlife around us, without having to go and find it.
Thoughts on Group Leader
An excellent leader, well organised and with a wide knowledge of the birds and animals that we saw, as well as the country itself.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We took too much clothing for the 'cool' mountain locations, you can get by with just a few layers.
discovering Costa Rica
An absolutely tip top trip. Our guide, Pedro Bolanos, was amazing. The trip takes in so many aspects of this very interesting country. The travel can be quite long, but still very interesting as we passed by so many amazing places. Two days in each place is about right – but then again, we could have stayed longer in virtually every one, needing a three week trip! The lodge at Esquinas is a real experience, just lovely.
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to answer. Seeing a quetzal in full breeding plumage must rank very high, but we also saw a boa constrictor up a tree and a sloth with a baby. Not to mention the huge variety of birds. And the flowers and trees with orchids and bromeliads growing on them, in the rain and cloud forest. Truly amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wonderful! Simply brilliant. Very concerned for the environment and with the fund of knowledge which we have come to expect from Exodus guides. What he didn't know is probably not worth knowing. A lovely man as well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go! You will not regret it at all.
Reply from Exodus
Hi Carolyn,
It’s great to hear that you had such an incredible time in Costa Rica! Thank you for your time writing such a lovely review. I just wanted to follow up your comment regarding the hummingbird feeders – unfortunately this practice is seen more frequently in the Cloud Forest than elsewhere. I have discussed your comments with our local operator and they are following up with the hotel concerned, as Pedro has done already. As one of the first few companies to achieve the Certification for Sustainable Tourism for Tour Operators (CTO-TO) our local partner will be recommending to the hotel that instead of sugar water they plant more flowers to attract hummingbirds. Kind regards, Vicky Boughton, Senior Product Manager