Discover Costa Rica

Our Clients’ Reviews

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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  C Ma

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written December 2011

  we see everything we expected to see,  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  wild life and birds

  What did you think of your group leader?

  very experienced one - marco polo

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  weather is colder than we think, beware theft in hotel, they can unlock your door and get in your room to steal things

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  the dosser notes needed to amend - hotel in ne costa rica - that lodge is H+ or comfortable hotel but the one in gofito is really very very basic.

   
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  Carvell Charlotte

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written December 2011

  A really good insight into Costa Rica and the varied landscapes and wildlife. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The best moments for me were when walking on our own on a trail at Manual Antonio NP where we got to watch a troop of Capuchin monkeys crossing the path in the trees and then were rewarded for climbing further with a group of Squirrel monkeys very close to us as well. The NP here was very beautiful but each place was different and inspirational in it's own right.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Gustavo was great! He had a good sense of humour and good knowledge of the wildlife, history and diverse ecosystems of Costa Rica.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a good camera with good zoom lens for wildlife shots.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is a good choice of trip to get a feel for Costa Rica and experience the different areas of the country.

   
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  Paul Marwood

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written November 2011

  Great trip for bird watching.  The lodges give a real rain/cloud forest experience. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching the otters hunting and feeding from out boat in the back canals at Tortuguero.  No mention of otters on the Trip Notes (in fact our guide said they were the first he'd seen).

  Seeing squirrel monkeys in Juan Antonio NP.

  Humming bird wonderland! 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Marco was very good.  On a trip were there were lots of options he managed (with a little difficulty) to keep tabs on the group.  He didn't over-regiment the group.  He also went beyond his remit to help me shop for my 40th wedding anniversary present for my wife!

  His one black mark was our final group meal (see below). 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Read the Trip Notes carefully.  These are the best notes I can remember from Exodus.  They are very accurate in that there is a lot of travelling; the wet season in rain and cloud forests is wet. Don't say you weren't warned!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Last night group dinner. We were taken half way round San Jose and back when some of the group had very early flights next morning.  The restaurants (we walked out of the first one), were poor.

  On the last day we went to a restaurant 200m from the Villa Tournon hotel where we had lunch.  It would have been ideal for dinner; good atmosphere, menu and service.  Can't remember the name, but turn right out of V. Tournon, cross road, first left 50m down on right, attached to an open hotel.

   
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  Stephen Coote

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written August 2011

  Amazing!  It was made so by an excellent guide, Antonio, a terrific group of travellers who got on really well, a quality driver, Luis Diago and luck with the weather and sightings. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Where to start!

  Seeing wildlife in their natural environment is what this trip is all about and we certainly did that.  The armadillo was pretty special, as were the scarlet macaws, the pelican formation and humming birds.  Some of the butterflies were amazing even if only glimpsed as they bounced around the viewfinder.

  The sounds of the forest - brilliant!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Antonio is terrific.  'I will say' he is friendly and puts you at your ease.  He ensures you are ready for the next day with the right footwear and anything else you need to bring.

  His knowledge of the wildlife is amazing, from the recognition of every bird, whether male/female or juvenile, to the calls and where to find them.  His knowledge of the other species was also good, including plants.

  Antonio was also very sociable, sitting with different people at lunch and dinner, approachable at all times and has a good sense of humour.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are susceptable to mosquito bites take a mosquito net and use it.  Plenty of deet and mosi-proof clothing will also help, even when you least expect it.  Otherwise, read the other reviews as they are good.

  Protect you camera equipment from moisture, although I'm sure others in the group will have the pictures for sharing.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Thank you Exodus for an awesome experience!

   
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  Peter Williams

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written August 2011

  This was a fantastic trip, made not only by the country, wildlife and weather (we were very lucky) but also by the other members of the group, the guide (Antonio) and the driver (Luis Diego). Each location visited during the two weeks spent in this country offered something new to discover and enjoy. If you are into wildlife or just like fairly easy walks in great surroundings this is a trip you should consider.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The main highlight for me was just observing the amazing variety of wildlife. I think our group were very lucky in what we saw but even if you see only half of the creatures we came across you are in for a treat. During the course of the 2 weeks we saw over 100 different types of bird (including the elusive Questzal), crocodiles, caimans, 3 different types of turtle, 3 different types of monkey, an armadillo, a few cheeky racoons, a couple of whales, a snake or two, an otter, 2 different type of sloths just hanging around in trees and quite a lot more including a praying mantis that just decided to pop into the bar for a drink one evening.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader Anotino was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the country. He had a great sense of humor an spent a lot of time with every member of the group answering queries, identifying the birds and generally helping out with anything the group needed.

  He was also excellent at spotting the wildlife hidding in trees, (even when we were going past it at 30 miles an hour in the bus driven expertly and safely by Luis Deigo), so we missed none of the wildlife that came within eyesight.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  My main advice is to have fun. Take plenty of deet with you. Take a good camera with something to keep it dry and don't let any rain you might get spoil your enjoyment.

  Always keep you eyes peeled for movement in the tress or undergrowth. You never know what might be lurking just waiting for you to discover it.

  In addition to the included activites members of our group opted to see the turtles laying their eggs on the beach, went through the jungle canopy on 13 zip wires and did a canopy walk. All of which added to the overall expierence.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Overall one of the best holidays I have been on and surpassed all my expectations.

  Thank you Exodus, Antonio and Luis Deigo. After this I am sure you will find me writing a review of another one of your trips very soon.

   
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  Georgina Parker

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written May 2011

  The holiday was an amazing experience from start to finish.  The guide was excellent and the trip was exactly as described - perhaps even undersold.  The guide provided lots of tours/hikes which were additional to the ininerary and very enjoyable.  We saw an extremely wide variety of animals and birds in their natural environments.  The group we were travelling with was great and we had a good time together. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching the beautiful monkeys, reptiles and birds - particularly when a troupe of spider monkeys was using trees to cross a canal and one of the monkeys made herself into a bridge for her baby to cross the gap between the trees.  The eyelash viper and the armadillo were among my other favourite sitings.

  Zip wiring through and above the rain forest in Monteverde - amazing - thanks to the encouragement of Gillian, one of our group.

  The Rainforest Lodge near Golfito was just like a little piece of paradise, literally in the middle of a rain forest.  With tropical flowers, baby birds nesting, bats roosting, kingfishers and tucans flying around, strange sounding tiny frogs....

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader Jeffrey Munoz Garcia was wonderful.  He was so passionate and knowledgable about Costa Rica's flora, fauna, history and geology that we couldn't fail to be utterly spellbound.  He was full of humour and energy, which was infectious.  He really made the holiday and worked really well with our lovely driver, Mario.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you love wildlife, you will love this holiday.  Costa Rica is so diverse that there is something for everyone.  Hotels ranged from basic to absolutely luxurious. Be prepared for some long and often bumpy coach journeys, in the knowledge that where you will end up will be more than worth the travelling.  Cameras, good binoculars, a torch and lots of light, comfortable walking clothes are a must. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This was our second time in Costa Rica but it will definitely not be our last.  We just loved it.  

   
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  Andy Gonsalves

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written April 2011

  Wildlife capital of the world!  Amazing animal sightings, superb scenery and the variety of ecosystems covered in 2 weeks makes this an outstanding trip. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So many great moments, it's tough to pick just one.  The rainforest night walk at Esquinas Lodge spotting frogs, insects and snakes by torchlight.  Watching white-faced monkeys using the trees to cross the waterways of Tortuguero from our boat.  Being in the middle of a flock of macaws playing amongst the trees.  Flying through the tree canopy on a 1km long zipwire.....

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our guide Jeff was absolutely marvellous.  He has an astounding knowledge of the fauna and flora of Costa Rica and his passion for both is contagious.  He went above and beyond what I expect of an Exodus guide, providing the group with numerous additional opportunities to join him on walks during his 'downtime'.  It's obvious that Jeff does his job because he loves it, at no time do you feel that you are going through the motions as yet another tour group following a set itinerary.  I can't praise Jeff enough.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  In case you're not sure, this is definitely a wildlife tour.  The focus is on fauna and flora, with the exception of the interesting Arenal Volcano.  A good pair of binoculars and a camera lens of at least 300mm will allow you to make the most of the animal sightings (and there are plenty).  For those keen photographers, you need to make the most of the limited light available in the forest environment - ideally an aperture of f2.8 would be perfect.

   

  This tour already includes many of the incidental costs such as meals, but be prepared that Costa Rica is not a cheap destination in the way that many other Central and Southern American countries are.  US Dollars are fine for the whole trip and there's no real need to change currency at the airport on arrival - just bring small denominations. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I was surprised to find that the tap water in Costa Rica is in general drinkable - I drank it for 2 weeks with absolutely no ill effects.  The optional dolphin-spotting trip at Golfito makes a pleasant break from the humid forests.  As for most countries in this part of the world, if you like to use a sinkful of water, bring a plug!!

   

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