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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  Natasha Preston

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written May 2013

  Costa Rica is a natural paradise teeming with life; monkeys swing in the canopy of the steamy rainforest, exotic birds constantly flutter and squawk overhead, cascading rivers carve through jungle and waterfalls plunge into pritine pools. The trip is the perfect introduction to this Central American country and its weirdly wonderful wildife. A perfectly balanced itinerary with two nights spent in each destination, from mangrove lagoons to cool, mistly clouds forests, sun-kissed Pacific beaches to sweltering, impenetrable rainforests, you say goodbye to Tico land feeling like you really have discovered Costa Rica!  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were too many fantastic wildlife encounters, it is impossible to pick just one!
  
  My first highlight would be simply waking up to the sounds of the rainforest on my very first morning in Tortuguero - howling monkeys, chirping birds and chattering cicadas to name just a few. The boa constrictor digesting its iguana lunch on the banks of the mangroves in Tortuguero was a spontaneous encounter we were incredibly lucky to see; the Common Potoo and her chick nestled in a tree in Manuel Antonio was another rare and special sighting; and coming face to face with a Howler monkey piggy backing her baby was an initmate, albeit brief, interlude never to be repeated on the trip.
  
  With a view of Arenal volcano to one side and a lake on the other and swathes of undulating forest unfolding beneath me, zip lining 200 metres high over rainforest canopy was probably the most breathtaking moment of the trip! I was also delighted to see ten types of frog, including the iconic Red Eye Tree frog and the almost transparent Glass frog, during a couple of guided night walks - I would definitely recommend joining these walks as it is incredibly difficult to spot the night time wildlife in Costa Rica without an expert to point you in the right direction!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our leader, Pedro, was brilliant. His knowledge of the local wildlife was pretty much flawless, even able to identify a number of bird species simply by their birdsong alone! He was informative, flexible and dynamic enough to accommodate the needs of the group. During the few long bus journeys he educated and entertained us with humorous annecdotes and stories of his country's history.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take walking boots or at least a pair of decent walking trainers. Depending on the time of year you travel, some trails can be muddy, uneven and slippery.
  
  If interested in photography, take a decent telephoto lens with you as a number of the wildlife encounters maybe at a distance and often obscured by leaves and branches!
  
  Waterproofs and quick drying layers are a must as it can take a while for cotton clothes to dry out in that humidity.
  
  Oh and don't forget to take a decent supply of DEET repellent (or buy some locally) - the mosquitos out there mean business!
  
  Above all else, immerse yourself in the nature and enjoy one wildlife highlight after the next...it is an incredible destination.

   
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  Elizabeth Evans

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written March 2013

  A poncho, binoculars, camera and a change of underpants is really all you need for this trip (the first three are essential, the last one is optional!)  If you like wildlife you will love this trip and when I say wildlife, I mean accessible wildlife everywhere you look.  If you sit by your lodge at any of the places you stay at you will see wildlife passing you by and if you are really lucky you might even get a bat in your shower.There are some long drives but plenty of opportunities to stop and also to shout out what you have seen out of the window - SCARLET MACAW! TOUCAN! etc etc.The accomodation is excellent and many of the lodges you stay in are on the edges of the rain forest and there are so many trails to discover. The noises at night are amazing. My first night back in England I wondered what was wrong and why I could not sleep - it was too quiet! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Rather surprisingly, a bird watching moment! I am no twitcher and so be honest birds have never really done it for me in the wildlife stakes.  That was before I saw a Quetzal - what a beautiful creature. It was worth standing for an hour and cricking my next and thinking "I am sure those two feather sticking out from the hole in the tree have been put there by the Costa Rican tourist board and there is in fact no bird in that hole."  When the bird flew out I could not believe what I was seeing - his mohican hair do and his beautiful green and red plummage.  Even better was the fact that all the "profession" twitchers had given up for the evening and gone home and so it was only a select few of us that enjoyed that wonderful moment.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Gustavo was excellent and his knowledge of Costa Rica was amazing.  He enthused about his country and his knowledge of wildlife was incredible.

  There was no such things as a daft question (although I am sure we asked many) and he made a great effort to book optional trips for us.  The tour finished on the Friday afternoon but we did not fly out until 11pm (ish) on the Saturday.  Despite not being on the itinerary he took us in to San Jose for a walk around on the Friday afternoon and arranged trips for those of us who wanted to go out on the Saturday.  He went above and beyond the call of duty.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Poncho, poncho, poncho.  Invest in one of these as when it does rain you will be glad you did - not only does it cover you, it covers your backpack too.

  Don't forget your camera.  If you have been thinking about investing in an upgrade with a good lens, do it before this holiday as the photo opportunities are endless.

  Torch - don't forget to take one with you so you can spot all the frogs, snakes and tarantulas at night!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This trip is a friendly introduction to Central/South America.  English is widespread and spoken in every hotel, bar and restaurant I went in to.  There were always English menus.

  The people were very friendly and seemed chuffed that you had travelled all that way to see their little country.

  If you like wildlife, this is the trip for you. Costa Ricans love their country and they love their wildlife and they are making an enormous effort to protect it.  Go and spend your holiday money there so that they can keep up the good work!

  PURA VIDA COSTA RICA!

   
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  Garry Martin

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written March 2013

  The trip is well paced and relaxing.  The wildlife does major on birds even if not on the bird watching departures.  The accommodation and food is very good (where included is mostly buffet style to suit all tastes) and any wildlife is generally close to the lodges.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Being rewarded for our patience and seeing the Quetzal.  The visit to the organic farm near Arenal volcano (optional extra) to see conservation and sustainability in action.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Gustavo was excellent and nothing was too much trouble.  He obviously has a passion for his Country and kept us informed and interested during the travelling with his all round knowledge of Costa Rica.

  Both Gustavo and Mario (driver) were exceptional and particularly helped us with a medical problem whilst not impacting on the enjoyment for the rest of the group.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Expect rain and humidity, the clue is in the fact that you are in Rain and Cloud forests and the Countryside is very lush and green.   Good binoculars are essential although you need to be pretty quick.  A good Torch for the night walks.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  If the trip is fully subscribed the bus is a little cramped, this was alleviated by rotating seats during the trip, however, 14 would be an ideal number for the size of bus used.

  As Arenal Volcano is now inactive and generally shrouded in mist perhaps this part of the trip could do with a rethink.  Including the Organic Farm in the itinerary would enhance the experience.

  On our last day we visited Poas Volcano and this was a far more interesting volcano experience with the walks to the craters and the museum.  We also visited La Paz waterfall and wildlife refuge which we thoroughly enjoyed.

  Although I am not a fan of visiting local schools, the visit on this occasion was particularly enlightening.

   
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  Brian Drammis

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written March 2013

  A varied trip staying in some wonderfully remote locations in a good standard of accomodation.The wildlife was nearly always right on your doorstep.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The night walk and hanging bridges at Monteverde were both atmospheric

  The hot springs at La Fortuna were heaven after an afternoons walk back from the waterfall

  The sunset cruise looking for dolphins at Manuel Antonio was very memorable. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Gustavo was a great leader, he was extremely knowledgeable about both the flora and fauna and Costa Rica in general. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he often went the extra mile for us.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You don't need a separate bag for Tortuguero.

  A poncho/waterproof was essential wear in a number of the locations. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

   A safe country in Central America with the right attitude to eco tourism, Costa Rica is definitely a place to visit.

   
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  Tracey-Jane Licette Skinner

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written March 2013

  The magical forests and critters are out of fairy tales, the landscapes breath taking and the diversity of the countries flora as only before seen in the tropical aisles in garden centres.  The people always smiling and pleased to assist.  A proud nation in a beautiful country - a true gem of our earth. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Having only seen one hummingbird in my life, I was smitten with the amount and variety available throughout Costa Rica.  When one took nectar from a flower in my hand and in my hair, I was hooked on these endearing, delicate and colourful birds.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  So passionate, eager to pass on his experiences and knowledge, a proud Costa Rican.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go ... you will dream of it the rest of your lives.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The food is really good - never once were we disappointed.  You cannot get away from nature and wildlife, it is always right there next to you (no really - brilliant big blue butterflies in your face, a lizard at your feet, a bird above your head, or howlers calling across rivers whilst you relax with a cocktail).  The weather, either we were lucky, but only had some heavy showers at night and showers in the evening. 

   
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  Karen Francis

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written March 2013

  This was a stunning trip for a wildlife enthusiast, particularly one with a camera and binoculars! Costa Rica is a country of contrasts; within a few hours of travel you go from a lowland tropical rainforest to a cloudforest in the mountains, from a volcano to a beach. Not for one instant were we ever bored or disinterested; the wildlife metaphorically throws itself at you wherever you go. I never dreamt we could have seen so much in such a short space of time. This trip exceeded all my expectations and I recommend it highly! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The highlights for me were the boat safaris from Tortuguero, walking over the bridges through, and on top of, the cloudforest canopy at Monteverde and the night walks at the beautiful Esquinas Lodge set deep in primary tropical rainforest (paradise!).

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our leader was Giovanni Madrigal and the driver was Geraldo - both were lovely guys, equally passionate about Costa Rican wildlife and culture and anxious to show it off in all its glory to us travellers. Gio was knowledgeable and very approachable, answering our many questions with patient good humour, even when he was trying to eat his breakfast! We couldn't have asked for a nicer, more professional trip leader!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  As for do's and don'ts. Do take clothes suitable for a hot climate (plus sun screen and head covering) but also a good fleece for when you are at altitude in the cloudforest. Include long trousers and closed shoes i.e. not sandals for night walks or sorties into the forest. An umbrellas is handy for a quick shower. It rains, sometimes unexpectedly, so take light waterproof jacket and trousers. There are lots of walks you can take and some of them are uphill and can be a bit slippery so you might find a Leki stick useful - none of it was too arduous for our group though, including the older members. Don't worry about washing clothes yourelf as most of the lodges have laundry facilities, besides which you'll never get your washing dry with the humidity! Take some mosquito repellent (you do NOT need a net) and use it in the evening in the lowland rainforest areas; I was never bitten anyway. Do take binoculars and a camera - there will be a lot of stops for wildlife viewing and the guide carries a telescope. I took a lot of photos with my compact camera through his telescope and this turned out to be a better strategy than clanking around with tons of unecessary SLR equipment. You'll never have time to set up a camera anyway as much of the wildlife is quick and sometimes a bit distant i.e. monkeys in the trees don't hang around for you to change lenses! Take a head torch as the grounds at some of the lodges are darkish at night and you may often catch sight of interesting things - we saw a nine-banded armadillo one evening at Monteverde. All the lodges are comfortable and quite luxurious with hot water, towels and often shower gel, soap and shampoo - we came back with most of ours unused. The bedding is always sufficient so don't bother with sleeping bags, liners or the like. The currency used everywhere is the US dollar but make sure you have some low denominations for tips &c

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is an absolutely stunning wildlife experience! Costa Rica is a country of contrasts; hot and humid, cold and windy, beaches, mountains, rainforest, cloudforest. Pacific on one side and Caribbean on the other. In two short weeks we saw mammals (four species of monkeys, armadillo, squirrels, coatimundi, agouti, kinkajous, sloths and racoons) birds (countless brightly coloured beautiful things including the resplendant quetzel, toucans, parakeets, trogons and humming birds) loads of amphibians and reptiles (at least eleven different frogs including the lovely red-eyed tree frog, crocodiles, caymans, lizards, basilisks, snakes and iguanas) as well as spiders, butterflies and a host of pretty bugs and beetles. During this trip, you spend two night at each lodge; the drives between are only four or five hours long and always enjoyable as there are sometimes very interesting stops along the way. The transport is a very comfortable, air conditioned mini-bus. Most roads are fine; we were never uncomfortable or bored. Can't think of anything else.... just enjoy :-)

   
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  Michael Nutt

  DISCOVER COSTA RICA

  

  Written March 2013

  Costa Rica may be a small country but it is one with a big heart. With its volcanic landscape, dramatic coastlines on both its Carribean and Pacific shores, lush tropical rainforests, and diverse flora and fauna, it has so much to offer its visitors. An inspiring example of how people can work within the natural environment, preserving it for all to enjoy. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The trip stops in seven separate locations around the country, offering a variety of experienes - each with its own charm, as our team-leader Johnny Villalobos would often say to us. For me, it was our time in the very first location - Tortuguero National Park - that was the most inspirational, and however good our experiences were in the remainder of the trip, none matched the feeling of awe that I felt as our small boat drifted silently on the waterways beneath the towering trees of the rainforest. It is like a pocket-sized Amazon, and neither the occasional drenching from a tropical storm or the itching from numerous mosquito bites could detract from the tension as we all strained our eyes looking for the varied animals, reptiles and birds that were all around us. We were not disappointed, and an incredibly close encounter with a river otter was probably our best reward.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Johnny Villalobos could not have done more to ensure we all got the most out of our experience of his country, about which he talked with great knowledge, insight, and belief. There was no aspect of Costa Rica about which he could not enlighten us. He was very much as one with the group, and we felt he was a true friend to us all, sensitive to our individual interests and needs. Johnny showed endless patience and consideration at all times, and was tireless in his efforts to maximise our opportunities of seeing the best that Costa Rica has to offer. There were times on some of the forest hikes when birds and animals were simply not there to be seen, and then Johnny would always find something - an unusual plant, or tree, even the effects of bacteria! - to show to us and explain its significance to us. He wanted us to be aware that enjoying the natural world is not just about the big and spectacular creatures, it is also about all the little things that go to make up an ecosystem. Right up to our last night, when he suggested the perfect venue (Times Bar & Grill) for our end-of-trip gathering, Johnny offered us all the right choices. A great team-leader, and a real gentleman.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The natural world is not a theme park with its many wonders ready and waiting for you. What you see on this trip so often depends on sheer luck, on being in the right place at the right time. We were not lucky with our sightings of many of the natual inhabitants I expected to see in Costa Rica: our views of toucans, caimans, macaws, and snakes were mostly fleeting or distant. At times we seemed to walk for long periods in the rainforests without seeing very much. So you have to be patient and manage your expectations. Out team-leader Johnny told us that people go to Africa to see the Big Five, but you come to Costa Rica to see the Little Thousand! And there is always the magical peace and splendour of its rainforests. Photographers be aware that natural light in the forests is very low and this makes it particularly challenging to get decent photographs. You should not use flash when taking pictures of the tree frogs or reptiles, as it blinds them, so you may need to be satisfied with seeing some of these amazing creatures without capturing the moment on camera.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I must mention the food. I don't think I have ever eaten better abroad, certainly not on an Exodus trip (this was my seventh). The quality of the fresh fruit, the fresh fish and meat dishes, a range of vegetables with potatoes, rice, yucca ... and not forgetting some perfect desserts to round off many a meal - all of this was superb wherever we ate. Most places used local produce and it tasted so good. The food at Tortuguero Lodge and Cloud Forest Lodge (Monteverde) was particularly praiseworthy, and I must also mention the excellent ice-cream at the cheese factory in Santa Elena! At most of the hotels and lodges you could serve yourself, so beware of over-indulging! With food this good, it is hard not to. Finally, I must say that some of the incidental stops on the road between locations gave me some of the most memorable moments of the trip: seeing the crocodiles at Rio Tarcoles, the sculpted granite spheres in a magical park in Palmar Sur, our visit to the school in La Trinidad and the farmstead in the village. Each gave a glimpse of a different aspect of Costa Rica.

   

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