Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica And Panama

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...

Average Review Rating: from 39 reviews.

Phillip Vecchio

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & PANAMA

Written April 2013
A sensational and "safe" way to see the best of Central America by bicycle. You are immersed in the scenery, people and wildlife of the region from the moment you arrive, and are looked after with respect and concern throughout the journey, whilst still maintaining your own independence as much as possible.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Multiple observations of real life by passing alongside those who live and work in the towns and regions visited. So much activity occurs on the road and the bike is a fantastic way to participate in the journey. You see kids playing with simple toys, families walking to destinations, transportation of just about anything by bike, horse, oxen and people just living their lives. This is an enormous privilege.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rob is professional, endlessly patient, interactive, reliable and unwavering in his commitment to us all.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The cycling is wonderful, and be prepared for hills and heat. I was unaware of the very significant amount of bus travel involved, sometimes for over 3 hours. The bus is not really geared for a full complement of travellers and it can be squashed on board. So if you are expecting continuous cycling, you will be surprised regarding the bus commute, which is not really made apparent in the trip notes, at least not for the amount experienced. But also note there is really no other way to cover the distance so this aspect is unavoidable and it’s also to keep you off the really busy roads and hills. Just know that it is necessary to do the tour and see the 3 countries in the time allowed.

There are also numerous restaurant lunch stops, so think about whether you would prefer snacks or lighter meals, rather than commit to these. Lastly, many meals are taken as a group but you can split if you want to, but definitely eat with the group a lot too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A totally fantastic experience and a wonderful way to see some of the best of Central America. You can dwell on minutiae regarding meals, bus, the odd poor accommodation etc, but the overall concept is amazing. Great value for money too, with most nights being comfortable at least and many really very good. You will love your photos and irreplaceable memories forever.
Bryan Kramer

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & PANAMA

Written February 2013
very professional and a great experienceKevin Hill is a wonderful operater, and his team are really slick and love what they do.group travel just dosnt get any better than this trip
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting my butt kicked by guys 20 years older than me.
Made me want to try harder
What did you think of your group leader?
I think Kevin Hill and his team are just wonderful. Kevin really is the best I have come across in years it just dosnt get any better.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just get out there and into this trip it really is a great experience
Is there anything else you would like to add?
cant wait to do another cycling trip with exodus
Janiell Allen

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & PANAMA

Written February 2013
Ridiculously amazing! If you want to see Central America off the beaten track, be refreshed by the wonders of the animals, birds, volcanos, amazing cycling and a perfect end every day with a body of water and cocktail waiting, then this is the trip for you.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Every day, every moment. I think I woke up with a smile plastered to my face and ended with one as well. Hiking through the tropical forest over rope bridges that extend across the expanses. Riding 48 mph down a volcano. Sipping pina coladas in the hot springs. Rafting along the river to see iguanas, monkeys, birds, bats and the list goes on. Doing the zipline tour in La Fortuna. Fresh papaya, pinneapple, guava and coconut on the roadside stand. Taking a leisurely dip in the ocean, gulf or pool at the end of every day. Watching the sunset at the base of the volcano while floating in the lake. Giving soccer balls to some very appreciative little ones. All the smiling faces along the route both young and old, giving us encouragement and letting us see a bit into the wonderful countries that are theirs.
What did you think of your group leader?
The best ever! Kevin kept us well infomed, made sure we were safe, well taken care of and basically spoiled us for any other potential guide we may have in the future. Paul was an incredible guide, both on and off the bike, pointing out the sights and animals so that nothing was to be missed by our untrained eyes. Taking great care of our bikes and us along the route during any mishaps with tires, chains etc. Luis, Eugenio and Ronaldo kept us safe on the roads. Amazing team.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get some cycling in before you come. If the terrain is too rough or the heat gets to you, you can always get on the bus. However you really don't want to miss a day of riding, cause there is nothing like seeing these countries from the saddle.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just a sincere thanks to Kevin, Paul, Luis, Eugenio and Ronaldo for the most remarkable adventure I've ever had and hopefully the beginning to many more!
Tammy Schmidt

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & PANAMA

Written February 2013
This was the best holiday my husband and I ever experienced.   We feel in love with cycling, met so many great like-minded people. It was the trip of a lifetime.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The most inspirational moment of our trip was in Costa Rica.    I'm new to cycling and wasn't in the best shape of my life.      I didn't realize my husband had booked us a moderate / challenge trip :-)        To get to the point Costa Rica has some pretty serious hills and I cycled up every single one of them !!!!   I may have been slow but I stayed on my bike and did it.
What did you think of your group leader?
I must say that I owe so much to our tour guide, Rob. Rob was thoughtful, encouraging, supportive, kind ..... Rob gave me the power to accomplish so much on this trip just by being there and vocalizing his words of encouragement. Telling me how impressed he was for a first timer that I was doing well and I could do it .. and cycle I did. Thank you Rob. It is because of you that this was the best trip and we found our love of cycling, so much so that it will now be an annual event for us.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
My advise to potential travellors is to have fun.    Enjoy yourself and remember even though other people are there for different reasons this is your vacation.   Stop and smell the roses { so to speak }   take picture, ask questions and if need be don't be embarrased to ride the bus.    I did one day and it ended up being awesome .. I was able to take pictures of the other group members and they loved it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I honestly feel this is such an incredible way to experience and see a country.   I would highly recommend travelling with Exodus.    The hotels were top notch, the food was fantastic.   Every aspect of the trip was put together, planned out and just left you with a feeling that you were in solid capable hands no matter what the situation. Thank you Exodus.
Sarah Whittington

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMA

Written January 2013
My fourth Exodus cycling holiday and it was by far the best. Well organised, great people, great locations, good choices of restaurants, fantastic scenery - volcanoes, rain forests, lakes and carribean islands - and the weather was more than kind to us! All three countries were different and special in their own way but Costa Rica was by far the highlight!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to choose from....
The trip to the top of the Masaya volcano and seeing inside the crater (thankfully the wind was blowing away from us so we didn't get engulfed by the smelly gases).
The 2 hour river rafting trip where we saw everything from iguanas, crocodiles, snakes, monkeys and all kinds of exotic birds.
Cycling from the most beautiful resort of Mystica through the rain forests, along Lake Arenal seeing Monkeys in the trees at the side of the road and a Coati strolling around in front of us without a care in the world.
Having a beer in the hot springs (everyone else had the best pina colada's apparently!).
Our guide spotting a very well camouflaged sloth in a tree...and there after a few more sloths spotted!
What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin was excellent. He was faced with a few challenges throughout the trip, in particular and issue with a boat trip and the Nicaragua/Costa Rica border crossing, which he dealt with as well as he could do - sheer tenacity and a very dry sense of humour seemed to serve him well! He was very conscientious, regularly checking how everyone was and if they were having a good time. His knowledge of all the areas was fantastic and he talked us through our routes, showing us detailed maps every day we cycled.
The whole team was extremely helpful, good humoured and very organised.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There are two or three opportunities to do laundry, the main one being in La Fortuna where you stay for two days. The laundry service is quick and cheap.
Make sure you get some hill training in, you can be extremely fit but still struggle if you aren't bike fit (spinning classes help if you haven't got any big hills near you). Take plenty of insect repellent...they are everywhere!
Finally, the only downside to this trip was the border crossing between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It took us 7 hours. The group were all very patient and Kevin managed everyone's expectations very well. We all soon forgot about this little blip the following day when we floated down the river for two hours spotting wildlife!
Helen Elleker

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMA

Written December 2012
You can't not enjoy this holiday. The cycling is not strenuous and you can go at your own pace. The scenery and wildlife was impressive. This holiday provides a good mixture of cycling and wildlife watching.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Panama has to be the big surprise. What a beautiful country. The 2 nights on the Carribean island of Bocas Torres has to be the highlight. As a group we chose to go dolphin watching, snorkeling and swimming off fantastic Red Crab Bay. Pina Colladas dressed in flowery shirts or tinsel topped it off!
Drinking Pina Colladas in the hot springs with all the group in La Fortuna was also a pretty special evening.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rob looked after us extremely well with the help of Britt, and back up of Luis and Ronald. Somebody was always there to escort me in at the back!
They also let me do a bit of social organising!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The standard of accommodation and food was higher than I expected. I was pleasntly surprised about the standard of hotels and restaurants in which we ate most nights.
Be prepared for early starts before it gets hot. Also it goes dark at 5pm in Nicaragua.
Download the words to 'Escape- if you like pina colladas' to play on the bus!
Be prepared for 2 3hour bus transfers- Panama is a long country and you wouldn't get to Panama City on time otherwise. Have a good selection of sing along music on your mp3s to ease the journey.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We had a fantastic holiday. Loved it. Panama was the jewel in the crown.
David Dowson

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMA

Written November 2012
A fantastic way to pass through three countries, great opportunities to see wildlife, diversity in landscape and even the heat and humidity couldn't spoil a great way to spend two weeks.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The cycle from Ometape island over the ferry and along the chocolate road to the Pacific coast was wonderful but all the cycling had its place on this trip. Rafting down the river a brilliant extra.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rob, Brit, Pol and Ronald worked well as a team, this took any of the stress out of the trip, allowing all of us to just get on our bikes and enjoy it. Thanks guys, faultless.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't be put off by the thought of cycling in heat and humidity, just enjoy where you are and the surroundings and you'll forget about the hills, heat and the aching muscles. It's a great feeling knowing you did it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Try and spend as much time as possible in the saddle before you go but don't be put off by the challenging status as these sections are relatively short and it is a good feeling getting to the top of the hilly sections and you are rewarded by some fab downhill sections.