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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334 Reviews
4.8 out of
5
Reviews
Eric Pye
Reviewed March 2017
Discover Costa Rica
I really enjoyed the Costa Rica highlights trip which gave a great insight into the wealth of wildlife in the country. Our guide Guillermo was very knowledgeable but struck a good balance between enough but not too much information. The group was, as on previous Exodus trips, an interesting mix of people sharing a common interest. We covered a lot of distance but travelling was broken up well with viewing and refreshment stops.
Food was almost always very good and sufficient variety at buffet meals for the length of time we stayed at each place.
Eating out felt a bit expensive probably because of the recent decline in the value of sterling. Similarly it wasn’t easy to find souvenirs at good prices.
We expected the travel to be much more strenuous on unpaved roads but in truth it was rarely uncomfortable. San Jose, where we stayed for an extra night, doesn’t have a lot to offer but we were lucky to experience the main drag on a Sunday “family fun day”. Quite a few things are closed on Monday so it’s worth checking in advance. Many guide books advise extreme caution in San Jose but we felt as safe as any other city we’ve visited whilst keeping to the central area.
If anything was lacking it was perhaps the opportunity to meet with more local people and learn a bit more about daily life in Costa Rica but I think this would need a longer or different trip. The visits to a school and cheesemaking family were very interesting.
I will be recommending this trip to others.
Most Inspirational Moment
I've always wanted to see toucans in the wild so the occasions we did so are top of the list but there were lots of other things vying for a close second place. In particular I remember the periods of silence on a boat in Tortuagero national park as we awaited another sighting of birds or monkeys. The favourite place for many on our trip was Esquinas Lodge which has an inspirational history of development.
Do go on one of the night walks. It's great fun whatever you end up seeing!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very impressed, particularly with knowledge of flora and fauna.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a couple of cold nights.
Linda Towe
Reviewed February 2017
Explore Costa Rica WUC
This was an excellent trip full of variety and interest. The range of scenery was amazing and the pace of the trip just right with enough time to explore each diverse region.
Most Inspirational Moment
Meeting our exceptional tour leader and realising what a beautiful and varied country
Thoughts on Group Leader
Words cannot really do justice to how good he is and how lucky Exodus is to have him leading on their behalf. Jonny Villalobos had such a love for his country and it wildlife and culture and was able to pass this on to us in an entertaining, educational way which was pitched at just the right way. The trip ran like clockwork, with every element perfect and Jonny went out of his way to ensure this was the case. I cannot praise him enough and would not hesitate to nominate him for leader of the year - I have been on many trips and he was by far the best.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go - just go
Keren Rees
Reviewed February 2017
Costa Rica WUC 170205
2 weeks touring the different ecological areas of Costa Rica
Most Inspirational Moment
Exploring by boat from tortueguero
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Very knowledgeable about everything and very informative. Obviously cares deeply about his country and its ecology. Kind and caring
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip is not for you if you do not appreciate wildlife but for those who do, it is a delight
James Thomas
Reviewed February 2017
Discover Coast Rica Birds
We choose the bird watching guide holiday and we saw over 200 bird species as well as animals, reptiles and butterflies. The guide was amazing at spotting birds and other wildlife and indicating to the group.
Lodges were great and food tasty and often local.
The minibus and driver made the journey and we had WiFi almost continuously on the bus!
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the Resplendent Quetzal bird in Saverge
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgeable and inspirational
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be aware that if the bird watching trip is chosen that there is little opportunity for other activities at most locations
Caroline Cutmore
Reviewed February 2017
Discover Costa Rica
Holiday was everything I expected and more. We managed to see lots of things that we were not expecting to see and the weather was great (we only got rained on once!). Our tour leader was very enthusiastic and made the trip extra special. All the hotels and food were of a very good standard and our transport was excellent (even WiFi on the bus!).
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably seeing sloths, an anteater and the elusive Quetzel. All the birds were fantastic and loved watching the humming birds flitting from flower to flower. Everywhere we went was different and we saw new things every day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andres was our tour leader and made the trip special with his enthusiasm, knowledge and friendliness. He took time out to show us lots of animals and even on his time off would take us on trips to see new birds and animals.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Always carry a raincoat or umbrella as even in the dry season it does rain!
David Nicholls
Reviewed February 2017
Discover Costa Rica
Outside of San Jose, Costa Rica is a beautiful country with an abundant variety of birds, verdant countryside, the best of tropical fruit, very friendly people and an increasing sensitivity to protecting the environment. All-in-all, it was an excellent holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
Strolling back from watching the red and golden skies as the sun set over the sea at Manuel Antonio, we spotted a two-toed sloth atop a tree by the roadside. On closer observation we were bowled over to see that a baby was spreadeagled across it's mother's tummy. The fur of the sloths was burnished by the glow of the setting sun. A truly magical moment.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - his knowledge of the birds was exceptional but he was also able to answer virtually any question about the country that members of the group through at him and was more than willing to give up extra time show us aspects of a country of which he was undoubtedly very proud.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a torch! Exodus mention this as an optional extra but I'd say it is an essential - not just because some of the lodges and rooms are very dark at night but because one is useful to spot wildlife after sunset.
Rosalind Hoyes
Reviewed February 2017
Discover Costa Rica
Truly the holiday of a lifetime. Could not improve on any elements of it. The pace and variety was perfect. Loved the Eco lodges, the wildlife and was very lucky with the company. The guide was fascinating and passionate about his subject. A walking encyclopaedia of Costa Rican facts and insights.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking through cloud forests.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gerado made our trip. He was fun and informative and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just go! Don't bother packing anything even vaguely dressy. Will be a waste of suitcase space but take walking boots and masses of bug spray.
Lesley Silcock
Reviewed February 2017
Fantastic tour of costa rica
Lovely tour of a beautiful country
Most Inspirational Moment
We loved all of it but especially esquinas rainforest lodge, so fantastic to stay in rainforest with all the wildlife. The food is good and plentiful everywhere, most of the accommodation is great. Lots of wildlife to see.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgeable about wildlife and ecosystems, clearly loved his country and was keen to share all aspects of costa rica
Advice for Potential Travellers
Some journeys are long , audiobook and headphones would be worth taking. Do take binoculars even if you are not a bitd watcher, those without missed out. Lots of wildlife to be seen just sitting still in hotel grounds.
Richard Faunt
Reviewed February 2017
Discover Costa Rica
A brilliant “taster” trip to Costa Rica, which our Guide (Jorge Diaz) skilfully adapted to the group preference for wildlife discovery with several early morning starts to capture the best viewing.
Most Inspirational Moment
I really enjoyed the hot springs near Arenal (and the Pina Colada's!)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Temperatures and humidity vary with elevation and location. If you are travelling in the Winter (peak) season you will need a sweater or fleece for early morning Quetzal hunting in Savegre
Katherine Pagett
Reviewed January 2017
Discover Costa Rica
Probably the best holiday I have ever had. Excellent wildlife and well thought out locations to ensure we saw the maximum amount of the various landscapes Costa Rica has to offer. Excellent tour leader and driver. I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were so many - when I spotted my first wildlife - a toucan I was so excited I was almost hyper-ventilating!
Seeing the first sloth, the first monkey, otter, ant-eater etc
Boat journey into Tortaguera
Seeing the volcano at Turrialba erupting
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was excellent - very knowledgeable about the country and wildlife - he was still excited at seeing the birds and animals which he had probably seen hundreds of times before but made it seem special as indeed it was to us. He helped my husband and other group members with their cameras and photography which he was very knowledgeable about. He was a character who was great with our group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like wildlife, birds, flowers/trees, and seeing different types of scenery, this is the holiday for you. The people were friendly and the food was great too!
