Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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334 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed October 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

An excellent trip all round with a great group of fellow travellers. I saw and did everything that I wanted to and took lots and lots of photographs!

Most Inspirational Moment

I think seeing the green sea turtles hatching on the beach at Tortuguero was the highlight of my trip. We had been looking on the beach at dawn and dusk for 2 days when Primo our boatman called us over and we had to run and walk for about a kilometre along the beach just in time to see about 70 hatchlings break out of their nest and head off in to the sea. The visit to the organic farm is surprisingly good fun. Gustavo and Christian the farm worker are a great double act. Try some of the raw sugar cane juice and also the local rum that they brew from it whilst you are there. You will also find out how to harvest papaya the Costa Rican way, using your hat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was an excellent tour leader throughout the whole trip. Paulo was our bus driver and was able to navigate Costa Rica's roads with ease and as much comfort as possible for us. Gustavo has an obvious enthusiasm for his country and also has an excellent knowledge of the local wildlife, trees and plants. He was able to answer all our questions with a great deal of understanding and patience. We were quite a big group but Gustavo always had plenty of time for every one of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I went in September and for me this was a great time of year to go. The turtles had been nesting for a few months and so there was a good chance to see hatchlings. It was also just before the main season started (Oct to May for the cruise ships) so there weren't too many other tourists at each of our destinations. The food in Costa Rica is not cheap and it is quite easy to spend a fair bit of money on the optional extras such as the boat trip for whale watching. Take one of those big sink plugs as a lot of the hotel rooms don't have sink plugs! If you want to get some laundry done then the Esquinas lodge only charge $15 for a bag full rather than per item. Also at Esquinas spend a little time choosing some wellies that fit, they are very useful after the rain! The horse riding is suitable for complete novices (like me) but it is quite a long trek (3 hrs round trip on the horses) as long as you can hang on as the horses know the way. The horses do like snacking on the way so try your best to keep them out of the hedgerows.

Reviewed June 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

2 Weeks in Costa Rica was a dream come true for a nature lover like me. I loved the lush tropical forests with blooming gingers and heliconias everywhere.

Most Inspirational Moment

I like to learn about local life and culture so I was really pleased to visit a rural dairy farm. We also went dancing at a local bar in La Gamba....ask your guide to take you there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Gustavo was a fabulous guide. I also have to give kudos to our driver Pablo for his driving skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for rain. Our tour started mid-May which is the start of the rainy season and it rained everywhere we went, sometimes for a short time and sometimes for hours. You will need an umbrella, poncho and waterproof footwear. I'm somewhat of a foodie so I do have to add that I was disappointed with the food in Costa Rica. Overall I found the food expensive, bland and uninspired at most of the lodges and restaurants we went to. I do recommend lunch at the organic farm in La Fortuna, they prepare local dishes from ingredients grown on the farm.

Reviewed May 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

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!

Most Inspirational Moment

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!

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Reviewed May 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

A great overall and varied introduction to an amazing country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being in such close proximity to beautiful hummingbirds

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny is a wonderful guide and ambassador for Costa Rica. If he didn't know something, (which was rare) he would find out and let you know the answer.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go! You will not be disappointed.

Reviewed April 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Reviewed April 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

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!

Most Inspirational Moment

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!).

Thoughts on 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!

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

Reviewed April 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on Group Leader

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

Advice for Potential Travellers

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

Reviewed March 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

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

Most Inspirational Moment

The night walk and hanging bridges at Monteverde were both atmosphericThe hot springs at La Fortuna were heaven after an afternoons walk back from the waterfallThe sunset cruise looking for dolphins at Manuel Antonio was very memorable.

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Reviewed March 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Reviewed March 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Exceeded our expectations of seeing wildlife up close. A well planned itinerary, with a good variety of accommodation.

Most Inspirational Moment

Zip wiring over the jungle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional and well informed - his knowledge of Costa Rica's Wildlife added significantly to the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need a lightweight bag for Tortuega, as they use a separate boat for the luggage. It rains a lot even in the dry season, and ponchos are more useful than jackets, especially if you have a big camera. Confirm that your insurance covers helicopter evacuation - it emerges as a condition of taking part half way through!

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