Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many moments where you just go 'wow'. I won't go into a lengthy description of the awe inspiring moments as it may spoil it for your own 'wow factor' . But the lava in the volcano was mesmerising; cycling in the backdrops of volcanoes makes you smile non-stop; casually seeing a crocodile and other wildlife as you raft on by was brilliant; sharing conversations at a local school, a bus stop and even whilst being overtaken by a 4 year old girl running up the hill (I was on my bike!) are moments I'll never forget; swimming in the sea as the sun comes up; having my 'guardian angel domestiques' (the bf and Antony and Paul - the mechanics) placing their hand on my back and literally pushing me up the tough hills - I can never thank these guys enough, they are amazing. ...... but mostly, it's the feeling of having pedalled yourself many miles through 3 amazing countries with people that you were thrown together with and shared random experiences with, that you'll never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ah Roberto. What an amazing leader... The passion that Roberto showed both on and off the bike was unbelievable. I don't know where he gets his energy from! Super fit on the bike! I was often up early and would see Roberto working away. Then giving briefings for the day, then cycling back and fore taking photos, making awesome videos that he would then share on fb, plus then giving us cultural information whilst on the van. It was like having our own personal documentary maker and he was brilliant. Awesome knowledge on all 3 countries and a way with people than is a engaging, personal and professional. I can still hear his 'one, two' advice when going up the hills and this is what keeps you going. There are so many things that go on behind the scenes when you have 14+ people to organise and the way he made it seem so easy goes to show how good he is. Oh, and he has some great cycling tops too! He's funny and makes you feel at ease. If I do another trip, I would actually head to Costa Rica just to have him as my leader! Pura vida. The rest of the team were great too. Ronald the driver works super hard and drives so safely and professionally, Paul and Antony, the mechanics were a godsend. Paul is a funny guy, an amazing cyclist and really helped me on tough hills and long flats. Antony - what can I say? This guy is a machine! I called him Terminator 2 as was always looking out for me and pushing me up hills. The strength is has is phenomenal. He made the cycling so much better for me and made my experience better. Thanks guys!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Learn a bit of Spanish. There are opportunities where you least expect it, to meet locals and exchange a few words. It's a great feeling. Great to take some stuff for the school that you visit. We missed/forgot this and were gutted. Get some hill training in! Read the trip notes, but don't micromanage... the best days for me were the surprises of things I had forgotten and the leaders will change the schedule to make the experience better, or if the roads are busy, to make it safer. We did a white water rafting trip on our day off in Fortuna. Was brilliant but if you want a rest... this isn't it! I left my trainers there, one of the guys was going to give them to charity, so don't throw stuff away if you no longer want it.

Suggestions

Everyone goes at their own pace, but remember to enjoy it and stop, take photos, look around. It's about the journey, not the destination! The sights you can preserve, but the smells and environment changes all the time so make sure to notice them as you whizz on by. I had some great conversations whilst panting up a hill, sharing grimaces, water and tips to get to the top. Great friendships are made on a trip like this. Note that the bikes change in Costa Rica for CR and Panama and many bikes of the smaller frame only had room for one water bottle. This was a problem for me and even though the bike mechanics gave me theirs, it meant I was reliant on them and one occasion was by myself and ran out! So, take a camelbak!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many: Seeing inside the live volcano; Seeing all the animals on the road/in the hotel grounds/via trips such as the river float (Howler Monkeys, Toucans, Iguanas, Coatis, Frogs, Crocodiles etc); Passing through the villages, getting a feel for local life and seeing all the villagers wave and say ¡Hola!; Sunsets/sunrises on both coasts.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The Team were really superb: Roberto (Lead Guide), Walter & Alvertivo (Guide/Mechanic), Neno (Driver). They worked well together to provide excellent service and support. Roberto delivered a very well organised trip which went seamlessly. His knowledge and information on each country/location was invaluable. The regular briefings and well planned pit stops were great. Booking group lunches/dinners, and the organised bill paying & individual account keeping made life so much easier and saved a lot of time. His additional help with translating dietary requirements was appreciated. Border crossing were made much easier thanks to their help. The support provided on the road by the Guide/Mechanics and Driver were much appreciated. From on the road mechanics to loading the bikes and general encouragement. Between them, their wildlife spotting was fantastic. Many thanks to all of you for really making the trip wonderful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kit: Padded cycling shorted and padded cycling gloves are essential - there are some very bumpy roads in Nicaragua. If you can, take your own saddle as well. They can also fit your own pedals if you prefer to take cycling shoes. Cycling snacks: take your own snacks, gels etc if you are used to using them or have any intolerances. They provide some biscuits / isotonic / fruits at stops. For Gluten Free travellers, there were options at breakfast in all but a few places so just take a small amount of GF breakfast food. Lunches / dinners were mainly in restaurants where there was a full menu choice, so there was always something which could be eaten (practise your spanish for clarifying with waiting staff or ask your guide for help). Currency: there is no need to exchange to any local currency. Take USD. All three countries accept USD and you get change in local currency in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which you just need to spend before the border. You can use credit cards in a lot of the restaurants and you pay the guide for your lunches in USD cash in the first two countries. Re-apply sun cream at each stop (think about taking some sleeves for the strong afternoon sun) along with regular mosi spray in the evenings/early mornings (mosis only seem to be around in a few locations). Don't take too many clothes. It is very warm, even in the evenings and cycling clothes can be hand washed and dried overnight in the first two countries. Also there is a launderette in La Fortuna. The cycling is hot and there are a few hills but you can take your time and there are plenty of stops. Take your time to spot the wildlife - it's worth going a little slower in some locations. I would recommend hiring quad bikes on Bocas del Tores as a way to see the rest of the island.

Suggestions

It is a really fantastic trip. Cycling / active / outdoors / wildlife enthusiastic travellers will love this trip. Go for it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The volcano trip was particularly breathtaking - worth the queueing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great - Gerhard's knowledge and patience was admirable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some training if your not that fit - otherwise the first few days cycling can hurt. Heat and hills!

Most Inspirational Moment

Like other reviewers, there were many highlights - looking down at molten lava in the crater of the Masaya volcano; a guided trip down the Rio Tenorio where the iguanas and ospreys are so numerous that we became blase about them; the wildlife around Lake Arenal; the hot springs near La Fortuna; bathing in the Pacific after the day's ride at Las Lajas and the Panama Canal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This is our third Exodus trip and each of the leaders has been excellent in terms of organisation, humour and imparting local knowledge but Roberto was definitely a cut above the others. Everything was done that bit better than before e.g. daily briefings on the route with its profile, where the refreshment stops would be and any specific things we had to be vigilant about; paying for the meals, rather than us delaying things by doing it individually and then presenting us later with our own aggregated accounts; copious photos and videos being uploaded daily to a WhatsApp group so we could review and chat about them over dinner; melding the new group of support staff into a harmonious and happy team. The result was that we (and, I believe, they) had a ball. His Pièce de Résistance was his male howler monkey impersonation that certainly had the desired effect on the local monkey population!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We hadn't appreciated that the prevailing weather comes from the Caribbean and so, even in the dry season, it can be wet on that coast. Also, like another reviewer, we had debated about taking anti-Malaria tablets. In the end we used Deet and saw few mosquitoes, which vindicated our decision not to take them. Do take advantage of the laundry in La Fortuna, which was efficient and used to cycle wear.

Suggestions

If you hadn't already gathered it was a great trip. Do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was the cycling. I absolutely loved the winding steep decent after we crossed the Continental Divide! My wife, who was not a cyclist coped really well and this is a moderate/challenging tour. Seeing the live active Nicaraguan Volcano is a one off thing too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was great, Great sense of humour and saw to the needs of each individual on the trip!! Not over fussy and that suited me fine.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Costa Rica and Panama are much more expensive than you would imagine especially if you are used to India, South Africa etc. The 'Tat' shops are not great - even my tat collecting wife struggled to find anything she would put in her 'Tat' collection. It all seemed really safe so don't worry about the Central America issues. Don't be too uptight about plan changes - in the words of one of our guides 'Shit Happens'

Suggestions

Go and enjoy - if you are not into nature, you maybe a little disappointed as it lacks a little bit of the culture and charm of Asia and Africa. However I'm really glad I went and I wouldn't put anyone off!

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all about the wildlife for me and we were lucky enough to see sloths, toucans, pelicans, monkeys, agoutis, coatis, iguanas, crocodiles, butterflies, various species of heron and many other colourful birds. Experiencing the Masaya Volcano at night was also an unforgettable experience. For me, Nicaragua had the charm, Costa Rica had the wildlife and Panama had the landscapes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andres and the whole support team (Ronald, Paul and Alvero) were great. The team couldn't do enough for us and we were very well looked after throughout the trip. The whole support team laughed with us for 2 weeks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hills can be tough especially in full heat and even though the distances are relatively short, a certain level of fitness is required. Take plenty of sun block and insect repellent. I wish I'd taken a video camera for my bike / helmet.

Suggestions

Amazing trip with a fabulous bunch of people. I would highly recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Masaya volcano in Nicaragua, seeing sloths in the wild in Costa Rica and unspoiled, empty beach in Panama.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very well organised, engaged, funny and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your own saddle, waterproofs and well padded shorts.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me and my travel partner the cycling and swimming in the Pacific were among the best moments as we like to be active.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both the group leader as well as the other guides and driver were all amazingly friendly and knowledgeable. They definitely made sure to take good care of us and that we were never bored.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a relatively easy and relaxed active trip. If you have more than two weeks available, this trip is a good option to visit other countries in the region either before or after the group trip if you don't go on the group flights.

Suggestions

The trip was as per the itinerary with many bus transfers in between the cycle stages. With a full group size of 16 people plus staff, the bus we used had a tendency to feel cramped at times. Even though we were prepared for many kilometers on the road it still took us a bit by surprise how many hours were overall spent on the bus. Having said this, it was overall an amazing trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed seeing the active Masaya volcano in Nicaragua, cycling by Lake Arenal, seeing toucans and sloths and (many) iguanas, beautiful boat trip to Red Frog beach in Bocas del Toro and an evening with cocktails by the beach in Las Lajas

Thoughts on Group Leader

Competent, managed border crossings with minimum fuss and got us all safely from A to B. The assistants and driver were, as ever, passionate about their country and great fun to be with

Advice for Potential Travellers

- Book Jeff (opposite the hotel) for your boat trip of choice in Bocas del Toro. He tailored a trip to exactly what we wanted and it was the best $20 we spent all holiday - Be prepared for rain (at least in December). At least it was mostly warm and didn't last for long but it rained every day. I wish I had packed a small travel hairdryer to dry my shoes - Take US$ in small denominations - there is no need to exchange money - everyone accepts US$ (though you will get change in local currency) - Food and drink are probably more expensive than you are expecting - you can easily spend $30 or more per day if you take lunch and dinner with a drink

Suggestions

Our rides were often shorter than advertised in the trip notes (sometimes for safety reasons). The ride on Day 8 (in La Fortuna) was badged as optional though not in the trip notes - some people opted to organise their own activities instead but overall the people that rode seemed to enjoy the day most on our trip. Most of us would have liked to have spent 2 nights at the hotels either before or after La Fortuna.

Most Inspirational Moment

The boat trips were relaxing and offered a great opportunity to spot wildlife: spider monkeys on Lake Nicaragua, iguanas and crocodiles while rafting in Rio Tenorio and varieties of fish and birds round the Bocas del Toro islands.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrea was a supportive, patient and well-informed group leader with a good sense of humour. She managed to be both part of the team as well as an effective leader keeping us regularly informed about the places we were visiting, the itinerary, changes to plans and what to watch out for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travellers interested in this trip should be comfortable cycling on main roads alongside large vehicles and be able to cope with cycling in 30 degree heat (though riding in air-conditioned minibus is always an option!). You should be prepared for moving to different accommodation on a daily basis and pack lots of cycling gear as washing and drying clothing while constantly on the move can be a problem. Eating out is expensive in all 3 countries (it costs about the same as in the UK).