Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife seen throughout the trip is amazing but by far the best moment was experienced in the Esquinas Rainforest Nature Reserve when we treated to the rare sighting of a Tayra as it came to the lodge to feed on the bananas there. Equally inspirational was learning how so many of the Reserves were privately owned, run by and for the benefit of the local people in an effort to preserve the local flora & fauna.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armando was just the most amazing guide and he, above everything, was responsible for making this such a memorable trip. With his sunny smile and quick witted humour he had the whole group gelling together in no time. His skill at spotting wildlife even in the depths of the forest was amazing. At the start of the trip he asked each of us what we were hoping to get out of the visit and what we most wanted to see, he then made it his mission to tick off as many of those birds/animals as possible. We saw all 4 species of monkey and 4 out of 6 species of Toucan. He knew where to find the endangered Scarlet Macaws and, of course, succeeded in finding the Resplendant Quetzal. I challenged him to find a sloth with a baby & he did that on day 3! The only animal he failed to find was a tapir but we all agreed that the Tayra made up for that. Some birds/animals were difficult to spot but he would set up his telescope so that we were all able to see them and then he took pictures through it with our mobile phones. Nothing was too much trouble for Armando and equally for our driver Randall. They made a great team and if you are lucky enough to get them on your tour then you will not be disappointed. Pura Vida!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend taking some dollars to get through the first few days as it isn't easy to get to an ATM. Credit cards can be used everywhere but cash is needed for tips. Food & drink is quite expensive but portions are extremely generous and one dish could easily be shared between two. Temperatures vary between locations and some warmer clothing is definitely required for the last stay in Savegre.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the female turtle laying her eggs, covering them and returning slowly to the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent knowledgeable guide with a charming personality.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy every moment and take more money than you think as the alcoholic drinks can be expensive!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We visited at the end of the rainy season, so yes it did rain - the term rainforest rather gives the game away - but usually the mornings were dry and sunny. Ponchos proved very useful to protect rucksacks and cameras during the downpours. The high humidity meant that clothing took a long time to dry, so would recommend taking as much quick drying technical clothing as you can, although there were regular laundry opportunities. I'd also packed walking boots, which were not necessary. Stout walking trainers were perfectly adequate. Card payment is virtually universal in Costa Rica.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing baby green turtles emerging from the nest and scrambling to the sea

Thoughts on Group Leader

Randall couldn't do enough for us. His knowledge of the wildlife and plants and Costa Rica in general was amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for rain! Costa Rica is not a cheap destination either - food and alcohol is quite expensive. We took Costa Rican Colones as we thought why take US dollars for them to convert to local. In the event they prefer dollars, as it's more stable, and convert from dollars to Colones.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whale watching trip was truly unforgettable: as the speed boat leapt over the Pacific Ocean swell, none of us were prepared for the amazing performance laid on for us by a humpback whale and her calf. For 30 minutes we were enthralled by the ballet the two of them put on breaching every two to three minutes. The excitement of this experience was truly unforgettable, and we were all felt privileged to have been given an opportunity to see nature at play in this way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda was a real star: she was full of energy and life, sharing her passion and love of her country. Throughout the trip, Glenda made sure that we were her priority and that we were all given the best chance to appreciate the wonders of her country. No request was ever too much for her, and her sense of fun and humour helped us all relax throughout the trip. Her knowledge of her country’s biodiversity, and her ability to spot and identify both flora and fauna was remarkable. Without her I am not sure we would ever have discovered the elusive quetzal, but with her we saw makes and females twice - and then she used her skill to enable us to have photographs on our phones through her telescope. Glenda wanted us all to feel like we were part of her family, and her wish was that we would persuade others to come and enjoy her country. I hope many more will follow in our tracks - you won’t be disappointed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the humidity and the rain. September was the start of the “wetter” season, but mornings were nearly all sunny and hot, and actually we only had two afternoons which were torrential. But you will need to have a good poncho or waterproof top - perhaps a small umbrella? The humidity can be very high, so there is a need to have a good change of clothes as wet clothes do not always dry overnight. The other issue might be whether to have cash or use debit/credit cards. Some extra activities could only be paid for with cash (US dollars) and it is important to understand that not every ATM gives dollars but they all take commission.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a leather back turtle making its way back into the Caribbean Sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny was excellent both in a personal way and in his extremely high level of knowledge of flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Deet insect rollon was good. Swimming towels are obtainable from the hotels. You can get fairly cheap washes half way around so you don't need to take too much stuff. Make sure you have good binoculars and lightweight ponchos.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best were the unplanned, like when the traffic stopped because a Boa Constrictor was crossing the road - really! and another time when a two toed sloth had to be rescued from the middle of the road. Another time I had just settled down to drink a Pina Colada at the hotel bar when a monkey casually walked by on the telephone wires above me, like it was just going to the shops. You spend ages trying to see these creatures in the trees, then suddenly there they are in front of you. Watching a flight of scarlet Macaws was also quite special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jonny is very passionate about his country, his is very knowledgeable, and he has a remarkable ability to spot wildlife which was invisible to the rest of us until he points it out. But he talks too much, and especially when your tired, being stuffed full of information is not fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get good quality anti-mosquito ointment. I took Life Systems 'Expedition Plus insect repellent' and I didn't get bitten once.

Most Inspirational Moment

The conservation ethos is Costa Rica is impressive. Their dedication to the protection of their natural habitats is paying obvious dividends. The sounds of the forests is something that will stay with me for a long time, particularly first thing in the morning!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Johnny, deserves a special mention. His knowledge and friendly manner were exceeded only by his enthusiasm and contagious passion for his country and it's wildlife. It was really nice to see his obvious excitement at some of our wildlife sightings (notably a huge boa constrictor crossing a road during one of our bus transfers!).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack a comfortable pair of closed toe walking shoes. These are required for some areas due to the potential for snakes, particularly if you want to make the most of the self-guided trails or night walks at the lodges. ..and waterproofs. If you're planning on taking advantage of the laundry services as to go, be aware that these tended to get more expensive as we went, so I'd recommend doing what you can earlier in the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a sloth moving (slowly of course) through the trees was a sight to behold. Also, red eyed tree frogs - both so iconic for Costa Rica.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny was a great group leader - with 27 years experience of leading tours. He shared his knowledge and knew exactly when the group needed information - size of lodges we would be visiting, what we were doing the next day, when the next rest stop would be etc. etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some early starts. Weather in March (although dry season) did include both hot and wet days - bring clothing for both. Take insect repellent - although not a malaria zone there were insects aplenty! Be ready with your camera to capture those fleeting glimpses of wildlife - practice bird shots so that you can get photos of those fast moving hummingbirds! The Pacific ocean was like a warm bath to swim in.

Most Inspirational Moment

I'll never forget Tortuguero - all the birds and animals that we saw on the boat trip to the island, the montezuma oropendola building their nests, the toucans visiting their nest, the tree frogs, the leafcutter ants, standing on the beach where the turtles lay their eggs (though not in March) - the variety of humming birds, and seeing a pair of quetzals checking up on their nest at Savegre. I also enjoyed paddling in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I will be nominating Andres for the Exodus tour leader award. He is SO knowledgeable about Costa Rica and was always happy to answer our (numerous) questions. He was very patient, always professional, and took excellent care of the group, making sure we knew where we were going and what to expect. On the day of our departure, when our fight was delayed by 24 hours, I was particularly impressed that he made contact with British Airways staff and made sure we were in good hands before taking his leave (much later than planned).

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Read the other reviews - I found them really helpful. 2. If you pack light, you can expect to use the laundry service and/or got into the habit of washing clothes as soon as you arrive at the new destination. I sometimes wore 3 different tops in a day due to the humidity. I'm glad I bought quick drying clothes in the Rohan sale! 3. Bring a camera with a good zoom lens and a good pair of binoculars or a monocular. I have enjoyed looking at the short videos that I took which capture the sounds as well as the sights. 4. You might want to bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper - the frogs are quite loud at night.