Reviews

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.

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123 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Ian McDonald

Reviewed August 2019

Excellent trip

A really enjoyable trip with plenty of cycling and with options to increase on certain days if you have surplus energy.

A great way to see 3 countries in 2 weeks. Sometimes the cycling was quite challenging – particularly some of the muddy trails in Nicaragua ( which were great fun) and some of the hills in Costa Rica.

Weather was varied . Sometimes really hot and humid and sometimes very wet due to rainy season . So be prepared and keep changes of clothes close to hand.

Raft ride was great . Guides and support team were great . Nice balance between open evenings and meals as a group .

Highly recommend this trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved looking down into the active volcano at night . Awesome sight . Enjoyed the raft ride and the crocodiles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto was top class . A really nice guy who got on well with everyone and nothing was too much trouble. He gave really good briefings prior to setting out Each day. He also had excellent local knowledge at each stage of the trip. Perfect English too and really easy to chat to .

Advice for Potential Travellers

To enjoy the trip you need to be reasonably fit .. have plenty of changes of cycling clothes. Roberto can advise on the 2 or 3 places over the route where you can get laundry done ( very cheaply) . A few casual clothes ( t shirts and shorts ) are all that are needed for evenings .dont forget mosquito repellent .

Suggestions

Although the accommodation was always clean and tidy there were a few instances where the rooms were quite small and basic . Having been similar trips to Vietnam and Cambodia , their accommodation levels were better .

Paul Sanders

Reviewed August 2019

Fabulous.

An absolutely excellent trip and a great way to see three countries in two weeks. There was a real mix of cycling, from rough, tough, dirty stuff, to long smooth straights as well as everything in between (it’s essentially a road trip though). A few hills were quite demanding (not least in the heat), so the gravity downhill afterwards was welcome! There was some stunning scenery and it’s pretty green and lush everywhere. Beyond the cycling, the other activities added to the sense of holiday, while also giving greater insight into what each country has to offer.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the cycling was excellent and just the right level. Peering into the Masaya volcano was a lifetime moment and the visit to the school in Nicaragua really resonated.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto was excellent on every level. From leading the front riders to congratulating those for whom rides were a bigger challenge, he was personable and professional with everyone. Morning briefings were helpful to all, outlining how each day would work, from the cycling to ordering food in advance etc. etc.. Every day ran smoothly and organisation was excellent. His knowledge and experience showed and nothing was too much trouble. What could possibly go wrong?

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go. Have a change of (cycling and/or casual) clothes in a rucksack on the bus. Be prepared for very flexible lunchtimes (there are always snacks available).

Suggestions

Highly recommended. Pura vida!!

Ed Helps

Reviewed April 2018

Great guide and group made the trip

The cycling was challenging in the heat but the guide, mechanic and driver provided great support. A group were inclusive and the sights seen were spectacular.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking into an active volcano at dusk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group letter was exceptional. Nothing was to much trouble. He looked after the safety and welfare of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hills are challenging for casual cyclist in the heat of the day.

Suggestions

An enjoyable trip.

Wendy Tomes

Reviewed April 2018

What a fabulous way to explore these countries

This was our first Exodus trip and I have to say we had a few reservations before we left . We have been on many of our own cycling holidays but never on an organised one . We were worried there might not be enough cycling or that we might have to wait ages for others or hold others up.
However Roberto our leader was brilliant . We all cycled at our own pace but he kept us all together at regroup points and everyone was happy .
What I loved about the holiday was the opportunity to do something we like -the cycling but also to do sightseeing and explore places I know we would not have seen if we were on our own .
Everything was so well organised even down to our lunch being booked in advance and we pay at end of the week .
I liked being in a group we had such a laugh it was like a two week party and those on their own were looked after well.
I wish we had started looking at Exodus holidays before , I will certainly go on another

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along the lake and seeing all the wildlife The views were amazing Also staying on a Caribbean island in Panama

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant He made the holiday special and created the team ethos

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can go a day earlier and stay a day later it is worth it so you see more of Panama and Grenada

Jennifer Steward

Reviewed April 2018

Cycling, Scenery and Swimming

The trip is a great combination of cycling in three Central American countries all with quite distinct scenery. The cycling stages are not too long but nonetheless quite challenging given the hills and heat/humidity. Some training – particularly hills – is recommended! There was often time for a swim at the end of the day and swimming one day in the Caribbean Sea and the next in the Pacific Ocean was a highlight. Frequently, there was the opportunity to spot wildlife along the route – sloths, howler monkeys and toucans! A visit to an active volcano and cycling across the Panama Canal are also part of the itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling a very hilly stage of the tour through breathtaking scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The trip leader - Memo - was very sociable, well organised and professional with a great sense of humour. He too k the time to get to know each member of the group and made sure that we were happy, comfortable and enjoying the cycling - offering encouragement up the longer steeper hill sections. Importantly, Memo was quite conscious of the safety of the group on the road. Memo's briefings were comprehensive and helpful and he was always willing to answer our questions - relevant or otherwise! Memo was well supported by the local crew who were also very engaged with the group and made sure our bikes were in good order and we were well hydrated/ fed with fresh local fruits at the cycling rest stops. The trip was well supported by a great team which contributed to the overall enjoyment.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The stages are quite hilly so some training is essential. There are a couple of short off road stages so some off road training may also be helpful. Lunch and dinner is at the traveller's cost which can add quite a bit to a two-week trip. No too much time is spent in towns or villages so make sure you have all the essentials with you. There are no too many opportunities for engaging with local people or local culture.

Suggestions

Cycling Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama is a great way to get a taste of three different Central American countries.

Kelly Nicholls

Reviewed April 2018

Fantastic experience

Fantastic to see three amazing countries on two wheels, it was an incredible trip and the scenery is just stunning. There are so many highs like cycling around a volcano, the undulating fast rides in Costa Rica were so much fun, riding a long the beach and seeing amazing wildlife. Having a dip in the volcanic hot springs was amazing too. The food was excellent and our leader Memo (Guilermo Sanchez) had the most amazing sense of humour and made the trip even more special. There were a few hard climbs but when you reach the top and see the stunning views – its worth it and there was so much support. If you get a chance to go – do it.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many, seeing the Lava flow in the Volcano, cycling along a beach, hot and cold springs, Memo giving us a history lesson with his amazing drawing skills. Best of all was laughing every day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We have been on a few Exodus trips and Memo, has been the best leader by far. He is incredibly organised and nothing seemed to phase him, he was always there for us 24hrs a day. He is extremely knowledgeable about the countries and the wildlife - best of all he always gave us support and encouragement when it got a bit tough on some of the climbs and we all made. He is a very warm kind and friendly person - I would definitely ask Exodus for him if I do the Costa Rica Coasts to Coast as he is just one of a kind. I miss his sense of humour and stories.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some hill training or spinning classes and pack lite. Definitely take mosquito repellent that has deer and plenty of sunscreen and some that you can carry on the bike as it gets quite hot in the afternoon.

Suggestions

if you get a chance to go - go do it. It was so much fun and don't be daunted by the climbs as you can do it all in your own pace its not a race. As mentioned before I thought Memo was just excellent and he made the trip extra special.

Elaine Willett

Reviewed March 2018

Cycle Nicaragua Costa Rica and Panama

Wow what a brilliant trip… not only did we cycle in 3 amazingly beautiful countries, we experienced so many added extras… looking down on an active volcano at night; seeing the molten lava moving … brilliant. We cycled around a nature reserve one morning prior to the main days cycle… our guide Memo spotting all sorts of wild life I would surely have missed and his knowledge is just outstanding. River cruises, hot springs and visiting the Panama canal centre. This trip rates among the best I have done.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the nature reserve. All of it actually it's hard to pick a single moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Memo our group leader was out standing as a guide... His knowledge of nature, ecology, history ... just brilliant. He communicated with drawings, diagrams and a wicked sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I did a few spin classes prior to going and whilst I think they are evil they really helped with the hills

VASILIKI NTAVLOUROU

Reviewed March 2018

An amazing trip with the best guiding team ever!

This was by far the best cycling holiday I have ever been to. Amazing places and views!
A challenging cycling route for someone with a minor cycling experience like myself. But I made it, thanks to the support and encouragement of this amazing team: Roberto, Paul, Alvaro, Jose, Ronaldo! Names and personalities we will never forget! Thank you for helping me add beautiful images and feelings, in my life’s “memory box”, but most of all, thank you for keeping us SAFE and happy! It was more than obvious that you were there for us to ENJOY our trip, see, feel and taste the beauty of the most amazing part of the world. Feeling fit and healthy, looking forward to our next adventure!
Thank you!

Most Inspirational Moment

RESCUING A SLOTH ON THE WAY TO LA FORTUNA!

John LAIDLOW

Reviewed March 2018

Just what we wanted!

This was a great trip which we really enjoyed. It was described as ‘moderate/challenging’, which related to the ‘undulations’ and sometimes dirt tracks upon which we cycled, and some of the ‘normal’ roads and paved roads were a little rough. Having said that, we all managed OK. Additionally, the trip was ‘full on’ with some early starts, some late meals and other activities such as boat trips, and other options too. No two days were the same, variety was the key. There were 16 of us on this trip, ranging in age from 32-69 (which was me!) with two couples (all in their sixties) the rest friends/singles, and a majority of women.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was mixing with different cultures and seeing at first hand how people can string a life together with minimal resources and facilities.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto was quite exceptional, with amazing organisational skills; he was on the go all the time, dealing with our cycling needs, giving advice, and permanently planning ahead whether it was pre-warning hotels of our arrival, ordering our meals in advance or paying for activities to be re-imbursed later. And delightful with it..... Fantastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were a little anxious about the challenging nature of the trip, but we all managed OK. I would certainly recommend some pre-hol training; some of us hadn't done any and perhaps wished they had - rather like a skiing holiday! We'd also strongly recommend gel saddle-savers unless you bring your own saddle. Also, we were a little anxious about mosquitoes and malaria; in fact there was minimal mossy activity and we didn't take anti-malarials. However, insect repellent was occasionally necessary. Roberto was really helpful on this one, as with everything else!

Suggestions

It was fun, fun fun but full-on too, as is often the case with biking/skiing holidays. We loved it and only one week after arriving back we're booking another trip with Exodus next year.

Dave Hyslop

Reviewed January 2018

Cycling Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama

Would class myself as a ‘veteran’ having been on many previous cycling adventures but this is the first trip I have ever left feedback on. I realise that when you return from holidays you are on a high but I can honestly say this is one of the best, maybe even the best cycling trip I have done. The whole thing gels completely. The cycling, the views, the rafting, the different cultures, the wildlife, all brought together by a fantastic support team makes this a 5 star trip. Breakfasts are early, sometimes 6-30am, to get you cycling before it gets too hot, but this means you have downtime at the end of the day to relax, and take everything in before dinner. It’s a full on trip with always things to do, then bang, a day off on a pacific beach before going at it again. Brilliant planning. Loved every minute of it. Thanks.

Most Inspirational Moment

In no particular order.....Masaya volcano....... The rafting where the wildlife was awesome, Iguanas, crocs, lizards, monkeys, beautiful birds (saw more Ospreys in 2 hours than I have seen in my entire life!).... Seeing a Toucan.....Working hard to get up the hills.....Those awesome views....... Chino's obvious love for his country and the whole area.... The children shouting hello as you cycle past.... the anticipation of that first cold beer after a hot day in the saddle knowing that the weather is cold and miserable back in the UK!!!!!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The luggage of some of our group did not arrive so Chino took on the responsibility to chase it up and was brilliant at keeping everybody informed at what was happening. When the weather deteriorated in Costa Rica (and boy did it deteriorate!) he took the decision to change the itinerary and move us over from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific coast, that included changing cycling routes and hotels. All this done with the minimum of fuss and just presented to us and off we went! So much work done behind the scenes. He was of course supported by his team of Albarro (Nicaragua), Paul and Ronaldo. Special mention here for Ronaldo who after the changes in Costa Rica must have spent around 8 hours driving in sections to get across Costa Rica and Panama, and we still got two cycle rides in that day. Viva Ronaldo! Pura vida guys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you enjoy cycling and wildlife this trip is for you! All 3 countries accept US dollars so you don't need to change any money on arrival in Nicaragua. Food is good and plenty throughout, standard of cleanliness is also good in the soda's and restaurants. Bike quality is also good and we had very little maintenance problems (3 punctures and 1 broken chain I think across 16 of us). Biscuits, fruit, water and hydrating powders are always available.

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