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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Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.
Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.
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330 Reviews
4.8 out of
5
Reviews
Graham Treagus
Reviewed February 2016
Discover Costa Rica
The experience was everything I had hoped and more,the wildlife was amazing especially the birds and the brochure promise was fulfilled in ever way. The dry forest,rain forest and cloud forest will will be relived every time I look at my photos. I will certainly recommend this experience to my friends.
Most Inspirational Moment
Costa Rica is certainly a lush land with so many wonderful experiences. I was pleased to witness the enthusiasm of our courier and local guides for their beautifull country and their inheritance of fauna and flora, it was infectious.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Pedro was great, and made the trip. Nothing was too much trouble and his pride in his country and wildlife shone through. Our group was full of gentle souls ,full of enthusiasm and questions, Pedro did a splendid job to make every ones experience a memorable one
Advice for Potential Travellers
Cameras and binoculars are essential, reference books can be purchased locally and protect your self well from both sun and insects.ATMs are few and far between take lots of dollars. Be prepared to be amazed.
David Coustick
Reviewed February 2016
Discover Cosa Rica
A great country to visit with great wildlife.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing a Resplendent Quetzel in the grounds of our last lodge.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Very knowledgeable on birds, animals and plantlife and always enthusiastic.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't forget a brolly - even in the dry season. And be prepared for chilly mornings when at higher altitudes.
Jacqueline Hoskins
Reviewed February 2016
Great stress free way to see Costa Rica
A well organised holiday a great way to see Costa Rica with diverse climates from hot rain forest to cool cloud forest . Fantastic sightings of many birds and wildlife including the elusive Quetzal . Accommodation was very good in all places visited . A lovely group with a fantastically enthusiastic and passionate guide .
Most Inspirational Moment
There were several inspirational moments I loved loved the Esquinas lodge with the walks and many sightings of frogs, snakes and monkeys . The sound of the howler monkeys and bird song was exceptional.
The sighting of a Quetzal several times in the Saverge was breath taking .
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Pedro Bolanos was exceptional. He was enthusiastic, very passionate and caring . He had endless energy with a lovely sense of humour . He went above and beyond his call of duty always keen to ensure we were all having a good time . He was passionate about his country and was proud to be part of the nature preservation . He was very knowledgable about the wildlife especially the birds . We all felt very cared for and supported . Making the holiday enjoyable with out having to worry about anything .
Advice for Potential Travellers
We struggled to decide what currency to take and in the end took colones and dollars . You need to take some colones for the local restaurants but be aware that if you take dollars your change is usually given in colones so you are never sure what exchange rate you are getting . At the time we travelled it was better to take dollars as the exchange rate was more favourable .
Take a fleece for the cloud forest as it was rather cool but not cold.
It would have been nice to know to take gifts for the school we visited as they needed pens and paper etc .
Catherine Marvell
Reviewed February 2016
Great trip to amazing country
This is a well planned itinery to enable visiting a wide range of ecosystems – wetland rainforests, cloud forests, coastal rainforests, high altitude forests so the variety of flora and fauna seen is great. I thought that the travelling every other day would be tedious but each journey was broken up by something of interest and often we had reached our destination by lunch time.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many but Torteguero was the most amazing place, cruising along the waterways seeing the abundant wildlife. But the beauty of the cloud forest at St Elena was also truest stunning. Also the getting up and 5am to see the quetzals at Savegre. As was swimming in the warm Pacific and seeing the Pelicans flying above. And watching the white faced monkeys grooming in the trees.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Carla was extremely hard working and put a lot into giving us as much information as possible about where we were and what we were seeing. She was so enthusiastic about her country it was quite infectious.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There are lots of opportunities to do your own thing so make the most of these, I had some of my best moments when walking alone in the forests and gardens.
Karen Kaye
Reviewed February 2016
Karen Kaye
We are just back from two weeks in Costa Rica and have had a wonderful time travelling around the country. There were 16 of us with Gerardo as our guide and George as our driver and the group all got on well and shared a sense of humour together.
We had a very varied time travelling into the different micro climates and experiencing very cool weather and extremely humid rain forests all with interesting places to visit from bird filled rain forests to high cloud forests and volcanos. I can really recommend this trip and Gerardo was an excellent guide. As well as being a fun friendly person, he is a fluent English speaker and very knowledgeable about all sorts of things from identifying wildlife and bird spotting to discussions about politics etc. At the beginning of the week I expressed interest in the social side of the country and he wrote and presented a very informative talk on these issues that must have taken him some time to put together. That was really very appreciated and a fascinating added extra to the holiday.
He also went out of his way to locate and reconnect us with our luggage which was left in Madrid for some days having missed our 2nd flight out!
Thanks to everyone for ensuring that the trip was so good, and varied, including the school visit and visit to a home. We will definately think of further travel with Exodus in the future.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the monkeys and birds in the waterways around Tortoguero and walking across the suspension bridges above the tree canopy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As above, brilliant!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try not to lose your luggage in transit!
Stephen Crook
Reviewed January 2016
Discover Costa Rica
An excellent overview of the wildlife of the country from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific. Led by an excellent knowledgeable guide, Antonio. Who, as well as having an excellent knowledge of the birdlife in each area visited, with a personal birdlist of more than 500 species in Costa Rica, was also willing to lead early morning bird walks and other walks through the various habitats. Two members of the group were able to identify around 200 species of bird, including the iconic Quetzal, which was seen in two different areas. Antonio was also able to identify and give information on much of the other fauna and flora seen on our travels, and explain some of the social history of Costa Rica. The jungle walks, both at day and night, gave a good overview of the diversity of species found in these amazing habitats. Accommodation was excellent, the people were friendly and our drivers, both on the bus, Mario, and on the boat, were excellent, helping us to enjoy the whole trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Every place visited had its own benefits and sights of the amazing fauna and flora of Costa Rica.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As already described, excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
From our experience, do not travel via the US using United Airlines. US customs were very good, efficient and human, but United Airlines were not efficient in dealing with the travel problems caused by the weather conditions in Newark
Derek Goodchild
Reviewed January 2016
Discover Costa Rica
The whole trip was full of exciting experiences, seeing a wonderful variety of flora and fauna and visiting so many different places. The list of animals and birds we saw grew longer by the day and the almost encyclopaedic knowledge of all elements of Costa Rica that our group leader had was readily shared with us all. The itinerary was well planned, allowing us to see the different landscapes and terrains of the country, and the numerous activities available were thoroughly enjoyable. All the accommodation was of a high standard as was the transport vehicle and its driver. I would recommend this trip to anyone interested in seeing wildlife in a beautiful setting.
Most Inspirational Moment
Sitting in the hotel restaurant at the Esquinas Rain Forest Lodge, watching numerous different birds and animals feeding by the pond outside.
This was closely followed by the thrill of having humming birds perching on my fingers as they fed from a feeder.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andres was passionate in his interest and knowledge of the flora and fauna and shared this knowledge with us all. His ability to spot birds and animals, even from a moving vehicle, was amazing, giving us all the opportunity to see so much. He and our driver, Carlos, readily joined in our mealtimes and general socialising and helped the group to gel from day one. Andres was also particularly helpful to some of the group whose onward travel arrangements were severely disrupted at the last minute.
Definitely the best group leader I have travelled with.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not worry too much about advice to take wet weather gear - we only had one rain shower in two weeks and that was over night!
Do take a good torch for any night walks.
Janet Burnage
Reviewed January 2016
Discover Costa Rica - wonderful experience
Excellent holiday – good leader and driver. Good mix of people. Good insight into the best of Costa Rica and I want to go back and do it all again!
Most Inspirational Moment
Nothing in particular stands out - the holiday really started the moment we boarded the boat to Tortoguero and within five minutes saw a crocodile and it just got better and better.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Superb. A Costa Rican who had a degree in ornithology and tourism - he could spot an animal/bird in a tree that we would never have seen. He became a integral part of our group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It is extremely leisurely - the walks are short and very manageable, so don't be put off by the fact that a walk is included most days.
Janet Burnage
Reviewed January 2016
Wonderful tour of Costa Rica
First time with Exodus, we travelled with a group of friends, plus three other couples to make up the numbers. As a group we immediately realised that we were going to have a good time together – this was a good start and then of course the rest of the holiday – touring the highlights of Costa Rica was perfect, helped along by a wonderful guide (Andres) and our driver (Carlos).
Most Inspirational Moment
We enjoyed every day - there was something different to see each day and each was special in its own way. The hanging bridges at Monteverde were wonderful, once you got used to them and the nature reserve at Manual Antonio with wonderful natural beaches, racoons, lizards and monkeys coming on to the beach with the racoons trying to get into rucksacks, they know how a zip works. The pacific ocean where we were was wonderfully warm.
The best - seeing the Quetzal on the last day!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brilliant - he soon became part of the group and answered all our questions with knowledge and patience! Our driver also became a key part of the group - making it all the more enjoyable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be aware that in the rain forest it is very humid and everything in your cases will need airing when you get to your next destination.
Make sure you take binoculars and ideally a compact camera - you need to be quick off the mark when taking photos.
Celia Winter
Reviewed January 2016
Discover Costa Rica 2-16 Jan 2016
This is an absolutely fantastic trip.
It is diverse in terms of climate, type of rain forest, topography and ,Eco systems. you see The Caribbean and the Pacific,You experience High mountains ,volcanic areas ,pristine sandy beaches and huge range of mammals and birds.
The food In all the places we stayed and in the local restaurants was great if you are a meat and fish eater.
The accommodation excellent with contrasts between the Eco lodges and the small hotels which are you appreciate both !,
Most Inspirational Moment
Staying at Esquenious Lodge .This is a totally natural environment ,not contrived and a perfect example of The best of Eco tourism.It offers employment to local people and this is reflected in the service and charm afforded to visitors.The pool is fed by natural stream water,the wildlife plentiful and undisturbed.
Seeing Sloths suspended from a cable undertaking an amazing mating ritual .The cable was above major road works!!,
taking the optional extra trip o the Zip Wire riding above the forest canopy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Johnny Vilalobos was a brilliant tour leader. he was friendly and kind, calm and knowledgable across all topics relating to his country .He was very proud of Costa Rica! he was very well informed and able to ensure we had the best opportunities to see places and birds and animals .He was in no way patronising but was concerned for us.If he couldn't answer questions he researched them , remembered and always came back with and answer.
He was sociable and very clear with his instructions and information about plans.He also drew our attention to the minutiae and all the elements that make up the environment.Top Man !!!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
take a Light Waterproof mac and look at the universal packing list.
don't travel through USA, long delays and queuing for excessive security.
