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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74 Reviews
4.7
out of
5
Reviews
Linda Grierson
Reviewed February 2026
Excellent!
From steamy Tortoguero, with the howler monkeys waking us up at 5.00am (no need for an alarm!) to cool, mountainous Savegre thronging with hummingbirds, this was a tour of contrasting habitats each with their own variety of wildlife, plants and flowers. In addition to the wildlife elements of the tour, visits to the Aquiares coffee factory and CAITE research centre were incredibly interesting. The optional visit to the Bri Bri community was well worth it; we learned all about how chocolate is made from scratch and had great fun trying each part of the process.
While there were some longer travel days, they were well paced, never felt too onerous and we often saw interesting things en route. The boat trips were fantastic- just getting to Tortoguero and to Drake Bay were experiences in themselves, with opportunity to see lot of wildlife on the way. The snorkelling trip was amazing- we were able to swim above sea turtles, rays and amongst lots of colourful fish. Even if you don’t snorkel, the boat trip was worth doing- we saw a pod of humpback whales quite close to the boat, and a variety of birds.
The accommodation was comfortable and in all the hotel grounds we were able to spot a variety of wildlife- great for photographers who enjoy having a camera/phone in one hand and a ‘sundowner’ in the other!
Most Inspirational Moment
A memory I will cherish occurred in Corcovado national park. I was cricking my neck to photograph some noisy spider monkeys swinging around high in the trees above us, when I heard our guide whisper 'don't move'. I looked down and saw a coati by my feet, as oblivious to me as I was to her. She was part of a small group and we avidly watched them foraging around us for quite a while- it was a wonderful experience!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Adriana was excellent and I can't praise her highly enough. She was knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, patient with all our questions, and also had a great sense of humour! Her experience showed; she was always organised and on time and I know she must have worked very hard in the background to make sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. She was relaxed and her pace was good which allowed plenty of time for spotting wildlife. Adriana worked very well with our driver Andres who was also very kind and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It's worth going a day or so earlier if you can to give yourself time to acclimatise. There are some good museums in San Jose, or you can chill out at one of the hotels- we stayed at the Bougainvillea which has extensive botanical gardens with a variety of wildlife.
Rebecca Nunley
Reviewed January 2025
Delightful Trip
Enjoyed seeing birds and animals, rain forest, snorkeling and learning about Costa Rican culture. Some accommodations and provided meals were less desirable than others but always adequate.
Most Inspirational Moment
Whale watching with mother and baby, snorkeling with turtles
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alejandro Rodriquez was an exceptional guide. Skilled with group management as well as, finding and identifying wildlife. His personality was thoughtful, entertaining, and encouraging. All of our needs were met in a timely fashion and any needed information was always at our finger tips via What's App.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Ask for Alejandro and take a poncho vs raincoat and rain pants.
Anthony Stephenson
Reviewed September 2024
Stunning views, lovely group and amazing wildlife
If you want to see as much of the country as possible while enjoying the plethora of wildlife Costa Rica has to offer this is the perfect trip!!
Most Inspirational Moment
It’s always been a dream of mine to see Toucans in the wild and towards the end of the trip I lost count of how many we spotted.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader Monica was amazing her wildlife knowledge was second to none.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you have a good quality rain jacket and a good pair of binoculars!
Colette Maynard-Bond
Reviewed April 2024
Amazing wildlife
If you want to see a wide range of animals in their natural habitat, this is the trip for you. We selected the coastal secrets trip due to the variety of national parks, climate, scenery and type of animal. This didn’t disappoint. We saw over 130 different types of birds, 3 types of monkey, a range of reptiles and swam with a basking shark and a turtle whilst on the Osa Peninsular. The trip has a lot of variety, travelling by boat to see the wildlife in Tortugerro, walking in the NP in Cahuita, emersed in beautiful gardens in Savegre and exploring the wild Osa Peninsula.
Jonanthan was a wonderful guide. His knowledge and understanding about the wildlife and his country was outstanding.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were so many on this trip...
Seeing our first sloth, swimming with turtles and sharks, watching monkeys swing through the forest at speed, seeing the Quetzal bird, being emersed in a garden full of hummingbirds, seeing reptiles in their natural habitat, spending the day with the Bri Bri community.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Amazing. His enthusiasm was infectious. His knowledge about every animal we saw was second to none. He was extremely professional and nothing was too much trouble. He had excellent communication skills and a good sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you love wildlife sign up now for this trip.
The food and accommodation weren't 5* so go with appropriate expectations. The wildlife however is 5*.
Travel with clothes for every eventuality. We had rain and we also had hot sunny days. Be prepared for early starts to see the best of the wildlife. It was worth it. We added an extension to Tamarindo. This was very relaxing at the end of a busy trip.
Vicky Brown
Reviewed April 2024
Simply amazing
A fantastic trip with one highlight after another. Wonderful sights and sounds and a huge variety of scenery. Excellent hotel accommodation and food choices. Excellent guide Alejandro and driver Randall who went the extra mile throughout to ensure we had the best time. A lot of hours spent travelling and early mornings but so worth it. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. I absolutely loved Costa Rica!
Most Inspirational Moment
Tapir on the beach, quetzal on the tree near our hotel, turtles when snorkelling, sunset and swim on the pacific coast….. too many!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alejandro was really excellent. So helpful, thoughtful and professional throughout. He really went the extra mile! He gave me very good camera lessons too to improve my photography!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring and wear lots of mozzie spray. Mix of clothes for heat and cold. Bring a decent camera if possible.
Catriona Slorach
Reviewed March 2024
Fantastic experience
Lovely group of 12, knowledgeable & hard-working guide, good safe driver, wonderful locations & wildlife
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing two male sloths fighting in the trees
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
I was worried about mosquitoes but there were hardly any (Feb/March) - we stopped using bug spray.
Bring old leggings or shorts to protect backs of legs from sun when snorkeling - one of our party got painfully burnt. Or at least bring reef-safe sunscreen.
Peter Oates
Reviewed March 2024
As per the description
A fantastic trip which was organised, managed and surpassed expectations
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the male and format Quetzal
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alejandro Rodriquez was an excellent and very passionate leader. He was extremely knowledgeable about his country it’s history, it’s eco policy and education surrounding this, the fauna, wildlife and its people. He mixed well with the group and was highly regarded by all and was well respected. He chose lovely places to eat and was always available to help. He had a great sense of humour and is a true ambassador for his country and Exodus.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take water proof shoes for wet landings and waterproof bags.
David Jones
Reviewed March 2024
Fantastic wildlife experience
Busy,inspiring and possibly unique experiences
Most Inspirational Moment
Two male sloths having a dispute over a female
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent,funny and patient!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Keep your eyes peeled,so much to see and so much to miss!
Angela Holmes
Reviewed February 2024
Coastal secrets galore
Amazing country packed with beautiful birds , wildlife, scenery and friendly people. Hot and humid in February a bit of rain but not cold unless at altitude.
Most Inspirational Moment
Snorkelling at Drake Bay
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was Ana and she went out of her way to give us a great holiday experience. Not everybody in our group had the same opinion and were challenging at times.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring lots of bug spray, an umbrella for short showers when poncho would be too hot. Water shoes. Rash vest for snorkelling in for Drake Bay. Take a day bag - note you will want to use your day bag when your suitcase and hand luggage is in transit between hotels.
Simon Holland
Reviewed February 2024
An amazing introduction to a wonderful country
This holiday was hard work, busy busy, busy, but goodness me it was worth the 6 a.m. starts and hours in the bus to see so much of a country that could justly claim to be a little bit of paradise on earth.
Most Inspirational Moment
When a hawksbill turtle surfaced an arm's length away from me.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Adriana
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a universal sink plug if you plan to do your own laundry (although the Drake Bay Wilderness hotel offered free laundry service). Good hiking shoes are essential but you don't really need boots. A lightweight, breathable waterproof is essential.