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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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336 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviews

Discover Costa Rica

An interesting trip with a wide variety of flora, fauna and climate. As always, a good group and a good group leader make a trip like this and we had both.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to Tortuguero with its flowers, wildlife and calm waters, Arenal volcano emerging from the clouds and the thunderstorm in Esquinas were all memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. His experience and advice meant we were able to see things we wouldn't otherwise have seen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for rain at any time! (advice from Gustavo) Expect your clothes to get creased and crumpled due to the high humidity but be assured there are opportunities to get them washed. Take waterproof footwear, not necessarily walking boots, is an absolute must. Most of the walking is not too strenuous, but be prepared for lots of steps up and down.

Beautiful country with stunning wildlife!

If you want to see wildlife then this is the country to visit, you will not be disappointed! The weather is warm pretty much everywhere except at altitude (but nothing us Brits can’t handle), very laid back itinerary with plenty of free time to work on that tan. The hotels and lodges are of a very high quality, as is the food, we were spoilt with all the fresh tropical fruit on offer!

Most Inspirational Moment

Any time I saw (or heard) a Howler monkey, what a fabulous alarm clock! Also for a top notch day out Manuel Antonio National Park is unbeatable, gorgeous beaches and trails for miles. If you hadn't already seen all the animals on your bingo card, you will catch them all here.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andres - he knew a lot of species of animals off by heart, particularly birds, which was quite impressive. However he seemed otherwise lacking in enthusiasm and not particularly sociable at mealtimes, which was disappointing. The group however were full of beans and more than made up this!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an umbrella! It will rain, you can't avoid it, but waterproof jacket did not help me much, you can at least take pictures under your umbrella. The tap water is perfectly drinkable, but if you do find yourself feeling unwell, it's a good idea to switch to bottles for a bit. Make sure you pack plenty of changes or clothes, or be prepared to launder them on the way. The humidity makes it hard to dry things. Take advantage of the luxury optionals on offer, The Ecothermals hot springs at Arenal is wonderful, as is the spa at Savegre.

Great trip, beautiful country, new friends...what more could you ask?

I read all previous reviews before booking and they were all useful information – if you are planning this trip I suggest you do likewise.
I booked this as the dates suited me but we had a bird-watching expert and it was interesting to be part of a group some of whom were ‘on a mission’. Despite the specialism I don’t feel that we ‘non-birders’ missed out on anything and our guide also pointed out animals, gave information on culture, geography, etc.
All in all a well paced trip and having two nights at each place meant less pressure to pack up every morning.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many, others have described them, I think the sunsets at Tortuguero took some beating and SAvegre was my favourite lodge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo certainly had his work cut out, a very diverse group, several of us fell ill at various points and he coped well. I think we tried his patience at times but he mostly stayed in good humour. He explained all the options and his recommendations for optional trips were pretty good too. He also gave us some extra treats like taking us to meet his friend who had a horse ranch and showed us his favourite horse in action (as a horse-lover this was lovely). I can't speak for the bird-watchers but he seemed to know his stuff and spotted lots of birds. He also held a meetingmost evenings to talk over the daily 'list' of birds seen,

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it, I'm 50-something, overweight and very unfit, and I coped with it. Do go swimming at La Fortuna, do go on the suspension bridges walk (I'm not good with heights but it was very solid and a superb view), do support the turtle museum at Tortuguero. Definitely tell the guide if you aren't well - several of us were poorly at the same time and our guide took us to a pharmacy, explained our problems and negotiated a good deal on medicines.

Discover Costa Rica

Wonderful trip and so full of wildlife. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with welcoming people. This trip took us through many eco systems from high altitude cloud forests, humid tropical forests, very very humid (couldn’t believe it could get much more sticky!) rainforests to beautiful white sand beaches. Most of which were in protected national parks. Saw so much wildlife it would fill a guide book.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two visits stick out. The boat trip along the rivers around Tortugero with monkeys and birds in the trees around us and then returning back to the lodge with monkeys on the roof and a snake at the swimming pool! Magical. Walking on the suspension bridges in the Saint Elena Cloud Forest at canopy level, a view of the trees, birds, monkeys and insects from above.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Johnny Villalobus. he was polite and extremely knowledgeable about Costa Rica and especially its wildlife. His commentary and guiding was just at the right level for all our group to thoroughly enjoy the experience. Even on our 'free' days he put on extra walks to find those elusive birds, frogs and monkeys we may have missed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend to pack light and for humidity over dry heat. You need clothes that dry quickly. A good pair of binoculars is essential and plenty of memory cards for the camera as I took over 1000 photos.

Discover Costa Rica

This was a fantastic trip covering a range of different environments. Highly recommended to anyone interested in flora, fauna and ecotourism. It was all I have learned in Geography and more!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The way the Costa Ricans look after their country and wildlife. Highlights include the rainforest boat trips in Tortuguero, the Esquinas Lodge and seeing the quetzal in Savegre.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was excellent. There seemed to be nothing he didn't know about his country and the wildlife. His animal and bird spotting was amazing - he must have had X ray eyes! We learnt so much from him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We flew via Madrid and seemed to have fared better than those coming via USA. Exodus organised this route at our request. Remember to take an international plug adaptor suitable for Costa Rica! The boat to Tortuguero took all our luggage without any restrictions.

Discover Costa rica

A wonderful trip. Stayed in some beautiful locations with excellent accommodation

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing two pairs of the elusive resplendent quetzal on the last day

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny was a superb guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. He looked after the group attentively and the trip wouldn't have been the same without him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you love nature this is a must do trip

Highlights of Costa Rica

We drove some 1,300 miles (or was it kilometres?) in two weeks, travelling every second day so quite a lot of time was spent on the bus albeit with regular stops. The country is very varied with distinct geographical zones.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gliding peacefully along the waterways in Tortuguero. Staying at the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge - wonderful. Seeing the Resplendent Quetzal at Savegre and the wonderful humming birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrés was very knowledgeable about his country, patient and imparted just the right amount of information. Our driver was Erik - a very professional and excellent driver who spent much of his spare time cleaning and polishing the bus. It was immaculate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Monteverde - the suspension bridges/canopy walk was well worth doing, as were the butterfly and humming bird gardens. Esquinas - at $15 their night walk was excellent (much better than the Monteverde walk) and we saw lots of frogs and a very venomous snake which the Esquinas guide gave a wide berth to! Each of the lodges/hotels had laundry services, cost by piece or by the bag so I take a week's worth of clothes and get them laundered half way through as the humidity isn't conducive to getting things dry once washed. I packed my clothes in plastic bags so they didn't get damp.

A good introduction to Costa Rica

Read the trip notes carefully – they are accurate. This is a basically one day travelling, one day exploring throughout the 14 days. The hotels are very good and the food excellent. However, if you like to go slightly off the beaten track then this is not the trip for you. It is a leisurely trip and our guide reinforced that many times. He never went off the programme – if there was free time then we had to research our own activities or optional walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge is a special place - the wildlife all around you. The guides here are very good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrès is good - and has lots of knowledge - but maybe he's done this trip too many times to show the enthusiasm I've experienced with other guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's hot and humid - so many things get damp - pack plenty of t-shirts. It's cold in the cloud forest in Savegre - especially at night - make sure you do have a few warm layers. Shampoo and soap etc is in all they the hotels. I didn't feel the need to use walking poles. Walking boots not required. You can drink the water in all locations. Flying via Houston was ok as you don't need to reclaim luggage. Coming back via Washington Dulles was very easy - would recommend it. You can recharge batteries at every hotel. Wifi free and available everywhere. U.S. dollars accepted everywhere - normally receive Costa Rican colones as change - but never a problem. Not much to do in San Jose but good to go a day early to recover from flight. Good hotel with swimming pool.

Discover Costa Rica

I went on this holiday expecting great things and this did not disappoint. The variety of wildlife was second to none. The hotels were all different and to a very good standard. The organisation was good and having two nights at each location gave you chance to experience each of the very different Eco Systems in the country. The guide Johnny was friendly, knowledgable, and went the extra mile often in his free time.

Most Inspirational Moment

The variety of the wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on a number of Exodus holidays and the group leaders have always been very good but Johnny was the best I have ever come across. He went out of his way to make the holiday a great experience, he sorted out rooms so that you could get straight in on arrival, the cases were always ready. When ever we had any free time, he would normally offer to take us out for a walk to look at the wildlife and as a result I felt that I was occupied for the whole holiday, I am not one for sitting on a beach.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a holiday with very little down time, you can make time if you want but why not rest when you get home.

Costa Rica - Pura Vida!

Our first trip with Exodus was a wonderful experience. The diversity of flora and fauna was amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many wonderful moments - Boat trips, hikes, good company, great driver, excellent guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo was a fountain of information and always did his best to show us as many birds, animals and plants as possible. He is friendly and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can avoid transfer/transit through USA, then do. Takes a very long time and we nearly missed our flight on return journey.