Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing sloths, the river trip, walking in the cloud forest
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent- enthusiastic, well informed and charming
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take walking boots
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
Great holiday, excellent guide, good group size (8), exciting wildlife
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
An amazing variety of wildlife and ecosystems – great for birdwatching.
Most Inspirational Moment
Watching turtles nesting.The whale breeching.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Berni was fantastic - a genuine great guy who loves wildlife, his country and showing it all off.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack spare essentials in hand luggage - my bag took 3 days to arrive.Buy, borrow or beg a good zoom lens Go on the night walks
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
Amazing trip that explored many different aspects of Costa Rica, and enabled us not only to see colourful birds and new animals but also to gain some understanding of the country and its people. Action packed but well balanced with plenty of choice in things to do.
Most Inspirational Moment
We were on a boat outside Tortuguera when we spotted an anhinga (a relative of the cormorant) with something trapped in its beak. Primo our boatman pulled in amd managed to capture the bird and members of the group cut free a scouring pad that had become entangled in its beak. Without that action it would have drowned trying to fish or died of starvation. This action embodied the concern for the environment that we saw in many places. Later on a catamaran in the Pacific we saw a pair of mating sea turtles (poor things, all that ocean and they had spectators....)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gustavo was an excellent group leader - tireless, cheerful and always informative and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
As well as the expected heat and humidity, be prepared to be cold(!) in the high cloudforest, and always be ready for rain!
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
On the whole, the trip was wonderful, notwithstanding quite a lot of rain and grey skies (detracting from some of the photogrsphic opportunities).I would recommend spending a bit more time in a couple of places at the expense of removing Golfito. The weather was terrible in Golfito (not uncommon we were told) and even when we were out there really wasn’t much to see there although we did see a fair amount en route to and from there.
Most Inspirational Moment
1. Seing a nestful of turtle hatchlings scampering off to the Atlantic Ocean at Tortuguero2. Seeing toucans close up3. The various boat trips.. Tortuguero, Manuel Antionio4. Seeing colourful birds close up 5. The wonderful red-eyed frogs6. All the other animal life where we could see, and photogragh, them
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was excellent in every way
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
The Exodus trip, "Discover Costa Rica", is a wonderful introduction to a wildlife paradise. The programme was jam-packed with unforgettable sights and experiences.
Most Inspirational Moment
Such was the sheer variety of "moments" that it is well nigh impossible to isolate one of them as being the "most inspirational". To have beautiful hummingbirds in virtually every location tends to leave one feeling somewhat blase about these gorgeous creatures. Scarlet macaws flying and screeching over a boat during a trip to see crocodiles and river birds was wonderful. The night trip to see large numbers of frogs and snakes was stunning. Just living in a remote lodge in the midst of the rainforest, with all of the sounds of the creatures being a huge feature, especially at nights, was terrific. "Most inspirational"? I took over 2000 photographs, so it may take some time to work that one out.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was absolutely great. His knowledge of the wildlife was encyclopedic, his ability to track it down was mesmerising to watch, and his tripod-mounted telescope was stunning. He clearly loved his country, and was determined to show every aspect of it that he could trace in as best a light as possible. "Super Mario", our driver, was always bang on time, and shuttled us around quickly and safely. They were a great pairing. Another huge advantage was the rest of the party, including Exodus's own very genial and impressively laid back Karol. They were an absolutely lovely group of people to be travelling with, and this added immeasurably to the quality of the whole experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't overlook the advice about taking a waterproof jacket, walking boots, and fairly heavy duty sandals. One or two of the walks/climbs are a little bit demanding, so be prepared to be pushed, just a bit, on occasions. The insect problem is not as bad as some would have you believe, but insect protection is advised.Costa Rica is not a country to visit for its towns, architecture, etc. For most travellers, it is a fabulous location for nature and wildlife, and travellers interested in nature and wildlife are those who would get most out of this trip. Prices, generally, are consistent with what we pay in the UK, so don't think that eating out, buying drinks, paying for trips, etc, are cheap options.The local currency can only be bought in Costa Rica. A large currency counter, with about eight tellers, is located at the baggage reclaim in San Jose. I brought low denomination American dollar bills, and they were universally accepted (indeed, at times, expected) everywhere I went. Change is usually given in local currency, although most prices (outside of supermarkets) were in round dollars. ATMs are becoming more widespread, but clearly are not an option in remote parts of the country.A tax of 28 US dollars (not 26) is required when you leave the country. You can pay part of it with any local currency you have left over, and the rest in dollars. Bring the best binoculars, camera and lens (400mm minimum) you can get hold of. You'll need them.
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
Our first wildlife experiance and it was wonderful, this trip has given us the enthusiasm to do more. The accommodation was good and the lodges in particular gave the sense of being part of the wonderful enviroment around you.
Most Inspirational Moment
The highlights were Tortuguero, with the abundance of wildlife and having an opportunity to look for green turtles and hatchlings on the beach; Monteverde with its wonderful postion in the cloud forest; Spotting sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park; and finally seeing the famous quetzal in Savegre.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was the perfect guide and if we go back someday we will be hoping to have Jose again.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We went in October and although we were lucky with the weather (less rain than expected), we still used our walking boots on a couple of occasions, though some people did manage with trainers. Certainly the holiday for photographers and those wanting to get some great wildlife pictures. Take the binoculars as well.
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is such a diverse country with all different scenery and climates. This was my second time on this trip, I loved it the first time and it was even better the second time.
Most Inspirational Moment
It is hard to narrow down one moment as there are so many. 1 - Seeing a female green Turtle laying her eggs and then going back to the sea. 2 - Seeing a baby turtle. 3 - Seeing the Resplendent Quetzal. 4 - Having a Howler Monkey try and make friends on a suspension bridge. That is just to name a few. I have bought so many memories back from this holiday.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was brilliant. His knowledge of Birds and animals was amazing, I saw so much more on this trip than the first time I came.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just book the holiday, it was amazing and I would not want anyone missing this trip. It is one of the best holidays I have been on. One issue is the travel times, I would advise anyone to go a daily early. We missed the connecting flight in Madrid and had to fly to Panama and then onto San Jose. We then had to sit around to wait for our luggage for two hours as it did not make the same flight as us. So instead of getting to the hotel by 4pm we got there at 11pm, so was pretty tired for the next day's early start.
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
A jam-packed fortnight filled from beginning to end with good company, new destinations and exciting wildlife. Not your typical holiday and certainly not many occasions for putting your feet up but definitely interesting, informative and thoroughly enjoyable.
Most Inspirational Moment
Our two nights in Tortuguero on the north Caribbean coast were wonderful. The boat trips, the cabins, the food, the beach and the turtles ... just perfect.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was an absolute mine of information, always keen to provide us with the best experience possible of his country. Tricky questions were answered honestly, his manner open and friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for the rain - there can be lots of it! A good waterproof poncho or jacket is a must, consider a decent umbrella and walking shoes. Sandals during the wet season are not suitable in every situation, boots can be a bit much.
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
What a fantastic trip to a country with such diverse habitats, wonderful birds and mammals. Providing the opportunity to experience coast, mountains, cloud and rain forest, which although wet was at least warm!
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to highlight one in particular as there were so many, but perhaps the two that stand out the most are Tortugeuro beacuse of its natural beauty, peace and tranquility as well as the abundant wildlife and the cloud forest at Savegre looking for the elusive Quetzal among other things.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gustavo our guide was excellent. He spoke very good English and had an in depth knowledge of the very different areas that we visited. He was also a very good spotter of wild life and had a broad knlwledge of plants, birds and animals. Orlando our driver was also excellent, spotting our first Sloth up a tree on the roadside, truly incredible as we all got out of our minbus and spent quite a few moments before we could identify where it was.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a small collapsible umbrella for the rains and be prepared for your clothing to feel almost constantly damp during 'the green season' due to the high hunidity. Other than that, don't spend too long thinking about it, book it and go! What an experience.
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
Brilliant holiday – lots of wildlife seen and holiday was definitely a trip to remember with a great group of people.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the turtles egg laying at Tortuguero and then seeing hatchings make their way into the sea.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gio is a great leader. We wouldn't have seen half as much without his expert knowledge and great eye sight - I still don't know how he spotted an anteater half way up a tree whilst travelling on the Pan American highway!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Highly recommend holiday - travel light and enjoy.