Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The positive energy driven by the team leadership....day in and day out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jackie Garcia

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is very busy and very rewarding. I was pleasantly surprised that even though there were not long bicycle days, each day was packed with visiting parks and beaches that were made interesting by the knowledge the team leadership shared at each stop.

Suggestions

Drop the Puerto Viejo segment of the trip. Long transport to and from took away from the overall joy of the trip. Suggest you add an extra day in the Mt Arenal area with an extra ride on one of the nearby nice roads. Plus La Fortuna is a great little town.

Most Inspirational Moment

I can’t choose. Every day brought new experiences which were wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gerhard was fantastic. His knowledge on his country is second to none. He always had our safety first and foremost. Great sense of humour and extremely organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty sunscreen, bug spray and binoculars. Also stay hydrated.

Suggestions

A couple of two night hotel stays would be great as it is an exhausting itinerary. On saying that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a toucan emerge from its nest at close quarters .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Gerhardt was well organised , very accommodating ,personable and extremely knowledgeable of the local environment , . He was a good communicator with excellent English and a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat and take a pair of binoculars !

Suggestions

This was a very active holiday with only a short time to gather ones breath . An extra days rest would have been very welcome

Most Inspirational Moment

Birds

Thoughts on Group Leader

Awful.grumpy

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check whose leading the tour

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the wildlife hike in Manuel Antonio

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob Herschmann

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for the humidity - it’s hard to get clothes dry so bring plenty of cycling shorts

Suggestions

Quite a tiring trip. Cycling mostly on main roads. Shame we didn’t get to spend as much time as hoped in Puerto Viejo.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many: the cycle rides through the amazing landscape of Costa Rica; the wildlife; kayaking through the mangroves; Pachira Lodge at Tortuguero

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very competent, well organised and kept us safe throughout the trip. However he was not local and therefore we missed out on information about the local history, traditions and cultural-social sensitivities of Costa Rica

Advice for Potential Travellers

The only cash you need is for tips, cards can be used for everything else.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling some of the more rolling sections and sweeping downhill sections (I prefer downhills as I can get my head up to enjoy the view) during the middle part of the trip was stunning. The colour of the orange bloom on the Poro tree was magnificent (my camera could never do it justice) as was the variation and colour of much of the other vegetation. The nature walks where we saw sloth, snakes, howler monkeys plus many other creatures were also special. Kayaking through the mangroves also memorable. The walk through the botanical gardens led by the wonderful local guide at the Las Cruces Biological Station also a really educational, fascinating and entertaining.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Memo was an excellent and very engaged and organised group leader. His “PowerPoints” covering many and varied subject matters were both amusing and informative. Memo’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the local wildlife and plant life was particularly impressive and ably demonstrated on the wildlife walks which form part of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Paying electronically in dollars available everywhere (though local colones also equally welcome). Bring some imodium tablets as a few of us on the trip had upset stomachs at some point.

Suggestions

I scored the overall trip as 5 stars above but would have scored it 4.5 stars if available as a couple of the hotels were not at the level expected and two of the four mountain lodges advertised at the time of making the booking were not available at the time of our trip requiring the group to stay at alternative accommodations.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had too many to pick one out, from the bird and plantlife at the Wilson Botanical Garden, to the humming birds at the Quetzal Park, and the solitude of an early morning visit to Tourialba park, finishing of course with our visit to the hot springs in La Fortuna. The weather conspired to keep Arenal in the clouds and rain, so adding to its mystique.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldn't have asked for more, Andrea and the team (driver Luis and mechanic Djeison) were super, and managed the enforced changes to the itinerary without unduly spoiling our experience. Andrea was extremely well briefed and communicated clearly on all aspects of the wildlife, history and agriculture, and our visits to the plantations she led were very informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There were hardly any places that didn't take contactless payments, or took cash in US dollars, though you will be given change in colones. Beware changing currency at the airport, the fee/commission was extortionate. And do not put toilet paper down the loos.

Suggestions

Save for Tourialba, the park visits were very busy, spoiling our experience somewhat even if the guides are spotting for each other. The itinerary is extensive, and so involves some tiresome transfers in the bus. The in/out on the Caribbean side to Puerto Viejo was long and the time we had didn't really allow us to enjoy enough of the experience. Trimming the itinerary would also allow, eg, time for a walk in the Quetzal Park where we broke one of the longer transfers. We would add too that the quality of accommodation and food was somewhat variable, even if there are few alternatives available for such a large itinerant group.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fantastic, a great way to see and explore Costa Rica and all it has to offer.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Memo was very knowledgeable and passionate about Costa Rica and keen to share information is a positive and friendly way. He had a great sense of humour, and was supportive and patient.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some tough uphill sections, make sure you’re fit for the trip, that said very rewarding when you complete the cycling for the day / trip. We went in December and had fantastic weather bower it was very hot and humid so drink plenty of water !!

Suggestions

Fabulous trip, made even better by a fab guide and his team and a wonderful group. I would highly recommend.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting an ever increasing list of new wildlife - animals and plants alike, seeing hummingbirds, toucans or macaws at breakfast! The nature walks were just brilliant. But other moments include: cycling in bibical rain to Playa Platanare, staying in the Wilson Botanical gardens, staying at Pachira Lodge in Tortugeura.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fab. Memo was extremely knowledgeable about Costa Rica, past and present, and all of it's fauna and flora. His talks were engaging and he had a great sense of humour. He was clear in his cycling instructions and kept us alll safe :) He was also very patient - he often had to explain things to us several times - mostly becasue our holiday brains just weren't working!! He was well assisted by Jason - mechanic - always smiling and helpful. And Luis, as previously mentioned, great driver, friendly, helpful and kept his bus as clean as humanly possible and had fruit and snacks ready for us on the stops.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have binoculars, take them. Assume you will be very hot! Take loads of pictures!