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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334 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Wendy Pountain

Reviewed May 2015

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.

Sarah Niblock

Reviewed May 2015

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.

Robert Robert

Reviewed April 2015

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.

Stephen Haigh

Reviewed April 2015

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

Susan Parsons

Reviewed April 2015

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.

Hazel Strudwick

Reviewed April 2015

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.

Timothy Williams

Reviewed April 2015

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.

Tracey Patterson

Reviewed March 2015

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.

Victoria Ahearn

Reviewed March 2015

Discover Costa Rica

A brilliant holiday. Packed itinerary. Very well managed by our guide Edwin who added such a huge amount to my enjoyment.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was incredible. Apart from the listed itinerary we were treated to 3 experiences (humming bird garden, crocodile and bird watching boat trip, and the stone spheres at Fina 6) which we were not included by Exodus but were suggested by our guide Edwin, All three were and amazing additions to our holiday. Thrilling moment was seeing several quetzels but I was also delighted by how close we got to wild life in general.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Edwin was inspiring. His enthusiasm for Costa Rica was so apparent and the knowledge of the country he passed on to me was exceptional. He was also a very caring and considerate group leader sensitive to our needs and safety He was consistently courteous and was an excellent conversationalist, his knowledge of the English language is amazing and he was always keen to learn new words or phrases often with good humour and laughter resulting in a really fun time. I have very happy memories of both Costa Rica and Edwin, and thank him for additions to trip (see above).N

Advice for Potential Travellers

No, the trip notes covered the holiday. My only major problem was with Houston airport. My husband and I were taken aside, our travel documents taken by a very stern American and with no explanation we were instructed to sit down. After about half an hour he appeared with our suitcases that had been extracted from all the luggage being transferrred directly from our UK / Houston flight to the Houston / San Jose flight. he then went though our luggage. This delay (with no explantion) meant we then had to race for our connecting flight. I do not want to fly via USA again.

Jonathan Stephens

Reviewed March 2015

Discover Costa Rica

A stunning, stimulating, invigorating and fascinating country. Book this trip now. See the places, the wildlife and the scenery firsthand. Meet the people. Talk to them. They smile back. Take your photos but also take the time to sit back and fully absorb. Wonderful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing the Continental Divide and stopping on the summit to experience the Trade Winds. How far do you dare to lean without falling ? Look right and you see the Caribbean side of the country, look left and there's the Pacific side. Visit the Hummingbird Farm at Antonio Manuel National Park, there is no possible way you could leave without a huge smile on your face. Ziiiippp, slurp, ziiiippp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group Leader was Edwin and our bus driver was Michael. Great guys - many thanks for looking after us and showing us your country with obvious passion.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some advice (i) Book this trip (ii) Packing list combination of optional + essential items is fairly accurate but dump the brolly, take hiking shoes (don't really need boots), zip-off hiking trousers/shorts, one warm up layer only (fleece or jumper), maybe some clothes washing powder/ liquid and make sure your camera has good telephoto lens for birds/animal photos, at least 250MM for SLR or 6x zoom for digital (10x better) (iii) check out flight options to avoid US Immigration, travelling from London to San Jose on Iberia via Madrid seems a better route and arrival time.

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