Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sloths at the Sloth Sanctuary. Their “residents” are all injured in some capacity that doesn’t allow them to return to the wild. We learned so much about these interesting animals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was terrific. It was really fun to get to know him over the 2 weeks and I would highly recommend him. Our driver, Victor, was also top notch.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy yourselves! The food is delicious but don’t expect hot and spicy like Mexican. Rice, beans, vegetables and seafood are typical. US dollars are accepted nearly everywhere. Larger places take credit cards but internet can be spotty can be difficult to authorize at times. Take care walking around larger cities like San Jose. The gutters along the sidewalks are DEEP!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a turtle laying eggs and seeing turtles mating at sea, seeing a whole flock of macaws, spending 10 minutes watching a tapir munching fruit, and of course, seeing the quetzal! Waking up to the sound of howler monkeys and the forest. Too many to mention!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Randall was fabulous! His fun, friendly and organised way of leading the group, combined with his enthusiasm, expert knowledge of wildlife, plants and of CR more generally, made him one of the best tour leaders. As well as the itinerary activities and optional trips, he arranged other things not on the itinerary such as stopping at a cafe where there was a good chance of seeing a quetzal (which we did!), and organising a trip to the sloth sanctuary at Cahuita.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be realistic when wildlife viewing - trying to looking for birds and animals often in dense forest means that wildlife can be difficult to spot even when there is plenty of it! Although Costa Rica is not a huge country, some places are quite remote so travel can take time- but travelling by boat is always enjoyable!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many moments it is hard to pick. We saw animals from the start - a sloth in a tree when we stopped for breakfast on the first day on our way to Tortuguero NP and that set the tone for the rest of the holiday. The boat trip the lodge in Tortuguero NP was great stopping whenever there was anything interesting to see, sloths, Caymans, crocodiles, different types of birds etc The second afternoon boat trip was particularly spectacular. The morning boat trip was undertaken in torrential rain so not much was seen but in the afternoon when the rain had stopped and it became beautiful sunny day we saw lots - sloths, monkeys, iguanas, birds etc plus when we turned into tributary the water turned black so the mangroves were see in spectacular reflections. Even our boat captain was taking photos. Listening to the rain and thunder storms whist staying at Evergreen lodge in the NP became part of the experience. The humming birds and seeing the Resplendant Quetzal in Savegre as well as the humpback whales, dolphins and turtles on Drakes Bay. I am going through hundreds of photos but also took the time just to immerse myself in the whole adventure. We were so luck - we saw everything!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Carlos was fantastic. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Costa Rica's flora and fauna as well as answering all our questions about the country and the way of life. So we got the full experience. Nothing was too much trouble, he went above and beyond to make this an unforgettable trip - even going through my bird book marking all the birds we had seen on the trip. As Carlos also runs photographic tours he helped me with my photography and also shared some on his photos which my lenses just could not capture. Our driver was Randall - who got us to where we needed to go and couldn't have been more helpful. On our trip there were only 6 of us - so it made it easier for the guide to point things out and us all have a good chance to photograph - it made it a rather personal tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is not called the rain forest for nothing!. Do not let the rain stop you or you will miss out - just go with it as activities will take place what ever the weather unless it is dangerous. We experienced a lot of torrential rain showers. Take a good rain poncho - it is good for covering your bags also, an umbrella, a good dry bag when travelling on water or walking in the rain forest, closed toed water shoes. We had to wade through knee deep waterways - which were footpaths. I used my canoe shoes. If you wear your trainers they will get soaked and as it is very humid things do not dry very quickly. Insect repellent is a must also as in sunscreen. If you are taking photographic equipment make sure that you have something to cover it with. I also took pouches of silica gel which I kept with my camera and lenses to absorb any moisture. We took Colons as well as US dollars since they could be used to pay in local shops or also when you stop for lunch. If you have any left they can form part of the tip. Mastercard was accepted at all the hotels we stayed in also. When in the mountains you will need a fleece or jumper since it gets a bit cold

Suggestions

The lodges were all good. Some were better than others but I did not have any complaints. The food was always good especially at Drakes Bay wilderness lodge. But mainly you just need to go with it and enjoy all the experiences. I would definitely go back.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day there was something different from animated sloths, ant-eater, racoons and the vivid colours of the birds through to an encounter with a turtle, humpback whale and a Sailfish. Expect to be woken early morning by Howler monkeys (you'll need to be up anyway). If you want to see the Quetzal expect to wait and wait and wait. You might get lucky and see one in five minutes but that wasn't our lucky. One day we waited for two hours, we saw the tail feathers of the male and nothing else. Another day we waited for another two hours. This time we were rewarded with a glimpse of the head and shoulders of a female Quetzal. The programme didn't schedule this much time but we just made the time after all not that many Costa Ricans have seen their National bird.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant! Any other comment would be superfluous.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As the Trip Notes mention you need to be prepared for all weathers. 30 minutes before a 6am departure to look for wildlife on the river the heavens opened and the rain was torrential. Just a few minutes before our departure it stopped. We were lucky, a few minutes either way and we'd have been soaked to the skin. Throughout the trip the humidity was high - bottom line, you will not completely dry any clothes. Savegre will come as a shock after many days at 28-30C because at night in the Rain forest you'll be looking for fleeces and trousers to wear (unless you're Canadian). On the journey to Drakes Bay you will spend around an hour in a high powered motorboat. Sitting mid-point in the boat the sound levels were consistently around 100dB. You might want to consider some ear plugs. Cold is not an issue at Irazu but the altitude could be. It effects different people in different ways but just remember that at 3,400m you'll be above the clouds and the air will be thin.

Suggestions

Our visit as the pandemic declined was well appreciated by all the local people we met. We were well looked after by our guide and driver who ensured we had a memorable visit to their country while maintaining safety for us and the wildlife we wanted to see. It's a country well worth at least one visit and I'd be very happy to travel with Jorge and Carlos again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick out a defining part but I do have a little bit of love for whales and seeing humpbacks and drakes bay will stay with me forever. Tortoguero and Drakes Bay are by far the highlights of the trip. Everyday there was a chance to see new wildlife that you hadn't seen before.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Jorge (our guide) and Carlos (our driver) were exceptional throughout the entirety of the trip. Jorge was always on the lookout with his eagle eyes for anything moving in the bushes. His passion to make sure we got to see the best Costa Rica had to offer was only outshon by his helpfulness and that everyone in the group was well looked after. Carlos was always there with a smile on his face to greet us in the morning and to make sure all our luggage was safe and secure on the minibus. Again, always going that extra mile to make sure the experience you had was 5+.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although most reviews say to take dollars I actually had no issues with mainly using the local currency, and you will always get them in change so why bother taking multipe currancies. Drake's Bay is very hot! In the jungle its a constant sweatbox, occasionally we stepped outside onto the beach and whilst the humidity went the sun was just unrelentless. Also with Drakes Bay the "wilderness" is non exisntant. Mulitple boats doing the same thing all wanting to get the best for their customers - just somthing to be wary about. Most hotels had AC, those that didn't had ceiling fans which most of the time did the job, one hotel the fan wasn't working, but we were only their for one night. On previous trips there were optional extras suggested for free time - but I found I had to arrange some of this myself. Double check trip notes with those of the guide as the "optional (included) second boat ride at Tortuguero" was not an option.

Most Inspirational Moment

Drake bay - returning by boat to the Wilderness Lodge following a rain forest walk, we saw some whales breaching. On investigating, we found that sitting in the boat with the engines off, the whales could be heard vocalising. Absolutely magical moment. Even outrguide said he had not heard that before. Nearly saw a puma at Drake Bay - pug mark in the mud only. But the forest walk was still one of the highlights. Staying in the Savegre Cloud forest area was also very good. Had a very brief glimpse of a quetzal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Jorge was excellent, as was the driver Carlos. Jorge had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the birds and wildlife that we could expect to find in each area, and was very quick in spotting wildlife and setting up his scope so that all could get a good close up view. Jorge also gave a good overview of life in Costa Rica during the longer drives. Jorge was very good at managing the group, and seemed to enjoy his trip with us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the trip is aimed at people who like to swim/snorkel etc it is not mandatory, and I found that having no interest in maritime pursuits was not a problem. Plenty of other things to do. I would recommend walking into the little village at Drake bay - an interesting place to stop for refreshments and a walk around.

Suggestions

We only stayed in Villa Florencia near Turrialba for 1 night. This was a beautiful place to stay, and it may well be of benefit to stay for 2 nights. Birdlife is fantastic and good food. At the end of the trip we visited the volcano at Irazu and the old capital of Cartago - both of these locations could be easily visited using the Villa Florentina as a base, rather than San Jose. The majority of hotels were good, although the hotel Ciudad Perdida in Cahuita was not one of the best. Availability of hot water in the shower was erratic to non-existent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt it was the Pacific side at Drakes Bay Wilderness resort. It feels quite remote, takes an hour and a half boat journey as there is no road access, and the place itself is wonderfully understated. The food is fabulous, all included in the price, and the staff are really great; helpful, relaxed, and as local folk very knowledgeable about the area and its flora and fauna. I would have spent half the trip there easily. There are many activities available though for 3 nights, 2 full days, we could only do two, snorkeling and a waterfall walk in a newly protected (since the seventies) coastal rainforest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, a bit mechanical in his delivery, and on this trip, he said his first as a tour guide in over a year, lacking essential understanding of a duty of care beyond Covid rules. Without unnecessary detail an incident occurred where one client verbally abused another in a very intimidating and threatening manner, in public and in front of the tour leader, driver and group, and although the tour guide agreed that it was unacceptable behaviour, he did nothing to address it or remedy it and as a result of ignoring that behaviour it made for a very bad atmosphere throughout the trip. When you are expected to travel with x number of total strangers for several weeks, often eating together, doing activities together, and in this case, spending long periods of time travelling together then being aware of the importance of setting clear boundaries in terms of acceptable, and unacceptable behaviour is vital in supporting a clear code of conduct. This didn't happen, and no responsibility was taken on the part of the tour leader to address it. These things do need to be nipped in the bud to avoid unpleasant atmospheres; in the case of intimidation, bulling etc of one client by another, it is the tour leader that must lay down the rules. There should be something in traveller documentation in terms of behaviour expectations, but I couldn't find anything.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I did everything, walks etc, wearing a pair of crocs so you could save packing space and leave your walking boots behind. Unless you are a big SLR camera enthusiast, then if you've got a good camera in your phone, just use that. I've never just used my phone before, as I've always used my SLR with several choices of lens, but it broke a few days before I left, so I had no choice. Photos were great. Bring good binoculars as there will be a lot of birds, monkeys and that elusive sloth hidden away high in the trees.

Suggestions

Evergreen Lodge at the beginning of trio and Savegre Nature Reserve and Spa in the Cloud Forest were lovely for nature and as comfortable places to stay. Hopefully, we are all over the last couple of years, but for tourist infrastructure, it's going to take time so just manage your expectations and when it's working let folk know and tip well. Conversely, it's important to let folk know when it's not.

Most Inspirational Moment

the sheer amount of wildlife available for us to see especially at Tortuguero and Cahuita the remoteness of Drake Bay getting to see the quetsal, when it is like finding needle on a haystack

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alejandro was fantastic, kind, so informative about nature and could spot a bird in a tree from a mile off. We had a problem person in our group and he managed her with such professionalism, our driver Carlos spoke great English and was fantastic throughout. They made a great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

pack some things to do on the long travel days. bring more than one costume, they dont always dry in the humidity, its cold ,4 degrees , waiting for 2 hours for the quetzal, wrap up warm. go on the direct flight from uk to san jose and get to see san jose, some lovely places to see there.

Suggestions

the Park Inn was not well located it didnt feel safe to walk around that area especially when e returned it was getting dark. Please select a centrally located hotel so people can explore the lovely building in san jose and the markets and museums. I would like to have gone to the sloth research centre at cahuita , why is it no longer on the itinerary? the hotel cuidad perdita was substandard, not enough water for showers and hair washing for 3 days, no wifi , except reception which was a walk along the road away, or the pool where there was no where to sit and it was always dark by the time we got back , so a bit scary to be alone. no tv. suggest next trip change hotels, the lunch stop on the way back to san jose from drake bay was poor, awful buffet and the a la carte wasn't much better, suggest a better place, in the main the food was wonderful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a turtle laying her eggs on the beach at Tortuguero and watching Humpback whales with their calves in Drakes Bay. We also loved watching the hummingbirds in Savegre. This was something I was not prepared for, they are beautiful. Getting to see scarlet macaws up close. A pair landed in a tree right above us and posed for quite a while. Tree frogs, sloths, jesus lizards, basilisks, crocodiles, caiman, birds, bats, turtles, monkeys (howler, spider, squirrel and white face capuchin), coatis.........the list goes on!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo was excellent. His knowledge of the wildlife was amazing and he spotted things we would never have seen. His enthusiasm was infectious and we were soon all trying to spot and recognise different birds and animals. It's worth noting that the leaders are 'on call' for your whole trip so they work incredibly hard. We were so impressed. One day we stopped for lunch at a tradional Costa Rican restaurant which we would never have gone to withour our leader taking us there. Olman (not sure if I spelt that right) was a lovely driver. His skill driving our bus on some of the mountain roads was impressive. Guillermo and Olman obviously got on very well and made a great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a book, there are some long bus journeys and plenty of time to relax in the afternoons. Taking a suitcase with wheels is ideal as there are a few times where you need to move it. I would recommend a hard case or a decent level of water resistance as they may get wet if it rains on the way to Tortoguero. Savegre is cold! Take warm clothes. The temperature difference really is noticeable. I slept with 3 blankets the first night we were there. Take an umbrella. We had ponchos but sometimes they were too hot and a bit too much. US dollars are fine. You can use them everywhere. We had a travel currency card which we used to withdraw dollars as we needed them. ATMS are easy to find and your leader will take you. We thought the food was fabulous. Vegetarians are well sorted and the portions are huge. Prices are about the same as the UK for eating out but we thought that snacks in the supermarket where expensive but probably because we were buying "British type" snacks. Take dry shoes and "water shoes". You have to jump in the sea a couple of times so it's handy to have these. Also a dry bag is useful for the boats to keep cameras dry but also if it rains. All the usual that everyone else has mentioned: sunglasses, hat, suncream, insect repellent, bite cream,torch,

Suggestions

At Drakes Bay, the hotel will do your washing for free each day which is very useful if you are running out of clothes. They will also dry out all your shoes so you don't have to put wet shoes back in your suitcase. It's worth mentioning that all the boat journeys are by speed boat and can be pretty bumpy especially when first going out to the hotel from the river. Not for the faint hearted but so much fun. The boat drivers are highly skilled and we felt perfectly safe on every trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was seeing a turtle laying her eggs. Magical! For my husband it was snorkelling which he absolutely loved and saw two turtles, two stingrays and tons of fish.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge is an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and with a great sense of humour. He has a great relationship with Henri, our driver. Jorge and Henri gave up there time off so we could get a good view of a Resplendant Quetzal which we spent a good 45 minutes watching. Magical!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the itinerary and trip notes before booking! Your move around a lot on this trip which isn't for everyone, although we loved it as we feel we've had a good snap shot of what Costa Rica has to offer. Research the hotels before you go, all details are in the trip notes to see what each one has to offer. Things to take- an umbrella as we ended up buying an one. The rain isn't like the rain in the uk as there is no wind and we noticed its what the locals use, plus you get so hot in a poncho; take a hair dryer if this is important to you as not all hotels provide them, good walking shoes, light clothing, water proof sandals or flip flops are handy for wet landings or walking through streams; towels are provided for snorkelling at drakes bay so we were glad we didn't weigh ourselves with taking a beach towel from home. Take bug spray and after bite cream. Also take plenty of money- we took colons and found we got a much better deal on things for doing so. Walking wise the only walk i struggled with (being exceptionally clumsy as i am) was to the waterfall at Corcovado as it was pouring with rain and it was quite uneven under foot. There was also a large river to wade through to get to it. If you go on the turtle watching tour (very highly recommended) you will have to wear the worst wellies known to man, so take long socks! Some people chose to ignore the advice to wear them and ended up knee deep in mud. Also ignore when told not to take a torch on the turtle watching- we were told not to by the company (not exodus!) and then got told to take our torches out for the walk! Foodwise i did struggle with eating in some places being vegan, but luckily i had taken some items of food with me, such as pitta breads. Its not that food wasn't provided for me, it was more that they only provided one vegan option and it would have meant i had exactly the same meal for lunch and dinner 2 days running. Also it means that you're not just eating fruit for breakfast as places like villa florencia that didn't provide anything i could eat for breakfast ( and all costa rican bread appears to contain milk). For us (my husband has food allergies) the best places to eat were at Cahuita and Drakes bay. Food portions can be small, especially in Totuguero, so was glad of the extra snacks i took. Hotel wise, some of the hotels are what could be deemed as basic, especially Drakes bay. Again, this wasn't a problem for us as we saw the lodges as a base to sleep only, especially as all lodges at Drakes Bay are on the sea front, and you can sometimes see dolphins swimming by. Tortuguero's lodges don't have glass at the windows, just bug nets, which we loved as it meant going to sleep listening to the thunder and frogs croaking, and waking up to the noise of howler monkeys. However, on the flip side it it meant the place is constantly damp, so I'd recommend not unpacking here as it meant clothes got wet if left out the case. Air conditioner is in all rooms except Tortuguero which has ceiling fans. For us, our favourite place was in the cloud mountains at Savegre. Quiet, not over loaded with tourists, and beautiful views. For us, it was paradise.

Suggestions

Exodus should really mention that the turtle watching tour is an additional cost in the trip notes as we were all under the impression it was included in the cost. Also it would be good if Exodus, if possible, could suggest to the company that runs this trip as the wellies provided truly were awful- my orthotics wouldn't fit in them, my husbands leaked, and others in the group ended up with injuries from them. Whilst i appreciated Exodus forwarding my dietary requirements to the hotel, i think it would be helpful if they explain what the dietary requirements means. For example, Drakes bay, under the guidance of Jorge, did me egg and milk free pancakes, only to cover them in honey, which i obviously couldn't eat- although to be fair my husband did appreciate this error. My fault really as i hadn't mentioned to Jorge vegans don't eat honey, but if exodus were to explain what dietary means, especially in places where certain diets aren't common, this would be helpful. This would be especially helpful for places where the guide isn't with you like villa florencia which unfortunately made me ill despite me telling them of my diet. I can see why exodus don't offer the direct flights as standard as part of this trip. It means an extra day in San Jose where there isn't that much to do. We did the art museum and the museum of costa rica- the latter being the greater success.