Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I'm not sure I'd describe any of it as inspirational but there were plenty of wildlife sightings - aided by the sharp eyes of our guide and driver - and some spectacular scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was friendly, helpful and spoke perfect English. Eric, our driver, also deserves a mention and the two worked well together as a team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that, although this trip is described as having "comfortable" accommodation throughout, this is not the case. While most accommodation is good, and some excellent, three nights are spent in a lodge where the accommodation is no better than basic and you'll need your own towels and toiletries (and an ability to turn a blind eye to health and safety, particularly where electrics are concerned). Also take a good waterproof - it is the rainforest after all - and we had one day of particularly persistent and heavy rain. The lodge was doing a roaring trade in the sale of waterproof ponchos!

Suggestions

We flew direct with BA - you have to stay an extra night in San Jose at the end but it's worth it to avoid the US and a very late arrival. We stayed in the Presidente Hotel which I quite liked as the urban location provided a nice contrast, but it was a pity the roof garden was out of commission at the time.

Most Inspirational Moment

The marine life around the Osa peninsula was incredible - seeing dolphins and boobies compete to take out a shoal of flying fish near Drake's Bay, or the snorkelling at Cano Island, or the beaches covered in tiny hermit crabs, so hard to pick just one.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was very knowledgeable about the wildlife we spotted, and gave plenty of information about the local culture too, including a trip to his delightful local pub for our farewell feast.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This really isn't a "Leisurely/Moderate" trip, it is 100% leisurely - and the demographics trended to the older end of the spectrum (there was a 15-year age gap between me and the next youngest, and most of the group were retired) - so be warned that this isn't exactly an adrenaline-filled adventure, and you'll need to be very keen on birds. March was HOT on both coasts, but the cloud forest was very cold - you won't regret packing that jumper even if it looks like a waste of space at first!

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the Sloth Sanctuary where we we given a brilliant talk on the sloth. Seeing sloths in the wild, seeing the Quetzal in Savegre Cloud Forest, getting close to the birdlife on the waterways of Tortuguero.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was a friendly yet professional leader. His English was excellent and his enthusiasm and knowledge of his country and the wildlife unsurpassed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

All our group flew out the a day early on the direct BA flight. It avoided travelling through the USA and gave you time to recover from the flight and do a local tour. We just took US dollars which were accepted everywhere. The food and drink not included were quite expensive The trip notes accurately reflect the prices. None of the walks were too physically challenging although the heat and humidity were challenging at times. Insect repellent and sun screen a must.

Suggestions

Like another reviewer I agree that Atlantida Lodge was very much in need of some repairs and maintenance. Another night at Villa Florencia would have been appreciated to explore the surroundings. Our favourite lodge was Trogon Lodge in Savegre cloud forest. Exceptional food, hot water bottles and gas fires!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a sloth in the wild at breakfast on our first full day of the trip, the beautiful pacific coast at Drake Bay, the food at Savegre and seeing a quetzal at 6.00am, especially when they are so rare!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was very knowledgeable, as was Eric the driver - their eyesight meant they spotted the wildlife which was made all the more special when viewed through the scope.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the BA direct flight and avoid the USA, but you will have to stay for an extra night - opt to stay at Country Inn and Suites rather than the Presidente Hotel if you do do this, as it's nearer the airport and has a pool - it's not worth it for the first night. On the hikes, be prepared to stop every few steps to see the birds and wildlife - it takes about an hour to walk 1/2 a mile. Take a sink plug, you don't need a hair dryer, plenty of T-shirts - it's very humid, make sure you have plenty of insect repellent and sun screen. You don't need the local currency - everywhere takes US dollars. Be prepared for long rides on the minibus, with early morning starts - it's worth it.

Suggestions

East coast was too touristy for me - but the lodge was beautiful, although there is not much to do when it rains. Although all the accommodation is described as "comfortable" the Atlantida Lodge did not live up to this description. The food and staff there were great and it had a pool, but the accommodation was less than basic - 2 single beds, a towel each, a door that didn't fit properly, sockets hanging off the wall, electrics showing in the shower, cracked tiles and an unstable fan - it's a shame really as the next accommodation - Villa Florencia and the staff could be described as far better than comfortable and I would have liked to have stayed there for more than one night.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a male Quetzal was wonderful in the wild so to sloths and toucans. Nice walks in the rainforest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good Antonio spoke good English was informative friendly and funny.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just relax and go with the flow and enjoy all that wild Costa Rica has to offer.

Suggestions

I took my snorkelling stuff but didn't really need it as they gave it to you without cost and they were at a good standard. You can get Costa Rica colons there currency in U.K. I did that I thought was better overall but take some dollars aswell.

Most Inspirational Moment

Going to sleep to the choral sounds of the rainforest. Waking to find we had our very own house bat!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erick was passionate and emotional about his country. He had fun with us. He educated us and he fed us exotic treats.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mosquitoes are a reality. Laundry services are very good value and free at Drakes Bay. Jade museum in San Jose is impressive and right next door to a great market. Horse riding at Savegre is really good value. Don't bother with local currency. Stick with dollars.

Suggestions

The only disappointment was the trip to see the stone spheres, many of which have been artificially relocated. If you are going to see them , find a better site.

Most Inspirational Moment

The two weeks had inspirational moments every single day so it is impossible to single out just one. Humpback whales feeding with their calves, nesting sea turtles now protected by law, quetzals breakfasting in avocado trees in the early morning light, a flock of scarlet macaws lunching in a beach almond tree, sloths sleeping in trees in the jungle or relaxing at the Sloth Sanctuary, monkeys swinging from tree to tree, a boa constrictor looking down at you (fortunately with a stretch of water between you), massive crocodiles (again at a safe distance), fascinating and brightly coloured birds, snakes, frogs, spiders, snorkelling on a coral reef, the prolific, incredible vegetation in the rain forest, reflections in the mangroves. They were all inspirational, as was the information from our eagle eyed guides which went with the sightings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader was extremely knowledgeable on biology, ecology, culture, national industry etc. etc. His enthusiastic commentary kept us very well informed and taught us a lot; his sense of humour kept us entertained; he looked after us all extremely well. Put simply, Johnny is a great Group Leader and guide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an active trip which packs in a lot of experiences and covers a lot of ground, both physically and figuratively. The trip involves some very early starts, some long journeys, some longish walks in humid conditions and some boat journeys and beach landings which you will remember for all sorts of reasons. Make sure you pack waterproof materials to keep the camera and rucksack dry if you get caught in the rain and pack some extra plastic bags for when you have to pack damp items in your luggage!

Most Inspirational Moment

The 5am howler monkey alarm clock...... seeing so many humpback whales and dolphins so close to the boat.....the amazing frogs..... and who couldn't forget the green sea turtles coming out of the sea to lay their eggs...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny was extremely enthusiastic and passionate about all things Costa Rica. He gave a running history, geographic, political and social commentary during the drives which was extremely useful. The group had quite a mix of interests, and he was able to manage them to keep everyone satisfied with their own experience. If there were any queries that he didn't have the answer to, he would find out and give the answers later. He also had a great eye for spotting flora and fauna on the walks, nothing was too small or insignificant for us. He was great fun too, and always smiling, nothing seemed to faze him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Getting on and off some of the boats was potentially tricky, particularly if you had any mobility issues and some of the walking could be a little challenging if not anticipated.

Suggestions

Costa Rica is back on our bucket list!!

Most Inspirational Moment

This is almost impossible to say as it was the whole richness of biodiversity that is Costa Rica's glory. The first lunch stop revealed poison arrow frogs and A Sloth! from then on it continued....

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was expert in all aspects of natural history and especially birds. He was charming , helpful and friendly. He made sure everyone was involved. He also introduced us to Costa Rican culture which was a nice bonus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

the trip is vey informal, changes of shirts and trousers essential although laundry services are available at the hotels. Be prepared to get up early in the morning as all the animals and birds are active at this time.The snorkelling experiences are for experienced snorkelers and not suitable for novices. The trip is very fast paced if you are in your 60's or 70's but not some much if you are in your 30's or 40's.

Suggestions

We did find it as older couple quite hard going but thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The morning from Drake Bay when we were going snorkelling. I don't swim well so was tempted to stay behind. As it turned out we saw lots of humpback whales, many with babies, pan tropical dolphins & the lots of scarlet macaws when we stopped at an island for a picnic lunch. A very special morning which I felt privileged to witness. The quetzal watching in the beautiful Savegre valley was also very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have never met a leader who is more knowledgeable, caring, hard working & fantastic at his job than Johnny. He really turned a great holiday into something special. His wildlife knowledge really made a difference & his love for his country shone through.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took a walking pole which I found incredibly useful on the often slippery up & down forest trails. It's also good to know that Drake Bay Wilderness Resort will do your washing at no extra charge, with the humidity in the area nothing can get dry.