Most Inspirational Moment
Watching a green turtle lay her eggs at Tortuguero (optional extra). And the sloth with her baby hanging low on a vine beside the river.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fabulous.
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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Reviews
Amazing!
What an amazing trip! Incredible wildlife at every turn – sloths, monkeys, turtles, iguanas, frogs, coatis, the list goes on, beautiful birds and unusual plants too. Seven very different locations, shortish travel times and great hotels. Just be prepared to sweat more than you thought humanly possible!!!
Does what it says
15 day trip travelling around Costa Rica discovering all it has to offer.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the wildlife close up. Being in the rainforest,amazed at the trees,vegetation and flower species.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgable and professional.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Maybe try to put your clothes in sealable bags as first days are in rainforest and everything will get damp and stay damp. Don’t pack too much, opportunity to wash clothes at halfway point of trip. Protection for camera or make sure you have one with two viewfinders in case of water ingress (my camera broke down on third day!). Good protection if you suffer from insect bites.
Magical Wildlife
This holiday was superb for exploring different landscapes and seeing lots of wildlife. The tour includes a wide variety of places to visit, allowing you to see the shifts in environment and wildlife, which was very interesting, and we were awarded with so many fantastic wildlife spots – both birds and mammals. We stayed in a collection of lovely hotels set in beautiful gardens where you would often have your own cabin and small terrace. Food was tasty and local people were very friendly and accommodating. You will definitely return home with plenty of stories to tell!
Most Inspirational Moment
As someone who enjoys bird watching, I found it exciting to learn about the different species and see them first hand. Seeing 145 new species of birds in two weeks was phenomenal! I was most surprised at how close the wildlife was; with an average pair of binoculars, I had excellent views, although some wildlife - hummingbirds, armadillos, reptiles for example - were all so close that I didn't need them. Seeing such colourful and exotic wildlife was definitely the highlight of the trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, providing fascinating insights into the country's economy, wildlife, plants and people, all imparted with humour and dry wit. He led the group with such assured ease, that the whole holiday felt effortless. As someone who normally travels independently, it was a real treat to be led by someone who really knew what they were doing. His enthusiasm and knowledge improved the holiday immeasurably.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The temperature fluctuates drastically between the different locations. You will need both warm clothes and waterproofs as well as light summery clothes. Whatever you bring, make sure it is quick-drying, including shoes - the humidity is so high that nothing really dries. Take binoculars too - it will increase your enjoyment of the holiday no end.
Discover Costa Rica
We had am amazing time on this trip from the moment we landed in San Jose. Our guide Andres kept us informed about what to expect, and bring for each activity. He had an amazing knowledge about his country and was passionate that we should like and enjoy our tip. Our Driver Juan was also excellent. He kept the bus spotless and was keen to help.
The accommodation was of a good standard with the last lodge being the icing on the cake.
The plants, animals and scenery were also fantastic. Overall an amazing trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the turtle lay its eggs.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was full of knowledge and prepared us well for what to expect each day. He was polite and quick to resolve any problems that occurred.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We travelled in August . There was a lot of rain. Wellingtons may have been useful. We took sturdy shoes and Walking boots but did not really need the boots.
Diversity at its best!
Cosa Rica has such diversity,you will experience rouged mountains,rolling hills,virgin forest ,tropical beaches and beautiful waterways to view the homes of the turtles,not to mention the
numerous butterflies,birds and mammals you will encounter.
San Jose is not a place to savour but after a good nights sleep in a fabulous city hotel (the decor,staff and food is first class ) you will be off to start your adventure.
You will have good accommodation in lovely locations.
Be warned some nights you will be chilly and the dampness can be a problem,after all you are often in a rainforest environment,when I returned everything in my suitcase and its contents were damp.
This is a small price to pay for the things you will see!…do be willing to take the walks,you will miss out so much if you decide to stay at the base or take a bus.
We had lovely weather every morning before the rain came most afternoons…so dont go for this type of holiday to stay in bed till 9….you will miss the best times!…up at 6 and bed at 9-10 is a norm.
This trip has a nice balance of trip and leisure with a brilliant guide,it you want a holiday….dont go!…if you want an experience book now!
Most Inspirational Moment
Having the pleasure of a different bird or mammal every day....they really are there.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Extremely good... very experienced and full of knowledge....told us important thing.... but appreciated silence! Didnt treat us like we were on a sunday school outing.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take plenty of cheap t shirts etc because you will not have chance to wash and dry as your always moving ..it wont dry in time.....its not a fashion show...be practical.
Totally superb experience.
Our Guide & tour leader-Johnny [Villalobos] made this trip the best we have experienced; with his expertise, knowledge & general manner. Superior to similar trips in the past this one was outstanding!
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to name just one.! e.g. Moving sloths, quetzals flying & landing.macaws, frogs,snakes & all sorts of wild life in so diverse places from the coast,low level to rain forests, cloud forests to the Highlands. Truly wonderful experiences and so diverse. Well recommended!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Couldn't have been bettered.! [ Our boat & minibus drivers were also excellent & great wildlife spotters too.]
Advice for Potential Travellers
A good quality lightweight jacket advised. A pair of binoculars. A good travelling camera & a Dry Bag to keep it in. A choice of shoes e.g. covered toe tekking sandles/boots. Canvas decking shoes or similar lightweight after trekking shoes.& insect repellants. Enjoy.
A great adventure in Costa Rica
This was our second Exodus trip and again, we were not disappointed. An itinerary which covered many different ecosystems, plenty of wildlife, pleasant travel companions and an exceptionally knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide all went to make this trip a fantastic two weeks. Lots of early mornings, some long journeys and very hot and humid conditions did nothing to distract from the beauty, diversity and friendliness of Costa Rica. Highly recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing so much wildlife. Sloths, monkeys, raccoons , a huge variety of birdlife and a couple of snakes. Fabulous!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Katia's knowledge about the wildlife, geography and history of Costa Rica was astonishing. As a bird enthusiast, she was able to recognise everything from a tiny glimpse or a snatch of birdsong. In addition, she went out of her way to ensure everyone was enjoying their trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't forget a sense of humour. It helps enormously when you have a puncture in the middle of nowhere.
An great adventure in Costa Rica
This was our second Exodus trip and again, we were not disappointed. An itinerary which covered many different ecosystems, plenty of wildlife, pleasant travel companions and an exceptionally knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide all went to make this trip a fantastic two weeks. Lots of early mornings, some long journeys and very hot and humid conditions did nothing to distract from the beauty, diversity and friendliness of Costa Rica. Highly recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing so much wildlife. Sloths, monkeys, raccoons , a huge variety of birdlife and a couple of snakes. Fabulous!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Katia's knowledge about the wildlife, geography and history of Costa Rica was astonishing. As a bird enthusiast, she was able to recognise everything from a tiny glimpse or a snatch of birdsong. In addition, she went out of her way to ensure everyone was enjoying their trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't forget a sense of humour. It helps enormously when you have a puncture in the middle of nowhere.
Discover costa rica
An excellent taster of the country. Well planned with good locations
Most Inspirational Moment
Meeting the owner michael Schnitzler of esquinas lodge. Such a wonderful work, he is passinate and inspirational about ecolgy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent ++.so kniwlwdgable and put on so many extra outings. Always helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Long lightweight cotton trousers to keep the sun and bugs off. Don't bother taking posh clothes for the evenings. Just smartish will do. We used smidge during the day and onky used deet dusk and dawn. So much nicer on the skin and we did not get bitten
Discover Costa Rica review
This was our first Exodus trip, which, to be honest I viewed with some trepidation, as I walk with crutches, and so wondered how it would be. I cannot praise Exodus highly enough, from my first phone call to the very end of the trip. When enquiring about accessibility, the person I spoke to listened properly to what I was asking, contacted someone in Costa Rica so they could answer my queries knowledgeably, and together we came up with a plan. The reality, however, surpassed the plan, due to our amazing guide, who organised things such that I could go into each of the forests we visited for a short trek, and then the rest of the group went on to do a longer one. Although obviously I was hoping we would have a good time, I really did not want this to be at the expense of others seeing and doing what they wanted. Katia’s extremely thoughtful organisation, meant that we all really enjoyed and learned lots on our trip. The fact that our entire group was made up of lovely people helped!
Although like I said this was our first Exodus trip, it certainly won’t be our last!! Thank you Exodus, Katia and Francisco!
Most Inspirational Moment
It is hard to choose one!! I think though it might have been being awoken at Howler o'clock and going out of our lodge to see lots of monkeys cavorting in the trees, especially seeing a mother monkey with her baby, both hanging upside down, having breakfast!
Thoughts on Group Leader
From what I have written above you will be able to tell, we thought she was absolutely exceptional.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you have any queries at all, speak to Exodus staff. We found them incredibly helpful.