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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331 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Linda Felton

Reviewed April 2018

Discover Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a beautiful island and this trip shows it at its best throughout. It is bursting with wildlife, plants and fantastic National Parks. This is a well organised and varied trip and the ecolodges and hotels were just amazing. Beautiful scenery, well tended gardens and comfortable accomodation with great food at every place. The people are friendly, well mannered and polite. The Costa Ricans are proud of their country and the land is superbly managed and protected.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many! But for me watching the sloths and varieties of monkeys was fascinating. Birdlife second to none, and of course, spotting the elusive Resplendent Quetzals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Johnny Villalobos Munoz was absolutely inspirational. I can see why he has won tour leader of the year twice recently. He is so knowledgeable about everything, knows the names of all flowers, plants, trees, animals, insects and birds, and the stories behind them all. He can not only listen and say what the bird is but can make their sounds to attract them! Everywhere we went he showed us consideration and kindness, always checking that we were ok. He has a quiet confident manner with a lovely sense of humour. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he made the holiday the fantastic experience that it was. He taught us to listen and look and had huge empathy with both his group and his surroundings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good pair of binoculars! You will need a variety of clothing for the extremes of weather: hot to chilly and pouring down. A good lightweight waterproof and plenty of sun cream and mosquito repellent. I wish I had taken more lightweight long sleeved blouses as I was bitten badly by mossies. Also a good pair of walking trainers.

Jeff Seymour

Reviewed April 2018

A complete adventure in one trip

If you are looking for diversity then this is the trip for you. From cloud forest to rain forest to mangroves; this trip goes everywhere.
The drives between the accommodation stops were incredibly scenic and an adventure in themselves; even stopping our mini-coach (causing a traffic tail-back) whilst Juan and Alex were “assisting” a snake to slither across the road.
We have been on many wildlife holidays around the world and were surprised that Exodus only rated this as 3 out of 5; it could easily have been given 5 paws.
All our viewing expectations were met (and massively surpassed).

Most Inspirational Moment

It is impossible to single out one moment. There was not much down time but who cares when you can go on a holiday like this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex Castro; a walking, talking encyclopaedia. A fantastic ambassador for his country, his profession and Exodus. His enthusiasm was infectious and his organisation was terrific. NOTHING was too much trouble. This was our second trip with Exodus (Ancient and Modern Japan being the first trip) and the quality of guiding is outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a thick note book; there is so much wildlife to see and identify. We flew direct with BA rather than transit through the USA. Exodus will offer this if you ask. The arrival and departure times were also much better suited for us. I understand that this is a new BA route; perhaps Exodus may adopt this in time.

Andrew Newbold

Reviewed April 2018

Costa Rica experience

An excellent trip with an opportunity to experience a good range of different habitats. Accommodation all of a high standard. Eco-lodges particularly good. High standard of food throughout the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Experiencing both cloud and rain forest environments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Very informative. Knowledge of birdlife exceptional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on this trip if you are interested in wildlife - particularly birds. Take a reasonable camera with a good zoom lens.

susan cochran

Reviewed March 2018

discover costa rica

An excellent trip around this beautiful diverse country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything was inspirational starting on Day 2 at Tortuguero National Park where we travelled the waterways seeing numerous birds , crocodiles , baby caymans , monkeys.sloths, iguanas , otters. river turtles and more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos Calvo was excellent in every way. His knowledge of birds , flora, fauna, local history was exceptional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of weather in different areas, It can be 30 degrees with 80% humidity in the Esquinas rainforest with heavy rain so waterproof poncho and sensible footwear essential. The cloud forests can be chilly so sweater and fleece needed.

Ken Gilbert

Reviewed March 2018

Discover Costa Rica

An outstanding holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

Rainforest Austrians

Thoughts on Group Leader

One word Brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a good camera and binoculars

barry tylee

Reviewed March 2018

Discover Costa Rica or bust

What an exciting adventure this trip proved to be. From the very first day to the last it was just so interesting and exciting. Whether you are interested in exotic flowers, birds or mammals it is non stop viewing. Like so many adventurers I am becoming a veteran of trips. Every day brought something new. The beauty of the bird species can only be described as “flying iridescent rainbows”. Every new destination brought great delights. This is not a trip to miss, miss it and you will regret the decision.
One of my fellow adventurers logged a total of 150 different birds.

Most Inspirational Moment

This would be a very difficult question to answer, because every destination had its own moment. Could it be the siting of a Sloth, Howler Monkeys calling to awaken you in the trees above your lodge, Bearded Monkeys walking along the wires or the plethora of beautiful birds viewed from the hotel windows. Don't lets forget the Humming birds as the hover in front of you. Viewing is not confined to the final destinations, on the way is just as exciting. Frequent stops offer another opportunity, wildlife is everywhere around this beautiful country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was our tour director. A great organiser. A proud Costa Rican and an enthusiastic wildlife expert. His knowledge seemed endless. Nothing was too much trouble, any questions, just ask. He was there to make sure that you achieved the most from your trip to Costa Rica. Alex is a great asset to the Exodus team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled in March. The so called "dry" season. Don't believe it, it frequently throws it down for long periods. Make sure that you have a, Poncho and an umbrella wouldn't go amiss. There is no malaria in Costa Rica, but there are mosquito and other biting insects, insect repellent is essential, (there are specialists in ankles and lower legs). As you move around the country, temperatures will vary, especially on the final destination. You will get up early for a special surprise viewing, be warned after the heat of the Pacific it is very cold in the early morning, be sure to pack a warm fleece.

Barry Cooper

Reviewed March 2018

Discover (Natural) Costa Rica

This is an excellent tour which visits several National Parks and Reserves in Costa Rica. There is a great emphasis on wildlife and if this is not your interest, do not book this tour.
There are opportunities to see the very varied birdlife in Costa Rica and often you have to go no further than the Hotel bird feeders to see some of the most spectacular species.
There are opportunities for walking in the National Parks and a good pair of walking boots would be recommended. The two nights spent at Manuel Antonio makes for a pleasant beach break in this busy programme.

Most Inspirational Moment

This is a question which I find impossible to answer since an Exodus tour is comprised of many unforgettable experiences. The varied wildlife of Costa Rica is the reason for the visit and we were very lucky to see the spectacular Resplendant Quetzal. This bird is rare and an early morning expedition proved to be successful. Comments from other guides indicated how lucky we had been when they said that it was the best display of the year and others had spent over two hours at the same location the previous day and seen nothing. From the restaurant in Monteverde we had superb views of the Motmot and visits from the Capuchin monkeys. In Savegre the manager has several bird feeders in his garden and you are actively encouraged to just go there and sit quietly and you will see a range of birds from woodpeckers to humming birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hector Castillos was an excellent leader with an encyclopedic knowledge of the natural history of his Country. He was always keen to lead additional walks and his one aim was that the Group should not lose an opportunity to experience all the Natural History that Costa Rica could provide

Advice for Potential Travellers

Spend as little time as possible in the Capital San Jose as except for the National Theatre there is little to see in this somewhat run down City. If you are not interested in Natural History do not book this tour. I have an interest obviously but at the end of two weeks I felt that I had seen enough birds to satisfy me for some time to come. I linked the tour with Discover Colombia and I can recommend this if the dates are compatible. The tours are very different, Discover Colombia being Cultural and Historical whereas Discover Costa Rica is natural history based resulting in a four week holiday of contrasts.

Jennifer Anderson

Reviewed March 2018

Discover Costa Rica

The title “Discover Costa Rica” puts it in a nutshell. We explored from coast to coast and many of the forests in between. On our trip over 125 different birds were identified including nesting Quetzals, many mammals, reptiles and even an eye lash viper. The flowers and butterflies in the many gardens of the lodges were a joy. There is an emphasis on being aware of and on contributing to the conservation of the natural resources which was appreciated.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming from a snow bound country, the colour and sounds of Costa Rica were an ongoing delight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio, our local Costa Rican guide was excellent - his knowledge of the inhabitants and the vegetation of the many forests we visited was very extensive. He unfailingly answered our many questions, and if he didn't know the whole answer he researched it and gave us the relevant information later. He often stopped the bus along the way so we might experience a roadside market, take a photo or view cocoa trees up close etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Anyone who is tall will find the pitch of the seats in the small bus rather short. There are only 2 places in the bus where tall people can comfortably fit their long legs! Everyone on our tour thoughtfully respected this and left the seat by the side door for my husband who at over 2 metres has long legs.

Jon Cooley

Reviewed March 2018

Discover Costa Rica

A great trip, very well organised with very comfortable accommodation in wonderful locations.
It provides a very good introduction to this fantastic country within a very brief timespan.
Attention to detail was excellent as was the contribution of our group leader and driver.

Most Inspirational Moment

The initial few days spent at Tortuguero was amazing, arriving and exploring by boat. Being located within the jungle was a great sensory experience, with night times especially noisy with birds, insects, mammals and the Caribbean waves so close by. The optional zip wire experience in Monteverde was exhilarating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was exceptional. His knowledge, his manner, his humour and most of all his passion for his country and its wildlife were all outstanding. Unfortunately we had a medical issue while on the trip and Antonio, Oliver (our driver), and the manager of the Aquinas Lodge were all extremely helpful. Also, Camino travel making extra arrangements.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink plenty of water and avoid dehydration. It can have unpleasant consequences!

Andy Longden

Reviewed March 2018

Your Chance To Be David Attenborough For 2 Weeks!!

This was a well choreographed exploration of Costa Rica, with an emphasis on exploring biodiversity and ecology thematically. The choice of hotels/lodges is excellent – you stay 2 nights everywhere which gives opportunity to explore without feeling too rushed. The trip is graded “leisurely” but in fact we seemed to be active throughout, so good basic fitness is important to get the most from the trip.

There were 16 people in our group, and whilst we greatly enjoyed the company, it felt a big group to take for nature walks – usually most of the wildlife had scarpered by the time we arrived as 16 people stomping along a trail are not exactly quiet!).

Most Inspirational Moment

After a 5.30am start on our mission to find the rare Resplendent Quetzal, and after numerous false alarms, imagine the elation when suddenly, a lovely specimen landed in a tree barely 20 feet from me. David Attenborough - here we come!!! More seriously, I'd also say that taken as a whole, this trip is a remarkable experience in ecology and bio-diversity, which is so vitally important to appreciate in todays world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pedro was a bit of a curate's egg - good in parts. Great at keeping us safe and outstanding in the natural environment - this man can spot a sloth in a tree a mile away and had outstanding insights into the natural world and the conflict with development. And our sincere thanks for all that. But we'd rate him as not very good on the organisational front; sometimes we felt we were on a school trip with an irritable teacher. It didn't matter very much, but we'd encourage Pedro to engage more with his groups in future (and, eg, to attend the final group dinner and ensure that the trip ends on a real high...).

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a photographer's paradise - but it is still challenging to take good pictures. You need a decent camera with a powerful zoom. Good binoculars are very useful. The climate can be surprising variable - bring rainwear and also a warm jacket for higher altitudes/early morning walks. Otherwise, dress code is casual throughout. We booked the direct BA flights which gave us a day or so either end of the trip, and we'd recommend this. Firstly, it gives time to recover from the long flight before the trip begins. Second, San Jose is more interesting than it seems at first glance. There are three excellent museums (National, Gold and Jade) and also an historic theatre; plus a small zoo. Everything is within easy walking distance, and we found San Jose to be safe and friendly. Try Pops ice cream - delicious!!

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