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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330 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

jeanette hambrey

Reviewed May 2025

Loved this one..

This country is so diverse and exodus shows you that from the start! We started on the Caribbean side at Tortuguero and basically got soaked the whole 3 days we were there, it rained and it rained but our group got on with it with a smile. That area would have been wonderful if the weather hadn’t been against us but it was what it was!
We still suffered a bit of bad weather at Arenal and i never got to see the volcano as the cloud was on top of it all the time, the walk was lovely up to it though and the landscape is beautiful.
The weather started to improve as we travelled over to the pacific side , the birds and the wildlife are abundant , we saw that many sloths on this trip we stopped taking pictures of them ha
There are some long drives in this trip but never more than a couple of hours on the road without stopping, lots of views to look at and of course we stopped if the driver or guide saw anything interesting to see as well, (a couple of macaw’s were spotted and we pulled over to get some great photos)
The wildlife is all around you if you take the time to look, the leaf cutter ants and the ant highways through the forest floor , the frogs , the sloths… so much to see!
Whilst you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic for this trip , i would suggest that you are able to walk long distances and tackle some steep slopes. You can always sit by the pool if you don’t want to go on the hikes but you would miss out on the whole point of the holiday if that is what you aim to do.
Exodus pull it out the bag every time with the accommodation , all the rooms were lovely and well chosen , its one of the reasons i have booked with Exodus 4 times now.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the boat trip, the birds were fantastic to spot and we saw turtles and crocodiles as well. Also the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge was the most basic room of the trip but the best location , you are surrounded by forest , the birds and the wildlife are wonderful and a dip in the pool in the middle of it all was so special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pedro was very knowledgeable and passionate about his country and what they are doing towards tourism and re-forestation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good walking shoes , something that will dry out because you are likely to get them wet, and a fold up rain jacket that goes in your bag. Plugs were American type plugs. I got an e sim and it was a great idea, i had internet all the time and signed into wifi at the lodges ( which were all wifi friendly) I took colonies but everyone accepted dollars , in fact it seemed to be the best form of money, your cards are accepted at all the restaurants its only for tips and small venders that you need cash. Even though it rained i still wore shorts as it was better to have wet legs than wet trousers ha ha and its still hot!

John Weaver

Reviewed March 2025

costa rica

A great holiday for wildlife

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the toucans

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel certainly knew his birds: he led extra early morning and late afternoon bird watching walks

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is very much a holiday for wildlife spotting not a cultural tour. There is a lot of travel but seeing the country side is part of the experience. On the itinerary there seemed to be a lot of down time but in fact we were fairly busy: only day we had too much time it did pour for hours. Costa Rica is more expensive than I had expected : meals /beer about same as uk: wine more expensive: a £7 bottle in uk is £12 +

Robert Griffiths

Reviewed March 2025

The country that keeps on giving

A fantastic and memorable experience. We would never be considered as bird watchers but you can not help getting caught up in the excitement of spotting some of the many exotic species of bird, reptile or mammals. A truly memorable holiday for all the right reasons. If you are considering visiting Costa Rica, then don’t wait!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, every location gave something memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jonny Villalobos was a walking encyclopaedia. He is an extremely professional and friendly man whose enthusiasm and knowledge of Costa Rica wildlife, fauna and history was immense. Nothing was too much trouble for him, often adding on extra walks that were not included in the itinerary. His soul aim was to make our Costa Rica experience unforgettable which he achieved. He is widely regarded by his fellow guides as one of the best if not the best guides in Costa Rica.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the guide notes are comprehensive there are a few additional point to make. 1. There is no requirement to take lots of dollars as credit cards are accepted everywhere, the only dollars required are for tipping as indicated in the itinerary notes. 2. The exchange rates from dollars to colones is poor especially if you are exchanging from sterling to dollars to colones. 3. Large dollar bill are not accepted everywhere. 4. People do not dress up, smart casual clothes will do. 5 The voltage in Costa Rica is 120V, and not all hotels have hairdryers. 6. Do not wear expensive jewellery in San Jose 7. Binoculars are advised as is a good camera or a telescopic lens attachment for your phone.

Robert Griffiths

Reviewed March 2025

The country that keeps on giving

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, every location gave something memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

John Kaminer

Reviewed March 2025

Amazingly Diverse Country!

Saw many different biomes and rain forests.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting our first quetzal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny Villalobos is an excellent leader. He gave us information on everything the country has to offer, and it was in a friendly, interesting way. His knowledge of the country, its flora and fauna, especially the birds, the places, and the people is incredible and he was always generous with his time and help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather varies considerably from the first place to the 6th and last place we visit so bring layers and raingear.

Paul Jones

Reviewed February 2025

A most memorable and inspirational two weeks.

Our Exodus Discover Costa Rica trip has been such a memorable tour. So much bird and animal life to see. We deliberately opted for a small group of 16 people so we would not miss a thing. We also chose a wildlife and birdwatching expert Guide. Staying for two nights at each location, in different climates (rain forest, mountainous etc) gave a great insight into this beautiful country of Costa Rica.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Respendent Quetzel. Also lots of Scarlet Macaws, hummingbirds, toucans. The whole experience was inspiring and will stay with us forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David Vargas went above and beyond to make our trip incredible. He was interesting, informative, flexible, knowledgeable and easy to chat to. Together with our driver Randall, they provided us with memories that will last us a lifetime.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Early starts (often by 8am) to get to next location. Usually arrive by lunchtime, but we did have at least one or two longer journeys (one was most of the day) but all journeys are broken up with toilet stops and stops to see points of interest including birds/animals etc. None of the journeys felt a chore, and the minibus was comfortable with air con. There was usually at 5.30am bird/nature walk before breakfast. All accommodation was clean and comfortable and bug free. Bring clothes for all temperatures, hot and humid or cool and rainy in more mountainous regions.

Peter & Liz Rooke

Reviewed February 2025

A great introduction to Costa Rica

A brilliant trip that shows the diversity of Costa Rica. From lagoons to rainforests to dry forests and cloud forests and beaches we saw so much of this lovely country and its flora and fauna. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights include seeing scarlet macaws, a sloth with her baby, toucans, humming birds and the boat trip from Tortuguero were all special, but there's so much to see and it's all amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andres was very knowledgeable, passionate about the plants and birds of Costa Rica and looked after our group very well. A shout out for Keylor, our driver, who was also excellent and often spotted wildlife along the way (macaws, monkeys, a trogon and a quetzal).

Advice for Potential Travellers

At the time the trip seemed quite busy, but in retrospect the pace was about right. Be prepared for some early starts and some long drives, but it's all doable, just go with the flow... Take small denomination dollars: 1, 2, 5, 10 dollar notes are useful. Make sure you only take new notes - nothing torn or damaged as these may not be accepted. Take a decent pair of binoculars. You don't need a massive camera, a decent compact or even a phone with a good camera was fine for everyone in our group. When it rains, it can be a tropical downpour, so take waterproofs. We took ponchos (handy on the boat trips), plus waterproof jackets, trousers and walking shoes and used all of them at some point. Most hotels have umbrellas you can use, so not essential to take your own. Definitely pack warm layers for cool evenings and mornings, particularly at Monteverde and Savegre (our waterproof overtrousers came in handy as an extra warm layer!). You can get clothes laundered at almost all the hotels and lodges (although Esquinas Lodge didn't iron ours). Just budget for getting laundry done en route as even lightweight travel clothes didn't dry overnight in the humidity. Tea and coffee making facilities are rarely in the rooms, but ask at reception/restaurant - all the staff were happy to oblige us. All the hotel staff were helpful and generally spoke good English. If you have free time in San Jose at the start/end of your trip, the Jade Museum and Gold Museum are worth a visit. In particular, the Jade Museum is excellent for giving an insight into pre-Columbian Costa Rica and the indigenous people's lives. The trip is a bit flora and fauna based, so this is a good counterbalance. (Also, we recommend the 'Capital Coffee Roasters' cafe opposite the Jade Museum for a coffee or lunch.)

Allen Holmes

Reviewed November 2024

Everything Was Simply Amazing

I’m a wildlife photographer and chose to do the Discover Costa Rica trip with Exodus. Even in September, the start of the “wetter season “it was beyond my expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was that good, I can't pick just one. But if pressed, for me having Hummingbirds buzzing so close around me that I felt their wingbeats was special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Jorge Lizano and if he is your leader in the future, then you are very lucky. He goes above and beyond to make your trip special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a packed itinerary, but there is plenty of time to yourself early in the mornings. Get out of bed and make the most of it!

Jadwiga Henshaw

Reviewed July 2024

A truly beautiful trip

Eduardo and Victor were exemplary; they made the price of the trip worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day being even more different and incredible than the previous. Seeing the Quetzal so close up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo was incredible! His knowledge about his country was detailed and Eduardo had a great way of communicating his enthusiasm to the group. His credentials as a guide are exemplary. We learnt about the way of life in Costa Rica, the issues it faces and how tourism is managed. Eduardo really was our friend in Costa Rica. He knew everything about any creature or flora. He enhanced the experience immeasurably. Eduardo always gave more; a longer walk, stopping at points of interest to see crocodiles, rhino beetles, pineapple plantations, amongst other wonders. Our driver Victor was the best. Not once did he take a risk; we always felt very safe in his hands, an excellent driver. Victor would also go over and beyond, helping anyone in the group who needed a hand, always smiling and welcoming. Whenever we arrived at a destination Eduardo would call 'OK amigos, we made it!', with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the high prices in Costa Rica, even in a supermarket. The Hotel President in San José was excellent with a wonderful restaurant with delicious dishes. There was nowhere else to eat out nearby, so this was lucky. Next to the hotel was a good bakery/ lunch place.

Liz Richardson

Reviewed June 2024

Incredible Tour

Travelled first time with Exodus to Costa Rica and it was a very well organised and exciting tour of the beautiful country. Travelled to many different lodges and national parks. Arriving in San Jose we were welcomed by our wonderful tour guide Gwenda, we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide, so much knowledge about the country, culture and wildlife. Gwenda is truly an valuable member of Exodus along with Randall our amazing driver keeping us safe on our travels.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspiring moment was when we first saw the sloths up close at the Sloth Sanctuary!!! Also the zip wiring was exceptional in Fortuna highly recommend!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gwenda our tour guide was amazing a real credit to Exodus, very professional and friendly, kept us all well informed with a whatsap message the night before detailing what was happening the next day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of light clothes as it was very humid.highly recommend this tour.

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