Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt was the trip to monteverde and the oportunity to see the cloud forests. The diversity of humming birds at this location was fantastic and the canopy walk was well worth the effort as it gave a completely different perspective of the cloud forest and an opportunity to see a different set of inhabitants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was excellent, he had a great knowledge of local customs and traditions as well as excellent knowledge of Costa Rica's natural history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for heavy rain but don't get to hung up about bringing lots of dry cloths there was plenty of opportunity to get cloths washed and dried at the lodges and in most cases this cost about a dollor per item, although it was more exensive at esquinas.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two in particular.  The canopy walk in Monte Verde was wonderful - a great chance to get above the forest and have a bird's eye view.  The second standout is Esquinas - the night hike was a great experience.  The sheer variety of sounds in the frog chorus is amazing.  There were others too - the beach in Manual Antonio and Tortugero etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio's knowledge of the flora and fauna of Costa Rica is amazing.  It was obvious that he enjoys showing off his beautiful country.  Also a very nice guy who made sure we has a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I went in May/June - off season and the rainy season.  It rained most days but not all day and didn't prevent us from doing anything.  The compensation was visiting all these wonderful places and having many almost to ourselves.  In particular it was lovely in Tortugeuro - we had the run of the place!  Don't be afraid of the rain.

Suggestions

It isn't just bird watching.  We also had time to have fun, chill out by the pool and have a cocktail or two.  Each place we stayed was a different experience - all great.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the Agouti walk out of the woods in front of me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent natural history knowledge.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best moments for me were when walking on our own on a trail at Manual Antonio NP where we got to watch a troop of Capuchin monkeys crossing the path in the trees and then were rewarded for climbing further with a group of Squirrel monkeys very close to us as well. The NP here was very beautiful but each place was different and inspirational in it's own right.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was great! He had a good sense of humour and good knowledge of the wildlife, history and diverse ecosystems of Costa Rica.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good camera with good zoom lens for wildlife shots.

Suggestions

This is a good choice of trip to get a feel for Costa Rica and experience the different areas of the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

wild life and birds

Thoughts on Group Leader

very experienced one - marco polo

Advice for Potential Travellers

weather is colder than we think, beware theft in hotel, they can unlock your door and get in your room to steal things

Suggestions

the dosser notes needed to amend - hotel in ne costa rica - that lodge is H+ or comfortable hotel but the one in gofito is really very very basic.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being in the forest and seeing all those exotic plants, mammals, birds and reptiles in their natural environments would have been utterly wonderful. But the tapestry of night and morning sounds (frogs, monkeys, birds) was a revelation, each place having its own soundscape. I have recordings which evoke the humidity, temperature and atmosphere of each place we stayed even more than the photos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We could not have asked for a better leader. He (Jeff Munoz) was knowlegable, enthusiastic, and determined both to show us as much as he could of the country and its natural history and to impart his knowledge. Both the leader and the driver (Mario Jiminez Ortiz) were conscientious and accommodating. They arranged optional group visits to restaurants, which would not otherwise have happened, and always offered interesting trips during the free time when they should, presumably, have been off duty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read up about each place you are visiting and where there is time for optional excursions ask your group leader about alternatives. In Monteverde we enjoyed the activities we did (bridges walk, zipline experience, hummingbird viewing, forest walk) but personally wish I'd spent more time exploring the primary forest rather than ziplining or visiting secondary forest (Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve - short walk). Definitely do the boat trip on the Tarcoles River if you get the chance. Don't obsess about seeing a quetzal - there are so many other exciting creatures to see!

Suggestions

This was a great trip. The only slight disappointments were the quality of the hotel accommodation at Monteverde (Montana Monteverde) and the forest walk - after such a long bumpy journey up to Monteverde I was expecting to see primary forest not secondary. Otherwise the transport, accommodation and meals were good or better than good. We don't generally use travel companies but organise our own trips; however I would not hesitate to use Exodus again.

Most Inspirational Moment

- Boat trip in the back canals at Tortuguero.- Children at school.- Humming birds !!! How beautiful they are.- rainforest and cloud forests - very unique experience and the well chosen lodges made them very enjoyable. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was very knowledgable and had good contacts with other guides to help spotting animals.  The only comment I could make that he could have much better managed timing in the interest of the group (instead of his own interest) to make the most of the day.  Often days were splitn with short breaks that you could do nothing meaningful.  The driver was brilliant, he well looked after the bus and people safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- It's a wildlife tour, so don't expect much cultural experience.- Food is great but nothing authenticate; ask for plain grilled fish when on the coast to enjoy the real flavor of fresh seafood and don't let it spoiled with marinade and sauce. - Bring a water bottle - tap water is safe to drink !- Don't forget your fleece, it's freezing in the mountains in the night.  - You are going to rain/could forests, don't expect your cloths to dry:-) 

Suggestions

I would allow an extra day but certainly more time at the ocean.  If nothing else, you can just better plan departure times to allow more time at various destinations; this however may be down to the individual guide we had; I would suggest to look into this in the interest of the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Aerial walkways in the cloud forest - walking in the clouds!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcos is a great guy, larger than life, seemed to know just about everyone in the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

seeing the sloth have a scratch!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very professional and a excellent guide

Advice for Potential Travellers

GO! Costa Rica is an amazing country to visit if you are into the environmentl love animals and a wide range of habitats

Suggestions

an amazing experience I will remember for many years

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the otters hunting and feeding from out boat in the back canals at Tortuguero.  No mention of otters on the Trip Notes (in fact our guide said they were the first he'd seen).Seeing squirrel monkeys in Juan Antonio NP.Humming bird wonderland! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was very good.  On a trip were there were lots of options he managed (with a little difficulty) to keep tabs on the group.  He didn't over-regiment the group.  He also went beyond his remit to help me shop for my 40th wedding anniversary present for my wife!His one black mark was our final group meal (see below). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes carefully.  These are the best notes I can remember from Exodus.  They are very accurate in that there is a lot of travelling; the wet season in rain and cloud forests is wet. Don't say you weren't warned!

Suggestions

Last night group dinner. We were taken half way round San Jose and back when some of the group had very early flights next morning.  The restaurants (we walked out of the first one), were poor.On the last day we went to a restaurant 200m from the Villa Tournon hotel where we had lunch.  It would have been ideal for dinner; good atmosphere, menu and service.  Can't remember the name, but turn right out of V. Tournon, cross road, first left 50m down on right, attached to an open hotel.