Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to answer. Seeing a quetzal in full breeding plumage must rank very high, but we also saw a boa constrictor up a tree and a sloth with a baby. Not to mention the huge variety of birds. And the flowers and trees with orchids and bromeliads growing on them, in the rain and cloud forest. Truly amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wonderful! Simply brilliant. Very concerned for the environment and with the fund of knowledge which we have come to expect from Exodus guides. What he didn't know is probably not worth knowing. A lovely man as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go! You will not regret it at all.

Most Inspirational Moment

The spectacular birds

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was friendly, efficient and extremely knowledgeable across all aspects of the country, but especially the brds

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a range of weather conditions, as much of the country is aptly named rain forest, The wildlife experience more than compensates though

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many. Spotting the quetzal and the suspension bridges at the Arenal Volcano are just two.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo was superb. He was so knowlegdable about everything. He was available 24 hours a day for us to contact if there was any problem. At 3.30am when the taxi organised by Camino Travel did not turn up to take us to the airport, Guillermo took us to the airport in his own car.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not hesitate to take this tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

I had hopes of seeing Toucans, Macaws and Quetzals, we saw them all, but our best moments were watching the hummingbirds buzz around the feeders and even have them perch on our hands whilst they fed - truly amazing little creatures and fun to photograph.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andreas was just excellent, like having a fully fledged naturalist on the trip with us, he knew everything about everything. The trip was well organised and we got all the right advice along the way. A big thank you to John the bus driver too, who did an amazing job of getting our bus up and down the hairpin bends and through some tight gaps.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make the most of any free time by wandering around the grounds of the lodges, I saw so much more by slowly looking around and investigating rustling sounds or bird calls. Be prepared for very hot and humid weather on the Pacific side and keep drinking lots of water. Ear plugs might help at night as the constant chirping of crickets and frogs can be quite loud and some lodges don't have glass in the windows, just mesh, so it's like you're outside.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a pair of resplendent quetzal at dawn in the Savegre Valley.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent. Very knoledgeable & enthusiasic about birds & Costa Rica. Very well organised & friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I really recommend this trip, with the specialist bird watching guide, to anyone interested in the wildlife of Costa Rica & especially birds. .

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved swimming in the pacific and diving in the waves. The stunning sunset, the eco friendliness of the country. Animals, birds, flora and fauna superb, not forgetting the zip wire and hanging bridges in MonteVerde and the sunset over the pacific.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was inspirational, very knowledgeable, excellent guide

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you don't like long coach journeys and only spending 2 nights in each lodge then this may not be for you

Most Inspirational Moment

Costa Rica accounts for only 0.03 percent of the earth's surface. However it contains nearly 6 percent of the world's biodiversity. It was amazing to see how environmentally friendly Costa Rica is, a country that uses 99.2% renewable energy. Replanting of forests, following clearing of the forests to plant Palm Oil. Everyone we met respected their countries efforts to improve and remain as organic as far as possible. Also to see that there is no army, so the money saved is used to help everyone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide throughout the trip was Guillermo Arrieta. Probably the best guide we have ever encountered on any holiday. A natural born Costa Rican, a trained Biologist, studying in the USA. He was proud of his country and knew and shared all aspects, from history, education, economy, geographical, biodiversity, animals, insects and the most amazing knowledge of birds. at the end of each day Guillermo would review what we had seen, reminded us via his I-Pad, of the bird and their song. We saw in excess of 200 birds in our 2 weeks, considering 2 days were continuous rain, when the birds were difficult to spot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always take plenty of insect repellant, good binoculars, camera, wet wear over trousers and look at your surroundings, don't be a slave to your camera.

Most Inspirational Moment

The group of fifteen people from a variety of backgrounds helped make this a memorable trip and the support I received at the end following an accident was remarkable and reassuring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carla was an excellent guide with lots of experience. She dealt with the group fairly and was most informative. Her local knowledge was much appreciated and her enthusiasm for her country was outstanding.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many moments inspired me- the film at The Equinas Forest Lodge showing how one person(an Austrian musician) can have a massive effect in preserving and conserving our natural resources; a hummingbird sitting on my hand to access a feeder; the first sight of the Pacific ocean at Manuel Antonio- paradise; a mother sloth with a baby, a caiman by the side of the canal in Tortuguera; quetzal spotting at 5.30 in the morning! I could go on and on and on.....![Oh yes- mustn't forget zip wiring in Monteverde!] Overall, I was impressed and inspired by the real commitment to conservation of all the Costa Ricans we encountered.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carla is an excellent leader. She is very clear in her explanations, also in summarising what we have done and seen. She is very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, geography and history of her country and is very proud of it. Her care for us was even-handed and she was particularly safety conscious while still enabling us to have adventures. When one of our group fell and broke her ankle in an inaccessible place(for vehicles) she was very calm, reassuring and quickly organised the rescue party. I have the utmost respect and affection for her- a great ambassador for her country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take decent wet weather gear- it's a tropical country! I would have valued a pair of flip flops for paddling on flooded paths. You don't really need any posh clothes! Take plenty of insect stuff- I wore mossie bands on my wrists, and found that a deodorant type roller dispensing insect deterrent the best. (to my knowledge no-one got badly bitten). Be prepared to accommodate all the idiosyncrasies of your fellow travellers- as they will yours! By the end of the holiday we were a cohesive, well bonded group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Costa Ricans carrying out the ideals of their stated position visit-a-vis a sustainable, eco destination.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We cannot praise our tour leader highly enough. His knowledge of all aspects of his country's history, politics, flora and fauna were second to none. His English was impeccable and he could impart his knowledge interestingly without being patronising at all. It seemed we all were receiving his personal attention.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be truly amazed!