Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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331 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

david sibley

Reviewed May 2017

Discover Costa Rica

This was our first Exodus trip and it won’t be our last! It was a well paced holiday, moving on after two days in one place, but we managed to see a range of different environments in this amazing country. There was such a number and variety of animals and birds wherever we went! It must have one of the richest natural habitats in the world. The scenery was stunning too – from beautiful river systems to volcanoes and cloud forests and tropical rain forests. What an experience!

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pinpoint any single moment, but waking up to the sound of howler monkeys in the trees above our chalet on the first morning was something that will live with us for a long time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We chose this trip as the guide was a bird expert. Giullamo did not disappoint. He was professional throughout, making sure we all got the most out of the holiday. His knowledge of birds and animals was encyclopedic and he had an instinct for spotting the wildlife before any of us were aware of it. He took the trouble to explain about the different environments we visited and his pride in his country shone through. The research he had done before the trip paid dividends, down to booking good restaurants; in one case reserving seats to watch a sunset before we sat down to eat. We all agreed we could not have had a better guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went to Costa Rica in the "dry" season, but the rain forests lived up to their name on a couple of occassions. Our waterproof ponchos proved invaluable to cover ourselves & our backpacks until the rain eased off. Having a pair of binoculars each was a good thing too.

kenneth farge

Reviewed May 2017

Absolutely Brilliant trip

The title of this holiday is Discover Costa Rica, and that is exactly what it delivers. During the break, you get to experience the beauty and the wide diversity of the country from Mangroves on the Caribbean coast, to volcanic regions to rain forests, cloud forests and beach resorts on the Pacific coast.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the best part of the trip was Tortuguero on the north east, Caribbean coast. We stayed in La Laguna lodge which, although fairly rustic was nevertheless very comfortable and crammed with opportunities to see various forms of the beautiful wildlife to be found in Costa Rica from wading birds to sloths, to raptors, frogs and howler monkeys and many many more. Other areas such as Monte Verde cloud forest, and Esquinas Lodge were also extremely beautiful and interesting places.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Guillermo Arrieta who was absolutely outstanding. His knowledge of and passion for his country, it's wildlife, industry and beauty was palpable. His attention to detail to ensure that every member of our group got everything they wanted from this holiday was superb. I can honestly say that having experienced many other group leaders with other high quality travel companies, Guillermo is by far the best.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of memory cards for your camera (my wife and I took in excess of 10,000 pictures!), good quality waterproofs (it is a rain frost after all and it certainly doesn't disappoint!), good quality binoculars and stout but comfortable walking shoes.

Richard Knipe

Reviewed April 2017

Contrasting regions of Costa Rica

This was a really good and varied introduction to the country, taking in both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and a number of types of forest in between. We saw a wide variety of birdlife, flora and fauna and enjoyed the different types of accommodation, all of which were very good or excellent in different ways. The food was generally first class and served with a smile by friendly and helpful staff. The visits to a village school and a local cheesemaker on the final day were both interesting and enjoyable, in spite of our misgivings beforehand about this sort of activity when we saw it in the notes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Even though we aren't avid bird watchers, the sight of six scarlet macaws circling, playing and landing in the trees as we watched them from the roadside (spotted by our driver en route), and the early morning trip from the excellent hotel at Savegre during which we saw beautiful quetzals were two of the best moments of the trip. Seeing a crab-eating racoon crunching its way through a large dead crab outside our cabin at Tortuguero was also a highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Katia was an enthusiastic, informative and helpful guide. She was happy to tackle any topic thrown at her. She and the driver, Juan Jose, formed an excellent team and it was nice that they joined us for meals etc. She also organised and led, with Juan Jose when the bus was needed, a number of extra walks and trips over and above the activities contained in the trip notes. Nothing was too much trouble for her, to the extent that, after the tour was over and we stayed longer on our own in San Jose, she contacted us to tell us that our plans for a visit needed amendment because of a change in the timing of a local festival.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We couldn't understand why dollars are recommended. Everything is priced in colones, apart from the trips in Exodus' trip notes, and if you use dollars in shops and restaurants, you not only get your change in colones but you also tend to get a poor exchange rate. We had no trouble at all in using colones. We travelled with BA direct to San Jose, so had an extra day before and a couple afterwards on our own in the capital to fit in with flight times. It was good to have time to acclimatise before the trip proper started and to wind down and do some exploring at both ends of the trip. We felt we saw a bit more of Costan Rican life as a result than we otherwise would have. Our criticism of the trip would have been that you see very little of the towns and villages of the country. The Presidente Hotel in San Jose is excellently situated, well appointed and with a good breakfast and staff and there is a great little bar in the street just to the left of the hotel where you can unwind with a beer among the locals.

Alan Hunton

Reviewed April 2017

First Visit to Costa Rica

An excellent introduction to the wildlife around Costa Rica. The focus was on birds but there were plenty of flowers, mammals and invertebrates to add interest. A little more strenuous than suggested by the rating but the guide did give the option not to go on some of the walks. The country is safe and reasonably clean (water in hotels was all potable) and the accommodation was of a good standard throughout.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing rare birds in a tropical forest setting which is being safeguarded by the government of Costa Rica.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very helpful. Excellent personal skills and good knowledge of birds and mammals. Willing to offer a few extra walks at some locations

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to be reasonably fit. Although walks are not very long, the humidity and heat is potentially an issue for some travellers. Take US dollars with you and use as little of local currency as possible. When booking try to get a direct flight (Gatwick - San Jose) and if possible avoid transfers through USA. The transfers between locations were long (but very scenic) and many roads were not tarmac so may not suit anyone with back pain.

Anne Morden

Reviewed April 2017

Discover Costa Rica Tour was Wondeful

We chose this tour because it visits areas of Costa Rica that a lot of tours don’t reach. Having returned home and reflected on the experience we could not have made a better choice. Every lodge or hotel we stayed in was perfectly placed, comfortable and relaxing. Where food was included it was always good to excellent. The gardens surrounding all the accommodations were wonderful, with birds, mammals, frogs and reptiles as well as beautiful flowers providing fantastic photo opportunities.

Coming home with such a great feeling about the trip would not have been possible without the company of such a lovely group of people. All 14 of our fellow travellers were great company and got along without any problems. However, without a great tour guide, holidays can fail to achieve the magical tour that we had. Johnny Villalobos was tremendous and went out of his way make sure we saw everything we possibly could in the time available. I have said more about him below.

We loved every part of this tour and we are so glad that we chose this tour over all the others that were available.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing at least three quetzal birds when we knew the chances of seeing any might only be 50:50. I was not prepared for just how beautiful they are.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny Villalobos was probably the best tour leader I have experienced. His knowledge of wildlife and all elements of Costa Rican history was phenomenal; to top it off he arranged a 50th anniversary surprise for one of the couples which included a cake and presents which was an emotional moment for everyone. He went above and beyond the normal expectations for a tour guide and should be considered for tour guide of the year.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were able to pay for almost everything on credit cards, even tiny amounts. Using credit cards that charge no fees meant we could buy anything in the most effective way. The rest of the time $US were accepted everywhere. Sterling is not always accepted even just for converting to Colones. Be prepared for high humidity, especially at Esquinas Lodge. The humidity everywhere makes drying washing difficult despite the high temperatures.

Terence Hickingbotham

Reviewed March 2017

Incredible destination

We have just returned from the most amazing trip of our lives, Costa Rica is a stunning destination.
From start to finish our party was enthralled not only with new discovery’s at every turn but also by the knowledge & obvious love of nature shown throughout by our guide Johnny, he was amazing.
Costa Rica has so much to offer with every destination offering new & exiting discovery’s everyday.
The lodges are all top class with good food comfortable rooms surrounded by nature.
The rain forests visited are stunning with an incredible diversity in plant & tree life, add the wildlife & you are in heaven.
I would recommend this trip to anyone of any age or ability as all paths are manageable for anyone with reasonable mobility.
But it is the wildlife that makes this trip, be it birds, reptiles, mammals, they are all there in abundance.
You will need a poncho, you can guarantee rain & these slip on easily to keep you dry & protect your Camera & binoculars, raincoats are to cumbersome & the humidity will drain you

Costa Rica is a paradise waiting to be discovered for anyone that has a love of nature, enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

The 5.30 am call to see the Resplendent Quetzals, we were not disappointed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Johnny Villalobos, if you are lucky enough to get him you are in for a treat, he is amazing with his knowledge of everything & his obvious love of nature will keep you captivated throughout. He is by far the best guide we have ever had

Advice for Potential Travellers

Eating & drinking in Costa Rica is not cheap as taxes add a huge amount to the bill as we discovered eg, basic bill as shown on menu 24,050 colones(around 43 Dollars) at till 29,582 colones (around 54 Dollars)so beware.

Sarah Hampton

Reviewed March 2017

Discover Costa Rica WUC - fabulous trip!

Clearly a well thought out itinerary to explore the many different regions and ecosystems of Costa Rica. Timings worked very well but all you ever wished for was more time in each location but this would then make it a 3 week trip! No matter how much literature you read before the trip the diversity is amazing and just how much is packed into this small country is incredible; the wildlife, the insects, reptiles and plants exceed all expectations. Each location is so different you just never tire of what you will see next. We went on a bird watching departure, this suited both nature lovers and more serious ‘birders’ alike. I believe we saw and appreciated so much more due to this type of departure – would recommend it highly.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many! Tortuguero - was our favourite place. The waterway networks, beautiful gardens, the sea and the mix of wildlife on hand. Visiting the local village and understanding how they have changed their ways to conserve the turtle populations and see the value in tourism. The people are laid back, welcoming and friendly. Monteverde - the hummingbird garden. Standing and watching these wonderful birds at close quarters was magical. Hearing the wings beating as they flew past you, going off to the next flower or feeder was not what we expected as our previous encounters were very fleeting and short lived! Scarlet Macaws - on the way to Manuel Antonio. Our driver spotted a single bird perched in a tree. It wasnt the best view as the bird was deep in the branches, resting from the sun. However, as we pulled away to leave 2 pairs flew overhead and landed in a tree in clear view only a few meters away. To see these rare, endangered birds was a privilege and a pleasure. This was our only siting and makes you feel incredibly lucky. Manuel Antonio National Park - 8 month old three toed sloth in a tree approximately 7ft off the ground and only 15ft in to the the rainforest. Enough said! Esquinas Lodge - view from the restaurant nothing short of fantastic. Night walk here very good and full of potential as felt by the hairs on the back of my neck! Also the video detailing how the lodge and area came about as it is today, one person can make such a difference - this was very inspirational. Finally seeing quetzal birds at Savegre Valley. There was one female and then up to 4 males flying up and down a 50 metre stretch of trees trying to impress her. Was quite amazed how much they stood out against the green of the leaves. Very much worth an early start!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was the best! Extremely knowledgable, passionate and helpful. Clearly very proud of his country and gave us so much information on the bus journey's about the country's history and culture too. Jorge became a good friend to our group, we all said how emotional we felt when the time came to say goodbye! Zero complaints. Our driver, Chico, was excellent too and they made for a brilliant double act! He was also very friendly helpful and considerate. A very good driver.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travelling through Houston, USA on the group flight proved to be just as easy as anywhere else. Don't feel you need to take loads of camera batteries as can charge up at every lodge. All the rooms are well protected from mosquitos and we didn't feel the need for a mosquito net at anytime. Do take repellent with you though. Towels are always available including for use by pools or on beaches etc so no need to take any. There are several bendy and bumpy roads, l suffer travel sickness but was able to sit in the front of the bus, air-con good and had plenty of stops so didn't pose a problem for me. Found could pay with plastic in most areas surprisingly. Took mainly dollars which were easy to use but may have been easier with colons as a fair percentage of goods quoted in local currency. We had a rabies course of injections but were the only ones to in our group. Our doctor said the antidote is rare in the world in the present day and gives 5 days to get treatment instead of 24 hours. Doesn't hurt to have but cost just shy of £240 each person, not an absolute requirement though as Exodus do say.

Eric Pye

Reviewed March 2017

Discover Costa Rica

I really enjoyed the Costa Rica highlights trip which gave a great insight into the wealth of wildlife in the country. Our guide Guillermo was very knowledgeable but struck a good balance between enough but not too much information. The group was, as on previous Exodus trips, an interesting mix of people sharing a common interest. We covered a lot of distance but travelling was broken up well with viewing and refreshment stops.
Food was almost always very good and sufficient variety at buffet meals for the length of time we stayed at each place.
Eating out felt a bit expensive probably because of the recent decline in the value of sterling. Similarly it wasn’t easy to find souvenirs at good prices.
We expected the travel to be much more strenuous on unpaved roads but in truth it was rarely uncomfortable. San Jose, where we stayed for an extra night, doesn’t have a lot to offer but we were lucky to experience the main drag on a Sunday “family fun day”. Quite a few things are closed on Monday so it’s worth checking in advance. Many guide books advise extreme caution in San Jose but we felt as safe as any other city we’ve visited whilst keeping to the central area.
If anything was lacking it was perhaps the opportunity to meet with more local people and learn a bit more about daily life in Costa Rica but I think this would need a longer or different trip. The visits to a school and cheesemaking family were very interesting.
I will be recommending this trip to others.

Most Inspirational Moment

I've always wanted to see toucans in the wild so the occasions we did so are top of the list but there were lots of other things vying for a close second place. In particular I remember the periods of silence on a boat in Tortuagero national park as we awaited another sighting of birds or monkeys. The favourite place for many on our trip was Esquinas Lodge which has an inspirational history of development. Do go on one of the night walks. It's great fun whatever you end up seeing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very impressed, particularly with knowledge of flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a couple of cold nights.

Linda Towe

Reviewed February 2017

Explore Costa Rica WUC

This was an excellent trip full of variety and interest. The range of scenery was amazing and the pace of the trip just right with enough time to explore each diverse region.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting our exceptional tour leader and realising what a beautiful and varied country

Thoughts on Group Leader

Words cannot really do justice to how good he is and how lucky Exodus is to have him leading on their behalf. Jonny Villalobos had such a love for his country and it wildlife and culture and was able to pass this on to us in an entertaining, educational way which was pitched at just the right way. The trip ran like clockwork, with every element perfect and Jonny went out of his way to ensure this was the case. I cannot praise him enough and would not hesitate to nominate him for leader of the year - I have been on many trips and he was by far the best.