Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

We were on a boat outside Tortuguera when we spotted an anhinga (a relative of the cormorant) with something trapped in its beak. Primo our boatman pulled in amd managed to capture the bird and members of the group cut free a scouring pad that had become entangled in its beak. Without that action it would have drowned trying to fish or died of starvation. This action embodied the concern for the environment that we saw in many places. Later on a catamaran in the Pacific we saw a pair of mating sea turtles (poor things, all that ocean and they had spectators....)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was an excellent group leader - tireless, cheerful and always informative and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As well as the expected heat and humidity, be prepared to be cold(!) in the high cloudforest, and always be ready for rain! 

Most Inspirational Moment

1. Seing a nestful of turtle hatchlings scampering off to the Atlantic Ocean at Tortuguero2. Seeing toucans close up3. The various boat trips.. Tortuguero, Manuel Antionio4. Seeing colourful birds close up 5. The wonderful red-eyed frogs6. All the other animal life where we could see, and photogragh, them 

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent in every way

Most Inspirational Moment

Such was the sheer variety of "moments" that it is well nigh impossible to isolate one of them as being the "most inspirational". To have beautiful hummingbirds in virtually every location tends to leave one feeling somewhat blase about these gorgeous creatures. Scarlet macaws flying and screeching over a boat during a trip to see crocodiles and river birds was wonderful. The night trip to see large numbers of frogs and snakes was stunning. Just living in a remote lodge in the midst of the rainforest, with all of the sounds of the creatures being a huge feature, especially at nights, was terrific. "Most inspirational"? I took over 2000 photographs, so it may take some time to work that one out. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was absolutely great. His knowledge of the wildlife was encyclopedic, his ability to track it down was mesmerising to watch, and his tripod-mounted telescope was stunning. He clearly loved his country, and was determined to show every aspect of it that he could trace in as best a light as possible. "Super Mario", our driver, was always bang on time, and shuttled us around quickly and safely. They were a great pairing. Another huge advantage was the rest of the party, including Exodus's own very genial and impressively laid back Karol. They were an absolutely lovely group of people to be travelling with, and this added immeasurably to the quality of the whole experience. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't overlook the advice about taking a waterproof jacket, walking boots, and fairly heavy duty sandals. One or two of the walks/climbs are a little bit demanding, so be prepared to be pushed, just a bit, on occasions. The insect problem is not as bad as some would have you believe, but insect protection is advised.Costa Rica is not a country to visit for its towns, architecture, etc. For most travellers, it is a fabulous location for nature and wildlife, and travellers interested in nature and wildlife are those who would get most out of this trip. Prices, generally, are consistent with what we pay in the UK, so don't think that eating out, buying drinks, paying for trips, etc, are cheap options.The local currency can only be bought in Costa Rica. A large currency counter, with about eight tellers, is located at the baggage reclaim in San Jose. I brought low denomination American dollar bills, and they were universally accepted (indeed, at times, expected) everywhere I went. Change is usually given in local currency, although most prices (outside of supermarkets) were in round dollars. ATMs are becoming more widespread, but clearly are not an option in remote parts of the country.A tax of 28 US dollars (not 26) is required when you leave the country. You can pay part of it with any local currency you have left over, and the rest in dollars.  Bring the best binoculars, camera and lens (400mm minimum) you can get hold of. You'll need them.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights were Tortuguero, with the abundance of wildlife and having an opportunity to look for green turtles and hatchlings on the beach;  Monteverde with its wonderful postion in the cloud forest;  Spotting sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park; and finally seeing the famous quetzal in Savegre.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was the perfect guide and if we go back someday we will be hoping to have Jose again.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went in October and although we were lucky with the weather (less rain than expected), we still used our walking boots on a couple of occasions, though some people did manage with trainers. Certainly the holiday for photographers and those wanting to get some great wildlife pictures. Take the binoculars as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to narrow down one moment as there are so many. 1 - Seeing a female green Turtle laying her eggs and then going back to the sea. 2 - Seeing a baby turtle. 3 - Seeing the Resplendent Quetzal. 4 - Having a Howler Monkey try and make friends on a suspension bridge. That is just to name a few. I have bought so many memories back from this holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was brilliant. His knowledge of Birds and animals was amazing, I saw so much more on this trip than the first time I came.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book the holiday, it was amazing and I would not want anyone missing this trip. It is one of the best holidays I have been on. One issue is the travel times, I would advise anyone to go a daily early. We missed the connecting flight in Madrid and had to fly to Panama and then onto San Jose. We then had to sit around to wait for our luggage for two hours as it did not make the same flight as us. So instead of getting to the hotel by 4pm we got there at 11pm, so was pretty tired for the next day's early start.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our two nights in Tortuguero on the north Caribbean coast were wonderful.  The boat trips, the cabins, the food, the beach and the turtles ... just perfect.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was an absolute mine of information, always keen to provide us with the best experience possible of his country. Tricky questions were answered honestly, his manner open and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the rain - there can be lots of it! A good waterproof poncho or jacket is a must, consider a decent umbrella and walking shoes. Sandals during the wet season are not suitable in every situation, boots can be a bit much.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to highlight one in particular as there were so many, but perhaps the two that stand out the most are Tortugeuro beacuse of its natural beauty, peace and tranquility as well as the abundant wildlife and the cloud  forest at Savegre looking for the elusive Quetzal among other things.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo our guide was excellent.  He spoke very good English and had an in depth knowledge of the very   different areas that we visited.  He was also a very good spotter of wild life and had a broad knlwledge of plants, birds and animals.  Orlando our driver was also excellent, spotting our first Sloth up a tree on the roadside,  truly incredible as we all got out of our minbus and spent quite a few moments before we could identify where it was.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a small collapsible umbrella for the rains and be prepared for your clothing to feel almost constantly damp during 'the green season' due to the high hunidity.  Other than that, don't spend too long thinking about it, book    it and go!  What an experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the turtles egg laying at Tortuguero and then seeing hatchings make their way into the sea. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio is a great leader.  We wouldn't have seen half as much without his expert knowledge and great eye sight - I still don't know how he spotted an anteater half way up a tree whilst travelling on the Pan American highway!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Highly recommend holiday - travel light and enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the 3 toed sloth trying to negotiate it's way onto the tree hanging from a telephone wire, with a black and white owl sat next to it. The leader showing us a anteater asleep in the tree, using his telescope which shows every minute detail. Amazing! The hummingbirds are fairytale like and wonderful to watch hovering midair.Watching the monkeys swinging through the trees, howling (Howler monkeys) and interacting. They are great entertainment and we were very lucky as we saw all 4 different types of monkey native to Costa Rica.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio was absolutely fantastic. His level of expertise, professionalism, emotional intelligence makes him top of his game (He has been leading tours for 12 years so he knows what he's talking about). He carried a telescope (which is really heavy) so we could get a better view of the wildlife and was keen to offer additional walks to spot as many birds as possible. His enthusiasm is infectious, I found myself twitching which is a new concept for me.For me a leader can make or break a tour. He made it a fantastic experience for everyone and we wouldn't have seen half of what we saw if it wasn't for him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take something waterproof to protect your bags because when it rains, the heavens open..I think it's a good idea to take walking boots/trainers with closed toes with good grip as there will be some treks on potentially slippery terrain. Book early to avoid disappointment as this is a trip of a lifetime.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - just to pick a few: Tortuguero - the river trips, the lodge and seeing the turtles nesting and hatchlings heading for the sea.Seeing the woolly opossum on our first night walk and the sloth trying to navigate the cables outside El Avion restaurant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio was fantastic.  Not only was he a thoroughly nice person and unobtrusively well organised but he obviously loved the wildlife and his job which shone through.  His knowledge of the wildlife and spotting ability were superb.  He freely gave of his time running extra spotting opportunities and providing us with hand written lists of everything we had seen after we left each lodge.  Gio had excellent English, a quiet sense of humour and gave us just the right amount of extra general information about his country as we were driving along. Gio was ably supported by our driver Gerardo who was a lot of fun and also helped to make sure we didn't have a wasted day by taking us out when Gio was taken ill.Both were unfailingly helpful above and beyond the call of duty and worked hard to make sure we all had great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For many walks sandals were fine and they were good for travelling and round the lodges.  On occasion you will need shoes with 'closed toes' as Gio put it - for safety reasons. For those take whatever footwear you would use for a muddy, occasionally steep, walk at home.  For me that was walking boots and poles on occasion but younger and/or fitter folk were fine in lighter walking shoes/trainers as long as they had a good grip.  Insect repellent was useful on occasion but insects were not as much of a problem as I had expected so I wore short sleeved light clothes and shorts much more than long sleeved ones.  It is difficult to get washing dry because of the humidity and in some of the lodges laundry is cheap ($3 for 1 kg) so it is worth considering.Take a towel for the waterfall walk if you want to swim.  The steep walk down and up is all steps.While the recommended bird book in the trip notes was useful if birds are your main interest - for more general wildlife you might find 'Wildlife of Costa Rica - a Field Guide' by Fiona Reid more useful.  It covers the most common birds as well as mammals, reptiles, amphibians and some insects.  You can get it on Amazon or in CR.