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

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26 Reviews

5 out of 5

Reviews

Adventures, Monkeys, Birds and Frogs

Travelling with young children for an adventure across central America may be considered as too much stress and anxiety for some or downright irresponsible by others. Our family holiday to Costa Rica could not be further from the truth. Travelling through the waterways of Tortuguero exploring extraordinary flora, spotting amazing spiders, astonishing birdlife and catching a glimpse of a caiman or crocodile the children could not have been more inspired. The excitement of being woken by a barking howler monkey troop, the fun had chasing off cheeky white-faced capuchin breakfast thieves or the thrill of the sight of smartly dressed anteaters, oddly shaped armadillos and raiding racoons before bedtime added to the magic. Adrenaline flowed through the entire family with grins as wide as the Panama canal white water rafting down the Sarapiqui river and zip-lining through the Monte Verde cloud forests. Night hikes opened a whole new world of weird nocturnal creepy crawlies, with strange headlight click beetles, striking venomous snakes, industrious leaf cutter ant colonies, poisonous dart frogs and glowing scorpion exoskeletons.
Banana crossing!
As we travelled through active volcanic landscapes, rested on idyllic beaches and explored tropical rainforest with new friends and families met on the trip the stories flowed, vocabulary grew and imaginations ran wild. Even the frequent pit stops for the obligatory small child toilet break were supplemented by encounters with giant iguanas, crocodile swamped river beds, cactus flower ice-cream, unspoilt natural views, delicious cakes and, of course, incredible coffee. Our energetic tour guide (Eddie) and reliable driver (Hernan) judged our group perfectly and were tuned in to exactly what we would appreciate when to make the most of our time in their country. At the end of adventure packed days and encounters with stunning wildlife the entire family cooled off in serene swimming pools or thermal hot spring bars and weary little heads slept comfortably dreaming of the next adventure.
It seems no other tropical country has made such concerted effort to protect its natural environment and as Costa Rica’s tourists account for the largest sector of their national economy we have unprecedented power to protect this amazing country’s natural beauty and remarkable wildlife – spend wisely, avoid business that threaten their future and enjoy this enchanting, magical adventure!

Most Inspirational Moment

The adults really enjoyed the wildlife, particularly Tortuguero National Park. The howler monkey wake-up call at 5am started an inspirational day of toucans, herons, snakes, frogs, crabs, caimen, crocodiles, spider monkey and then going to sleep to the sounds of the rainforest is something I will never forget. The children took all of this in their stride at the time but have since talked about nothing else with their teachers and classmates.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eddie was fabulous. He was so very well tuned in to what we needed, whether we knew it or not. He knew exactly when and where we would like to go. One particular decision sticks in my mind: After a hot and sticky day on the Manuel Antonio beach all the children needed was food and all the adults wanted was a beer and Eddie took us to a fabulous bar on the beach to watch the sunset, with a beer and the kids played on the beach - perfect decision and it was those types of things that made our holiday very special - Thanks Eddie!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of memory cards for all the photos, go with the flow so wake-up when nature calls and don't go to bed too early, enjoy rice and beans and definitely do the rafting, night hke and zip lining options - you will never forget this holiday!

Holiday of a lifetime

We had an absolutely wonderful holiday in Costa Rica with our 9 and 10 year old daughters. Stunning natural beauty, fascinating insights from our group leader, and exciting outdoor activities all contributed to our enjoyment.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was an inspirational moment almost every day...Exhilarating white water rafting through spectacular scenery; ridiculously brightly-coloured poison dart frogs; experts interpreting the night-time sounds and sights of the forest; pairs of scarlet macaws flying in front of the forest (viewed whilst floating in the Pacific); following columns of leafcutter ants to find their nest; boat trips through the rainforest to find ibis, herons and crocodiles; local food in lively restaurants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Edward was absolutely brilliant. You could not have a better guide. His knowledge, insights and gentle humour really enhanced our trip. He enjoyed sharing his love of nature - and all things Costa Rican - with us all. His organisation was flawless, and he always told us what to expect and what to bring. He was superb with the children, patiently helping them to identify bugs, birds and reptiles. On the last night my younger daughter left a treasured soft toy in a restaurant several miles from the hotel, but a few phone calls (and a half hour drive) later Edward had retrieved it for her. Hernan, our driver, was also superb. I felt safe at all times in the minibus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to your guide - you will learn a huge amount. Go on all the trips - every one was fascinating, and most were led by real experts (although avoid the zipwire trip if you are afraid of heights.) Take plenty of mosquito repellent. Check your flights carefully, and make sure the flight bookers have allowed enough time to change planes - two families had more exhausting than necessary journeys as a result of missing connections.

Family fun in Costa Rica

We had an amazing 2 weeks with a lovely balance of seeing such a range of nature – turtles, toucans, caimans, crocodiles, hummingbirds, monkeys, frogs, snakes just to start the list – and adventure experiences – white water rafting, cloud walking, ziplining, bathing in thermal springs. Our guide was knowledgeable, organised and had a great sense of humour.. he made sure that the itinerary suited the group’s needs. Would definitely recommend Costa Rica – ideal itinerary for teenagers and pre-teens..

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching turtles lay their eggs on the beach late at night.. very lucky, very magical.. White water rafting - just the right amount of exciting! Seeing coasts, volcanoes, cloud forest, rain forest - getting a good picture in just 2 weeks of all that Costa Rica has to offer..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really excellent.. We felt very lucky to have him on our tour. Edward is a really experienced leader who is passionate about conservation and knows lots about Costa Rica's flora and fauna, about the country's history and geography. He was really organised and made everything seem effortless and had a lovely sense of humour which really contributed to the group's enjoyment of the week. He wasn't too intrusive and also not too aloof, just right. Can't fault him on anything..

Advice for Potential Travellers

Light clothing with long sleeves/ trousers to cope with mosquitoes especially at rain forest locations. You only need dollars, no point taking local currency. Take a decent camera.. wildlife photography opportunities are endless. Save money on water by taking a water bottle.. All hotels let you fill them up from water coolers. Take up the optional activities - turtles, rafting and ziplining are definite highlights.

The Perfect Family Holiday

Excellent Family Trip, it did exceed expectations: outstanding nature and exciting adventure alternate and often combine together to make this holiday unforgettable. Caymans, sloths, toucans, crocodiles, rainbow and mangrove boas, capuchin monkeys, owler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, green iguanas, hummingbirds, blue and white herons, white ibis, blue-jeans poison dart frogs, brown pelicans, tanagers of all descriptions, scarlet macaws, snake-birds, huge rhinoceros beetles, silky anteaters, orb-weaver spiders, palm pit vipers, river turtles, green kingfishers, ctenosaurs, cat-eyed snakes, coatis, kinkajous, bats, blue crabs, all sorts of butterflies, lizards, stick-insects and raccoons are some of the animals we have seen in their own environments, which range from adventurous jungles to idillic beaches. The Sarapiqui River Rafting has been unanimously agreed to be the best of the action activities, but the zip-lining in Monteverde was not that far away! It is a perfect holiday for a family with young teens between 12 ad 15 years old.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the tour are The Tortoguero Canals, the Hanging Bridges in Monteverde, the rafting in the Sarapiqui river and the optional Mangrove Boat Tour in Manuel Antonio, while the Hot Spring in a fine Hotel in La Fortuna, the Coffee Tour and Manuel Antonio’s beautiful tropical beaches add to the variety of this holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Edward, was very friendly and professional, he flawlessly arranged all the extra activities. We all wisely followed his suggestions on the choice of restaurants, and I have to say that some of them were excellent. Also a mention for our driver, you could not get a better one than Campbell!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was surprised how few mosquitos we encountered, I believe the fact we chose to go to Costa Rica at the beginning of the dry season, which starts at the end of December, was an advantageous factor. So if you worry about mosquitos, choose a tour during the dry season. Use DEET or Incognito Insect repellent, wear long sleeves and long trousers and you will be fine. The sun is much more powerful than in the Mediterranean, therefore caution and moderation are needed on the tropical beaches of Manuel Antonio, not just suncream!

NATURAL MAGIC - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Costa Rica truly is a stunningly beautiful country populated by gentle and enlightened people and its extraordinary wildlife is usually just outside your hotel room door and sometimes inside as well!. This trip was a perfect mix of stunning scenery, jungles and beaches from your dreams, activities that the whole family loved and magical wildlife encounters. Oh yes – and the food was amazing too.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the privilige of watching an enormous green turtle laying her eggs, gently covering them with sand and then hauling herself back down to the sea was an experience that I will treasure for ever but I must admit that zip-lining over the forest canopy was also fantastic. The wildlife is everywhere, Howler monkeys on the roof of our room in Tortuguero, iguanas and capuchin monkeys on our roof at the Pacific Coast and swimming in the sea while Pelicans and scarlet macaws fly overhead, just incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vinnie was the perfect guide, impeccable English, always considerate, polite and helpful and with a passion for wildlife. He also had an amazing ability to find us a fantastic restaurant night after night to the extent that we re-named the trip, 'Vinnie's Gourmet Tour of Costa Rica'. Our driver, Hernan was also lovely, really looking out for us and great at spotting wildlife from the road.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Food is great. The trip is really well paced with at least 2 nights at each hotel/lodge, there is enough time to relax whilst still managing to see and do lots. Lovely to have no worries about Malaria or drinking the water!

COSTA RICA ADVENTURE

As an ex trolley dolly I would consider myself a seasoned traveller used to travelling independently.  Taking my 11 year old daughter on this trip of a lifetime gave me back my sense of adventure and has inspired her to globe trot.  I met an American on a rickety boat in Thailand 20 years ago – he told me to visit Costa Rica as it was beautiful – well he was wrong, it is the most beautiful and magical country I have ever visited!!!!!!!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Zip lining across the rainforest canopy ............ just as a thunderstorm was starting.  I have a rubbish head for heights but its just so exhilarating and fortunately kind Fiona distracted me by relaying her favourite recipes whilst my teeth were chattering waiting on the platform to take off.  My daughter of course found it a doddle.  I have to say that I also found the kids on the trip inspirational - they bonded and had a great time and when we visited a local school everyone joined in and had fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fab - knowledgeable, funny, helpful and so enthusiatic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect to be dinner, lunch and breakfast for the mosquitoes!  Long sleeves, long trousers, deadly sprays, natural remedies - nothing stands in the way of the mosquitoes in Tortugera but then the sight of the butterflies makes it all worthwhile..................