Reviews

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

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320 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Martin Jacobs

Reviewed May 2023

Anyone who cares about the planet should put this on their list

I had heard that this was a good trip, and was looking forward to it a lot, but as a veteran of Exodus (this was my eleventh adventure with the company) this Costa Rica excursion managed to far exceed expectations. Costa Rica is an extraordinary and unique country that treasures its natural habitats (and abolished its own army in 1949) but you do need a good guide to unlock its treasures for you, and Jonny Villalobos was the key to making the last two weeks completely unforgettable. Jonny knows EVERYTHING… and is infinitely patient, and understands that a good guide needs to be like the proverbial swan… serene on the surface, while paddling away under the water to make sure everything runs like clockwork. The itinerary is impressive enough, but Jonny had most of the group willingly getting up at 6am every morning to go on his wonderful additional birding hikes… and I’m not even particularly interested in birds. I’m sure that I have learned more about wildlife in the last two weeks than in the entire 63 years that preceded it. Much of the fun of this trip is that most of you will be staring at dense foliage not seeing anything but leaves and vines, only for Jonny to isolate a branch half way up and reveal some perfectly camouflaged creature that you hadn’t even heard of five minutes before. I’ve never said ‘wow’ so many times in my whole life. And where the trip notes said something like ‘the day is yours to explore etc etc’ of course you can do that if you want to, but why would you when you’re going to get so much more by joining in with Jonny’s unique spin on every activity. Of course the real star is the country itself and the extraordinary diversity of landscapes and habitats, from hot and humid tropical rainforest, to chilly atmospheric cloud forests up in the mountains. From rivers whose banks teem with monkeys and birds and lizards to thrilling waterfalls, to an idyllic pacific beach where all that’s missing is a bounty bar or a bottle of Timotei shampoo. Seriously, everyone should give Costa Rica a go if only to appreciate how wonderful our world can be when we look after it, and to give you hope that it is possible to repair at least some of the damage we’ve done to our beautiful planet.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was full of inspirational moments, from watching a Potoo (which is like something out of Harry Potter) cuddling her chick, to an encounter with a playful troupe of wild squirrel monkeys, to a magical trip along the jungle creeks and canals of Tortuguero (a bit like Apocalypse Now but without the psychotic US Army Colonel), to stumbling across a two toed sloth who I swear was giving me the finger.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jonny Villalobos is a super talented guide who made every day an adventure and filled the whole group with enthusiasm for wildlife and his remarkable country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all weathers - although don't worry too much about rain (rain is what makes the country what it is) - and for early starts. To get the most from this trip you should be prepared to go with the rhythm of the country and the wildlife itself... so get up with the sun (the birds will wake you up anyway) and don't worry about conking out when it gets dark.

Suggestions

Move this holiday to the top of your list.

Jane Powell

Reviewed May 2023

Amazing trip, brilliant wildlife

A really excellent tour. I don’t think I can find fault with anything. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The locations visited were incredible and we saw an amazing amount of wildlife with the help of our guide. The accommodation was good and the transport between locations was very good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing in a "Hummingbird Garden" with hummingbirds zipping around me. Seeing crocodiles, sloths,toucans, coats, agouti, macaws.... Going on a night walk in the rainforest and finding many different kinds of frogs and snakes

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was absolutely excellent. He was very well organised, he'd a fantastic knowledge base and was clearly passionate about his country, its environment and its wildlife

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a really incredible trip, you should go if you possibly can

Sara Whiteside

Reviewed April 2023

Brilliant holiday

We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica. The group got on so well together and we had the best guide, Glenda. We were extremely fortunate with our weather too. Although was the dry season, we were warned that we could expect rain at any time, particularly on the Caribbean side. We only had (biblical) showers at La Fortuna, but after we had had our tours. The wildlife was fantastic – we were lucky enough to see several quetzals and sloths and the bird life was abundant. Most of the hotels used were good but the Holiday Inn in San Jose was a little sub standard. The food was poor and the service in the bar very slow. We thought the Monteverde lodge was too close to the road as we could hear traffic at night. The service was rather surly there too. The lodge at Manuel Antonio was also close to the road and our room (very small) was right next to it so we were woken at 5am by traffic. The restaurant was very expensive too – much better to go into the town.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed all of it but especially Tortuguero with the boat trips searching for bird and animal life. The lodge was special and had a wonderful pool. I also loved the lodges at Esquinas and Savegre as they were isolated and amongst the wildlife. I also loved swimming in the Pacific at Manual Antonio.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda was amazing. She’s the best guide I’ve come across in many years of travelling. She was so well organised; all the hotels were phoned in advance which made check in really smooth. She is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm with a huge passion for her country and its wildlife. She was honest and really easy to talk to. She has a wonderful sense of humour too - very important when you are together for two weeks. Our driver, Francisco, was also brilliant- an exceptional driver, calm, friendly and patient. He was great at spotting wildlife too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind. The few negatives are completely outweighed by the positives. There is so much to appreciate in Costa Rica. It is doing its best to preserve its wildlife and rainforests etc. The scenery is stunning and there is so much variety. Some of the journeys are long and there is some rough terrain but there is much to see (or you can catch up on sleep). Take a stout pair of walking shoes and raincoats. An umbrella is also useful. A towel is needed at the waterfall at La Fortuna. Vegetarians are well catered for. It can be expensive - drinks vary enormously in price and wine is rarely included in happy hours! Drinks and meal prices do add up and the optional excursions are pricy so need to be budgeted for.

Suggestions

Manuel Antonio is gorgeous but very busy on a Sunday. If it is less crowded on a weekday maybe the schedules could accommodate this. All in all, a wonderful, thoroughly memorable trip with a fantastic group (lots of laughs), a brilliant tour guide and driver and a beautiful country with fabulous wildlife.

Charlotte Anthony

Reviewed March 2023

Trip of a lifetime

We travelled mid February 2023 to Costa Rica. It was the trip of a lifetime and delivered everything I hoped for and more. Arriving at the airport we felt immediately that we were in great hands on meeting our guide David Vargas and driver Wilbur. The knowledge and expertise of our guide David Vargas made our trip a very interesting one. We learned so much about birds of which David is literally an expert as well as learning about Costa Rica. David also had fantastic people skills and helped our lovely group to quickly become friends and gave a 150% to ensuring we were all having a fabulous trip. Costa Rica was beautiful and inspiring. Nature is all around you and within the first two days I had seen more wildlife than I ever had in my life before. The trip gives does give you a packed schedule but this allows you to see and experience and all the diversity that this amazing country offers. It was our first ever group holiday and we absolutely loved the experience. Travelling with like minded nature lovers allowed for laughter but also learning. We are a middle aged couple who enjoyed the social side of this trip very much. The conversations and laughter at meal times and during exploring made our trip a memorable one.

Most Inspirational Moment

Travelling by boat through the natural beauty in Tortuguero was one of the moments that I will remember forever. It felt like we were in a David Attenborough documentary in a remote unspoiled place with amazing wildlife ever where we looked. The driver of our boat along with David our guide made sure we saw everything the water ways had to offer. I will go back for sure! The other inspirational moment was swimming in the pool as it went dark in Esquinas Lodge watching the bats fly around. The rainforest was beautiful and the whole experience staying there was magical. I went to Costa Rica to see a sloth and we saw more than I count. I also had so many encounters with monkeys my favourite animals all of which I found inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David Vargas was the best guide we could have had and anyone that gets to go on a trip with him is very lucky indeed. We all felt very privileged to have such a lovely and knowledgeable group leader and our trip was very special because of the care he took of our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect a busy schedule but do as many activities as you can or you will regret it. Clothes drying can be a challenge so take light clothing but also bring something warm for the higher ground. Take a waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots are essential.

Suggestions

This won’t be my last Exodus trip or my last visit to Costa Rica. Thank you for an incredible experience and helping me tick this adventure off my bucket list!

Andrew Cameron

Reviewed March 2023

Voyage of discovery

This was the first trip to Central America for my wife & me. The group size was only nine, so not too large which helped a lot when it came to looking through one mono scope at yet another new bird. The trip mainly involved birdwatching, though bathing in hot springs, a river & the Pacific ocean were features. The hotels were all to a good standard, however, the Suria hotel had a limited menu for all four main meals. Distances travelled were generally less than 5 hours, however, one day that was exceeded when a bridge partially collapsed. We visited tropical & rainforest as well as cloud forest & mountane (transitional) climates. Our amazing guide David, helped us to spot literally hundreds of birds & he was so knowledgeable & enthusiastic. He also ensured any problems were dealt with diligently & effectively. This was truly an incredible adventure & we can thoroughly recommend it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing an anteater cross the road on a wire with a baby on her back.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David Vargas was the best leader one could ever have hoped for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is the rain forest, ensure good waterproofs!

Suggestions

One should note, however, that the cost of eating out on days when meals were not included did push the price up somewhat, however, of course, you don't have to go along with wherever the rest of the group is going.

Anne French

Reviewed March 2023

Trip of a Lifetime

This was the most amazing experience, enhanced by the enthusiasm and knowledge of our tour guide, David Vargas. We pretty well covered all areas of Costa Rica seeing diverse environments and experiencing different climates. David is an ornithologist and did his utmost to inspire the group with his love of birds and his country. His extensive knowledge of the history of his country and of its flora and fauna enhanced the experience. He always went the extra mile to ensure our comfort and to consider the needs of the group. We would have no hesitation in recommending this trip to anyone who has an interest in the extraordinary amount of wildlife that is there for all to

Most Inspirational Moment

The time we spent in Tortuguero due to the attractiveness of the eco lodge and huge variety of wildlife. There were so many great experiences but another to stand out was the time spent in the south at Piedras Blancas Esquinas when we did a night walk in the rain forest with boots and torches - a first! And another beautiful eco lodge…

Thoughts on Group Leader

See general review. He was inspirational and much appreciated by the whole group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

People considering this holiday would be advised to bring stout footwear due to the challenge of uneven and muddy ground in the forests. We wished we had taken a travel kettle as there are only coffee makers in the rooms. Most hotels and lodges have hot showers but no hot water in the hand basins. Also no plugs, so take your own. Also adaptors of course.

Jay Gid

Reviewed March 2023

Discovering Costa Rica Trip

The holiday got off to a bad start with my first night at the Radisson Hotel. My room smelt extremely musty, there were large stains on the carpet, the curtain was hanging off the curtain rail and the dark brown furniture was very chipped. When I booked the trip, it was planned to stay at the Presidente which is in the heart of downtown San Jose. The Radisson is about 3/4 mile outside San Jose and walking outside after dark was not recommended. However, once away from San Jose, the holiday lived up to expectations, with spacious lodges in beautiful, peaceful settings (apart from the wildlife!). The flora and fauna was stunning and we had only one really wet day in Arenal. I was taken aback by the high cost of living and, where lunch and dinner were not provided, having both lunch and dinner at posh restaurants was both very expensive and, for me, unnecessary. A modest snack at lunch time would have sufficed. Setting up a group WhatsApp worked very well. Not only could we share photos, but also any last-minute changes in arrangements or the spot of a rare bird could be communicated to the group instantly. All sites had good Wi-Fi availability.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a sloth at close range. Waking up before first light and listening to the birds beginning to sing. Seeing a quetzal at close range. Using my newly purchased binoculars to spot tiny little birds in the forest. Filming hummingbirds using slo-mo on my phone

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, David Vargas, was absolutely brilliant. He is very charismatic but also a complete fanatic when it comes to birding. His instinct to spot sloths was amazing too. I love that we saw so many 2- and 3-toed sloths. Whenever the group had any down time, David always arranged an optional walk around the lodge gardens to view the wildlife there and also conducted sunrise walks for those interested to hunt out the birds. David also looked after the needs of the group, finding ATMs and post offices, recommending and booking excellent and quirky restaurants for our evening meals when required and organising a successful quetzal viewing trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you stay at the Radisson and get a truly awful room, please do ask Reception to change your room. Ask you group leader to set up a WhatsApp group so you can share photos etc

Sally Atkinson

Reviewed March 2023

Discover Cosra Rica

Brilliant trip, probably our best holiday yet. My husband is a keen birdwatcher, I am less interested but we both loved this trip. Our guide pointed out many birds, animals ,reptiles, insects and flora, he was amazing. We learned a lot about the natural history, biodiversity and conservation aspects of Costa Rica. We also heard about social and political history. Eric our guide was passionate about his country. Our driver Vincent was a careful and considerate driver and was happy to stop and reverse so that we could see birds or creatures we saw from the bus.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved seeing the sloths and monkeys, my husband saw over 170 new birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was friendly, knowledgeable, approachable, patient. His English was perfect. He made our holiday memorable. While on the trip we accidentally left our belongings in a hotel safe when we moved on to another hotel. Eric arranged with the hotel and colleague for us to get them back. He did this in a very discreet, efficient and kindly way. It was also our 50th wedding anniversary, he arranged and paid for a celebration cake and we had a wonderful evening with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the rain.

Nicky Allen

Reviewed March 2023

Fantastic Time

The trip was everything we were expecting and more. We have returned home with so many memories of both the group of people we met as well as the wonderful wildlife that Costa Rica has to share.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our stay at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge was truly memorable and such an experience being immersed in the rainforest. Wildlife and the sound of nature was around every corner. You can just sit on the veranda of your cabin and soak it all up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erick was such a knowledgeable leader. His ability to spot and identify birds hidden out of sight from mere mortals was incredible. His experience and input made the trip so special and without his guidance and insight, we would have missed so much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even though we went in the "less rainy" season, it still rained. At some locations, it was cold, especially in the evenings. As advised, we took a poncho to keep the rain off, but in fact you need something a little more robust and perhaps warmer! That said, other locations were steaming hot, so you need a bit of everything really! Also, even though this trip is classified as a level 1 (leisurely), don't be fooled into thinking this will all be on flat ground. Some trips were quite strenuous and when combined with high altitude, it did make for some challenging walks. But the wildlife made it all so worthwhile.

Suggestions

On our trip, the hotels listed in the notes were not always used. At one hotel in Manuel Antonio (not a listed hotel), whilst our room was fine, the general standard of the hotel was poor. The "owner" was quite abrupt and when we said we didn't want the breakfast on offer, he showed his frustration. Not being allowed to use the cool water dispensers to refill our water bottles was also indicative of his approach.

Lucy Wheatley

Reviewed March 2023

A delightful and easy, relaxed adventure in Costa Rica

I had not been on an Exodus trip before but have been on small group tours with JLA and G Adventures, probably 6-8 trips in total. Discover Costa Rica did what it says on the packet. There was no significant deviation from the trip as described at booking and on departure. We visited different habitats and ecosystems in different regions of Costa Rica with excellent guide plus superb driver. The accommodation was as I expected: adequate to good but nothing luxurious. Activities were well spaced and well explained. overall the trip was physically easier than I have experienced before, but as I am getting older I am not sorry about that! I particularly valued no ‘single night’ stops. All stays were 2 nights which is far more relaxing. The standard of service and food in all hotels was good. Access to coffee and tea was not good at every venue

Most Inspirational Moment

Being able to experience the country, flora and fauna with such a well informed and passionate guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo was excellent. His English was fluent. His knowledge of topics relevant to 'Discover Costa Rica' and of managing small tour groups were brilliant. He was professional and friendly and unfailingly pleasant and polite to all, including one couple who were always ready to complain and want different rooms etc. (There is always one!). My only criticism is that maybe he could have tried more to ensure that those of us who wanted to see the wild-life and take poor holiday photos had more opportunity to get the long lenses out of the way. Having said that I think they would just have been rude and made things unpleasant. He went the extra mile when I left my iPad in one hotel. I was successfully reunited with it before the end of the trip thanks to his actions. He was also excellent at managing the situation when some of our group tested positive for Covid. I would also like to comment on the superb driving skills of Jose who was our driver for most of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read about the sort of place you are going to and that it is a 'Group' trip. You are going to rural Cost Rica, not Eastbourne. You are staying 2 nights in each venue with several hours driving in-between venues. Rural roads in Costa Rica are hilly, windy and not always paved. If you are a long lens enthusiast please remember that everyone has paid the same for the same opportunities to view wild life and some people wan the opportunity to do that without long lenses always pushing to the front and staying there.

Suggestions

This is the only small group trip I have been on where I was the only solo traveller and everyone else was a 'couple' as opposed to some couples and some friends. I don't really think any of the others wanted to be in a 'group', although most of them were pleasant enough. I don't know if this is indicative of the people Exodus attracts, but it detracted from my otherwise wonderful holiday and is something I will be very wary of when booking future trips. I don't like the idea of 'solos' trips anymore than 'all couples except me' trips. other trips have also been more mixed age and nationality, which I enjoy - this lot were a bit like a Waitrose queue!

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