5 independent reviews for Costa Rica wildlife tour
Reviews for Costa Rica wildlife tour
Maggie Sherlock review 13 Jan 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The wildlife - birds, animals and beautiful scenery.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for lots of early starts and, depending on your itinerary, lots of travel between locations. Take warm gear for the mountains and wickable, light clothing and rain gear for the hotter climes, insect repellent spray and sun screen. Take some sustainable travel wash to wash your clothes.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so. Most of the places we visited were clearly concerned about the sustainability of their businesses and it's impact on the environment. We were concerned about the amount of diesel used in the boats used to transport tourists and worry about the pollution that this might cause.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Loved it. Simon and his team at Beyond Tourism ensured that all the arrangements went smoothly, every pick up was on time and were comfortable. Our hotels were great, one or two were wonderful.Evin Dilber review 19 Jan 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Riding to waterfalls by crossing rivers and going through forests. Canoeing early morning in the river with an expert guide and spot the wildlife2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This is a trip for nature lovers but you do not need to be an avid birdwatcher to enjoy the variety of birds. There are plenty of other animals and insects to observe and yes hungry looking crocodiles too! Make sure you have insect repellent and a cream for the bites (or buy the local magic cream, plenty of pharmacies).3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There was a lot of effort to avoid plastic bottles (not allowed in nature reserves anyway) with plenty of refilling stations in hotels and national parks for reusable bottles. Conservation work for both animals and plants/trees is on going and you can get a lot of information from the knowledgeable guides4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A great place to visit with incredibly kind and helpful locals.Jennifer Grimelli review 15 Jun 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We loved silently gliding through the channels of Tortuguero Park watching monkeys play overhead.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Most of these hotels do not have AC. Especially in the rainy season, be prepared to feel like you are in a sauna most of the time.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good!Kalman Winston review 22 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The wildlife, especially in Osa peninsula2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Avoid San Jose.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Possibly4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentMike Adams review 8 Nov 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Can't pick any one, there were too many. Cable car across a forest valley? Wild toucans and Macaws? Being buzzed by humming birds? Exotic fruit and food? Poison dart frogs? Pre Colombian Gold & Jade Museums? The list goes on.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It was a tailor made vacation so parts could be adjusted to suit the needs of other people. Trails can be difficult and strenuous so you need to be prepared for this and have suitable clothing and footwear. We underestimated the heat and humidity so cool, well ventilated clothing is a must. We also needed to wade through calf deep water, so take footwear that can cope with this. The boat transfer to and from Drakes Bay has the potential to soak your luggage so ensure you have enough waterproof bags to protect the things you want to keep dry, bin liners would suffice. Ignore the advice to take toilet paper, or at least check your particular destinations.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we visited a number of reserves run by local communities so our spend provided them with the means to sustain these.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Ok, two previous vacations booked through Responsible Travel have set a VERY high bar and raised our expectations, but we were not disappointed. We want to feel that our trips are more of an expedition than vacation, we want to get off the beaten track and to be guided by knowledgeable people who can teach us about the environment we are walking through. We also like to experience the local culture and eat local food. We got all of this and more. I cant give you 5 stars because that would be unfair to the people who organised the other two trips, but it was on a par with these. I am recommending you to adventurous colleagues.Holiday Reviews
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