Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama

Customer Reviews

• 

  Steve

  · February 21st, 2018
  Excellent guides and mechanism. Well planned tour. Nice combination of biking and experiencing the areas travelled.
  Trip date: January 2018
• A

  Elaine Smith

  · April 2nd, 2012
  This is the perfect holiday for somebody who loves to be on the go all the time, likes the idea of whizzing through 3 beautiful and interesting countries on a bike, and doesn't mind a bit of time spent on a minibus, but likes to fit in lots of other things too - birds, animals, history, scenery, rain forests, seas, boats, volcanoes and endless cocktails! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Difficult question - was it the vulture migration - amazing; was it finishing a 45-mile hilly cycle ride in the windiest conditions possibly ever known to a cyclist; or was it standing at the bar at the Hot Springs looking in wonder at the sight of 10 Pina Coladas lined up in a row!!!   (Not all mine I'd add!) Have to say the River Raft Trip was also brilliant, as was the long, fast, downhill ride in Panama around Day 12 or 13 with such spectacular views, and spending 2-weeks trying to spot Toucans was great fun!What did you think of your group leader?Rob was excellent - organised, knowledgable, professional and got us where we needed to be at exactly the right times.  Made the need for 'thinking' a very limited requirement for 2 weeks, as he very efficiently seemed to do all my thinking for me!!! Perfect if you want to give your personal decision making skills a good rest, go with the flow and have fun!!! Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The trip is rated moderate/challenging - which is probably about right.   We had 3 days of particularly windy weather - windier than any normal person would choose to cycle in at home - so it was a bit of a challenge for most of our group!!   I'm a 50 year old female, fairly fit and active - did 2 RPM classes a week through the winter prior to the trip in March - getting out in the winter in the UK and going for some longish hilly road rides would have probably been a sensible pre-holiday plan!!     Also taking time to really sort out your own saddle if you have a preference, your gel cover and good cycling shorts before you go might be a good idea!!!   Is there anything else you would like to add?A brilliant trip, brimming with memorable experiences.  
  Show more
  Trip date: April 2012
• A

  Richard Sander

  · January 23rd, 2012
  A varied, enjoyable trip with something for everyone. Cycling generally to the mderate end of the scale, but with some more significant climbs to add a suitable level of challenge. Be prepared for some extended transfer spells on the minibus.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Sitting in the volcanic hot pools drinking cocktails.....  And of course some of the cycling....!!What did you think of your group leader?Rob was great.  Always aware of the needs of the group and always approachable.  The trip passed flawlessly.  The local guides provided sound support throughout.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be prepared for some moisture if your trip is anything like our second week.  It might be worth having an extra set of gear over what you might expect.Is there anything else you would like to add?A very varied trip, with a good range of activities to supplement the cycling.  Good accommodation and some great spots for evening recreation.  Great scenery.  A bit short on local culture for my liking.  If you're after a full on cycling trip, this isn't it.  But a well rounded holiday that I thoroughly enjoyed.
  Show more
  Trip date: January 2012
• A

  John Kennedy

  · January 19th, 2012
  Fantastic memorable trip and experience cycling across three Central American countries. Highly recommended. Be sure to put in some hill preparation work before you go its not a flat area :-) What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Oooh tough one to limit to one moment.  As a student of geology the variety of volcanic scenary in the trip was fantastic. From choking gasses and parakeets as we peered into the masaya crater to panoramic calderas and a littering of volcanoes throughout the trip. Hot springs in Fortuna with compulsory Pina Colada's :-)The wonderous day off exploring Isla Colon, red frog beach, dolphins around bocas del toro.Clocking 48 Mph on a crazy 12 mile downhill ride from cool cloudforest to blistering hot plains in Panama.What did you think of your group leader?Rob was fantastic most memorable guide on a holiday for a long time.  For example I was the one unlucky sod that had my luggage not arrive (thanks AA!), the problem was taken out of my hands straight away and everything organised to ensure my holiday enjoyment continued while behind the scenes my luggage caught up with me.  Or the words of encouragement during the tougher days. Or the knowlege that our guide was a ex-paramedic.  We simply couldn't have been in better hands.I'd run out of space if i had to list the superlatives describing the support team who looked after us for the two weeks. All the team were great.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Get hill fit beforehand ! There are few days without some sort of hilly challenge. The fitter you are beforehand the more you'll enjoy the holiday.  Pack a couple of days essentials in your travelling companions luggage, it will save your life if american airlines mislay your luggage.When eating out, don't expect to get your starter before your main course. Things can get a bit chaotic at group meals.The trip was pretty intense with little or no off time or dual night stays in same location until Bocas Del Toro. So expect to be repacking your bags and moving EVERY day! plan ahead.... a full to the lid suitcase is hard to repack  ! Laundry service in la Fortuna (mid trip) is great you can plan on it while packing If you are curious about stuff ask rob! the trip doesn't have much in the way of formal visitors centres or local history you are on the go. Just ask rob he's pretty knowledgable or will find out ;-)    Play with Alfonso's bike bell ! (alf on our trip gave it to him after he kept ringing it)Is there anything else you would like to add?Exodus trip notes were out of date compared to the detailed day by day notes Rob supplies when you arrive. Bikes were good quality mountain bikes with trip computers, adjustable front shocks and disc brakes.Support team has a great mechanic and serviced the bikes a few times during the trip. The trip was pretty intense with little or no down time, might benefit from a slighty slower pace in the first half. 
  Show more
  Trip date: January 2012
• A

  Anthony Robinson

  · January 5th, 2012
  A truly great holiday - the biking built up at just the right pace, some really amazing sights, the people along the way were lovely and the accomodation very good. I can't recommend this trip enough.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The hot springs were amazing - the live volcano was something I've never seen before (nor again).  overall, the wildlife was such an unexpected delight, cycling being almost silent mean't we'd past the frequent spectacular sights rarely even startling anything.What did you think of your group leader?Kevin was absolutely excellent - I would not hesitiate to recommend him and hope to travel with him again.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?On a very practical level I started to take a change of clothes onto the bus for the early afternoon drive onto the sights rather than sitting in slightly damp cycling gear.Is there anything else you would like to add?Thanks to Kevin and the team for such a great event - sorry for the delay in posting this, we're looking at another tour with Exodus.And finally to Kevin - would you believe the brochuure?
  Show more
  Trip date: January 2012
• A

  Claire Davis

  · December 27th, 2011
  Quite possibly one of the best trips I've ever been on! Due to a combination of a fantastic group, amazing guides, superb scenery, beautiful, friendly people en route and a feeling of really pushing myself!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?First and foremost being able to complete far more of the trip than I thought possible! Let me be the source of reassurance to those of you who don't know if your fitness level is up to scratch... I do no exercise. In fact I positively loathe exercise but my friend and I booked this trip on purpose to make us attempt to get fit. Even though we booked 10 months in advance I then got myself a job in Costa Rica and so only actually got to start "training" for the 5 weeks before the trip. I never got more than 10 miles in any of my practise rides. Yet I still completed 207 and fo the 350 miles, even though I was last almost every day and by some way, and could have completed more had it not been for the rum and cokes of an evening and the fact that sitting on the party bus chatting to Luis was so much fun!Yes this is a cycling holiday but for me the emphasis was on "holiday" so why was I going to kill myself? If you're more of a serious rider you may feel you want more miles per day. In fact some days have optional extra rides for that reason but for me this trip had the perfect combination of cycling and time off.Other than that...well Granada in Nicaragua is stunning, sunsets on Ometepe island unrivalled, playing cards for 5 hours at the Nicaragua-Costa Rica border without anyone getting fed up, the thermal springs at Arenal volcano, dancing the nights away in Cahuita and Bocas, having children along the road waving and shouting hi, the dodgy border crossing into Panama, abundant wildlife and, surprisingly, the Panama Canal that turned out to be fascinating!What did you think of your group leader?Rob was a fantastic leader. He seems so laid back yet everything was so well organised and even when things out of his control went wrong (like a 5 hour border crossing from Nicaragua to Costa Rica), he didn't flinch and his calm nature kept everyone else calm. This is Latin America after all and Rob certianly goes with the flow and it rubs off!He was fantastic when 3 of us missed our connection at Houston and then didn't get our luggage until Day 4. He and the group rallied around to lend us clothes, shoes, helmets, saddles, toiletries etc which took all the stress out of it. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Other group members who have done several Exodus holidays said he was by far the best guide they'd had on any other trip.His fellow guides were just fantastic too. Luis the driver kept the party bus going and makes a great dance partner. Always willing to stop more frequently along route if you need a break from cycling and always willing to beep you as he passes to encourage you to keep going. Quite how he keeps his eyes on the road yet spots wildlife left, right and centre, stopping the bus for photo opportunities is beyond me.Paul and Alfonso I spent most time with being as I came in last almost every day. They literally pushed me up some of the hills but were also extremely encouraging when I wanted to push myself. They were incredibly fit and made sure everyone was looked after but always returned to the back to make sure we made it. I think they probably completed each stage twice. Also great dance partners and always up for a party. Fortunately I speak Spanish and so spent a lot of time with them but their English is very limited although Alfonso can speak more than he lets on, so either go all out on the sign language or learn some key phrases before you come out. "Get me on that bus", "Are we nearly there yet" and "time for a beer" are useful starters for 10.On a serious note all 4 of them are a true credit to their company and deserve all the good feedback they've got.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?- Don't worry about your fitness level! You can always get on the bus, the boys will always help you along and wait for you, and no one will be annoyed you're slower. In fact on several ocassions by the time I'd got to the rest point the quicker ones had been there half an hour and already left. If you're too far behind they'll gently suggest you get on the bus but even I didn't need to do that. I knew my limits!- Take more money than you think you'll need but all in dollars is fine. I found the meals to be much more expensive than I know food can be bought for in Central America. The first clue is in the price of the holiday I guess but for me this was way out of my budget and my only suggestion would be that Rob recommends some eating places that cater for all budgets. Fortunately not all lunches and dinners were taken as a group and I was able to get us to cheaper, more authentic places. We got on so well as a group that even on non-group meal days we still all stuck together!- Padded cycling shorts!! Having borrowed them when I had no luggage for 4 days I didn't give them back - a godsend!- An iPod as you can put your music on in the bus for the longer transfers. As much as we loved the salsa, merengue and tropical beats the boys put on, there are just some days you need the whole bus singing along to 80s power ballads...- Some kind of day sack or cycling top with pockets. I missed out on many photo opportunities on route due to not being able to carry my camera on the bike with me. Make sure there's a waterproof cover for it though. A ziplock bag works well.- A Spanish phrasebook if you don't speak it. I can't stress enough how many doors a few words of Spanish opens and how much it will enrich your experience- Spare underwear, a change of clothes and some smaller than 100ml toiletries in case your luggage gets lost!- Patience and a good sense of humour.... manana manana is not just a saying, it's a way of life and not everything goes to plan but it doesn't need to stress you out if you don't expect everything to go to plan.Is there anything else you would like to add?In the words of Nike - JUST DO IT!You will regret it if you don't. Even cycling in torrential tropical rain, downhill, not being able to see a thing, drenched to the bones is an experience everyone should have. This isn't just about cycling and pushing yourself but about seeing an area of the world that is spectacular in terms of scenery, culture, friendliness of people, flora, fauna and just having a darn good time. You'll make great friends and I defy anyone not to fall in love with the area. I'm flying back in 2 weeks' time... not to get on a bike I hasten to add... but I would definitely do this trip again! :)
  Show more
  Trip date: December 2011
• A

  Katrina Keverne

  · October 28th, 2011
  I had absolutely the best time!!! I'm still buzzing from this holiday and smile everytime I think of it. I don't really class myself a cyclist (everyone I met at the airport massively played down their expert cycling ability!), but I am generally fit and cycle from time to time so was fine. Despite being near the back on most of the hilly journeys, this was no issue and our leader encouraged us not to rush or race, and to enjoy the holiday and the scenery and I certainly didn't feel I had to hurry up and catch the others, despite the fact they were mainly ahead of me. To spend two weeks wheeling around the central american countryside is a wonderful way to spend a holiday, it was beautiful, warm, warm even when it rained, the people were really lovely, I laughed non stop, we all bonded quickly, which isn't difficult when you have a group goal, the hotels were better than I expected (except 1 or 2), food was great/ok, and we were thoroughly looked after by the leader and the guides, in every aspect.Agree with Rita that some people might like more background/contextual information about the countries, although personally this didn't bother me, I just like the cycling, but some might prefer this, but to be fair to Rob, on every other aspect he was 110%, in terms of making sure we were comfortable, happy, healthy and had everything we needed. Please go on this trip if you want a challenging but feasible outdoor adventure. If you're struggling, just have a bus day and talk in Spanglish to Luis!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I can't really decide, but there was a long up and down section in Costa Rica somewhere, I was miles away from everybody else (but a guide always behind, so you are always safe I hasten to add), had my ipod on (which we shouldn't really advocate as I guess that's a bit dangerous), and I was so happy I was almost dancing on my bicycle. I reached the others, saw the bus in the distance, and just collapsed with exhaustion and exhileration when I got to them.  I was a pathetic heap lying in the road, but very happy.What did you think of your group leader?Rob is organised, efficient, personable, social, and completely trustworthy.  He knows what people need (laundry, the right food, beer, sufficient breaks etc).  We didn't have to do a thing when it came to border crossings, hotels, or anything administrative. I think i lost a few brain cells on this trip as I didn't have to use themDo you have any advice for potential travellers?Thanks to my (experienced) room mate the following were indispensable:a pegless washing line, travel wash and a travel plug, a travel kettle, two mugs, and tea bags/coffee sachetsbring your own cereal if you struggle without a decent breakfast (sometimes iffy)Take cash, its just easier.Is there anything else you would like to add?If you're an 'up for it' person (like moi), and you don't mind the odd crappy breakfast, and you can laugh in the odd rainstorm, you will have a blast.  Don't be afraid of travelling solo, nearly everyone was, it made it even better.
  Show more
  Trip date: October 2011
• A

  Thomas Hampson

  · June 22nd, 2011
  Great guides, great scenery, great places, great rum. All in all, a great trip. This was my first Exodus holiday but definitely won't be my last. We were really well looked after from start to finish, the bikes were good quality and we saw and did loads. The two weeks flew by and I enjoyed the trip from start to finish. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Lots of things - Arriving at San Juan, diving straight into the Pacific and watching the sun come down.Sipping beautiful Pina Coladas in the hot springs at la Fortuna. Conquering some of the "rolling" hills in hot, hot Central American sunshine.Cruising around on speedboats with "Captain Jack" in Bocos, seeing dolphins jump out of the water and snorkelling in the clear Caribbean. Drinking lots of rum and dancing to bachata/meringue/reggeaton in Bocos until the early hours of the morning. Flying downhill in Panama at 40mph in the pouring rain, wearing sunglasses and with suncream in my eyes. Paul doing a booze-run so we would have lots of rum and beer when it was Easter. The fruit - immeasurably better than anything you ever get in England, and probably the tastiest I've ever had. And lots, lots, lots more. What did you think of your group leader?Rob was great - very laid back, very accommodating but always managed to get us to where we needed to be without it ever feeling regimented. Paying bills for 17 people could be a nightmare (as we discovered in San Juan) but he had a great system in place so it was completely hassle-free. A very fit rider, but also always up for drinks and dancing in the evenings.  Paul (cyclist/mechanic/singer/dancer) and Ronny (driver) were great too. Paul fixed a broken chain in about 2 minutes and kept all the bikes ship shape. They were always up for few rums and a dance too. Could do with learning a bit of English though....Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The trip notes say moderate to challenging and they mean it. There are a lot of what Rob described as "rolling" terrain (just plain hills to me) as well as a few steeper climbs. It was very hot too but, if you are reasonably fit, I reckon you'll be fine. If you go out for a group meal on any evenings ask for separate bills at the start.If you go snorkelling in Bocos take note of Rob's advice about how easy it is to get sunburnt. I didn't.....Be prepared to eat more food than you have eaten in your life. Normally a big breakfast, a big lunch and a big dinner. With fruit stops inbetween. With the hills and the heat you need it though. 
  Show more
  Trip date: June 2011
• A

  Andrew Neenan

  · March 2nd, 2011
  After an extremely long and tiring flight from the UK, we arrived at Managua Airport and was greeted with a beer....at that point I knew this holiday was going to be great!! No rest for the wicked as we had a fairly early start the following day, all of the bikes were prepared in advance which made things really easy for the group. The riding is tough...I dont care what other people have put...Lance Armstrong would have struggled with the heat/ headwinds and terrain in certain parts!! An inspiring trip, which not only allows you to see some wonderful countries, but also to meet some fantastic people in the group you travel with. A very diverse bunch all with a good story to tell over the odd "panama/ balboa...or for the weak hearted Atlas" beers. Watch out for the "electric blue lemonade" cocktail....there isnt any lemonade in it!! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?So many...the scenery in parts is stunning...not just because me and my mate Dave were there! The volcanos in Arenal and Otemepe have to be seen to be believe, the lagoon (watch out for the fish...they bite! joking!) The sunset in san juan del sur, the food......the volcanic springs, the downhill to panama (we clocked 50 mph!) too many "highlights" to mention....explore and see it for yourself......you wont regret it.What did you think of your group leader?Rob was cool....he even got the English sarcastic sense of humour by the beginning of week 2! He got involved with all the group, and even got on the Dance floor in the night club in Bocos del Torro! Rob and his team were very good.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Have a reasonable level of fitness before you go.......you will reap the rewards if you do!Is there anything else you would like to add?An excellent trip all told, 3 very very good countries, all for different reasons.....An excellent group of people that travelled.....and book a few extra days off work when you get home...the jet lags not good at 10.30 am UK time!!
  Show more
  Trip date: March 2011
• A

  Satu Hietanen

  · March 2nd, 2011
  I had a BRILLIANT holiday that had everything in it - hot sunshine, beautiful volcanos, amazing sunsets, tropical rain forests, lakes, rivers, Pacific & Caribbean beaches, remote villages, colourful colonial towns, wildlife, nightlife, great people and of course lots of cycling. A wonderful way of seeing three Central American countries if you can only go away for two weeks. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Beautiful sunsets at the beachs of San Juan del Sur and Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua.Cycling around Lake Arenal in Costa Rican highlands. Challenged by hills & rain but the some of the best views of the trip.Bocas del Toro - day off cycling meant time for surfing, snorkling & dancing.Great view on 12m downhill ride in Panama.What did you think of your group leader?Rob was a great leader always listening to our wishes and accommodating them whenever possible. Thanks to him and his team we had a very hassle free holiday (restaurants, hotels, border crossings, currencies etc. all sorted out for us).Rob was a great cyclist too - I personally enjoyed the challenge of trying to keep up with his cycling pace whenever he was leading the rides.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't be put off by the mileage or the hills. The trip is very well organised and caters for all cycling abilities from the potential Lance Armstrongs to the casual Sunday cyclists. There is always to option to take it slowly or hop on a bus or challenge yourself by trying to keep up with one of the guides. But it goes without saying that the fitter you are, the easier you'll find it. So training before is worth it.Is there anything else you would like to add?Go for it! You'll have a great time!
  Show more
  Trip date: March 2011