Leader: Harry Barnard
Pros
• Genuinely fully inclusive we spent very little during the tour
• The guide was very knowledgeable about the birds and wildlife of Costa Rica (and elsewhere) - however see below
• Excellent accommodation and food with exception of one location - see below
• Over 400 species of bird seen including good views of male and female Queztal.
• Many good opportunities for photography
• Wide range of habitats visited
• Vehicle used was large enough and comfortable. Very well driven.
• Limosa and their agents Costa Rica Gateway were helpful with hotel bookings and transport when our flights were cancelled due to volcanic activity. However see below
Cons
• Only 11 of the days are guided (in this case 2nd - 12th March)
• The guide's inexperience in dealing with diverse groups was very obvious and the cause of some dissatisfaction amongst participants. In particular he seemed unable to pace or vary the tour to suit varying birding and physical abilities . He also had little patience with those who could not remember the identification of a previously seen bird or with those not as dedicated to ticking the list as himself!
• The final hotel Punta Leona was disappointing - too much of a tourist hotel for a birding group.
• No representative of any kind accompanied the group to the departure airport. This created difficulty for us when flights were cancelled and had to be rebooked. We had to use a mobile phone to summon help, communication by mobile phone was expensive and so far no reimbursement has been offered despite repeated requests.
Pros
• Genuinely fully inclusive we spent very little during the tour
• The guide was very knowledgeable about the birds and wildlife of Costa Rica (and elsewhere) - however see below
• Excellent accommodation and food with exception of one location - see below
• Over 400 species of bird seen including good views of male and female Queztal.
• Many good opportunities for photography
• Wide range of habitats visited
• Vehicle used was large enough and comfortable. Very well driven.
• Limosa and their agents Costa Rica Gateway were helpful with hotel bookings and transport when our flights were cancelled due to volcanic activity. However see below
Cons
• Only 11 of the days are guided (in this case 2nd - 12th March)
• The guide's inexperience in dealing with diverse groups was very obvious and the cause of some dissatisfaction amongst participants. In particular he seemed unable to pace or vary the tour to suit varying birding and physical abilities . He also had little patience with those who could not remember the identification of a previously seen bird or with those not as dedicated to ticking the list as himself!
• The final hotel Punta Leona was disappointing - too much of a tourist hotel for a birding group.
• No representative of any kind accompanied the group to the departure airport. This created difficulty for us when flights were cancelled and had to be rebooked. We had to use a mobile phone to summon help, communication by mobile phone was expensive and so far no reimbursement has been offered despite repeated requests.
