McDougall Adventures

Costa Rica McDougall Adventure July, 2009

This was a totally energizing week with diverse, fun, and challenging daily adventures -- a perfect vacation! But the best part was being with such a wonderful group of people who share an interest in our health and how we eat. We talked for hours, sharing stories of how we decided to take this trip -- in our lifestyle choice and to Costa Rica -- and have made new and lasting friendships. I loved meeting the families who brought children. Instead of feeling guilty about how much I ate on my vacation I have a new resolve to prepare luscious and varied vegan foods.

Jan Hawkins

Our adventure trip with the McDougalls was another meaningful experience. For Marcia and me this makes "Adventure Trip Number Six," and it was the best. That count doesn't include the multiple "10 Day" and "Weekend Workshops" we have attended. John, your move to the Hilton Hotel property was a stroke of genius. In every way the facility was a major upgrade even above the enjoyable experiences of the past. Most importantly it would be hard to find any Master Chef who was more anxious to prepare our healthy meals or a resort staff as courteous and helpful as those at Papagayo. The side trips are always fun and often exciting. Yet, those who just hung out at the pool or spa seem to think they made the best choice. Regardless of how many times we have heard your presentations we always learn something new and get recharged for the best of good health ahead.

Marcia and Bob Bailey,
Austin, Texas

Doris and I had what we both agree was one of the best vacations EVER!! And we have visited some exotic and upscale places. The facility was incredible, the rooms more than comfortable and the environment breathtaking every time we stepped outside. We have never been served by a more accommodating staff – polite, friendly, and nearly invisible. The activities planned were first rate, fun, informative and the guides were just great. We enjoyed having the option to pick and choose and just hang out if we wanted to. The food!! Everything was prepared so perfectly and such a variety – way more to eat than I ever dreamed. A real peek into the world of starch-based eating and the choices and combinations that are possible. In short, the whole vacation felt that it was prepared with a personal touch – everything first class, stress free – impossible to do on our own if we tried to put together such a trip. We are already thinking about next year and possibly bringing our kids.

Thanks again.
David Law, MD

I really enjoyed the Costa Rican adventure. Everything was so well organized and ran so smoothly. The adventures, bus drivers, guides, and wait staff all contributed to an A+ travel experience. I especially loved the food and seeing the McDougall program in action three meals a day and so delicious. I am absolutely inspired!! I always learn something new from your lectures and never tire of the information. It was a pleasure to spend time with your family, a true model of the lifestyle. Thank you for a great time and I hope to see you again on future adventure trips.

Doris Law

My wife and I have been on most of the McDougall Adventure trips including about 10 in Costa Rica and they just seem to get better every year. This year the Costa Rica trip was at a new location, the Hilton Papagayo, on a beautiful bay on the Pacific coast. The facilities are first class and the hotel staff was friendly and very attentive to our needs. The daily adventure trips led by our long time guides, who are among the best in Costa Rica, were outstanding as usual. Being the principal owner of Millennium Restaurant, a gourmet vegan restaurant in San Francisco, I was especially interested in the food service and I was impressed. I had a long talk with the Chef who was very enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve vegan food to our group. He is a very creative chef and the food was outstanding. There was a great variety at every meal and he even served a choice of 5 different desserts at lunch and dinner. Some people would sample all 5 desserts, not exactly a McDougall recommendation, but exceptions can be made when you are on vacation. The McDougall Costa Rica trips are a great adventure and you are guaranteed to have a good time. We will keep joining the McDougall’s on future trips and can hardly wait until the next one.

Larry Wheat

Many thanks for another fun and educational vacation. I have been on 19 McDougall Adventures and I have continued to enjoy each one. I look forward to meeting the variety of interesting people who go on the trips. It is especially nice to know that we will be getting healthy tasty creative vegan food and being with like-minded people and those interested in learning more about the diet. I continue to learn & better understand the subject of health & nutrition from your lectures. Even though I have followed your program for about 30 years - I find that the adventure trips help reinforce the whole aspect of enjoying good health - feeling good and being physically & mentally able to enjoy all the activities at age 74 and looking forward to the next McDougall Adventure.

Ann Wheat

This was an absolutely wonderful vacation and a tremendous educational experience. We were very pleased with the resort, the adventure tours, guides, and food. It was very well organized making things like airport transfers very user friendly. Our fellow travelers were great to be with. The Hilton staff was terrific and seemed genuinely friendly and very helpful.

Lenny Kinland

Many thanks for an exciting, revealing, inspirational, and motivating experience on this trip to Costa Rica. I had no idea that vegetarian/plant based menus could be so delectable and still be good for you. And thank you and the staff for being so kind and considerate to us - and getting right to solving our luggage problem. And your lecturers for the bus trips, etc. - are outstanding. Well informed and with wonderful comedic touches, - Marcel, Dennis, and Conrad; and you, Dr. McDougall - thank you so much, for being so generous and kind with your information, and being unafraid to clock the sacred cows into submission; you are truly a wonderful speaker, a gem; to me, your lectures were the best part of the trip...and, I don't know how Mary manages to make so much variety taste so delicious ..and Tiffany? She is absolutely out of sight!! Both you and her charmed my wife Sarah into enjoying the adventures and food; she was able to enjoy the repasts, and still sampled the conventional fare from time to time. Thank you for making this event welcoming to all. PS: WOW!! I just got off the scale; I LOST at least 6 pounds!!! From 190 plus to 184!! Without even trying, and eating as much of your goodies as I wanted (went back for seconds several times)!! What a great by-product!

Thanks again.
Cooper

I like a day at the beach or a garden tour as much as anyone (I even went to Summer camp 3 times when I was a kid) but no one would call me an “outdoors woman” -- so it was with the teeniest bit of apprehension that I read the "items to bring list"; hiking boots, personal snorkel, Deet -- what?! This was going to be adventure with a capital 'A' (not the kind I'm used to, where just traveling out of the country is an adventure.) All my apprehension evaporated though, the minute we arrived at the luxurious and beautiful Hilton Papagayo, set in that stunning bay. There could not have been a more gracious nor generous staff anywhere. The food was delicious, the service impeccable, your guides Marcel, Conrad, and Dennis, really knowledgeable and so funny, and oh -- I had a ball riding horses, getting my knees scraped snorkeling, exploring the dry forest, and rafting down the lazy river checking out the birds, butterflies, and lizards. The scenery was breathtaking. It was kind of like being a kid again. I'd been wanting to return to Costa Rica ever since I visited San Jose and Puntarenas 30 years ago -- so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it possible and so accessible. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for me, and for my two sisters and nephew. So glad we could all go! With much appreciation.

(PS: I think I've got a least two more family members who would love to go next!)

Mari Grimaud

I just wanted to send you a quick note to say what a great time I had on the trip to Costa Rica. I have seen hotels like the Hilton Papagayo in my travel magazines and although I have lusted over them, I never imagined that I would ever be able to spend a week in such a place. Pure paradise! I have traveled a fair amount in my life, and I can honestly say that I have never met a nicer hotel staff anywhere. All the employees gave the impression that they were delighted to help you. The atmosphere of the hotel and grounds were enough to make any traveler happy, but the adventures you planned made this a trip to remember. I felt as though I were right in the middle of a nature show on discovery channel. Truly amazing! I hope that I can come again in the not too distant future.

Thank you,
Mikal Musselman

Thanks again for the wonderful trip to Costa Rica. We had decided to make this trip our 20th wedding anniversary celebration and now feel we could not have made a better choice (thanks again for the cake, Tiffany). We even lucked out and had a somewhat dry spell during the normally wet season. That made for the best of both worlds with the forests in full green and not too much rain. Our favorite adventures were the canopy tour and the river trip, but the mud baths and ocean tour were great fun too. On the river trip we saw several large crocs, many different types of colorful birds and some obviously well fed iguanas. We kept telling each other how wonderfully unique this trip was from anything we’ve done before. For us there was great value in not having to worry about what we were going to eat or do on any given day. We put our trust in your experience and were rewarded with great food, fun adventures, and great company along the way. Another big highlight for us was our fellow adventurers. We met many fun and interesting people and came home not only with great memories but new friendships and renewed inspiration that we have done the right thing in taking control of our health. We had thought that vacations would now be somehow different because we would have to compromise when it came to food. You have proven us wrong in that respect. The variety, flavor and quality of the meals were more than we could have hoped to expect. We look forward to the next trip and plan to bring our whole family to share this wonderful experience.

Phil and Sandy Maguire

Thanks so much for the great trip - I enjoyed the day trips, the very, very informative guides - your lectures were inspiring as usual and always a good review - the food was wonderful and wish I could have brought the "tortilla lady" home with me - it was a wonderful, unique trip that I hope to have the opportunity to repeat – I met a lot of wonderful people who were fun, inspirational and unique.

Thanks.
Wanda and Lou

We enjoyed our time in Costa Rica. The hotel was great. The adventures were enjoyable and the naturalists were outstanding. We would like to have the option of added adventure challenges such as Class II-III rapids and to ride horses with a skilled leader rather than to constantly go slow. Perhaps the larger group can have one group wanting more challenge. We loved the food most of the time. The plate dinner appetizer was awesome, but we did not really enjoy the entrée compared to other nights when it was buffet. We are grateful for Dr. McDougall's carefulness, when he lectures, to document the medical literature. We also enjoy Mary and Dr. McDougall's interaction as they work. We valued both of you being available to answer spontaneous questions. Most of all, we appreciate how you have led people into diet and lifestyle as a valid choice based on current research and years of practice. We are happy to hear you will be teaching osteopathic physicians and would love to see the case studies and academic content you choose to emphasize. Synergizing on a fuller diet and lifestyle curriculum could be an important future goal for all of us lecturing and skilled in these areas. Once again, our thanks for what you both have done with family and friends to advance the importance of diet, lifestyle and relationships in the care of people young and old.

Wayne and Frances Larson

First of all thank you both for the wonderful vacation. It was one of the best we ever had. I think it will be hard to put into words what this time with you means to me, but I will try. I have struggled with my weight for over 50 years and despite my best efforts was not able to let go of calorie restriction. Despite losing and maintaining a weight loss of over 100 pounds, until I chatted with Mary I was always miserably hungry. I mentioned calorie restriction to Mary and she said simply and kindly "we just don't do that." Mary's statement was enough to allow me to attempt to let go of some old but long held beliefs.

I allowed myself to eat until I was full and it has been an enormous relief. I actually came home from vacation losing a few pounds. I thank you both for your generosity in sharing your combined wisdom and your vacation.

Best Always,
Ellie Kinland

There was a difference this morning. When I came down for breakfast there were no beans and rice. No guacamole. No corn tortillas freshly made by a smiling gal who seemed to have nothing but happy thoughts. No line of chafing dishes with a host of other main choices. And no table of endless fruits ready to eat and no great pot of oatmeal. There was no Tiffany to make sure my day plans were in line and executed to perfection. No Heather to ask how I slept and did I need anything in my room. Lunch was equally disappointing. No smiling faces eager to talk about last evening's health lecture by Dr. McDougall. No returning snorkel adventure fans with tales of fish and eels. None of the McDougall grandkids were present to add an air of family clear down to age 1 ranging up to 84 or so. And no Dr. McDougall snapping impromptu photos table-side as we dined. Late afternoon brought a blank spot from 5:30 to 6:30. No open forum questions for the doc. No stimulating inquiries from other travelers. And no PowerPoint lecture on topics of interest to someone interested in health and nutrition. That only hinted of the disappointment to follow. Dinner. No chef. No servers waiting to clear every plate from the table and bring any exotic tropical juice drink I might dream up. No tales of the day's adventures. And not a prayer we were going to sit at a table with previous guests who could tell of their adventures in Costa Rica. Or who could tell of their successes with the McDougall health plan and how their lives had been completely changed for the better. Missing too were the guide lectures on topics ranging from animals to vegetables to geology, topography, volcanoes and history. Dipping in the pool was not an option; reading on the beach was not an option. A ride on a jet ski was not at hand, neither a ride on an ATV with views to take your breath away. And we were thousands of miles from the nearest volcano mud bath or crocodile sighting. Not to mention no fabulous sunset view across the broad ocean with mountains in the distance. Life it seems was about to be different. Very different. At least until the next time we can escape for another McDougall Adventure. I've a feeling we're not in Costa Rica anymore, Toto. Until the next time, that is. First time McDougall travelers. The only disappointment is that it ends. We'll be back.

Barb and Jack Moberg,
Marietta, OH

Thank you so much, everyone involved, for a truly fantastic vacation! The weather was perfect, the beach and pool were warm, and the adventures were both interesting and exciting. The food was excellent, varied and sometimes exotic. However, the most amazing part of Costa Rica, to me, was how friendly and hospitable all of the guides, hotel staff, and other McDougall adventurers were. They made me smile broadly. We saw so many fascinating animal and plants species and even caught the howl of a howler monkey on tape from behind our hotel room! We enjoyed everything, from the native dancers to the tortillas prepared by the tortilla lady. We recommend this trip to anyone seeking adventure, relaxation, great vegan food, and an all around terrific time!

Alyssa & Diane Schaefer

We had a fantastic time in Costa Rica. Thank you so much for offering these trips. It was wonderful to meet you and Mary and we are all ready to come back again in a couple of years. Nate and the kids are going to write their own paragraphs, but here is mine: Thank you for a wonderful week in Costa Rica. We had a hard time deciding whether or not we should come on the trip only because we'd already planned a couple of vacations for the year and we weren't in the market for another trip. However, the idea of being served all vegan food and going on exciting adventures lured me in. The fact that the week fell on my 40th birthday sealed the deal. I am so glad we came.

Everything about the trip was fantastic. The food was delicious, the guides and trips were wonderful, everything was so well organized – all we had to do was show up. We brought our two children (almost 12 and almost 8) and they loved it. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and the four of us enjoyed relaxing at the beach and pool after our morning adventures. Dr. McDougall and Mary are amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and talking to them. We also loved meeting so many friendly and interesting people. It was so great to be in an environment where everyone ate the way we do. I can't recommend this trip enough. We learned so much (even the kids came to the lectures -- it was great for them to hear about good nutrition from Dr. McDougall himself and they really got a lot out of those talks.) We're fairly new to the McDougall way of life (I've been vegetarian for years, but vegan for less than a year and I only became acquainted with Dr. McDougall 5 months ago). It was so inspiring to hear him talk, to try new foods, and to talk to so many people who have such great stories to tell about their health and their diets. I can't think of a better way to have spent my 40th birthday!

Joni Lavoie

Our family had a wonderful time on our trip with you to Costa Rica. We debated not going for some time, as we already had another trip planned for the fall, but we couldn't be happier with our decision to join you. For those who are not vegan, our two finicky children can attest that the food is delicious, and the accommodations and adventure tours alone make the trip worthwhile. The guides were excellent and everything was extremely well planned. There are other options available, but I would not recommend missing a meal or the tours, they were all worth it. If you are new to a healthy vegan diet or have been eating this way for years, this trip gives you the opportunity to share ideas on recipes and food choices, while providing a supporting and open environment. The lectures also help answer questions clearly on any food topics. I found them interesting and informative. For those who are vegan, it is worth the trip to just be able to vacation and to be able to eat everything. I was amazed at the chef's creativity and range of choices at every meal. If you are debating going, you are interested in eating healthy and therefore, should go if you can. This trip is well worth it! Thanks for a great time, we are so glad we came and were able to meet with you and all the others on this trip.

Nate

I really liked the trip to Costa Rica and I want to go back next year, but my mom says maybe in a couple of years. The best part of the trip was zip lining. My second favorite was the horseback riding, and my third favorite was the rafting trip. I really liked the food, especially the white pasta sauce and the desserts. The pool was awesome and the beach was nice too. It was really warm in Costa Rica. I think I might like to live there. I also learned about a starch-based diet and that fake foods are really bad for you!

Adam Lavoie (almost 8 years old)

I loved the trip to Costa Rica! The food was great and I got to try a lot of new things. The adventure trips were awesome, especially the zip lining and the rafting trip. After we went on the zip line, we went in a cage with some monkeys (one tried to bite my hair elastic out!). We spent lots of time at the pool and beach. I hope I can come back some time. The people were so nice and I made a couple of friends.

Kira Lavoie (age 12)

Fantastic experience. Delicious and well prepared food. Exotic and very fresh fruits and vegetables. Wonderful people attending the adventures. Talking to one another I could notice that everybody has a health story worth listening to. There were families with young kids, grown kids, and single people. Everybody had a place in this adventure. Costa Ricans are wonderful and smiley people. Excellent tour guides that love and know a lot about their country. Very nice and service oriented hotel personal. Dr. McDougall and his family made us feel at home. I give A+ to the lectures. I will definitely do it again. Hasta Luego Costa Rica.

Mireya Esqueda

I had a little trepidation going on this trip alone, but I needn't have. I made friends with others in the McDougall group as soon as I got to the airport in Liberia, and always had someone to hang out with and talk to. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience: the tropical setting, the more than comfortable hotel, the expert guides, the evening lectures, the excellent food, and the camaraderie of the entire group. I ate to my heart's content at every meal (I always went back for seconds, thirds and even desserts) and feared that I was gaining weight. When I got home I was pleasantly surprised that I had even lost two pounds while there! I would do it again in a heartbeat, and highly recommend it for anyone even remotely interested in adventure and a healthy lifestyle.

Mike Earnest,
Fairbanks, Alaska

PURA VIDA! Or as they say in Costa Rica, Pure Life! This daily expression summed up our first vacation experience with the McDougalls. Our expectations were exceeded over and over by the wonderful hotel staff, informative guides, and, of course, the food! We learned so much from Dr. McDougall’s lectures, but we learned just as much from our fellow traveling and dining companions at the dinner table. It was great to hear everyone sharing personal McDougall experiences, recipes and healthy tips for living. What a memorable vacation, we can’t wait to go back to Costa Rica.

Lori and Dave

It was a great pleasure for us to join you in Costa Rica, even though as the only non-Americans we found it a long and exhausting journey to travel all the way from Hong Kong. But let us encourage others in a similar position that it was well worth the journey, and we got over the tiredness very quickly, not least because the holiday was so relaxing. You see with everything laid on for us in terms of wonderful buffet food and varied and safe activities, it was not necessary to be concerned about providing for ourselves.

There were probably four highlights of the trip for us, in no particular order. The first was the indescribable food, and for the first time in our lives we were able to approach a beautiful spread without worrying whether or not we could eat any of the dishes. It was truly a feast for the senses. The second was the company of like-minded people, and we were so happy to have been assigned to a small group of stimulating individuals, who have become our friends following the great time we had together. The third was the revealing information we gleaned from the daily lectures by John, and these became a highlight of each day for us, not least because he delivered his talks in such a humorous and confident, knowledgeable way. Then lastly Costa Rica itself is a lovely destination – so peaceful, natural and full of wildlife – that it is impossible not to have a good time, considering the daily activities that took us right into the unspoiled heart of the beautiful countryside and its myriad creatures. If we lived closer, we would say we looked forward to coming again soon. In reality that is unlikely, but on the other hand we would immediately recommend participation to anyone thinking about it, but unable to make up their mind. Our thanks go to you both, John and Mary, and also to Tiffany and Carol, who worked behind the scenes to make sure everything went off without a hitch.

Martin, Ying and Vashti Sperring

I knew this trip to Costa Rica would be a fun-filled adventure in a beautiful setting and it was. Your choice of the hotel, the excellent meals prepared by the chef, the knowledge of each of the tour guides, as well as the wonderful people we met were all a bonus that are sure to provide lasting memories. I would go again in a heartbeat! Thank you for making this trip the most rewarding in a very, very, long time! Warm regards,

Carol

Two years ago I joined the McDougalls on their Costa Rican trip at Ocotal and it ended up being a life changing experience for me. I celebrated my second anniversary of being on a low-fat, plant-based diet by returning to Costa Rica for another McDougall adventure. I enjoyed the food and the location even more then on my first trip and I didn't think that could be possible! I made many new friends and experienced exciting, new adventures with the best guides in Costa Rica.

Leslie Altier,
Issaquah, WA

I want to thank you for creating such a wonderful Costa Rican adventure! I enjoyed every minute of the trip. It was a pleasure to learn about the country from such friendly and knowledgeable guides. The food was a real treat! Every meal was an adventure to see what the chef would come up with, and I couldn't help but try everything at least once...or more. Your talks at the end of the day were very enlightening and encouraging. It was great to be sharing this adventure with such a healthy and upbeat group of people, the sense of fun and adventure was contagious. Thanks again for a great vacation!

Bob Sorenson

We would like to take a moment to say thank you for a most wonderful adventure at Costa Rica. From start to finish everything was planned and well organized to ensure a satisfying and relaxing trip. In the planning stages, Carol was most attentive to our variety of questions and always provided a timely response. From arrival to through departure from Costa Rica, we were able to completely relax knowing we were in your most capable hands. Activities were well planned and coordinated, yet allowed us the freedom to pick and choose how we wanted to structure our day. You truly picked the best of the best to show us the most that this area of Costa Rica has to offer. Tiffany kept tabs on all of us and was a valuable resource throughout our stay. The hotel staff for most cordial and helpful and your guides were the best---friendly, knowledgeable, and fluent in English. By the end, we felt like they were part of our family. Your lectures were fun informative and reinforced why we have chosen a starch-based diet. The meals were delicious and provided a wealth of choices at every setting, exposing us to new ideas to supplant our old favorites. It was great being around like-minded individuals and not having to explain our choices when we sat down to eat. We have unexpectedly made a variety of new friends from around the world. I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a relaxing fun filled time while learning to increase their understanding about the lifetime benefits of the starch based diet.

Thom and AnneMarie Saarie