McDougall Adventures

Costa Rica McDougall Adventure June, 2012

If I had to sum up my experience for the week, I would have to say it was the people. The location was beautiful and the activities were fun but most of all, it was the people that made the difference. The knowledgeable and entertaining guides, the courteous and efficient hotel staff, the always cheerful and attentive, Tiffany and the easy access to the two of you (John and Mary McDougall) were the best. I especially appreciated your lectures. Clearly you have a specific point of view but your points were presented with well-explained scientific data and a layman's understanding of how the body's processes work. Lastly the food was superb.

Blessings, The Rev. Skip Bushee

This was our third McDougall Adventure trip with you and Mary. It has been a long time, since the first two were at Ocotal in 1999 and 2000. These were great trips, but the Hilton Papagayo was paradise, such a beautiful setting. The hotel staff was outstanding, the McDougall guides are so informative and a pleasure to reacquaint with after so many years (some of the same guides for 20 years). The food was fabulous, what a wonderful selection and such a pleasure knowing it is all healthy and we don’t have to inquire about the ingredients or cooking methods used. This is such a treat that you immediately realize the difference when you find yourself back in the "real world." I really enjoyed getting to scuba dive again in the Gulf of Papagayo. We saw so many fish, eels, white tip sharks, octopus, and at times we were surrounded by schools of colorful fish. Zip lined through the forest with people from 3 to nearly 80 years of age, reminds us of what we are capable of, and how alive we feel. Our visit to Buena Vista Ranch was so worth the ride, giving us a view of Tico lifestyle out in the country. The horseback ride, the massage, the hot pools, the lunch were excellent! There were so many really nice people to chat with. And so many pleasant memories. The flow of everything seemed effortless, but we know you, Mary and Tiffany, just made it seem that way. It took the work of all you, including the guides, chefs, and hotel staff to make the trip the joy that it was.

Thank you all, Janet & Tony Dey.

This trip was fantastic. In our group of six, we had the whole range of ages, from a 78-year-old to a four-year old. Everyone had a wonderful time. Anyone worried whether or not this trip will appropriate for their family should be assured that it's an easy, comfortable experience and flexible enough to accommodate everyone's wishes. The adventure-seeking adult, the young child, and the elderly will all have a great time!

Kate and Dave Platter.

Here’s my evaluation of the trip. My husband also submitted his thoughts: I have been an on and off again vegan for a long time and wanted to get back on the program so thought that going to Costa Rica for the week would be a great jump start. I was willing to go alone if my husband and 32-year-old son did not want to go. They both agreed to go but I didn’t expect them to fully follow the program. To my surprise they both did and are giving it their best to try to follow it now that we are home. I was delighted that they attended all the lectures so now that they have all the information I can step back and let them make their own decisions. The program was so well run down to the last detail that we did not have to worry about a thing. The McDougall staff, hotel employees and guides were all wonderful. It was a bonus to hear the stories of those attending. It was a great week. Thanks to all that made it so enjoyable.

Jean Bushee

It is interesting to us that since this was our fifth McDougall Costa Rica Adventure in a row that it could be so much fun. Bringing one of our daughters and four grandchildren was unbelievable in not only a good time, but in what we feel will changing their future for the better. Our 12-year-old granddaughter said " this is a total life changing experience for me". We received a text from one of the 15-year-old boys yesterday (the red head, Alex) and he told us he has been at a camp in Utah and has not deviated from the program at all and will not. They all want to come again next summer. Our daughter is an incredible cook. She has taken Mary's cookbooks and is really putting out the dinners. Her husband says he will not deviate from the McDougall program and vows that you will be surprised at his results next summer. We can't tell you how grateful we are for the personal attention you gave the grandchildren. They are so excited. The boys have talked constantly about your conversations on scuba and under water experiences. We are going to the Cayman Islands in two weeks and they have some scuba trips planned with our oldest son. We like every thing about these adventures. We look forward to Los Suenos in February and exposing more family next summer to your lectures, adventures and delicious meals. Thanks for everything but most of all what this has done for our quality of life.

Linda and George Goff

This was our second trip and it was just as good the second time.
The nature adventures were better than I expected last year and just as fun and interesting this year. The guides are excellent and the locations selected to visit are well chosen. I rented good binoculars to take along and loved the close up views of the birds, flowers, trees, plants and animals. The food is a major draw and was excellent again. This year we are gluten free so there were many things we did not eat but there was a great variety of gluten free choices. I noticed - and ate - more unfamiliar tropical fruit this year than last and developed a taste for yucca and hearts of palm. Possibly because most of the optional desserts contained gluten I was three pounds lighter when I got home. The lectures are very informative and did not have a rerun feel the second year. I loved the resort & spa and enjoyed the people on the trip. I will most likely take this trip again.

Emily Snuttjer

Job well done! I really enjoyed spending a week in Costa Rica for this study-cation. While already a vegan, I know there is a lot I need to learn and this was the perfect approach. The food? Fabulous. I'm sure every other participant will agree that the chefs did an amazing job in providing a great selection of wonderful tasting options. I just wish I had them cooking for me every day. The activities? Fabulous. My personal favorites were the zip lines and the boat and snorkel trips. The jet-ski tour (side trip) was also great. The lectures? Fabulous. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of the lectures and fully intend to avail myself both of the Starch Solution, but also your website. (I need more recipes.) And the people? You know, that really was the best part. I was looking forward to meeting more people focused on eating a plant-based diet so we could compare notes and discuss a topic that I think is so important and has such far reaching benefits. What I didn't realize was how nice and interesting everyone was going to be. You really attract a nice group of people. And for me, it was great that there were so many families so my kids could see that there are other vegan families out there and it is not such a big deal. I think all the kids got along swimmingly. Keep up the good work and see you next time.

Bruce Platter

My husband and I very much enjoyed our Costa Rican adventure with your group. We planned the trip in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary. While we didn't have any particular issues or concerns about diet, we thought that it would be relaxing and pleasant to travel without needing to spend so much time and efforts “working around” such dietary options as are generally available. The food arranged for the McDougall Adventures group did not disappoint. It was great to find an ample buffet at each meal featuring local produce prepared in a manner so in tune with our preferences. Having read your books on diet and health with interest over the last 25 years or so, we were also pleased to have an opportunity to hear you speak and lecture in a relatively small group environment. This too proved enjoyable and enlightening. All of the guided off-site activities were interesting and fun, and the tour guide staff were professional and well prepared. We attended and enjoyed each of their post-dinner lectures and introductory nature walk, and were impressed with their knowledge as well as their consistently friendly and helpful manner. The river tour was my personal favorite, with opportunities to view the abundant flora and fauna with running commentary provided by Conrad. I thought that, in general, your managerial staff did a credible job assembling sub-groups according to interests and in coordinating outings. All in all, we had a good time with your group and would consider attending another "McDougall Adventure" in the future, if only for the built-in convenience of knowing that good food will be readily available and abundant.

Lisa Muller

Thank you for organizing this wonderful vacation/adventure! By far the best vacation I have had. The moment my mom and I got off the plane, a helpful and friendly guide, Dennis, greeted us. He made the bus trip to the hotel educational and entertaining. In fact, every bus trip on every tour was filled with humor and information. The hotel grounds are beautiful and we were pampered by the hotel staff. AND THE FOOD!!!!! I can't express in words how incredible the food was. Breakfast, lunch, dinner ... amazing! As a 22-year vegan, not having to stress about what to eat while on vacation was a relief. I stuffed myself at every meal ... 3-4 plates of food (including dessert). And I lost a pound! The adventure trips were great! The guides were exceptional! I think our group (the Monkeys) was exceptionally lucky. Every trip it seemed we got a special treat. For example, we encountered dolphins along-side our ship while sailing to the snorkeling site. During our hike in the Santa Rosa National Park, an ornithologist came out of the forest and called in some exotic birds for us to see (what a treat!). The lectures were fantastic. They really legitimized my commitment to a plant-based diet. There is so much misinformation out there. Thank you for making nutritional information "easy to digest." What can I say, the trip was wonderful! Incredibly organized, fun, and informative! Can't wait for the next trip!

Michael J. Weisensee