McDougall Adventures

Costa Rica McDougall Adventure February, 2010

For us, one of the most enjoyable parts of this trip was talking with other people that believe in and follow a McDougall diet. In our everyday life, so many people think that our diet is very extreme and that we are obsessive about eating the way that we do. It was refreshing to be with like-minded people.

We thought the trip was a good mix of activity and relaxation time. We liked all of the activities and we also liked having part of the day to do as we wanted and then have the lectures every evening. It was a very nice schedule. As usual, we were impressed with the depth and breadth of Dr. McDougall's knowledge and his ability to convey it in such an engaging manner.

It was wonderful to never have a care about what and when to eat and the food was fabulous. We loved having huge salads with every lunch and supper. Some of the combinations of foods were interesting and very good. We would never have thought of cold mushrooms, corn and cilantro as being so yummy. We know the desserts were optionally but they were also exceptional.

Mary Splady & Bob Whelan

I was drawn to the Costa Rica Adventure trip primarily to meet Mary and John McDougall since they are responsible for my present lifestyle. One of their books in the early 1980's was given to my husband as a gift. It was always on the table next to his reading chair with good intentions to someday read it, which he never did. One lonesome night I sat there and picked up the book and started reading. It was amazing – I read for hours. It made so much sense and started me on this healthy journey. I began eliminating animal products -- one by one. I eventually became pure vegan 20 years ago and never looked back. Now at 78 I feel more energetic than ever. This adventurous trip, with all the exciting programs and like-minded people was wonderful. The delicious food was a constant feast. I am so glad I came and I thank you Dr. McDougall and ALL the kind, caring people who made this adventure unforgettable.

"Con Mucho Carino,"
Michelina (Micki) Wilson

There are so many special things to mention about our Costa Rica Adventure Trip, that they can't possibly fit into 2 or 3 paragraphs. As two of the oldest participants at ages 81 and 82, we found some of the activities challenging. However, we enjoyed the trips to Santa Rosa, Canopy Tour, and the River Cruise. We especially appreciated learning of the history, agriculture and economics of Costa Rica from our guides Dennis, Marcelle and Conrad. Of special interest was the fact, according to Marcelle, that because Costa Rica has no army, they are able to spend more money on Health Care and Education! What a concept!!

Early morning was a beautiful time. We could just sit on our deck and observe so many birds. The shuttle was always prompt to take us where we wanted to go. (Yes, we did walk up the hill once ... and down once....period) All hotel employees were very friendly and helpful. All hotel facilities were beautifully maintained and serviceable. We enjoyed putting our toes in the Pacific Ocean, and swimming in the lovely pool. Of course the main reasons for being there were the McDougall vegan foods, and the daily lectures. Thank you for expanding many different subjects, and being available for individual conversation.

Don and Irla Stewart

Ann and I have been on most of the McDougall Adventure trips, including about 12 to Costa Rica, and they just seem to get better every year. This February the Costa Rica trip was at 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 owners of Millennium Restaurant, a gourmet vegan restaurant in San Francisco, I was especially interested in the food service and I was impressed. There was a great variety of low-fat vegan cuisine at every meal and there was 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 McDougalls on future trips and can hardly wait until the next one.

Larry & Ann Wheat

The best thing about the trip was that we ate and ate and ate, hitting the dessert table at least twice a day and sampling just about everything there, and both of us returned weighing a little less than we weighed going out. Food was plentiful and most of it quite tasty. I especially enjoyed our conversations with the other vacationers in the group. The Hilton resort is a beautiful place, with lots of very accommodating staff. The McDougall staff was helpful as well. My husband especially enjoyed the guides' nature lectures. We were surprised not to see the rain forest but happy to avoid the humidity and bugs it would have entailed.

Nelsipete

It was such a pleasure to finally meet the two of you in Costa Rica. For the past four years, I have been a vegan and for most of that time have enjoyed your books, website, newsletters and other information you provide and have come to feel that you are almost part of my family. I was delighted to discover that you are as genuine and sincere in person as I expected. Shortly after my 67th birthday, about a year and a half ago, I became a widow. Losing my soul mate was the hardest thing I've ever been through and my health suffered along with my interest in travel and adventure. Since then, I have hoped for a source of rejuvenation and encouragement to jump-start a life on my own, and the Costa Rica trip was just what I needed. Not having to worry about where I would get nourishing vegan meals and having my days planned for adventure and entertainment, made the trip so easy and relaxing. After enjoying Dr. McDougall's first lecture, which was optional, and benefiting so much from the information, I didn't miss any for the rest of the trip I returned home with a renewed sense of well-being, and a plan for what I need to do to improve my health even more. Thank you for a memorable, life-altering experience in Costa Rica.

Ruth Cole

I'd like you to know I thought the Costa Rica Adventure Trip was quite fabulous. The hotel was lovely, the food was wonderful, and the daily excursions were a lot of fun. The programs you offered were so well planned and executed that our first visit to beautiful sunny Guanacaste went very smoothly throughout our stay. Eric and I also enjoyed spending time with the other people who attended, a very diverse group who, like us, share a common interest in choosing to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

We also enjoyed the amazing opportunity to attend your daily lectures, packed with information that delivers the message and supports the truth: our eating determines our health. I benefitted tremendously from what you taught and learned a lot from this trip: an enriching experience and a life changing opportunity. It is rare in life to take a vacation that is not only relaxing and fun, but supports one's personal growth and health in making changes in one's lifestyle and overall health.

Lori Samlin Miller

Wow, what a complete vacation for the body, mind and soul. Scrumptious plentiful vegetarian meals, enlightening McDougall seminars, passionate, informative adventure guides, and endless scenery to feast the eyes. All the staff and guests were kind and friendly and new friends were made. I would love to attend again sometime.

Lou E. Boyes, FL

The trip was excellent. We've always planned to do something special for our 20th anniversary and this was exactly what we needed. The adventures were wonderful and the guides seemed to know everything about everything!! They were so knowledgeable and interesting also. The food was incredible and it was so wonderful not to have to worry about "what am I going to eat though." And no upset stomachs from having to compromise. No weight gain on vacation is also a bonus!

Chris and Lynette Mendoza

We attended the McDougall Costa Rica Adventure in July of 2009 and enjoyed it so much that we went again in February of 2010. Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit. The weather, culture, water, vegetation and wildlife are all great attractions. The resort, resort staff, the planned adventures and the top quality guides make this an educational and memorable experience. These things alone make the trip worth taking, but the nightly lectures by Dr. McDougall, the interesting people seeking permanent lifestyle and diet changes for good health and the incredible McDougall approved food make it unmatched by anything we’ve found. The lectures are ultra-informative. The success stories are inspiring. The food is so good that only McDougallers would know that it’s healthy. What a way to start a year of healthy living!

Lori and Dave

It was a memorable trip to Costa Rica with inspiring talks, wonderful adventure trips, excellent food, and lovely company. Also we appreciate the DVD of the Costa Rica pictures, which you so generously sent us. Thanks so much for a splendid experience. It will long be remembered.

Kathleen Horton

After years of familiarizing myself with, and reading about the McDougall Program online, I finally got myself to the Ten- Day program on December 5, '09. I was the sickest I had ever been-obesity at that point- and I felt beaten. It changed my life because I felt the possibilities and the support. I promised myself that if I did well after the Ten-Day, I would go to Cost Rica; and have I ever been doing well! The Ten-Day helped me get going without feeling overwhelmed. I lost 26 pounds before Costa Rica and my mother helped me go on the trip. She also wanted to go traveling with me so the two of us went together. It was the most wonderful time I can remember having! I had never allowed myself to have a 'Tropical' vacation because I was so busy fighting this eating disorder. The McDougall Program in Santa Rosa and the Costa Rica trip, were run like dreams. It felt like a dream! I was treated with unbelievably great meals and could concentrate on eating for maximum weight loss, if I chose. I was so excited to take every one of the trips and was bowled over by the caliber of the wonderful guides. They made it feel like a true educational experience in addition to exciting adventures. The hotel and the pools were exquisite; the staff was fantastic, the trips were so much fun, the people I met were wonderful- and I could go on and on.

Anne Pinsker

Andi & I wanted to take a few moments and let you know how much we thoroughly enjoyed our recent trip to Costa Rica. We can say without hesitation that this was one of the most memorable vacations we’ve ever taken. We couldn’t have picked a better opportunity to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. Thanks to all of your hard work and planning, this was the perfect trip, with such a great location, outstanding weather, an excellent hotel and staff, many fun adventures with topnotch guides, phenomenal food, and the "creme de la creme" of hosts, namely, You and Mary. We also wanted to commend you for creating so many opportunities to have individual or small group interactions, whether on the adventure outings or at mealtimes, thus making the entire trip such a rich and rewarding experience. Because of that, we can’t help but mention our two most special memories, first, the chance to interact with the two of you and talk about the many aspects of following the McDougall diet as well as attend your inspiring nightly lectures; and second, the opportunity to meet new people, and discover that they think the same as we do about diet and health; and to top that off we now have a few new long term friendships. Thanks again for making the 2010 Costa Rica trip such a success. We’re hoping that we can join you again one day soon!

Rich & Andi Revell.

If you had told us a year ago that we would be going to Costa Rica, we would not have believed you. Now we can say we had an unbelievable trip to Costa Rica. Every aspect of the trip was wonderful. The McDougall staff guided us through all the preparation, answering numerous questions along the way. Before even getting to the hotel the fantastic guide crew began teaching us about the country: its geography, flora, fauna, politics, climate - you name it. We were absolutely blown away by how knowledgeable they were. Once at the Hilton, check-in was a breeze and our room was perfect. Then we ate that first meal on Friday and we knew we were in for a very special time. We filled our plates three times that meal and almost every meal afterward. (When we got home we had each lost 1 pound. Not bad since we were McDougallers to begin with!) Each of the five adventures were excellently planned and again, the guides made all the difference. We weren't too sure ahead of time about the Ziplining or the snorkling (David being such a poor swimmer!) but those turned out to be our two favorite days. I can't believe any group had more fun than the Tortugas! We've watched numerous DVD lectures by Dr. McDougall, but listening in person, asking questions, having back-and-forth exchanges of ideas, and talking privately and at meals with John and Mary probably would have been worth the whole price of the trip. But certainly the best part of all was the wonderful people that we met who shared their inspirational stories with us. We're certain we've made some lifelong friends.

David and Cheryl Hubbard

My husband and I had a wonderful time on the Feb 2010 McDougall Adventure to Costa Rica. We especially enjoyed the beauty of Costa Rica and its rich natural resources. Our guides were expert naturalists and shared their knowledge of the history and natural history of Costa Rica in an interesting and often humorous way. The guides learned that we were interested in the birds and plants of the area and went out of their way to point out things they knew we would like. It was so nice to have everything planned for us from morning to night, and everything worked like a charm! You can tell that the McDougall crew planned ahead very well and thought of everything. The Hilton resort was very lovely and comfortable even though it was 'off the beaten path' and had monkeys swinging through the trees just outside the front entrance. I had been to a 5-day McDougall program, so I had an idea about what would be served at the meals, but my husband was a little anxious. He was very pleasantly surprised, finding the food plentiful and delicious. We loved the soups, salads, fruits, and, of course, the desserts. It's so relaxing to be on a vacation and know that the next meal is going to be so healthy without you having to cook it! The Hilton Chef is amazingly creative!

Liz Fountain and John Ward