Costa Rica

Itineraries While we intend to adhere to the route described in your contract, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion, it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.
The contract is a general guide to the tour, region and proposed itinerary any mention of specific wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be encountered, as we can never guarantee what mother nature has to offer us.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Accommodation If a hotel is unexpectedly fully booked, we will always contact you before booking an alternative. We will always offer alternatives of the same level and value for money.
Kindly note that water is scarce in many parts of the world, so we always recommend taking short showers and reuse towels if possible. 

Emergency Contact Should you need to contact Your Travel Nation during a situation of dire need. If you do not receive an immediate answer for any reason, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. We have an emergency line, which will connect you directly with our office.
+1 757 656 3391 

Luggage You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be restricted to one medium-sized rolling bag, duffle bag or backpack, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited.

Packing list
Documents:
• Flight info (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the immigration)
• Insurance info (With photocopies)
• Passport  (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates  (With photocopies)
• Copy of your contract

Essentials:
• Any medication you might need: This should include medication for possible common situations like headaches or diarrhoea;
• Sunblock, sunglasses, hat and lip balm.
• Your electronic devices and chargers.
For camera and lenses; we recommend bringing a wide lens (about 17-55mm) for those scenery pictures, and a go pro for those action shots. Renting a camera is not possible. Please ensure your camera equipment is appropriate for different weather conditions;
• Clothes: Comfortable and casual clothing. You should pack T-shirts, shirts with long sleeves, jeans, a sweater and a jacket (for the cold mornings), swimwear (if the accommodation you selected has a pool or if you do a beach extension) and comfortable hiking shoes;
• Insect repellent;
• Refill water bottle;
• Adaptor for A and B  type plugs.

Laundry Hand washing of clothes can be done at most of the hotels where you will stay. We recommend you bring a non-polluting/biodegradable soap, as well as a roll of simple string to act as a drying line for your clothes. If you arrive in the late afternoon, or if there is poor weather, it may not be possible for your clothes to completely dry. Your hotels may also have a laundry service available at an additional fee.

Visa & Entry requirements US nationals do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days. (Either to return to your country or to go to another country). US passport must be valid for a minimum of one day from the day you enter Costa Rica. As a tourist US national cannot stay more than 90 days. For a stay longer than 90 days a residence permit must be established. Other nationals might not require an entry visa to Costa Rica.

Insurance A travel insurance is highly recommended when travelling. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that we highly recommend good medical coverage and repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
We don’t issue any insurances; however, we recommend using www.worldnomads.com

Health We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least three months before departure or in case of a last-minute tour, as soon as you confirm your travels. Travellers are also advised to carry a basic first-aid kit and hand sanitisers/antibacterial wipes on their travels. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your local guide of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling. Your local guide will be able to inform you of local health advisories (e.g. drinking water quality). Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor.

Allergies and dietary restrictions This is something we take very seriously. Upon booking with us, we will send you a form in which you will be able to indicate any dietary preference or restriction or any specific request you might have. We will then provide that information in advance to all the hotels. 

Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. 
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, bank cards, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of your group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our local guides have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Photography and drone laws Please refrain from taking photos of police stations, airports, bus stations, immigration or border crossings, army barracks and personnel, or any government building. It is against the law and will result in the minimum of your film and camera being confiscated. Drone use is allowed in Costa Rica but several drone laws need to be followed when flying in the country.

Electricity For Costa Rica there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin.

Religion Roman Catholic is the largest religion in Costa Rica.

Climate The climate in Costa Rica is hot all year round in the plains and along the coasts, while it's milder in the plateau, that is, in the so-called Tierras templadas.
Temperature variations are low because the country is located near the Equator, so the main difference between the seasons is found in the rains. Anyway, most of the country is so rainy that it is covered with rainforests.
On the Pacific coast and the plateau, there are a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November, during which rainfall is abundant. 

Best time to visit The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April on its Pacific Coast when the weather is at its driest and brightest, and between March and September on the Caribbean side. We’d also recommend travelling in Costa Rica’s green season, from May to June or in November. This is when you catch the seasons in transition, and the national parks are quieter.

Plastic bags Plastic bags are banned from entering Costa Rica. However, plastics carrier items known as “Ziplock bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed of in the country.  

Money and currency Costa Rica’s currency is the colon (₡),  Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. We always recommend carrying enough cash if you would like to pay for something in a remote place and the credit card machine cannot connect to any network. Credit cards are widely used. Please keep in mind that credit- or debit card charges typically range from 1-3% of the total transaction amount. Credit unions tend to have the lowest fees.

Tipping Tipping is less customary in Costa Rica than in some other countries like the United States. At restaurants, 10% gratuity is always included in the bill. Ten to 15% is a standard range for tipping tour guides.

Dress code Costa Rica doesn’t have a strict dress code and comfortable casual is best for pretty much the entire country. At the beach, your wardrobe will consist mostly of shorts, tank tops and flip flops. In the city, we recommend closed-toed shoes, long pants and a light jacket or sweater. If you’re visiting high elevation areas (San Isidro de Perez Zeledon, San Gerardo, San Jose/Central Valley), then long pants and a jacket is necessary.