Safety Notes
Costa Rica has a well-deserved reputation for safety and tranquility. However, the growth in tourism has seen an unfortunate rise in robberies and other crimes against visitors and like any other country in the world, Costa Rica faces the challenge of maintaining safety and public security for its citizens and visitors alike. By taking just a few common sense precautions, most problems can be avoided. We strongly suggest to ALWAYS be mindful of your belongings. NEVER leave valuables unattended. If you must leave items in a vehicle, make sure they are out of plain sight. At your hotel, make good use of security boxes to lock passports, extra cash, jewelry, electronic equipment, etc. Although the odds are in your favor, it is best to avoid any incidents that may sour your vacation. Be safe and have fun!

Requirements for entry
The General Direction of Costa Rican Immigration allows tourists to travel within the country with a photocopy of the passport (the biographic data page and the page with the stamp showing when you entered Costa Rica). However, you must present your original passport while doing bank or legal transactions.

Packing List
Swim suits, sunscreen, hat, sneakers or hiking shoes, light jacket, sweater or wind breaker, pair of jeans or long pants to go hiking or horse back riding, shorts, trousers, shirts (cotton or light synthetic), rain gear (poncho or raincoat), rubber-soled sandals, casual dress shoes, insect repellent, small flash light, binoculars, camera and film or
memory devices, toiletries and valid passport for every member of your party (must be valid for at least 90 days after date of entry).

Dress code
At most of the hotels is casual, men usually wear pants or nice shorts and women a summer dress.

Local Flights
1- There is a limit of 27-30 pounds per person for the Sansa, Nature Air, or charter flights. Pack light; duffels are better than hard suitcases.
2- Extra pounds will incur in an extra charge of about $1 per pound, subject to space.
3- You must be 45-60 minutes before any of the local departure flights.
4- Surf boards are accepted on a case by case basis but they may not be over 6-7 feet.
5- Passengers weighting over the 250 pounds must buy an additional seat. Please let us know if this is your situation.

Money
The official currency in Costa Rica is the Colon. The exchange rate varies from day to day. If you need to find the approximated daily exchange rate, you can check the official site: www.bccr.fi.cr. Use only public or private banks, known exchange booths or the hotels front desk to change your money, DO NOT do it in public places or with strangers.

Visa and Master card are the most common credit cards in Costa Rica; they are accepted thus widely accepted (hotels, restaurants, souvenirs shops, gas stations, etc.). Keep in mind that using a credit card will get you a better exchange rate. It is advisable to bring cash in small denomination bills for tips and other light expenses. You can exchange dollars for local currency (colones) at any hotel or at the bank at the airport (if it is open). Traveler’s checks are not commonly accepted. Use automatic teller machines located in public and well illuminated places. Be careful of any offer of help or of suspicious individuals when using them. Withdraw the cash, count it and put it away before going outside. Some of these teller machines will not withdraw money from 9:30pm up to 5:00am.

Transfers
Having a private driver (with or without a guide) takes away the stress of driving and the inconvenience of getting lost. Our private drivers are professional, experienced and friendly, and will provide interesting tidbits about our history, culture and traditions. Once you reach your destination, you can use local taxi services or tour operators if you wish to tour the region or explore nearby towns.

Taxi / cab services:
When using them, verify that they comply with the legal established requirements, such us the yellow triangles printed on doors with the plate number and the taximeter in the front. Always ask the staff of your hotel to call a taxi from a reliable company.

Rafting in Costa Rica:
Because of safety reasons, the river rafting may be cancelled at the operator’s discretion should the river’s water level be deemed unsafe. Although cancellations are not common, the rafting company will give 100% refund. If you are a beginner, please look for class II or III adventures.

Recommended gear: rubber-soled shoes, swimsuits and shorts, sunscreen, croakies or other eyeware retainers for your glasses, light rain jacket or wind breaker for rainy days, disposable waterproof camera, changes of clothes, dry shoes and towel. (Personal items can be left in the bus during your adventure)

Cell phones
As hard as it may be to part with your cell phone . . . it is best not to bring it along. The Costa Rican wireless network has sometimes poor coverage outside the Central Valley.

Shopping at the airport
Save a little of your best shopping for last... The souvenir shops at the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José offer an excellent selection of local merchandise. From striking exotic wood bowls to Costa Rican coffee, you will find the perfect gift for your loved ones... and yourself!

Tipping & Taxes
A 10% service charge plus a 13% sales tax is included on restaurant bills. Hotels also add a 3.69% tourism tax to the sales tax on room charges. We suggest an optional 10% tip if you are satisfied with the service. Porters should be tipped $3 or $4 depending on the hotel, and chambermaids are usually tipped $2 per day. Transfers and guides do not expect a tip, but it is a good way to say that they did a good job.

Insurance
If your credit card company does not offer trip cancellation coverage, travel insurance can give you the peace of mind of knowing that your investment will be refunded in case you need to cancel or cut short your vacation. In case of an emergency, we will honor each hotel and operator’s cancellation policies, and will try to negotiate the best possible outcome for you and your family.

Immunizations
From a general health standpoint, Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations in the developing world. This is largely due to high health standards in our country. Thus, there are no required immunizations when traveling to Costa Rica. However, it is always wise to keep your basic vaccines current, especially those against tetanus and diphtheria. Risk of contracting malaria is minimal, but for itineraries that include the Caribbean lowlands, travelers might wish to take the extra precaution of prophylactic medicine such as chloroquinine. Decisions about immunizations and anti-malarial medications should be made on a personal basis after consultation with your personal physician.