HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO COSTA RICA

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1 HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO COSTA RICA Trailfinders prides itself on the first hand knowledge that we can pass on to our clients. We want you to benefit from our experience and have as carefree a holiday as possible so please take a few moments before you go to read through our Holiday Essentials. If you know what to expect in advance it will allow you to pack and plan accordingly thus ensuring you have an enjoyable trip. We suggest you take this guide with you in your hand luggage since it has useful contact numbers and information you might need. Costa Rica is a small but captivating country which is wonderfully rich in flora and fauna and boasts a vast amount of beautiful scenery. We have planned your trip to try and maximise your enjoyment and you will have the support of our local representatives at each destination. Itinerary & Guides On arrival into Costa Rica you will be met by one of our local representatives who will accompany you to your hotel. Private Tours in Costa Rica operate on a modular basis and you will most likely have a different guide and driver for your transfers and sightseeing at each destination. In addition we offer sightseeing and most transfers on either a private or shared basis, please refer to your itinerary for details of the type of transfers and sightseeing included in your tour. If you have booked private transfers with an English speaking driver as part of your itinerary you will have the flexibility to stop enroute to take advantage of the superb scenery and wildlife viewing found on the drives across the country and allow time to take photos. In addition having a private guide for sightseeing will allow your guide to spend more time sharing their knowledge with you whilst explaining the wide range of flora and fauna you will encounter on each excursion. Shared transfers and sightseeing represent excellent value and as excursions will often be with up to clients, these are perfect for those who wish to share their experiences with like-minded travellers. It is important to note that shared mini bus transfers operate to a set schedule, picking clients up from other hotels which can increase the journey time and some routes may involve a change of vehicles before reaching your destination. Please be aware in Tortuguero transfers are on buses which can carry up to 48 clients and tours can be in groups of up to 25 people. Visa All travellers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and contain at least two blank pages for affixing visas and arrival stamps. UK and Irish passport holders - if your stay in Costa Rica is less than 90 days in length you will not need to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Visa information is subject to change and we recommend you check with the Trailfinders Visa Service for the latest information. Other passports - a visa may be required so please check with the Trailfinders Visa Service for your particular circumstances. Trailfinders Visa Service in the UK please call or visit trailfinders.com/visas and in Ireland call or visit trailfinders.ie/visas. Enjoy a discounted rate as a valued Trailfinders client.

2 Immunisations & Health The following vaccinations are recommended for Costa Rica: Tetanus/Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. There may be a mandatory Yellow Fever certificate requirement depending on your complete itinerary. Depending on the nature and duration of your trip as well as your personal medical circumstances, you may be recommended vaccination against Rabies and Hepatitis B. Malaria tablets are recommended for some parts of the country. Yellow Fever vaccine may not be suitable for everyone and it is strongly advised that you seek professional medical advice as early as possible regarding vaccinations and other traveller s health issues. Traveller s diarrhoea can be a problem so you should be careful about what you eat. Avoid salads and fruit that hasn t been peeled, beware of ice cream which is sold on the street, or may have melted and been re-frozen. It is not recommended that you drink the tap water. Ice cubes in drinks are generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants when made from purified water. Trailfinders Travel Clinic receive a 20% discount off immunisation's when you book your travel with Trailfinders. Our clinic is based at 194 Kensington High Street, London W8 7RG and no appointment is required. In the UK please call or visit trailfinders.com/services. Insurance At Trailfinders we believe that comprehensive travel insurance is an essential part of your travel package. Trailfinders Tailormade Travel Insurance, developed over some 46 years, has been specifically designed to cater for all type of traveller on all types of holiday. Please contact your travel consultant for a personalised quote. Regardless of whether or not you choose Trailfinders Travel Insurance please ensure you are comprehensively covered for the duration of your holiday. What to take with you Many items are available to buy locally but some things are not so anything essential you should bring with you. We suggest you consider taking the following: a money belt for keeping valuables safe, adaptor plug, torch, mosquito repellent, sun-cream, a Spanish-English dictionary/phrase book, ear plugs and binoculars (if visiting a national park). We suggest you take important items in your hand luggage in case of delay/loss of bags on international flights. We recommend your main luggage is packed in one bag but also take a light shoulder bag for day trips and sightseeing. Clothes We recommend that you pack light clothes and comfortable shoes for sightseeing and a poncho or rain jacket for boat trips. Dark clothes are advised for turtle watching trips in Tortuguero. You should also take sunglasses and a sun hat. Warmer clothing is recommended for visiting the highlands and cloud forests plus a rain jacket and sturdy walking shoes are essential if you are including any hiking or trekking as part of your itinerary. Lastly, it is a good idea to take an old pair of trainers or hiking sandals to wear if you have booked any rafting activities. Accommodation The standards of accommodation can vary widely in Costa Rica from large international standard hotels to simple eco-lodges. Jungle lodges in more remote areas such as Tortuguero or the Osa Peninsula will generally be more basic than in other parts of the country but will have private en suite facilities and hot water. Most larger hotels will offer internet access, with Wi-Fi becoming increasingly common. In some properties internet access may incur a charge and an access card may need to be purchased from reception.

3 Road Travel Road travel is often a great way of seeing how the locals live. Roads conditions vary between well maintained and bumpy gravel roads. Road travel can sometimes be over long distances but please be assured your driver will be familiar with local conditions and is trained to drive with due care and attention. If any shared shuttle transfers are included as part of your itinerary you will be restricted to one piece of checked baggage weighing no more than 50lbs (22.5kgs) and one piece of hand luggage. Any extra luggage will be subject to an additional surcharge and must be booked in advance. Private road transfers do not have any restrictions in regards to baggage allowance. Air Travel Internal flights are sometimes subject to delays and cancellations at short notice which is beyond our control however we will do all possible to minimise the inconvenience should delays occur. Some flights will have touch downs before they reach their final destination and will often involve a change of plane in San Jose. Departure tax of US $29 per person is payable locally for international flights and is payable in local currency, US dollars or on Visa credit card. Costs are subject to change and we recommend you ask your local guide for details on the up to date cost at the time of departure. There are two domestic airlines in Costa Rica, Sansa and Nature Air. Both of these airlines have a restrictive baggage allowance: Nature Air permit one piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 10lbs (4.5kgs) and as there are no overhead lockers it should not exceed 33 linear inches (length + height + width). You are also permitted one piece of checked in baggage weighing no more than 40lbs (18kgs) which must not exceed the dimensions of 127 linear cm (length + height + width). You will be charged at the airport for any excess weight up to 60lbs (27kgs). Nature Air try to guarantee that all luggage travels on the same flight as the passenger but please note that occasionally due to operational, weight or safety requirements Nature Air will transport checked luggage by land to your next destination which will arrive the same day. Sansa permit one small piece of hand luggage such as a handbag or laptop case and one piece of checked in baggage weighing no more than 40lbs (18kgs), with a maximum size of 114 linear cm (length + height + width). Fees for excess baggage will be payable at the airport and will be considered standby bags and may not travel on the same flight as you. In the event that your luggage is unable to travel on the same flight as you then it will be put on the next available flight. Both Sansa and Nature Air can provide luggage storage facilities in San Jose. There will be a charge of US$ 5 - US$ 10 per bag per day for Sansa and US$ 15 per bag per week for Nature Air (maximum duration for storage facilities is one week), both payable locally. Boat Transfers Some hotels and lodges in Costa Rica are accessed by boat. For these transfers luggage will restrictions apply, these will vary depending on the property. Any additional luggage can be stored with Travel Excellence and will be returned to you when you leave the lodge. Boat transfers to the lodges in Tortuguero have baggage limits of 18kg. If you have included a stay at Pacuare Lodge and are rafting to/from the lodge you must ensure that any items you need for your stay are packed separately to your main luggage. This bag must weigh no more than 10kgs with maximum dimensions 55cm x 20cm x 40cm and will be to be transported to Pacuare Lodge in on the raft in dry bags provided by the lodge.

4 Taxis There may be occasions when you want to take a taxi during your free time. In San José taxis have meters whereas in more rural areas it is advisable to pre-arrange the fare for your journey before getting into the vehicle. Driving in Costa Rica Fly drive is an exciting way to explore Costa Rica. If you are embarking on a fly drive booked with Trailfinders the majority of roads on your itinerary will be paved, however around Monteverde roads are unsealed and so all vehicles we offer are SUV. To make you journey easier you will have a GPS, maps and driving instructions included in your tour. Speed is in kilometres so please remember this when adhering to speed limits. Driving in Costa Rica is safe however you should take the same precautions you would hiring a vehicle anywhere in the world and we strongly discourage driving at night when roads can be poorly lit and harder to navigate. A basic understanding of Spanish is useful and a Latin American phrase book will come in handy. In addition below are some of the most common road signs you will see; ALTO Stop, this sign requires drivers to be ready to slow or stop to allow another driver to proceed PELIGROSO Danger CEDA EL PASO Yield NO HAY PASO Do not enter DESPACIO Slow CURVA ADELANTE Curve Ahead Travelling With Children If you are travelling with young children please speak to your consultant about infant or booster seats. It is generally accepted that children aged 5 years and under do not have a good concept of danger. Children must be supervised at all times, especially when near any type of pool. Climate Generally, Costa Rica s dry season runs from December to April and the wet or green season between May and November. The heaviest rainfall occurs from September to October. This applies to most of the country. However, the weather along the Caribbean coast is more unpredictable and the drier months tend to be February to March and September to October. Food & Drink Costa Rican food consists of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. Seafood is plentiful in the coastal regions. Two of the main ingredients of typical Costa Rican cuisine are beans and rice. Gallo Pinto is a popular breakfast choice made with rice, beans, onions and herbs. It is generally safe to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except in the most rural parts of the country. Sealed bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are also widely available throughout the country. Social Graces & Customs Costa Ricans, or Ticos, are sociable, friendly and always interested in meeting foreigners. Public displays of anger, impatience or boasting of any kind are seen as bad manners. A handshake is the most common form of greeting and women may sometimes pat or touch the left forearm instead of shaking hands.

5 Cameras & Photography You should always ask permission before taking anyone s photograph. Sometimes people might ask for a little money in return for a photo so it s worth carrying a supply of small notes, and coins. Memory cards and film are available locally, but we suggest you take your own since availability, price and quality are variable. Shopping Tropical hardwood souvenirs are commonly available, these include salad bowls, jewellery boxes and ornaments. Coffee and chocolate are also a popular souvenirs. Safety Costa Rica is a reasonably safe travel destination and crime against tourists is rare, however it s sensible to take basic precautions against petty theft as you would anywhere. Do not wear expensive jewellery or carry too much cash. Keep photocopies of your passport and travel documents in your luggage and use the hotel safes for passports, jewellery and money and don t put all your money in one place. Ocean waves and currents can be strong and the sea in some areas can often be unsuitable for swimming. Take note of any red flags and seek local advice if unsure. Language Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica but English is often spoken in hotels in the main tourist areas and towns. If you take the time to learn a few simple words or phrases in Spanish the effort will be much appreciated. Money The colon ( ) is the currency in Costa Rica, please check with your bank or ask your travel consultant for an up to date exchange rate. US dollars are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. There are ATMs in all the major tourist destinations and cash and travellers cheques can be changed in banks. We recommend that travellers cheques and cash are changed into US dollars before you depart as it may be difficult to change British Pounds or Euros whilst in Costa Rica. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants. Tipping A 10% service charge is included on meals and drinks in restaurants and hotels. Any additional tips are entirely at your discretion. It is customary to tip porters and bellboys, we recommend an amount between US$ 1-5 per service. Taxi drivers are not normally tipped. You may feel you want to tip your guides and drivers during your tour. This is entirely discretionary but from our experience we recommend an amount of US$ per person per day for guides and US$ 5-10 per person per day for drivers when the service is private. For shared services we suggest US$ 5-8 per person per day for guides and US$ 4-5 per person per day for drivers. Time Costa Rica is 6 hours behind GMT and does not observe daylight saving.

6 Electricity The electrical current in Costa Rica is 110V AC. Sockets are the two flat-pin variety used in North America. We recommend that you take a universal plug adapter with you. Local Contact Details In the event of any problem or concern please contact the manager on the office numbers provided or the Duty General Manager on the emergency contact number during non-office hours. Please note if calling from a landline within Costa Rica or from a Costa Rican mobile please drop the country code +506 and replace with 0. Travel Excellence Office open Monday - Friday 0800 to 1730 & Saturday 0800 to 1200 Costa Rican Standard Time: hours emergency contact Duty General Manager: Please be aware that prices and times are subject to change without prior notification and should be treated as a guide only /02/2017

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION COSTA RICA

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION COSTA RICA ESSENTIAL INFORMATION PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey and should have a minimum of two (2) blank visa pages for entry and exit