What's Not Included DETAILED ITINERARY

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1 14 days Starts/Ends: San Jose From San Jose discover the natural wonders of Costa Rica. Relax on the palm fringed beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean Coast, take in spectacular scenery, encounter wonderful wildlife in acclaimed national parks and the incredible marine life of Cahuita s coral reefs. This is Costa Rica encompassed! HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights San Jose - Costa Rica's cosmopolitan capital La Fortuna and the active Arenal Volcano Lake Arenal - picturesque highland lake Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - shrouded in a canopy of cloud and home to a wonderful array of flora and fauna Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast - beautiful beaches, lush rainforest and lots of wildlife Tortuguero National Park - a Green Sea Turtle nesting ground, teaming with wildlife. Cahuita National Park - stunning palm fringed beaches, wildlife and offshore coral reef What's Included 10 breakfasts 13 nights simple hotels, hostels & guesthouses Airport arrival transfer on day 1 Local transportation - public buses, private vehicles and boats Excursions to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero National Park including entrance fees Escorted by a tour leader English-speaking local guide(s) for the included excursions What's Not Included International flights, departure and border taxes and visas. Tips on all excursions. Tip for your tour leader - an entirely personal gesture. Meals - allow US$25-30 spending money per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs and any extras. Airport departure transfer - can be booked at an additional cost upon request. DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : San Jose Hola San Jose! Upon arrival at San Jose Airport you'll be met by a representative and transferred to our hotel. The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held. The capital city of Costa Rica, San José, is nestled in a fertile valley among coffee and sugar-cane farms. There is not much left of the colonial era architecture, due to the damage done by earthquakes, but it is certainly worth seeing the National Theatre, built in Maybe you'll be lucky enough to catch a performance whilst you're here. The Gold, Jade and National Museums are also particularly recommended for a visit There are plenty of interesting optional day trips that can be undertaken within a close vicinity of San José such as visits to the Poás or Irazú volcano, white water rafting, the Turu BaRi Topical Park or the Rain Forest Aerial Tram. Overnight - San Jose Days 2-3 : Manuel Antonio San Jose - Manuel Antonio. We travel from the Central Valley to the Pacific coast, through - 1 -

2 very lush green countryside to Manuel Antonio, where we will visit the Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular parks in the country. This celebrated park is blessed with beautiful lagoons, palm fringed beaches, a vast array of animals and lush green forests. Some of the many creatures that call Manuel Antonio home include sloths, pelicans, whitefaced monkeys, anteaters and huge iguanas. It is also famous for its beaches - although almost deserted on weekdays, keep a sharp eye on your belongings, as the monkeys and raccoons are seasoned thieves! Overnight - Manuel Antonio (B:2) Days 4-5 : Monteverde Cloud Forest Manuel Antonio - Santa Elena. We travel to the old town of Quepos, once a very important port for the exportation of bananas. We then ascend a steep mountain road that offers great views over lush green hills that flatten to meet the Pacific ocean. We reach the small town of Santa Elena, established by American Quakers in the 1950's. From here we visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in search of the mysterious endangered Quetzal, a very rare and timid bird with incredibly beautiful and unique plumage. There are several paths to explore in this privately owned reserve, one of which takes you to the continental divide. On a clear day both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can be seen! We'll also stop at the Hummingbird Gallery where these energetic birds buzz around sipping on nectar. The area around Santa Elena is famous for its ziplines, where you'll have the option to go flying over the cloud forest on a series of cables strung out between the giant trees. For the less courageous, you may opt for a sky walk along a series of suspension bridges above the forest canopy. Along with the lovely horse treks, nature-spotting twilight walks, visits to coffee and dairy farms, you may find it hard to choose between all of the exciting excursions! Overnight - Santa Elena (B:2) Days 6-8 : La Fortuna San Jose - La Fortuna. Our next journey takes us through the mountains of the cloud forest using a combination of minivans and boats. The first leg to Lake Arenal takes about one hour 30 minutes. After transferring onto a boat, we can admire the stunning scenery of the lake for approximately an hour until we reach the other side, where we board another minibus and travel for thirty minutes to La Fortuna. The main attraction in La Fortuna is the nearby Arenal Volcano, which has been constantly erupting since 1968 although is not doing so anymore. After settling into our hotel you'll have time for a leisurely lunch and to explore the town. An exciting optional night excursion is available where you are taken to a site near the volcano and sample the local alcoholic spirit (proceed with caution!). After this, you may want to indulge in a visit the luxuriant local hot springs for a well-earned dip. There is also plenty of free time to partake in a variety of spectacular and exhilarating optional excursions while in La Fortuna; a visit to the some local waterfalls, caving, rappelling, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horseriding, trekking, biking, and wild-life spotting. Overnight - La Fortuna (B:1) Days 9-10 : Tortuguero National Park La Fortuna - Tortuguero. We travel by bus to the port of Moin near Limón, where a boat will be waiting to take us along inland jungle canals and into Tortuguero National Park, located on the Atlantic/Caribbean coast. Teaming with wildlife along its banks and hiding in the dense vegetation, we are sure to spot a large variety of animals, possibly including monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, turtles, numerous different bird species, and the 'Jesus Lizard' so named because it can walk on water! While in Tortuguero, with luck we will observe the Green sea turtles which, between July and October, arrive at the beaches to lay eggs in the sand. During the period seven to ten weeks after nesting the turtles hatch which, to witness, is one of life's most inspiring events. There is an interesting visitor's centre in the tiny village where you can watch videos and learn all about the turtles. During our excursions around Tortuguero we may also have the chance to see the tiny but brightly coloured poison arrow frogs. Overnight - Tortuguero (B:1) Days : Cahuita National Park Tortuguero - Cahuita National Park. We continue on to the small beachside town of Cahuita. From here, you can take an optional excursion into the magical Cahuita National Park, which boasts beautiful beaches and an off-shore coral reef. You can go for a snorkel or take a glassbottomed boat tour to see some of the 500 species of fish that live in the area. Enjoy a stroll through the forest, keeping an eye out for the variety of creatures that call this nature reserve home. Bring your swimsuit with you to enjoy a day in the sun at one of the lovely beaches within the park, or lounge at one of the black sand beaches a few minutes from the hotel. The actual town of Cahuita has an impressive selection of restaurants, where you may sample - 2 -

3 some fruits of the sea, and of course listen to reggae music blaring out to the delight of the local Rastafarians. From Cahuita you have the option of taking a short bus journey down the coast to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. This laid-back Caribbean village has some of the best surf in the country. Nearby is the local 'sloth sanctuary', where you can see sloths up close and personal, including baby orphans and sloths rescued from injuries who can no longer fend for themselves in the wild. From Cahuita we return to San José. Overnight - Cahuita (B:2) Day 13 : San Jose Cahuita - San Jose. We travel back to San Jose today and spend our final night in the capital. Overnight - San Jose (B) Day 14 : San Jose Today our incredible adventure ends after hotel check out. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights. The itinerary listed above is to be used as a guide only. Occasionally we may need to make changes prior to departure or tour leaders may need to make adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances during the tour.(b) Arriving into San Jose An arrival transfer from San Jose airport to our hotel is included on day 1 - for all bookings made after 10 January For all bookings made up to 10 January, an arrival transfer can be booked upon request for an additional fee. If you are unsure if you have an arrival transfer please check your invoice or contact On The Go Tours. To make your own way to your San Jose hotel, there is a reservation desk for taxi services at the airport. They offer a set rate for taxi carriage from the airport to certain destinations within the city. The rate should be US$22-$25 (San Jose airport is roughly 17km from the city centre). You simply purchase a taxi voucher to the required destination (give them the name of the hotel) and present it to the driver. There is no cash transaction between the client and the driver, and these services are generally safe and reliable. There are also public buses to the centre. These buses make regular stops directly in front of the airport. Buses cost 210 colones (approximately US 50 cents), and depart every five minutes. The bus will take you to a terminal located at the western end of San Jose. This is within walking distance from the city's main public bus terminal, the Coca Cola Bus Terminal. Taxis are readily available from here and should cost roughly 1000 colones (approx US$2.50) to the hotel. Joining hotel details: Hotel El Rincón Ave. 9 and Calle 15, Barrio Otoya San José, Costa Rica Tel: (+506) The hotel serves breakfast from 6am-10am in their adjoining restaurant. Continental breakfast (bread, jam and tea/coffee and juice) costs 800 colones and an American breakfast with eggs costs 1500 Colones. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner. There are also safe deposit boxes for your use (you will get an itemised receipt). Please leave all of your important documents, money and travellers cheques here when you go out but remember to carry some form of ID and a photocopy of your passport with you. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Our Partners Please note that this tour is operated by Tucan Travel. Travellers on your trip will have made their reservation with On the Go Tours or Tucan Travel. Personal Safety It is not advisable to wear chains or expensive looking watches or jewellery while in many Central American cities. You should also keep your camera concealed when not in use and carry daypacks on your front for extra safety. Crime in Latin America is not as bad as its reputation but you must be sensible and alert. Arrival & Welcome Meeting When you arrive on day one of your trip, you should find some local information in the hotel lobby. Your tour leader will be staying in the hotel and should have put up a welcome note to let you know what room they are in. A pre-departure meeting is usually held in the afternoon or early evening of day one. You will need to bring the following important items to the meeting with your tour leader: The original and a photocopy of your passport Vaccination certificates (if required) Travel voucher Details of your travel insurance policy number and their 24hr emergency contact number Missing The Start of Your Tour If you miss the start of your tour, please ask at the reception of the hotel for a message from your tour leader which will give you instructions on how to catch up with the group. Any associated costs will be at your own expense (although, depending on the reason, you may be able to claim these from your travel insurance so ensure you keep all receipts). If you know in advance that you are unlikely to arrive on time, please contact us immediately so we can inform the tour leader. We cannot be held responsible should your airline/boat/coach be delayed and we are unable to refund any unused portion of your tour. Hotels & Transfers Day 1 of all our tours is simply a joining day and the tour actually departs the joining city on day 2. The last day of your tour is the official departure day and is free for you to pack or sightsee before you depart. All tours are scheduled to arrive at your final destination the afternoon/evening before your departure day. Therefore very little time is spent in each of the starting and finishing cities and you will need to allow a few days at the beginning or end of your tour if you want to explore them further. We can book pre and post tour accommodation for you upon request

4 Check in time is at 1300 hrs on day 1. If you wish to use the services of a room before or after checkout time, or you are arriving very early in the morning of day 1, you will need to book an extra night, which we can arrange for you. All rooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwise indicated. We include an airport arrival transfer on day 1 for all tours departing from Mexico City, Havana, Antigua or San Jose. Airport transfers are not included/available in Cancun. Airport departure transfers are not included in the tour price but can be booked upon request at an additional cost (with the exception of Cancun). Please see the tour price page of our website for information on prices. Important: If your tour includes an arrival transfer and you are going to be delayed more than two hours, you must advise us of the delay at least six hours before arrival. If we are advised in time, we will make every effort to reschedule your transfer and your driver will be asked to wait for two hours after your new expected arrival time. However, if we are not made aware of any change, the driver will only wait for two hours after the original scheduled arrival time and after this point it will be up to you to arrange transport to your hotel at your own expense. Please contact us on the emergency number on your tour voucher. Optional Excursions During your tour there will be free time to enjoy a range of optional excursions which are listed at the end of this pdf. Your tour leader will be able to make recommendations and bookings in advance for most of these activities so you have more flexibility and control over your itinerary. Please note that you may not have time to do all of the optional excursions listed. Should you wish to partake in optional activities in the city where you tour starts/ends we recommend that you book pre/post tour accommodation. Spending Money For personal spending money you should bring US dollars or Euros in Cuba to use alongside the local currency (where applicable). While bank cards provide a very good way to access funds overall, it is not recommended to rely on them as your sole source of funds as cash machines do not always work and may not be available in remote locations. We recommend you bring along a minimum of US$200 cash in small denominations (no $100 notes). Make sure all notes are the new style, and are not damaged, defaced, rubber stamped or written on, as many places will refuse them if they are not in perfect condition. It is a good idea to try to maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases. Your spending money should cover some meals, optional excursions, souvenirs, drinks, laundry, border and airport taxes and any visas obtained locally. We provide guideline prices for optional excursions in the itinerary to help you budget, but ultimately the amount you will need to budget for your trip very much depends on your individual requirements. We recommend bringing extra money to cover emergencies or unexpected situations. Style of Trip Our Central America tours are designed to suit travellers who love being able to travel on many different forms of transport with local people. There is a certain amount of involvement needed, which will mean carrying your own bags to the bus or train station or even helping the driver throw everyone s packs onto the roof. If you enjoy meeting and interacting with local people and don t mind roughing it occasionally, then these tours will be just right for you. It is important that you are open to travelling with a range of different age groups. You must also satisfy yourself that you are fit enough to complete the itinerary as there are no refunds if you choose to leave the tour. Based on the nature of this travel style, our adventurous Central America tours are generally suitable for people aged between 18 and 60 years old. If you have any questions about this please contact us or speak to your travel consultant. Our Central America tours suit people who are fit and active. Although no experience is required there are many walks between bus/ train terminals and hotels and travellers must be able to carry their own luggage over various terrains as well as lift up luggage onto the tops of buses so do not pack more than you can comfortably carry. The average group size is 8 to 12 passengers with a maximum of 18, however on some included excursions group sizes may occasionally be larger. Meals Meals are not included on our Central America Tours, so you can get out there and experience the best local cuisine on offer according to your own tastes and budget. This gives the flexibility to choose when and where to dine and enables you to maximise your free time and not worry about set meal times. Our hotels are generally located near restaurants with standards that vary from first class local eateries to street stalls to ensure we cater for all tastes and budgets. Transport and Travel On our Central America tours we use a variety of transport depending on the country in which we are travelling and the length of the tour. Vehicles can range from buses filled with local people and their many possessions to private minibuses and comfortable airconditioned coaches. Sometimes you could be travelling on boats, taking a taxi or even walking. Our aim is not simply to get you from A to B, but to help you to experience each destination as a genuine traveller, not as a first class tourist. A word of warning - please remember that travelling conditions can sometimes be cramped and seating is not always guaranteed in Central America. This may mean having to stand for some time in cramped conditions or share a seat with 5 others! This adds to the experience and is all a part of travelling with the locals. Due to the vast distances covered on many of our Central America Tours, please be prepared for occasional long travelling days. This time spent travelling is unavoidable but you will not be disappointed once you arrive! On the positive side there are also many short travel days and days which involve no travelling leaving you free to explore at your leisure. Accommodation Our 'simple' accommodation is generally the equivalent in comfort and amenities of a 2 star hotel. We stay in small hotels, hostels - 4 -

5 and guest houses which are usually situated close to the main sights and town centres. They are chosen for their local ambience rather than star rating and we look for attributes like character, location, atmosphere, cleanliness and security. Although sometimes quite basic, you will find clean comfortable rooms with ensuite facilities (occasionally bathrooms may be shared but this is rare), friendly staff and often a bar and restaurant attached or nearby. Please be aware that accommodation in Central America sometimes has erratic services like lack of hot water or no central heating, staff members don t always speak English and sometimes our reservations are 'lost'! In general, facilities are very good but please be prepared for the occasional mishap, which is all part of the travelling experience. All accommodation is included from the arrival day until check out time on the final day of the tour. Travellers will share rooms with other group members of the same gender. Mostly this will be in twin rooms although sometimes in triples depending on the group composition and hotel rooming structure. Electrical Supply The power supply in Latin America differs not only from country to country but sometimes from region to region within a country. If bringing electrical equipment, make sure that it can be switched over from 110 volts to 220 volts and vice versa. If your equipment is 220 volts it will work on a 110 volt system (albeit slower), but if you use 110 volt equipment in a 220 volt system, it will blow the equipment! Bring a voltage converter and travel plug adaptor (most countries either have 2 pin flat as in USA or 2 round pins). What to Pack You will have to carry your own bags on this tour so it is important to bring luggage you can carry and lift comfortably, potentially up several flights of stairs in hotels where elevators are not available and between bus/train stations and hotels. There may be times when you have to get your luggage through crowded streets which may be cobbled or store your luggage in lockers. Luggage too large for lockers will have to be left insecurely or carried for the duration of the day. We recommend a frameless backpack or a sports type shoulder bag which fits comfortably on your shoulders, as they are less bulky and easier to handle than rigid suitcases or framed backpacks. Suitcases are not suitable for our tours and are not recommended. Tucan Travel takes no responsibility for damage to your luggage while on tour. If your tour includes regional flights, there may be a weight limit to the amount of luggage you can take. Please see your detailed itinerary for more information. In addition to your main bag, you will need a small daypack for your everyday excursions. Try to keep this bag as light as possible and make sure that all main sections of your bags can be padlocked. This daypack should have enough room to carry food and snacks for long hikes and treks and space to carry belongings for overnight excursions. Sleeping Sheet: Sleeping bags are not required on this tour, but a sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional if you wish to bring one along. Some passengers like to use them on long bus journeys and overnight trains. Essential for all tours Tour Voucher and Tour Go Guide Passport (with 2 photocopies - one kept separately & the other to give to the tour leader with your next of kin details) Cash/credit & debit cards (with photocopies kept separately) Travel insurance certificate (with a photocopy to be given to your tour leader) Spare passport photos (you may need these for obtaining visas) International airline ticket(s) (with a photocopy kept separately) International Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever if applicable) International student card (may get you discounts into some sites) Your travel consultant s phone number and address (it is very important to have this as it is much easier to confirm/change flights etc via your agent) Cotton money belt and/or pouch to store your valuables under your clothing Suggested equipment (some useful, some necessary - use your discretion Sunglasses Small calculator (to help with currency conversions) Lockable pouch for your money and valuables to use in safety deposit boxes Plastic bags (very useful for wrapping camera equipment, soap, shampoo bottles, wet clothing etc) Inflatable pillow Small collapsible umbrella (also good for sun protection) Pegless washing line & travel laundry detergent (bio-degradable preferably) Universal washbasin plug Torch / flashlight Binoculars Travel alarm clock Travel plug adaptor Small medical kit with diarrhoea remedy, rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, sterile dressings, plasters, bandages, pain-killers, safety pins etc. Small sewing kit Lip balm, sun block with high UV factor (this can be expensive to buy locally) Insect repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream Tampons and condoms Toilet paper (best to carry a roll with you at all times) and/or tissues (purchase locally) Antibacterial hand cleansing gel (the type you can use without water) Moistened face tissues (e.g. Wet Ones) Ear plugs Travel sickness tablets (these are usually easy to buy over the counter locally) Cheap plastic wristwatch Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses and solution (a lens prescription is also advisable in case of loss or breakage) Camera / video camera with plenty of film or digital camera with spare memory cards Spare rechargeable batteries for camera etc Writing materials, address book and diary Pocket size Spanish phrasebook Travel games, cards & couple of paperbacks As gifts for local children - pens (with advertising on them), coloured pencils, small notepads. To discourage a begging mentality - 5 -

6 we recommend that you try to give these gifts at schools or childcare centres rather than on the street Clothing & Footwear We recommend packing lightweight and durable clothes including at least one pair of warm trousers and thinner sweaters/fleeces which you can layer. Nights can be cold in some locations such as Guatemala and San José at certain times of year, so it is a good idea to bring at least one pair of warm trousers plus several thinner sweaters / fleeces which you can layer. Please avoid military or camouflage-patterned clothing as it can cause problems and in some countries may be illegal. Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential. These do not need to be expensive boots, but they should have good ankle support and grip, be worn in and ideally waterproof. Check the climate and altitude at to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour so that you can pack accordingly. Essential Items A lightweight water/windproof jacket with hood Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap Towel - you will need a towel for most overnight excursions Swimwear Sandals/flip flops/thongs Health Please see your doctor or travel clinic for an up to date list of all recommended vaccinations for the regions you will be travelling to. We recommend that you do this at least eight weeks before you travel, as you may need a course of medications or more than one vaccination. In general we recommend that you are vaccinated against Tetanus-diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A and Typhoid and if travelling to a jungle area, yellow fever. Vaccinations are solely the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go. The malarial risk varies in the regions of Central America and in some areas appropriate preventive medicines are needed. Measures should always be taken to avoid mosquito bites, such as nets and creams. Please check with your health care professional as to the best and most up to date remedy for this mosquito borne disease. It is not recommended that you drink the tap water in any of the countries we visit and we recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. Tipping Tipping is a part of the life in Central America, but you should not feel obliged or pressured to tip if you have not received good service. A gratuity of 10% of the total bill is recommended in restaurants. Gratuities are usually expected for local guides on included and optional excursions. Tips are also appreciated by the tour leaders at the end of your tour and we recommend an average of $2-$4 per person per day for the duration of your tour. This is only if you feel that their service was up to standard and is completely at your own discretion. Time Keeping Punctuality is very important and throughout the tour your tour leader will give you the time to meet in reception. Tour leaders will often post notes at reception with meeting times, so remember to always look out for these. Although rare, delays can occur and we therefore advise you not to arrange your onward travel too close to the end of the tour. We take no responsibility for any missed flights or additional expenses If the group arrives late into the departure city at the end of the tour. Costa Rica Country Guide Costa Rica - Fact File Official Name: Republic of Costa Rica Capital: San Jose Population: 4.2 million Total Area: 51,100 square kilometres Official Language: Spanish Religions: Roman Catholic 76%, Protestant 14%, others 10% Voltage: 110 volts, US-style two pronged plugs Dialling Code: +506 Time Difference: GMT/UTC -6 Airport Departure Tax: US$29 - can be paid on arrival to avoid queues when departing. Costa Rica - Visas Most nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica, but it is important to check the rules for your nationality with your nearest embassy or consulate. Entry is granted on production of a passport valid for more than six months and proof of funds to support yourself (although proof not usually requested). As a tourist you are entitled to 30 days, however depending on the immigration official you may be allocated less days. You will probably be asked to fill out an immigration card. A copy of this card should stay in your passport until you exit the country. Costa Rica - Climate Costa Rica's weather is influenced by altitude. The Pacific coast is drier while the Atlantic coast has the most rainfall - about 300 days a year. The temperature in San José ranges from a high of 27 C to a low of 14 C. The wet season is from May to October. The hottest months are March and April. Visit to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour. Costa Rica - Money The monetary unit in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colon. For up-to-date exchange rates with your own currency visit Changing money, credit cards & ATMs Often the easiest way to obtain local currency is to use the ATMs ( cajeros automaticos ) located in San José (finding an ATM that will accept your card can be very difficult in the rest of Costa Rica). Visa, Plus and Cirrus/Maestro are accepted in most ATMs in San José, as long as you have a four-digit pin. Some ATMs will give you US dollars OR local currency, however you should not rely on this. Although bank cards are often the easiest way to go, there are times where they will not work - 6 -

7 for you even if your bank at home tells you it will! Do not rely on your card as your only source of money. Always have a few back-ups with you. Credit cards are accepted in some shops/ restaurants/hotels. The most accepted credit card is Visa, although authorisation can sometimes be denied due to poor computer connections or other problems. Note there may sometimes be commission charged when paying by credit card (up to 8%) and you will often get a discount if paying by cash instead. Traveller s cheques can be very time-consuming to cash in Costa Rica. If you choose to take them, make sure they are in US dollars and American Express cheques (they are by far the most widely accepted). San José is the easiest place (and sometimes the only place) for you stock up on money. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that you may bring into Costa Rica, however very large sums should be declared on arrival. Remember that once out of Costa Rica you will generally not be able to use or exchange colones (except at the border towns). Therefore you must make sure you spend/exchange/ donate any left-over money before leaving the country. Costa Rica - Local Transport Taxis are recommended for most journeys in San José. All taxis should have a meter but it s a good idea to be aware of what the approximate price should be before getting in the taxi. In other Costa Rican towns and cities, walking is basically the best and cheapest way to see the sights. Costa Rica - Food & Drink Food There s a lot of different food to choose from in Costa Rica and travellers are often surprised by the quality and variety on offer. This is partly due to the number of ex-pats who have opened up a range of different international restaurants. There is also local cuisine to suit every budget. Local cuisine is simple, tasty and not too spicy, but heavy on oil at times. Gallo pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans is commonly served with breakfast. A gallo pinto made in coconut milk (on the Caribbean side) is particularly good. At lunch gallo pinto becomes casado rice and beans supplemented with cabbage and tomato salad, fried platains and meat. Other common meals include arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) or arroz con atun (with tuna). Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet, but there is always salad. Vegetarians If you are a strict vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available, especially in small towns. You might find that you are eating a lot of omelettes and other egg dishes. Our tour leaders will do their best to provide interesting vegetarian alternatives when arranging group meals in the campsite, but your patience and understanding is requested. Drink All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense at all times. The following is a guideline for drinks bought in a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below: 1 litre of water US$1 30cl bottle of soft drink US$1 30cl bottle of beer US$ cl bottle of beer US$2 You should be wary of drinking the local tap water. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinks are widely available and are generally safe to drink. If you only learn one word in Spanish it s bound to be Cerveza. There are countless lagers, and a few dark beers. The most common are Bavaria and Imperial. Costa Rica has no national drink, but horchata, a cinnamon flavoured cornmeal drink, chan, a slimy drink made of seeds, and fresco de frutas, a fruit salad floating on a base of cola and water are very popular. Also popular is guaro, a clear spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane which is almost tasteless, yet very potent. Cost Rica - Bugs If your tour includes a visit to a jungle/rainforest region you should be prepared to encounter an array of wildlife including many insects and spiders etc. Most creepy crawlies are completely harmless and will cause you no problems at all in fact this is all part of the jungle experience. If you find something in your room it certainly doesn't mean that the room is unclean rather that you are in the jungle and it is completely normal. If you are uncomfortable with creepy crawlies it is a good idea to bring plenty of insect repellent spray and coils to place in your room and of course don't leave any food lying around. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Below is a list of the optional excursions and activities you can choose to do on your tour at your own cost and will help you to budget for your holiday. Please be aware that you may not have time to do all the optional excursions listed here. All prices are quoted in US dollars. The prices are subject to change without notice and can also increase as a result of low participation on some excursions. Please bear this in mind when planning your budget and speak to your tour leader if in any doubt. Health & Safety: It is sometimes difficult to obtain protective helmets of a reliable standard at some destinations, and unfortunately we are not able to provide them. If you intend to take part in optional activities such as bike, horse, donkey or camel rides, and would like to wear a helmet, consider bringing one with you. Overnight Excursions: If you choose an overnight excursion you should take your own daypack as you may be required to leave your main luggage at your accommodation. Costa Rica Arenal Hanging Bridges US$57 Arenal Volcano Natural History Walk US$39 Cahuita - Bike rental US$5 Cahuita - Bribri village with canoeing, horse riding & waterfalls US$75 Cahuita - Glass-bottom boat tours US$30 Cahuita - Horseriding US$45-7 -

8 Cahuita - Indigenous Bribri village US$55 Cahuita - National Park US$7 Cahuita - Sloth sanctuary US$15 Cahuita - Snorkelling tour US$45 Cahuita - Surfing lessons US$30 Cahuita - White water rafting US$99 Canyoneering and Canopy Zipline Combo US $150 Canyoneering and Rafting Combo US$150 La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Hike & Hot Springs US$109 La Fortuna - Cano Negro US$65 La Fortuna - Canyoning US$95 La Fortuna - Cerro Chato extreme hike US$75 La Fortuna - Fourtrax ATV (quad bike) US$75-95 La Fortuna - Horse Riding (half day) US$65 La Fortuna - Horse Riding to Monteverde US$90 La Fortuna - Hot Springs US$32-60 La Fortuna - Kayaking US$49 half day La Fortuna - Mountain Biking US$75 La Fortuna - National Park US$6 plus taxi La Fortuna - Rafting US$85 La Fortuna - Rainforest Mysteries Tour US$75 La Fortuna - Rio Calete National Park US$105 La Fortuna - River Safari (half day) US$55 La Fortuna - Safari Float US$49 Half Day La Fortuna - Silencio Trail Tour US$49 La Fortuna - Standup Paddleboarding US$65 Manuel Antonio - Snorkelling tour (half day) US $45 Manuel Antonio - Surf Lessons US$45 Monteverde - Bird Spotting Tour US$100 (for four people) Monteverde - Bungee Jump US$60 Monteverde - Canopy tours US$45 Monteverde - Cheese factory tour US$10 Monteverde - Don Juan coffee tour US$30 Monteverde - Horse riding US$28-44 Monteverde - Insect museum / butterfly gardens US$8 Monteverde - Night time-guided tours US$23 plus transport Monteverde - Ranario US$8 Monteverde - Serpentarium US$10 Monteverde - Sky Walk US$35 San Jose - Jade Museum US$5 San Jose - Museum National US$4 San Jose - Theatro National US$5 Tortuguero - Bribri and chocolate indigenous village visit US$55 Tortuguero - Horseback Riding US$45 Tortuguero - Night guided beach walk to spot turtles (seasonal) US$25 Tortuguero - Rafting Rio Pacuares US$99 Tortuguero - Snorkelling and Hiking - Cahuita NP US$45 La Fortuna - Venado Caves Tour US$75 La Fortuna - Volunteering US$25 La Fortuna - Volunteering/rafting combo US$75 La Fortuna - Waterfalls US$10 plus taxi La Fortuna - Ziplinging Canopy Tour US$84 Manuel Antonio - Boogieboard/surfboard rental US$5-10 per hour Manuel Antonio - Butterfly garden, reptile lagoon & aquatic garden US$35 Manuel Antonio - Catamaran & snorkelling tour US$75 Manuel Antonio - Damas Island boat tour US$45 Manuel Antonio - Horse riding US$40-60 Manuel Antonio - National Park guided tour US $15 Manuel Antonio - Rafting/Kayaking US$