Costa Rica is well-connected to the USA, Canada and other Central and South American countries via direct and connecting flights. Most international flights land at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), which is located 17km outside of San Jose. This is a convenient starting point for itineraries including the central Pacific coast, Caribbean coast or southern Costa Rica. Domestic flights to popular destinations like Puerto Jimenez, Quepos and Tortuguero depart from Juan Santamaria Airport. International flights also land at the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, which is the gateway to Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula.

Please consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks prior to your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin and your travel itinerary and your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines.

Important vaccinations to consider and which may either be required or recommended are: Hepatitis A & B and rabies. There are a number of insect-borne illnesses present in Costa Rica so it’s best to take precautions such as wearing light layers and insect repellent.

Malaria
We advise that you consult a medical practitioner at least six weeks prior to travel. Malaria is present in certain regions and it is strongly advisable to take malaria prophylactics before, during and after your visit. Please consult a medical professional regarding which prophylactics will be suitable for you.
In addition to the recommendations of your travel clinic or physician, you may also consider the following proactive preventative measures:

● Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Recommended repellents contain 20-35% DEET but it is a very virulent repellent, and should be used cautiously.
● Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants at dawn and dusk, as well as closed shoes.
● Use a mosquito net if your tent or room isn't screened or air-conditioned; and spray insecticide or burn a mosquito coil before going to bed.

If you come down with flu-like symptoms either during or within four to six weeks after your visit to a malaria area, seek a doctor's advice immediately and let him/her know that you have been in a malaria area.

Communication
Costa Rica country code: +506

Calling overseas from Costa Rica:
From a landline dial 00 followed by the country code plus area code and number.
e.g. USA: 00 1 910 795 1048

When calling from a cell phone dial + prefix followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: + 1 910 795 1048

The main currency is the Costa Rica Colon (CRC), however many shops and activities do unofficially accept US Dollars.

Gratuities
We must stress that tipping is not compulsory or expected; rather it is an extra reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Tipping is usually done at the end of your trip, and you may tip the staff individually, place a tip for all the staff in the box or do both. Tips can be made in Costa Rica Colon or US Dollars.

Gratuities suggestions:
Restaurant wait staff: 15 - 20% if a 10% service charge isn’t included.
Guides: 10 - 15% of the total
Drivers: $2 - $5
Hotel staff: $2 - $5 per night

It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:
Compulsory Insurance:

a. Emergency evacuation expenses
b. Medical expenses
c. Repatriation expenses

Recommended Insurance:
a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip
b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc). Leave one set at home, and bring another set with you, and place it in a location separate from your originals.

Certain countries including the USA and UK don’t need a tourist visa to enter Costa Rica. However, they are required to present a current, valid passport and a departure ticket from Costa Rica (within 90 days).

Please do contact the embassy in your home country to reconfirm visa requirements, as they change often. Visa Central is also a good resource for further information.

Climate
Located near the Equator, Costa Rica enjoys warm, unvarying temperatures throughout the year with an average of 26° on the coast and 23° in the countryside and mountains. The rainy season in each region creates the most difference in conditions, however, both coasts have warm seas all year round.

What to pack:
Shorts and T-shirts
Layers: long, breathable trousers and long-sleeved shirts
Lightweight rain jacket
Sandals
Hiking shoes / boots
Sunscreen
Sunglasses and a hat
Insect repellent
Hand sanitizer / wipes
Toiletries
A dry bag
Water shoes for waterfalls, kayaking or rafting if applicable
Swimming costume
Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment
Books or a fully loaded Kindle / iPad for siesta time
Flashlight

Most camps and lodges will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis.

Camera Equipment (for the enthusiasts)
• A telephoto lens (200/300mm)
• Spare memory cards for digital cameras
• Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust proof bag
• Bring spare batteries as although you may recharge your batteries at the camps, charging capacity can be limited.

Luggage
Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20 kgs or more per person, but please check this with your individual airline. Please be advised that on domestic flights, luggage is limited to a maximum weight of 15kgs.

Electricity
Costa Rica has two associated plugs, type A and B, and operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.