Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tour pace very hectic?
A well paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Daylight hours are between 5:30 am and 5:30 pm so it's best to begin early since this is the freshest part of the day and when animals are more active. Also, during the rainy season it is the best time to take advantage of fair weather during the early hours. Depending of course on road and traffic conditions you should plan to arrive at your hotels between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each day.
How large will my group be?
We limit our group sizes to 30 to allow for more personalized attention and interaction.
Are meals included?
Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Bottled water is provided free on the motorcoach and purified water is provided at the meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified.
What is the food like?
Due to its' geographical location and climate, Costa Rica has a wealth of fruits and vegetables that, when combined with the interplay of native and European ingredients and culture, translate into a unique Costa Rican flavor.
The basic staples of the Costa Rican diet are rice, beans, and tortillas, which consist primarily of corn. The ingredients used by Costa Rican cooks include simple native foods, such as chayotes, avocados, and the ever-present corn. "Tico" fare is neither spicy nor, in many respects, unfamiliar. Breakfast typically features a delicious mixture of rice and black beans known as "gallo pinto" which may be accompanied by eggs, corn tortillas and sour cream. Calorie counters may prefer a tropical fruit plate of papaya, watermelon, pineapple, banana, and in season mango or cantaloupe. "Casados", popular at midday, are huge plates of white rice, beans, fried plantains, salad, cheese, diced vegetables, and your choice of meat, chicken or fish. Hearty soups are a favorite for dinner. Of course Costa Rica produces some of the finest coffee in the world and it's not uncommon to see bumper stickers around proclaiming that "Juan Valdez drinks Costa Rican coffee".
In what time zone is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica observes Central Standard Time all year round.
What vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica? 
No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica.
What electricity voltage is used in Costa Rica?
Electricity is 110 volts, same as the United States.
Which Costa Rica provinces do we visit on the tour?
We visit four of the seven provinces in Costa Rica on the tour: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, and Guanacaste.
Is the water safe to drink?
Yes, the tap water is drinkable in most, but not all, of the country. For larger quantities of water, and in rural areas, bottled water is recommended instead of tap water.
Are children allowed on tour?
Yes, children age 5 and over are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult.
Luggage and Packing
What kind of clothing should I pack?
In Costa Rica, the dress code is casual. It is not necessary to wear a suit or dress at any time during the tour.
We suggest clothing for warm and hot weather: 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 changes of shirts, a rain poncho, a swimsuit, and a sweater or jacket for the air conditioned bus. We also recommend footwear that has a bit of a tread and will not slip on wet surfaces. Walking shoes, hiking boots and sneakers are all acceptable.
Quick dry clothing (especially a pair of convertible pants that zip at the knee to convert into shorts) is recommended for your visit to the rainforest. A pair of convertible quick-dry pants and aquick-dry shirt can be purchased from clothing manufacturers such as Travelsmith.com (1-800-950-1600) and ExOfficio.com (1-800-644-7303), and Columbia (at Sportmart).
Currency, banking, credit cards, traveler's checks
The Costa Rican monetary unit is the Colon. NOTE: DON'T BE TEMPTED TO EXCHANGE MONEY IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY BEFORE DEPARTING, THE RATE YOU WILL RECEIVE IS WELL BELOW WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE HERE. The exchange rate is currently around 510 colones to $1.00 U.S. and can fluctuate without notice. It is best to bring money in the form of U.S. dollar denominated traveler's checks, don't expect to cash personal checks. In the city most businesses will accept major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, AMEX), however in the outlying areas cash is preferred and many establishments will add a surcharge of around 6-6 1/2% for credit card transactions. Inform your credit card company before leaving home that you will be visiting Costa Rica. There are numerous ATM's around that work on (Cirrus, Star, and Plus) systems, don't forget your PIN. Office hours are generally from 8:00 am to 4:30-5:00 PM with an hour for lunch between 12 noon and 1 PM. Most banks are open from 9:00 am to 3:00 PM on weekdays.
Are customs duties charged in Costa Rica for my personal items?
No.
Airport Information
What happens at Costa Rica immigration
After exiting your plane, you will first arrive at the immigration desk, and present your passport and a Costa Rica immigration form. (This form is provided to you by your airplane. On the form, you will write your name, passport number, nationality, occupation, and the motive for your visit - tourism or business.) After you are approved in the immigration computer, you take the escalator or elevator downstairs to the baggage claim area.
What happens at Costa Rica customs?
Next, after you pick up your suitcase at baggage claim, you must stop at the customs table and put your suitcase on a conveyor belt through the scanning machine. This takes about ten seconds. Then the customs agent will signal you to exit the airport. The airport exit is about 30 meters away from the customs table.
Where is the Rain Forest greeter at the airport?
When you exit the San Jose international airport, you will see our airport greeter waiting for you with a large Rain Forest Tours sign.
How do we transfer if we arrive a day early?
Let us know and we'll arrange it for you
Motorcoach
What type of motorcoach will we travel in?
You will travel in a modern, air conditioned Mercedes motorcoach with a restroom in the rear. The motorcoach has a seating capacity for 48 passengers, and Rain Forest Tours groups have a limit of 30 passengers.
Does the motorcoach have a restroom?
Yes. A restroom is located in the rear of the motorcoach for emergency use. Frequent rest stops are made, also.
How long do we travel in the motorcoach?
The amount of travel time varies each day. The motorcoach makes frequent rest and photo stops.
Passport and Visa
Do I need a passport to visit Costa Rica?
Yes. Costa Rica requires U.S. citizens to possess a passport which is valid for 6 months after the date of entry into Costa Rica but no Visa is required. Guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent. Please check the expiration date of your passport. If your need to renew your passport or apply for a new one, you can pick up a passport application at your local U.S. Post Office. Passport applications can take up to 6 weeks to process unless you pay extra for the faster expedited service. If you need additional information about applying for a passport, please call the U.S. Passport Office at 1-877-487-2778. Non U.S. citizens should check Costa Rica passport and visa requirements for their country.
Do I need to carry my passport with me at all times in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica requires foreigners to carry their passports on their person at all times in Costa Rica, but this requirement is waived for U.S. and Canadian citizens, who are permitted to simply carry a photocopy of their passport photo and information page, plus a copy of the Costa Rica entry stamp page in their passport. Please make two photocopies of your passport photo and information page, and two copies of your passport page which has the Costa Rica entry stamp: one copy for you and one copy for your tour director. Please carry these required photocopies with you, and you may leave your original passport in a safe place.
What is the local guide to client ratio?
In addition to your tour director, you will enjoy the attention of local guides.
What activities can I enjoy in Costa Rica if I arrive a day early or stay a day longer?
Some clients participate in rafting tours or zip-line canopy tours. Others sign up for tours of Lankaster Gardens to see flowers, horseback riding trips, tours to nearby volcanos, Tortuguero canals, Waterfall Gardens and more. A list of day tours available out of San Jose can be found at the following web site, http://www.rainforesttours.com/sjd.htm Let us know your plans and we'll help you coordinate them.
Can I Do Zip-Lining in Costa Rica?
Yes, there is zip-lining available and we can arrange it for you on request.
Is there golf in Costa Rica?
Yes, and again we can arrange it for you on request.
Hotel Rooms
What kind of beds are in the Costa Rica hotel?
In San Jose, most rooms have 2 queen beds. In Fortuna (by Arenal Volcano), Tenorio and Monteverde, most rooms have 2 double beds.
Do the hotels offer laundry services and internet service?
All of the hotels offer laundry services for a fee. Internet service is also available for a fee.
Do I have to participate in all of the activities?
No. You may chose to skip an activity and relax at your hotel or do some independent exploring instead. If you do not wish to participate in an activity, simply advise your Tour Director. In most cases, we cannot make refunds for missed activities.
How far in advance do I need to book my tour?
Many tours sell out each year. The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Caravan accepts payment (in U.S. funds only) via MasterCard, Visa, Discover or by check. |
For
reservations or more information click
here
