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 Costa Rica FAQWhen to travel? If you live in the Northern weathers, you will surely consider winter the only time to visit. , persons from others zones of North America and Europe find the rest of the year equally pleasant. They also find it tranquil a bit more affordable. Another vacationers just prefer the country when there are fewer tourists during the Green Season. To December until April, High Season, Peak season Christmas, New Year and Easter, and the Green Season, also called the Low Season, related to the rainy season, from May until November,is the best season to travel to Costa Rica. What are the entry requirements? Tourists are required to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of the trip. Tourists from the following nations are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, United States and all European countries except from Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech Republics, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia. Tourists from these countries are allowed to stay for 30 days without a visa: Australia, Belice, China, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, The Philippines and Venezuela.
What are the customs regulations? No clients duties are charged on personal luggage, which offers an array of items for personal and professional use, as long as they do not appear in quantities that suggest commercial intent. Costa Rican law requires that baggage be examined and that travelers submit customs declarations listing all articles acquired abroad, including fruit, vegetables, meat, meat products, biological products such as vaccinations, serums, etc. In the case of families, one declaration can be filled out by the family head. How much should I tip? A 10% tip in a restaurant is ok but many restaurants will add it to your bill so read your bill before paying a tip. Taxi drivers generally do not receive a tip. If you are satisfied with the service you receive, private drivers, tourist guides, maids and bell boys would be glad to receive a tip. The amount would be totally up to you. What should I bring? A pocket-size English/Spanish dictionary, a small first aid kit, binoculars - camera and film, walking shoes, sunscreen, traveler's checks - cash or/and credit cards, swim suits, casual clothes for nightlife and fine dining, insect repellent, copies of your favorite Costa Rica travel guide, sandals - sunglasses & hat, necessary medications, rain jacket, passport/birth certificate & driver's license. What taxes should I pay? Travelers must be at the airport two hours before departure. There is a departure tax of US$26.00. There is a 13% sales tax at hotels, restaurants and most service industries, and an additional 3% tourist tax at hotels. Is there a good communication system? Direct-dial telephone service, facsimile, telex, radio and cable television are all available. Bilingual operator assistance for international calls is: 116, local information: 113, long distance information: 124. Internet cafes are available in most towns and hotels. Is driving a good idea? Car Rentals are available from the major rental companies. Gasoline is available at stations throughout Costa Rica, most are open 24 hours. Auto insurance is a must which is included in your contract with the car rental because most insurance companies explicitly exclude foreign countries from their coverage. When the rented car is given to you, the contract will explain both parts responsibilities. Is bus transportation available? Costa Rica has a bus system that offers inexpensive, timely and convenient transportation in the Central Valley. It is the primary means of transportation to natives. On the countryside, sometimes buses do not run frequently, in some places they operate only once a day. Another possibility is arranging transfers with tourism transportation agencies which would give you a first class service at reasonable rates. What are the medical concerns and suggested vaccines? Health care in Costa Rica is very good and sanitary standards are high. First class hospitals are found throughout San José and some of the other largely populated areas. Since long ago, diseases such as malaria, paludismo, and yellow fever were eradicated in Costa Rica. There are no plagues like in other countries, and no special vaccine recommendations for travelers more than the influenza and the tetanus vaccines. Hospitals and the Red Cross will provide any medical treatment in case of emergency. What would be the best way to plan a perfect trip? Find an advisor that knows the country. We are a full service tour operator and ground transportation company specialized in daily tours and located in San José, Costa Rica. We handle detailed itineraries for an optimum trip (hotel reservations, car rentals, local flights, etc), for individual travelers as well as groups. We are owned by a Costa Rican family and we offer over ten years of experience in providing vacations for lasting wonderful memories. Do you have final suggestions? Plan your trip well in advance so you have more options to choose from. Since your eating and drinking habits are often radically different during a trip, be sure to drink lots of fluids, especially the day before arriving. Try not to go overboard your first night giving your body a chance to acclimate. The water is safe to drink in all areas of the country; nevertheless we suggest you to buy bottled water for drinking. When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, wash them with water before eating. About Reservation Policies 1. You will receive a confirmation of your request with in 24 hours. 2. Reservations can be made through one of the following methods. -By fax (506) 233-5284 -By e-mail simply send your request to sales@expedicionestropicales.com -Through our secure shopping cart. Hotels, Car Rental and tours can be reserved with less than 24 hours to your arrival but guarantee of space will be effective only at the time that you have sended the full payment and received our confirmation. About Cancellation Policies For individual cancellations made 48 hours or less prior to client's arrival, no refund will apply. Expediciones Tropicales will refund the deposits recieved according to the supplier's policies. (Hotel, Car Rental, Tour Operator). For group cancellations, Expediciones Tropicales will refund the deposit if the cancellation is made at least 45 days prior to group's arrival, otherwise refunds will be subject to any supplier's policies involved in our tours programs and packages.
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