Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests - 14 Days

Frequently asked questions

• What is the age range for this tour?

  This adventure tour is designed for travelers between 18 and 39 years old.

• What type of accommodation can I expect on this tour?

  Accommodation will vary and includes simple hotels (3 nights), hostels (9 nights, often multi-share with 4-6 group members), and a local homestay (1 night). Most accommodations will have shared bathroom facilities.

• Are meals included in the tour price?

  Only 1 breakfast and 1 dinner are included. Meals are generally not included to provide flexibility in choosing where and what to eat, though our groups often dine together. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) can recommend local restaurants.

• What is the typical group size for this tour?

  The group size can range from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 18 participants.

• What kind of activities are available on this tour?

  The tour offers a wide range of activities including exploring volcanoes and cloud forests, relaxing on white-sand beaches, and visiting wildlife reserves. Optional activities include ziplining, waterfall rappelling, surfing lessons, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, wildlife refuge tours, hot springs visits, and coffee plantation tours.

• What transportation methods are used during the tour?

  Transportation between destinations and for included activities will involve local buses, boats, taxis, private vehicles, and walking.

• Do I need to carry an emergency fund?

  Yes, it is recommended to have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances.

• What are the health considerations for this trip?

  You should consult your travel doctor for up-to-date medical travel information and required inoculations. It's advisable to carry a personal first aid kit and antibacterial wipes, as the tour may visit remote areas away from medical facilities. Tour leaders are not permitted to administer medication. A medical questionnaire is required for pre-existing conditions.

• How should I manage my money during the trip?

  Credit and debit cards are useful for cash advances, with Visa being widely accepted. However, do not rely solely on cards as their functionality is not guaranteed in Latin America. A combination of US dollar cash (preferably denominations lower than $100 and in good condition), traveler's cheques, and cards is recommended.

• Is tipping customary in Costa Rica and for the tour staff?

  Yes, tipping service providers like waiters (around 10%), local guides, and drivers ($5-10 USD per day) is customary. Tipping your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) is also appreciated, with a guideline of $5-7 USD per person, per day.

• Are there any specific entry requirements for Costa Rica besides a passport and visa?

  Yes, Costa Rica requires proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.) to enter the country. If you are traveling through a few countries in Central America, you will need to show proof of your entire itinerary and a departure ticket from your final destination.

• What kind of support does a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) provide?

  The CEO's role is to enhance your travel experience by providing information on the places you are visiting, offering suggestions for things to do and see, recommending local eating venues, and facilitating interactions with local communities. They have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. Local guides are also utilized for more specific expertise.

• What is the physical rating for this tour?

  This tour has a physical rating of 2. This means an average level of fitness and mobility is required. Travelers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum.

• What type of accommodation can I expect on this tour?

  Accommodation on this tour will be varied, including stays in simple hotels, multi-share hostels (where you might share a room with 4-6 other group members, and rooming requests cannot be taken), and a local homestay for one night. The majority of accommodations will have shared bathroom facilities.

• What meals are included in the tour price?

  The tour price includes 1 breakfast and 1 dinner. Other meals are generally not included, offering you flexibility to choose your dining options.

• What kind of activities and experiences are included in the tour?

  The tour includes unique cultural experiences such as a homestay in the local community of Coope San Juan and the Life Monteverde Experience. You'll also have ample beach time in Puerto Viejo and Santa Teresa, and free time in La Fortuna and Monteverde to discover Costa Rica's diverse landscapes, including volcanoes, cloud forests, and wildlife reserves. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities is covered.

• Are there many optional activities available, and what are some examples?

  Yes, there is a wide range of optional activities available for an additional cost, allowing you to customize your adventure. Popular examples include ziplining through the cloud forest, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, coffee plantation tours, surfing lessons on the Pacific breaks, snorkeling, and relaxing in hot springs like Baldi or Ecotermales.

• What is the typical group size and travel style for this tour?

  This tour is designed for 18-to-Thirtysomethings with a maximum group size of 18 people. It offers a flexible adventure style, blending organized travel with opportunities for personal exploration and choice of activities.

• Will there be a tour leader with our group?

  Yes, a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany the group throughout the entire trip. Their role is to manage the tour logistics, provide information on places, offer suggestions for activities and local dining, and help foster a great group dynamic.

• What is the physical rating of this tour, and what does it entail?

  The tour has a physical rating of 2. This indicates that an average level of fitness and mobility is required. Travelers should be able to walk without assistance, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and comfortably carry their own luggage.

• What currency should I bring for spending money, and is tipping customary in Costa Rica?

  A combination of US Dollar cash, credit cards, and debit cards is recommended for spending money, as reliance solely on cards may be challenging in some areas. Tipping is customary in Latin America; a guideline of approximately 10% for service providers like waiters, $5-10 USD per day for local guides/drivers, and $5-7 USD per person per day for your CEO is suggested.

• How will we travel between destinations on this tour?

  Travel between destinations and to/from included activities will involve a mix of local bus, boat, taxi, private vehicle, and walking, providing a varied and authentic experience of local transport.

• Are there any specific entry requirements for Costa Rica?

  Yes, Costa Rica requires proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.) to enter the country. If you are travelling through multiple Central American countries, you will need to show proof of your full itinerary and a departure ticket from your final destination.

• What are the general weather conditions I should be prepared for?

  During Costa Rica's winter season (June-November), be prepared for rain and potentially lower temperatures, especially when visiting the central valley region.

• Is an emergency fund recommended for this trip?

  Yes, it is recommended to have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an emergency fund, for unexpected circumstances such as natural disasters that might require changes to the planned route. This is a rare occurrence.

• What type of accommodation is provided on this tour?

  The tour includes a mix of simple hotels (3 nights), hostels (9 nights, multi-share), and a local homestay (1 night). Please note that some nights will be in multi-share rooms, and the majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities. Private accommodation requests cannot be taken for multi-share hostels.

• What kind of group experience can I expect, and who is this tour designed for?

  This tour is designed for '18-to-Thirtysomethings' and typically has a group size ranging from 1 to 18 people. You'll be part of a diverse group, experiencing Costa Rica together.

• Are many meals included in the tour price?

  The tour price includes 1 breakfast and 1 dinner. Most other meals are not included to give you maximum flexibility in choosing where, what, and with whom to eat, which also allows for more budgeting control.

• What kind of activities can I expect, and how flexible is the itinerary?

  The tour offers a unique two-week adventure exploring volcanoes, a cloud forest, and both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. You'll have flexibility to tailor your adventure with optional activities like ziplining, waterfall rappelling, surfing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, wildlife refuge tours, or relaxing at hot springs.

• Is there a tour leader throughout the trip, and what is their role?

  Yes, a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany the group throughout the trip. Their role is to facilitate your travels, provide information on the areas visited, offer suggestions for activities and local eateries, and introduce you to local contacts. Local guides are also utilized for more specific knowledge.

• What are the physical demands of this tour?

  This tour has a physical rating of 2. Travelers are expected to have an average level of fitness and mobility, meaning they should be able to walk without assistance, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage. A short medical questionnaire is required for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions.

• What is the recommended approach for money and currency during the trip?

  It is recommended to bring a combination of US dollar cash (notes under $100 USD and in good condition are best), credit cards, and debit cards. Visa cards are widely accepted, but there's no guarantee all cards will work everywhere, and credit card purchases may incur a 5-10% fee. An emergency fund of at least $200 USD (or equivalent) is also advised for unforeseen circumstances.

• Is tipping customary in Costa Rica?

  Yes, tipping is customary in Latin America. It's recommended to tip service providers such as waiters approximately 10%. For local guides and drivers, a range of $5-10 USD per day is suggested, and for your Chief Experience Officer, $5-7 USD per person, per day is a guideline.

• Are there any specific entry requirements for Costa Rica regarding departure tickets?

  Yes, Costa Rica requires proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.) to enter the country. If you are traveling through multiple Central American countries, you will need to show proof of your full itinerary and a departure ticket from your final destination. Please print your itinerary and voucher and bring it with you.