For reservations call 1-800-788-7885
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Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests (Family Travel)
2010 – 8 Days from $1,994 plus on-tour airfare
Discover a natural wonderland on this family Costa Rica vacation. Ride a raft along a jungle river, get a bird's-eye view of one of the world's most active volcanoes from a sky tram, or fly high on a zip-line adventure. Hop into a volcanic mud pool or go river tubing or horseback riding at a working hacienda. Meet howler monkeys and amazing amphibians at Tortuguero National Park, learn a bit of Spanish, tour a pineapple plantation and a coffee farm, and look for brilliant butterflies! A world of fun awaits on your family's Costa Rica vacation.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2010 Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Liberia and start your Costa Rica vacation
Your family's Costa Rica vacation begins: Hotel Playa Hermosa at 6:00 PM. When you arrive, there's an included transfer from Liberia Airport to the Hotel Playa Hermosa on the Pacific Ocean. Join us and meet new friends who will share this Costa Rica vacation with you at our welcome dinner tonight; not surprisingly, the name of your oceanfront boutique hotel means "beautiful beach."
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Day 2 - Dive into a day of fun at Hacienda Guachipelin
A morning of fun awaits your family at Hacienda Guachipelin at the foot of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano; the hacienda borders Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Your choices of included activities offered at this working hacienda (ranch) include a trail ride on horseback*, an exciting river-tubing adventure* on the Rio Negro, or a hike* to a nearby waterfall to cool off in a natural pool - a great way to kick off your Costa Rica vacation! Spend the afternoon as you please back at your oceanfront hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Day 3 - Cruise Lake Arenal and ride a sky tram or go zip-lining
Drive to Lake Arenal, bordered by the mountainous slopes of volcanic Lake Arenal and pastoral rolling hills; a cruise on the lake provides a good introduction to a popular Costa Rica vacation destination. Then catch a bird's-eye view of one of the world's most active volcanoes, Arenal Volcano, on a memorable sky tram ride - or, if you prefer, on a thrilling "Sky Trek" zip-line ride* where you soar over and through the canopy of rainforest treetops! Continue on to Tilajari Resort for two nights at a resort in a private reserve; learn to speak a little Spanish with a lesson from a local educator.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Tilajari Resort Hotel, Muelle, Costa Rica
Day 4 - River rafting and more at Tilajari Resort
Board a raft for a float trip* through the jungle today on another memorable moment in your family's Costa Rica vacation. An expert
naturalist will help you try to spot giant iguanas, sloths, monkeys - maybe even crocodiles - that live along the Peñas Blancas River. You'll also meet a local farmer and his extended family, who have all lived on the river for generations. Return to your jungle resort to enjoy a host of fun activities for the remainder of the day.
naturalist will help you try to spot giant iguanas, sloths, monkeys - maybe even crocodiles - that live along the Peñas Blancas River. You'll also meet a local farmer and his extended family, who have all lived on the river for generations. Return to your jungle resort to enjoy a host of fun activities for the remainder of the day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Tilajari Resort Hotel, Muelle, Costa Rica
Day 5 - A pineapple farm, a jungle lodge, and green sea turtles
Today, your journey from the plantations and villages of Costa Rica's interior to its Caribbean coast includes a stop at an organic pineapple farm, where a local guide shows you the workings of this modern organic operation from a special touring vehicle. A bumpy drive over unpaved roads and a boat ride through the jungle bring you to your home for the next two nights, a riverfront lodge set on a network of canals adjacent to coastal Tortuguero National Park. Keep an eye out for turtles, monkeys and toucans -- and if you're traveling with us between June and September, we'll take an unforgettable nighttime trip to the beach to observe nesting green sea turtles in one of the world's top nesting grounds for these endangered animals. You'll have a chance to see them make their way up the beach from the
water to dig their nests in the sand, leaving tractor-tread trails
behind them!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Day 6 - Tortuguero National Park by water and by land
Arise to the sounds of the rainforest all around you this morning, and spend this day of your Costa Rica vacation discovering a tropical wilderness that encompasses 11 different habitat zones. Explore by both land and by boat, cruising the jungle canals with an expert naturalist guide to look for wildlife, visiting a local village, and learning more about efforts to protect these amazing ecosystems for the future at the Caribbean Conservation Center.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Day 7 - By private plane to San José and a "cup of joe"
As your Costa Rica vacation draws to a close, return to San José by air today. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about coffee beans - and one of Costa Rica's most important products - with an authentic, hands-on experience and guided tour of a working coffee plantation flavored with history and tradition. Spend some free time exploring San José or enjoying the amenities of your hotel, then say "adios" to all the new friends your family has made at a festive farewell dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Day 8 - Adios, Costa Rica vacation!
Your family's memorable Costa Rica vacation ends in
San José. A transfer is included from the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica to Juan Santamaría International Airport. Inquire at time of booking about extending your family vacation with additional nights in San José.
Meals: Breakfast
* For activities marked with an asterisk (*), participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
Tauck's Costa Rica vacation is a wonderful "eco-experience"
to share with your family. Make your reservations
now before departure dates sell out!
Prices
8 Days from $1,994 plus airfare
| February – April |
Land Price | + | On-Tour Air (1 flight) |
= | Total per Person |
| Double |
$2285 | + | $105 | = |
$2390 |
| Single |
$2677 | + | $105 | = | $2782 |
| Triple |
$2152 | + | $105 | = | $2257 |
| June - August |
Land Price | + | On-Tour Air (1 flight) |
= | Total per Person |
| Double |
$2085 | + | $105 | = |
$2190 |
| Single |
$2372 | + | $105 | = | $2477 |
| Triple |
$1994 | + | $105 | = | $2099 |
| Holiday Departures - December 19, 23 |
Land Price | + | On-Tour Air (1 flight) |
= | Total per Person |
| Double |
$2485 | + | $105 | = |
$2590 |
| Single |
$2884 | + | $105 | = | $2989 |
| Triple |
$2352 | + | $105 | = | $2457 |
19 meals included.
Children 11 and under Discount $200
Recommended age: 8+. Children must be 8 or older for the zip-line adventure and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Children under 18 must be booked in a room with at least one adult. Quadruple accommodations are not available.
All gratuities are included.
International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck Bridges for special rates on international air for travel originating in the United States (subject to availability).
Please ask when booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.
Note: Costa Rica departure tax is not included. Triples are usually a two-bedded room, plus one rollaway cot, when available. Nighttime beach visit (summer departures only), for the possibility of seeing nesting sea turtles, is not offered other times of the year.
Need to Know
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and lodge accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, land transportation, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation is included from Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica, to the Hotel Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste, provided we have received accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the tour departure date. Transportation from the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica in San José to Juan Santamaría International Airport is also included. The Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica provides complimentary shuttle service to the airport. In the event you require a transfer when the shuttle is not in service, the Tauck Director will coordinate a complimentary taxi transfer for you.
Child Discount – Children 11 years of age and younger may receive a discount on the tour price. To qualify for a child discount, the child’s birth date must be provided at time of booking. No child discount is offered on the Tauck Travel Protection plans.
Hotel and Lodge Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel and lodge accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort. Quadruple accommodations are not available.
If you request an adjacent, adjoining or connecting room, we will do all we can to accommodate your request. However, we cannot guarantee such accommodations will be available. Please note that a hotel may consider “adjacent” to be across the hall or down the path. Also, connecting rooms are often not available in many lodges and hotels on this itinerary.
Children under the age of 18 must be booked in a room with at least one adult.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff, local guides, drivers, and the Tauck Director are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
On-tour Flights
Airfare While On Tour - One on-tour flight (from Tortuguero to San José on Day 7) must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
- Pack some basic clothing in your carry-on bag
- Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
- Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
- Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
- Be sure to place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
- File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
- Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
- Be certain that the airline has your onward itinerary
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant. When departing from Costa Rica on an international flight, you will be required to pay a departure tax of $25 USD per person. The departure tax may be purchased at the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica for a fee of $4 USD, which will permit you to avoid the line at the airport. Although you can pay the airport departure tax with a credit card, it is charged as a cash advance. Most credit card companies charge a high fee for this type of transaction and begin charging interest on it immediately. It is best to pay the airport tax in cash, either US dollars or CR colones.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures –
If you are departing from the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match exactly the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding. In addition, you will need to provide your gender and date of birth, if this information is not already included in your passport.
If you are departing from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website by clicking here.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and civic holidays locally observed.
- January 1st: New Year’s Day
- March 19th: St. Joseph’s Day, patron saint of San Jose and San Jose province.
- Easter: Holy Week, Semana Santa. Dates vary annually but businesses will often close for the entire week preceding Easter weekend.
- April 11th: Juan Santamaría Day. Public holiday to commemorate the national hero who fought at the battle of Rivas against the American invader William Walker in 1856.
- May 1st: Labor Day. Dia de los Trabajadores.
- June: Corpus Christi
- June 29th: St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day
- July 25th: Guanacaste Day. To mark the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824.
- August 2nd: Virgin de los Angeles Day. Patron saint of Costa Rica.
- August 15th: Mother’s Day and Assumption Day
- September 15th: Independence Day celebrates Costa Rica’s independence from Spain in 1821.
- October 12th: Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). Limon province only, marked by carnival, which take place in the week prior to October 12.
- November 2nd: All soul’s Day
- December 8th: Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
- December 25th: Christmas Day
Journey Start and End Times – The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Hotel Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Your tour ends when you check out of the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica in San José on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow a minimum 2½ hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour. Please be advised that the parents or guardians of children on tour are solely responsible for the behavior of their children while on tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing to Go
Air Conditioning – The Hotel Playa Hermosa, the Tilajari Resort Hotel and the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica provide air-conditioning in their guest rooms. The Evergreen Lodge is not air-conditioned but guest rooms are equipped with ceiling fans.
ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of both sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing – Your adventure in Costa Rica is casual. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Comfortable, cotton clothing is suggested. High temperatures and humidity in most areas make lightweight clothing practical. Long pants and long sleeves are suggested for sun and mosquito protection. Evenings in all hotels and lodges are casual with no specific dress code. Casual resort wear is appropriate for dinner on the first and last nights of the tour.
Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in. It is important that your shoes have good ankle support as the walking trails can be wet and muddy.
The Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica and the Tilajari Resort Hotel provide valet laundry services; the Hotel Playa Hermosa and the Evergreen Lodge do not.
Children may want to bring pocket toys and games with a "sound off" button or a portable radio or CD player with headphones for use on longer travel days. Travel journals, binoculars and cameras also help children make the most of their adventure.
If you book a summer departure and wish to view the nesting turtles in Tortuguero National Park, you will need to adhere to certain clothing rules and guidelines. Please be sure to bring a black or navy blue long-sleeved, lightweight shirt and pair of pants, and closed-toe shoes. The carrying or use of cameras and video recorders – even those equipped with infrared lights - is strictly prohibited when viewing the turtles. The guides will not allow your participation in the walk if you do not abide by these rules, as light-colored clothing and camera equipment frightens the turtles and disrupts their approach to the nesting sites. Restrictions are necessary to conserve and protect the turtles’ beach nesting sites and assure their annual return.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Wee recommend you pack the following items for travel to Costa Rica:
- Comfortable, cotton clothing
- Shorts and long pants
- Short and long sleeve shirts
- Socks
- A light sweater or jacket for the evenings
- Lightweight waterproof slicker
- Dark clothing for the viewing of the turtles at Tortuguero NP
- Comfortable walking shoes with adequate ankle support
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Swimwear
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
- Battery-operated travel alarm clock
- Collapsible umbrella
- Small backpack for long walks
- Pre-moistened towelettes
- Adequate personal toiletries and sundries
- Zippered plastic bags to keep important items dry during rainy excursions
- Pocket toys and games with a "sound off" button or a portable radio or CD player with headphones
- Travel journal
- Tauck Bridges backpack and duffel
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
The overnight elevations on this tour are:
- Hotel Playa Hermosa - Sea Level
- Tilajari Resort Hotel - 900 ft ( 274 m)
- Evergreen Lodge - Sea Level
- Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica - 3,760ft (1,146 m)
Only the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica in San Jose has elevators. The Tilajari Resort Hotel is a two-story facility with no elevator and the Evergreen Lodge comprises 26 comfortable jungle rooms stretched along a wooden boardwalk.
The road conditions in Costa Rica are improving; however, paved roads are often in poor condition. Some roads to beaches and other rural locations are not paved and some out-of-the-way destinations are accessible only by these roads. Roads into, in, and out of the mountains are unpaved and bumpy.
The itinerary includes several early morning starts and leaves little scheduled free time.
We regret that we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters on this tour. We also regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you require such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
Throughout the tour, we will provide you with clean and safe drinking water.
Smoking is still popular in Costa Rica. Public smoking regulations and smoke-free zones have yet to take hold. Although restaurants are required by law to have nonsmoking areas, enforcement is often lax. Air-circulation in restaurants is poor and many do not offer separate smoking areas. Bars are often smoke-filled. The only hotel that permits smoking on our itinerary is the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica in San José.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises that there is a risk of contracting malaria in and around the areas visited on this tour. While a vaccination against malaria is unavailable, you can protect yourself by avoiding mosquito bites and by taking medication to prevent malaria. Mosquito bites can be avoided by applying mosquito repellent with DEET to exposed skin and clothing, wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants if you are outdoors at night, and by avoiding perfumes and colognes.
Various types of anti-malarial medicine are available. Therefore, you should seek the advice of a physician well in advance of departure to select the medicine that is right for you. Strict adherence to recommended dosages is critical for effective protection.
If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a citizen of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Costa Rica; however, an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever is required if you will be arriving from an infected area within 5 days of the start of the tour. For complete vaccination information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the CDC. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Costa Rica to determine what vaccinations may be required for your travel.
Luggage Restrictions –
Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
Space constraints and weight limitations aboard the flight from Tortuguero to San José require you to bring no more than 25 lbs (11.3 kg) of luggage. Therefore, we will provide you with a duffel bag (13.5 x 21.75 x 12 in, or 34 x 30.5 x 55 cm) to carry your clothing and personal items for your two-night stay in Tortuguero National Park. Your remaining luggage will be safely stored in San José.
If you reside in the U.S., the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Costa Rica.
If you reside outside of the U.S, you will receive your duffel bag upon arrival in San José because customs regulations prohibit the easy delivery of your duffel in advance.
If you reside outside of the U.S, you will receive your duffel bag upon arrival in San José because customs regulations prohibit the easy delivery of your duffel in advance.
Children will also receive a Tauck Bridges backpack in addition to the duffel!
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage – General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements –
If you are a U.S. citizen, you, and each child traveling with you, will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay for entry into Costa Rica. You will not need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Costa Rica to determine what travel documentation is required.
We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children –
Age Recommendations ― Children 3 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All activities are available for children 8 years of age or older. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. if you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
All children traveling with you who are U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
All children traveling with you who are U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel and group functions, or when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone service extends to Costa Rica.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colón (CRC) which is divided into 100 céntimos. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted. U.S. dollars and travelers’ checks can be exchanged in banks and many hotels. Banks charge a service fee for cashing travelers’ checks, and currency other than U.S. dollars is difficult to exchange. Major credit cards are widely accepted, although American Express and Diners Club are more limited. ATMs are becoming more widespread throughout the country, but it is advisable to have some local currency handy, especially outside the major tourist destinations.
To obtain the latest currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website, oanda.com, by clicking here.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Currently, Costa Rica levies a 13% Value Added Tax (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back the equivalent of $800 USD in goods duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own resident country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in Costa Rica is 110/220 V, 60 Hz, AC. If you bring electrical devices that do not conform to this standard, then you will need to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
Internet Access is available as indicated below:
Hotel Playa Hermosa: Complimentary wireless access
Tilajari Lodge: Guests may check e-mail for free at the front desk; however, the access is neither fast nor reliable
Evergreen Lodge: Not available
Real InterContinental San José: Access available in guest rooms at $15.00 USD per day
Time Zones – Costa Rica is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). Costa Rica does not use Daylight Savings Time. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here.
Weather – Costa Rica's tranquil environment offers stable, tropical weather where the temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year. Average high temperatures range from 75 to 80 ºF (24 to 27 ºC) in the Central Valley and 85 to 88 ºF (29 to 31 ºC) in the Northern Subdivide and the Caribbean regions. Rain is common throughout the year, with more frequent rain occurring in the "wet season" which is typically from May through October.
Rainfall
- Central Valley (San José): From November to April the total average rainfall is 10.7 in (272 mm). During the rainy season the total average rainfall is 60.1 in (1,527 mm). April and November are considered to be transition months. In July, there is a diminishing of the rainfall due to the “veranillo de San Juan”, a few weeks of hot dry weather that breaks up the rainy season.
- Northern Subdivide (Tilajari Hotel) and the Caribbean (Tortuguero): These regions do not have a true 'dry season' since the rainfall here is approximately 138 in (3,515 mm) per year. Regardless of when you visit, plan on encountering some rain.
| Average Temperature | ||||
| San José, Costa Rica |
Muelle, Costa Rica |
|||
| Month | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC |
| January | 75 / 58 | 24 / 14 | 63 / 56 | 17 / 14 |
| February | 76 / 58 | 24 / 14 | 64 / 59 | 18 / 15 |
| March | 79 / 59 | 26 / 15 | 64 / 58 | 18 / 14 |
| April | 79 / 62 | 26 / 17 | 67 / 57 | 19 / 14 |
| May | 80 / 62 | 27 / 17 | 63 / 60 | 17 / 16 |
| June | 79 / 62 | 26 / 17 | 69 / 60 | 20 / 16 |
| July | 77 / 62 | 25 / 17 | 66 / 62 | 19 / 17 |
| August | 78 / 61 | 26 / 16 | 67 / 63 | 20 / 17 |
| September | 79 / 61 | 26 / 16 | 67 / 62 | 19 / 17 |
| October | 77 / 60 | 25 / 16 | 67 / 62 | 19 / 17 |
| November | 77 / 60 | 25 / 16 | 65 / 60 | 18 / 15 |
| December | 75 / 58 | 24 / 14 | 64 / 57 | 18 / 14 |
| Tortuguero, Costa Rica |
Liberia, Costa Rica | |||
| Month | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC |
| January | 88 / 68 | 31 / 20 | 88 / 73 | 31 / 23 |
| February | 88 / 68 | 31 / 20 | 90 / 74 | 32 / 23 |
| March | 87 / 59 | 31 / 15 | 92 / 75 | 33 / 24 |
| April | 87 / 71 | 31 / 22 | 93 / 76 | 34 / 24 |
| May | 87 / 71 | 31 / 22 | 91 / 76 | 33 / 24 |
| June | 87 / 71 | 31 / 22 | 86 / 75 | 30 / 24 |
| July | 88 / 71 | 31 / 22 | 87 / 75 | 31 / 24 |
| August | 86 / 71 | 30 / 22 | 87 / 74 | 31 / 23 |
| September | 87 / 71 | 31 / 22 | 85 / 73 | 29 / 23 |
| October | 87 / 71 | 31 / 22 | 84 / 73 | 29 / 23 |
| November | 85 / 69 | 29 / 21 | 85 / 72 | 29 / 22 |
| December | 88 / 69 | 31 / 21 | 87 / 72 | 31 / 22 |
| Average Rainfall | ||||
| San José, Costa Rica |
Tilajari, Costa Rica |
|||
| Month | Inches | Millimeters | Inches | Millimeters |
| January | 0.6 | 15 | 4.5 | 115 |
| February | 0.2 | 5 | 3.2 | 81 |
| March | 0.8 | 20 | 3.9 | 99 |
| April | 1.8 | 46 | 1.3 | 33 |
| May | 9.0 | 229 | 3.2 | 82 |
| June | 9.5 | 241 | 8.7 | 222 |
| July | 8.3 | 211 | 7.9 | 199 |
| August | 9.5 | 241 | 8.7 | 222 |
| September | 12.0 | 305 | 23.0 | 585 |
| October | 11.8 | 300 | 15.9 | 404 |
| November | 5.7 | 145 | 7.3 | 185 |
| December | 1.6 | 41 | 7.0 | 178 |
| Tortuguero, Costa Rica |
Liberia, Costa Rica | |||
| Month | Inches | Millimeters | Inches | Millimeters |
| January | 12.5 | 317 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| February | 8.3 | 211 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| March | 8.0 | 204 | 0.4 | 8.9 |
| April | 10.9 | 276 | 0.9 | 22.1 |
| May | 11.1 | 282 | 9.3 | 235.0 |
| June | 11.7 | 296 | 12.3 | 311.9 |
| July | 16.8 | 427 | 5.3 | 134.1 |
| August | 12.3 | 312 | 8.1 | 206.0 |
| September | 5.7 | 145 | 12.8 | 325.1 |
| October | 8.2 | 208 | 11.2 | 285.0 |
| November | 15.4 | 391 | 4.1 | 103.9 |
| December | 17.6 | 446 | 0.5 | 13.0 |
To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, we offer our Tauck Protection Plan, which you may access by clicking here.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have the cancellation penalties waived. Click here for more details.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$350 per person (the cost of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person
$350 per person (the cost of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person