General Information

During your journey, you may have the opportunity to swim at certain stops where swimming is permitted but unsupervised. We strongly recommend that you remain vigilant and take no risks regarding your safety. It is each traveler's responsibility to evaluate her swimming level and skills before entering the water.

 

Luggage Transfers and Transport

• All of our overland transfers are conducted by private minibus.

• Boat transfers are private whenever possible, though in certain instances, the group may share boats with other tourists.

• You will have access to your main luggage every evening. Please note that the accommodations cannot be held responsible for items damaged during boat transfers.

 

Suggested Clothing

• 1 sun hat or cap

• Underwear

• 1 or 2 lightweight hiking pants and 1 or 2 shorts

• 1 rain pants

• Short-sleeve and long-sleeve t-shirts (breathable fabrics preferred – adjust quantity based on the itinerary)

• 1 lightweight fleece jacket

• 1 rain poncho or rain jacket large enough to cover your backpack

• 1 swimsuit for water activities

• 1 pair of lightweight, low-cut walking shoes for traveling and/or 1 pair of sandals (useful for river crossings)

• Optional: 1 pair of breathable, lightweight, high-cut hiking boots that dry quickly

• Optional: 1 pair of water shoes, practical for crossing streams

 

Note: Due to the humid climate, clothing and shoes dry very poorly, if at all. Quick-drying fabrics (microfiber) are highly recommended. Additionally, nights can be cold.
We will do our best to arrange one or two laundry opportunities during the trip (likely in Tortuguero and Uvita).

 

Suggested Equipment

• 1 headlamp with spare batteries/power packs

• Noise-canceling earplugs

• Lightweight bath towel

• High-protection sunscreen and lip balm

• 1 small waterproof pouch for valuables (cash, passport, etc.)

• Plug adapter

• A pair of binoculars (optional)

• Insect repellent spray for clothing and skin

 

Personal Medication

We recommend traveling with your own medication if you are on a specific treatment, and do not forget to bring your prescription. Also, remember to bring a small first-aid kit compiled based on your general practitioner's advice. It usually includes bandages, disinfectant, paracetamol, medication for stomach upsets and fever, and mosquito repellent.

 

First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit provided by the agency and tailored to your trip is placed under the responsibility of your guide.

 

Food

• A minimum of open meals: Most evening meals are not included to give you the opportunity to discover "Sodas" (local restaurants) and choose food to your liking.

• Breakfast in Costa Rica is hearty. While the meals can be a bit repetitive, a choice of dishes will always be available. The typical Costa Rican side dish often consists of salad, frijoles (red beans), gallo pinto (a mix of rice and red beans), plantains, and/or rice. The cuisine is not spicy, and there are few saucy dishes. Desserts are very sweet and simple: tres leches, flan, or rice pudding.

• Lunch consists of a picnic (during walks, where permitted) or a local restaurant (en route). Dinner is either an open meal or at the hotel (for those included in the package). It is common for plates to be cleared as soon as a person finishes eating, without waiting for the rest of the table.

• Water is safe to drink in practically all of Costa Rica. Throughout the tour, you will find water dispensers in most hotels to refill your reusable bottles. Water will also be provided in large containers inside the minibus. Finally, you can buy mineral water during scheduled stops (large bottles are preferred to minimize plastic waste).

• Beverages: You can buy beer, soda, coffee (American style), liqueurs, and wine in certain places. The national alcohol is guaro, made from sugarcane, and very good rum is available (such as Centenario). Despite a wide variety of tropical fruits, juices are sometimes made from concentrate and are very sweet; however, you can find batidos, which are fresh fruit juices blended with water or milk.

 

Safety

Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Latin America, renowned for its tranquility and Pura Vida philosophy. For our women-only trip to Costa Rica, safety is our absolute priority:

• The strength of the collective: Traveling as a tribe eliminates isolation and deters the minor inconveniences of solo travel.

• Local guidance: Our itineraries are tested, secure, and accompanied by experts who know the terrain perfectly.

• Travel common sense: As anywhere, you just need to follow simple rules (do not leave valuables in plain sight inside vehicles and avoid isolated beaches at night).

 

Climate and Regional Information

Even though there is a distinction between the "dry" season (December to April) and the "wet" season (May to November), you can travel to Costa Rica all year round! Each season has its own charm, and because of its tropical climate, the country is never entirely immune to a few showers. Rains usually occur in the late afternoon and are more frequent on the Caribbean coast, which does not really experience a true dry season, remaining hot and humid year-round.

• From December to April, sunshine is abundant on the Central Valley and the Pacific coast. Temperatures vary significantly between the hot lowlands and the cooler highland areas (volcanic mountain ranges). Between 800m and 1,500m, they are pleasantly mild (between 20°C and 25°C), but it can get chilly at night and in the morning. Traveling during this period lets you escape the European winter for the Costa Rican sun, though the country is busier.

• During the wet season, temperatures remain high across the country (varying slightly with altitude). Rain mostly falls in the afternoon, leaving the mornings generally clear. Traveling during this time allows you to see a greener, more lush nature with fewer tourists around.

 

Credit Cards

Major credit cards are accepted in most businesses, except for very small grocery stores. ATMs can be found in larger towns. Make sure to always have some cash with you and ask for a "cajero automático."

 

Currency Exchange

The currency is the colón (currently 1 USD = 445 colones). For the latest exchange rate, check online on the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica or Banco de Costa Rica websites.
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EXCHANGE EUROS IN COSTA RICA. Therefore, it is best to bring US dollars before departure, in denominations of $50 USD or less. American currency is easily exchanged in banks and hotels, as are traveler's checks. It is also possible to pay in US dollars in supermarkets. International credit cards are widely accepted.

 

Electricity

The current is 110 Volts / 60 Hz. Outlets are American style, with two flat prongs. If you are traveling with European devices (chargers, hair dryers, razors), a plug adapter is required.