Information from A-Z

 

Complaints

In case you are not happy with one of the services or you have a reason for complaints, please contact ARA Tours or your tour guide immediately.

 

Deposit

Some hotels may ask you to sign a blank credit card slip, something that is required at car rental companies. Hotels will ask for this security so that you may visit their restaurant or bar and pay by merely leaving your signature instead of having to carry cash. When renting a car, the deposit will cover the deductible as well as incidental expenses such as fuel as well as potential tickets, and surcharges for one-way rentals. Make sure you receive this slip prior to your departure. You can settle your charges with it or you can destroy it.

 

Food and Drink

Whether local, international or fusion cuisine, there is a wide range of food. Costa Rica is not a gourmet land but in several (mostly more expensive) restaurants and hotels you can taste delicious meals. In the city centre of San José, especially in the noble suburbs such as Escazú and Santa Ana, and generally in the metropolitan area of the Central Valley, you can find a wide range of interesting restaurants and bars.

Costa Rica’s cuisine is quite rustic but delicious. The traditional cuisine is based on rice, beans, corn, tubercle such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, arracacha, cassava, and vegetables combined with meat, chicken, and fish. At least once you should try a ¨Casado¨, a typical combination of some of these dishes. More and more, vegetarian food is offered whereas vegan food is not very widespread. TripAdvisor provides an overview of restaurants with their offers. People usually don’t eat spicy food but a hot sauce or spicy pickled vegetables - a Chilero - is frequently offered.

In cook shops, which are called “sodas”, you will receive small dishes such as Empanadas (fried dumplings made of cornmeal and filled with meat, cheese or beans) and Gallos (tortillas filled with meat, chicken, pork sausage or cheese).

The national health ministry inspects all restaurant and cook shops (sodas). The hygienic standard is very high in Costa Rica. Tap water is potable in many places, except in some jungle lodges where specially filtered water is provided. Ice cubes are generally made of filtered water.

Costa Rica grows hardly any wine which is why almost all the offered wines are import products and quite expensive for European standards. Good quality is provided by wine from Chile, Argentina, and California. Supermarkets (especially in the metropolitan area of the Central Valley) usually have a wide range of different types of wine from different countries.

Beers from large breweries are characterized by European recipes. The most common type is the Imperial (export beer), followed by Pilsen (Bohemian Pilsen), Bavaria (Bavarian Light Beer 4.8%), and Bavaria Dark (dark, malty). There are some different alternatives such as Imperial Silver, Imperial light, Bavaria light, Bavaria chill, and Bohemia with a slighter flavour and a lower alcohol content. A variety of licensed beers such as Heineken (Holland), Toña (Nicaragua), Corona (Mexico), Gallo (Guatemala), and Budweiser (USA) is offered. In recent years, more and more microbreweries emerged that offer their products locally.

 

Directions in Costa Rica

Please note that in Costa Rica there are no standard directions and the search for a destination works differently than you are used to, so we recommend using free GPS map applications to get you safely to your destination, especially for customers who have rented a car. We recommend downloading the Waze app which is even better than Google Maps. Waze has a lot of user-generated content (including current traffic conditions, accidents, etc.). The app also works well if you are walking around the city. You need to buy an inexpensive prepaid SIM card to use Waze, but if you start navigating while connected to WiFi, the app won’t use much data while en route. Just enter the name of the hotel to find out the correct route. However, be aware that there are several places and hotels with similar or even identical names, but which are located in completely different regions of the country. Make sure you choose the right destination by comparing details such as the name of the hotel, place or province with the information specified on the hotel voucher.

 

Flight Connections

Costa Rica provides a good national flight network. Several local airlines offer daily direct connections to almost all the important places and regions. They provide a well-maintained fleet with modern technical equipment and highly-trained pilots. You will receive flight schedules and prices from our Customer Experience Team. Important: Baggage on domestic flights might be limited, depending on the airline and ticket class (generally between max. 14 kg (30 lb) and 18 kg (39 lb)). One hand baggage with generally 4.5 kg (9 lb) and the internationally permitted measures is allowed.

Further information under:
Aerobell Airlines and Sansa Airlines

 

Money / Currency / Exchange / Credit Cards

Costa Rica’s national currency is the “Colón” (from Spanish Cristóbal Colón = Christopher Columbus). Banknotes and coins are denominated as follows:

Banknotes: 1’000, 2’000, 5’000, 10’000 and 20’000; coins: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500.

US dollar can be changed at all banks, euros at most of them. In many stores and supermarkets, you can pay with US$ (not with €) and you will receive change in the national currency.

With VISA, MASTERCARD, and AMERICAN EXPRESS you can pay almost everywhere, with DINER’S CLUB unfortunately not. In general, it is advisable to carry a small amount of cash in US$ (small notes 1, 5, 10, 20) or Colones.

Traveller’s checks can only be cashed by banks. This usually takes some time and a fee (1-5%) will be charged.

 

It is mandatory to show your passport when changing money at banks, changing traveler’s checks, paying with credit card, and usually also when paying with US$ notes (banknotes higher than US$ 20 are often accepted by banks only).

 

ATM

At almost every bank you will find an ATM as well as at some supermarkets in the entrance area (Walmart, Más x Menos, Automercado, Megasuper).

At the national banks (Banco Costa Rica, Banco Nacional, Banco Popular), functionality is limited to the time of 5:00 am until 12:00 am for safety reasons (prevention of assaults). Private banks (BAC San José, Davivienda, Lafise, Scotiabank, Banco Promerica, BCT) operate their ATMs 24 hours.

On the ATMs it is indicated in which currency you can withdraw money:

¢ = COLONES

$ = US DOLLAR

Private banks mostly have a greater acceptance of different cards. It is usually indicated at the entrance which cards will be accepted.

The menu on the screen can usually be displayed in Spanish and English. Important terms that appear on the screen:

 

Spanish	English
Cuenta Corriente	Checking Account
Cuenta de Ahorros	Savings Account
Tarjeta de Crédito	Credit Card
Retiro	Withdrawl

 

It is often indicated on the screen that the bank will charge you a fee (usually US$ 3, which does not include the fee of your bank or credit card company) when you withdraw money. You have to answer with Sí or Yes if you want to continue.

The daily credit card limit is determined by your bank. The limit at the ATM is usually US$ 600 per operation, depending on the daily limit of your bank/credit card.

 

Baggage

Ideally, you travel in Costa Rica with two pieces

of baggage. A suitcase and a backpack (bag) for excursions. There are baggage restrictions on domestic flights (see topic flights). There might be a baggage weight limit on boat excursions (12-18 kg/26-39 lb) and only one hand baggage (4.5 kg/9 lb) is allowed. If so, our office or the tour guide will be happy to organize the storage of your main baggage. If one of your pieces of baggage should not arrive with the same flight, please report this at the corresponding counter in the baggage hall. Always indicate your address(es) of the next 2 days. You can track the status of this piece of baggage on your airline’s website (e.g. Iberia) with the international WORLDTRACER:

http://www.worldtracer.aero/cgi-bin/filerequest.exe

In order to provide details of your piece of baggage, please enter the ten-digit reference number in the first field and your last name in the second field (the last name must match exactly the data of the Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Then click on the Send button.

It is recommended to carry underwear and clothes for one day in your hand baggage as well as important medication.

 

Internet

Internet access is provided in almost every hotel (usually for free). Please ask for availability and the access code at the check-in. Many restaurants offer this service, too. Some, mostly larger hotels, provide internet on their own computers. This might be liable to costs.

 

Clothes

In Costa Rica you will find quite different temperatures which depend on the altitude (0-3,820 m.a.s.l./0-12,530 FAMSL). In the lowlands and on the coasts the climate is hot and often also humid. In some regions, humidity reaches up to 80-90%. In the central highlands, there are summery temperatures almost all over the year, except inDecember when temperatures drop to 16 ºC (61 ºF). In places surrounded by mountains beyond 1,500 m.a.s.l. (5,000 FAMSL) it might get cool and at night even cold. In the high mountains beyond 2,500 m (8,200 FAMSL), temperatures drop to 0 ºC (32 ºF) and you will be happy to carry a wind jacket and/or a pullover. A raincoat/poncho and/or umbrella are recommendable.

Usually, there is no dress code in restaurants and hotels but you should not appear at the table in swimwear. It is not allowed to go topless or naked to the beaches or to public baths.

 

National Parks

Toward the end of the 1970s, governments began to put more effort into supporting nature conservation. In the preceding decades, priority had been given to the development of new farmlands, and huge forest areas had been converted into agricultural land. Some surviving areas of unspoiled nature were then accorded the protection of national park status. In these reserves - which are managed by a specifically designed state institution (SINAC) - it is prohibited to build, cultivate, and remove anything. Only on paths and trails - specially approved for guests - you can explore parts of these nature reserves. Currently, approximately 25% of the whole country underlie state protection. Other 5% of the country are protected by private initiatives but with the support of the SINAC. The entrance fee is between US$ 10-18.--.

 

Ocean Currents

At all beaches in Costa Rica strong currents might occur and there is often a relatively high surf due to tidal movements or weather conditions. It is important to obey the local advises (a red flag at the beach indicates danger). Ask your tour guide, the local population or, if present, the lifeguard about the general and current conditions whether the sea is suitable for swimming. If possible, inform fellow travellers or your tour guide about your plan to swim. Have respect for the great waves and always try to keep your feet on the ground. If you get caught by a current, stay calm. Swim parallel to the beach, away from the current. If you need help, catch attention by waving your arms (crossed arms over head) and shout.

Mail Office

Mail offices are located in all larger towns. The Costa Rican mail offices have the monopoly for the sale of stamps. Only local currency is accepted, no US dollar. Mailboxes are rather rare in Costa Rica. They are blue with the label “Correos de Costa Rica” and are set up in some hotels and gift shops. Postcards are best submitted directly by the mail office. Usually, it takes about 10 days to send a postcard to Europe. The Costa Rican mail office also provides courier mail and parcel service. Prices are mostly lower than those from other commercial providers.

 

Confirmation of the Return Flight

According to our information of the airlines, a confirmation of the return flight is not necessary if the return flight is set within two months after arrival. If this is not the case, or you would like to have confirmed your flight anyway, please do so on the airline’s website with the code of the electronic ticket. There you can also carry out the electronic check-in and reserve a seat.

 

Return Flight/Departure Tax

The airport operators recommend being at the airport three hours before departure. The safety regulations are, depending on the international situation, quite strict and intensive controls are carried out. If you booked an additional transfer for your return flight from your hotel, you will find the corresponding pick-up time on your transfer information. When departing from the international airport Juan Santamaría near San José and from Liberia, you will have to pay a departure tax prior to check-in. These are included in most of the airline tickets by now. Check here whether this applies to your airline or consult them under the following link:

Juan Santamaría Intl. (SJO)

https://sjoairport.com/en/passenger-guide

Daniel Oduber Quirós Intl. (LIR)

https://www.liberiacostaricaairport.net/Entry_Exit_Requirements.html

 

Souvenir and Shopping

In the tourist resorts you will find souvenir shops with a wide range of popular and traditional goods. Shopping facilities are provided by the cities of San José, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, and Liberia. The large, covered shopping malls, which offer a variety of goods in different shops, are very popular here.

Please note that exportation of the following goods is prohibited:

Any kind of plants, animals, insects, corals, tortoise-shell articles as well as pre-Colombian and Indian artifacts (originals). Sometimes strict controls will be applied at the airport. Exception: Seeds, plants, and farmed butterflies (exhibit) with a valid export certificate. Reproductions of Native Indian artifacts should be accompanied with a corresponding certificate.

 

Voltage

The voltage is 110 volts/60 hertz throughout the country. Check the compatibility of your chargers. An adapter for flat contact plugs is necessary for the sockets type A + B (US standard). You can buy them at low prices in hardware stores on the spot.

 

Taxi

The oficial taxis are red and have a yellow triangle with the taxi number on the front doors and a yellow sign on the roof. Please travel only by these official taxis. All taxis must have a taximeter (“Maria”). Make sure the taxi driver switches it on. Official airport taxis are orange and have fixed tariffs.

 

Phone Calls

The area code to make calls to Costa Rica is +506. From Costa Rica to US and Canada +1, to the UK +44, to Ireland +353, to the Isle of Man +44-1624, to Australia +61, and to New Zealand +64, followed by the city code (without the first 0) and the phone number. At most hotels you can make international phone calls (costs around US$ 1-2 per minute). If you carry your own cell phone, you can buy a chip of one of the local telephone companies (Kölbi, Movistar, Claro) and some credit to call home. This is cheaper than roaming with your own chip.

 

Transport / Transfers

We are happy to organize additional transports and transfers for you throughout the country. Please consider that it will take some time to organize the transfer and that it is subject to availability. Therefore, we ask you to make your request early enough. In Costa Rica you can travel by public buses. This is why you should know some Spanish in order to ask for the corresponding bus stops, prices, and departure times. Internet often provides information about certain routes. Travelling by bus can take a lot of time. There are also private minibus entrepreneurs with collective transports which take you right from your hotel to your destination. These transfers have fixed schedules and take place with a minimum of 2 persons. If you would like to travel alone or the fixed departure times of the collective buses do not suit your program, we recommend our private transfers. Flights with one of the domestic flight airlines such as a scheduled flight or a charter service are time-saving. We are happy to give you advice about the different opportunities.

 

Taxes and Tips

The value added tax amounts to 13% at present. Restaurants charge a 10% service fee - which are prescribed by the legislator - that the whole service staff will receive. If you still like to tip the staff, you can choose its amount, of course. Some restaurants only indicate net prices in the menus. In this case, 13% VAT and 10% service fee will be added. If “I.V.I.” is indicated on the menu, it means that the VAT is already included and only the service fee has to be paid.

Tips for:

Chambermaids: US$ 1 per night

Local guides: US$ 1-5

Drivers: US$ 1-2 per day

Tour guide: US$ 2-4 per day

In general, the amount of the tip depends on your satisfaction and is subject to your own discretion.