Which is the best time to travel to Costa Rica?
R/All year round! Although the dry season lasts from January through May, the rainy season from June to December offer visitors the opportunity to observe the tropical rainforest at its best. A typical day during the rainy season is usually with beautiful sunny mornings and you can expect rain for a few hours usually in the afternoon or at night.  Also, you might consider that from June up to early December great discounts are available due to the rainy season.

How many regions of Costa Rica should I visit?
R/Even though Costa Rica is a small country, there is a wide variety of regions and wellness activities available.  It is very likely that you will not be able to visit all regions in just one visit. Remember that sometimes “less is more” especially if you are looking for relaxation without continuous stress. Our travel consultants will help you deciding according to your interests and number of days in Costa Rica which would be the best itinerary option for your visit.

Should I reserve in advance my Spa treatments and activities?
R/Booking in advance your spa treatments and tour activities is a very good idea.  Don´t wait until you get there! You may not get the times and treatments you want in the case of spas. Booking in advance will not cost you more than reserving on site and will assure availability as many spa treatments and tour activities has limited availability.

Is English spoken in Costa Rica?
R/Even though Spanish is the official language, English is spoken in all tourist destinations within the country.

Is tipping a normal practice in Costa Rica?
R/Tipping is a normal practice for certain services within Costa Rica. Usually bellboys, porters, guides and tour bus drivers generally receive a tip for their services. Our suggested tipping is:

• $1 for bellboys per person
• $1 per bag for airport porters
• $5-$8 per person per day for tour guides
• $2-$4 per person per day for van drivers

In the case of spa treatments, the usual tip is about 10% for those treatments that goes “above and beyond” your expectations.  Our tip would be that if you received a treatment better than you expected, then tip. If the service was as you expected tip but not so much. . If the service did not meet your expectations it is appreciated that you provide a feedback to the spa manager and Wellness Latin America offices to have the opportunity to learn of any shortcomings.

In the case of restaurant services, a 10% tip is normal and usually included in the bill; if an excellent service has been provided an additional 5-10% is recommended.  Taxi drivers generally do not receive a tip.

Which is the time zone of Costa Rica?
R/Costa Rica is in the same time zone as the United States CST (Central Standard Time), but do not observe daylight savings time.

Is the water safe to drink?
R/Water is safe to drink through the country. Nevertheless, we suggest you buy bottled water for drinking.

What is Costa Rica Currency?
R/The currency in Costa Rica is the Colon (co-loan).  The approximate exchange rate fluctuates between near to 571 to 575 colones per dollar registering small but constant changes.
 
Where should I exchange money?
R/ We recommend exchanging money at your hotel or any bank. Most major credit cards and traveler checks are widely accepted.  A wide number of establishments will accept dollars but expect your change coming back in local currency.  When traveling out of San Jose it is wise to have with you some colones in case you may need to purchase something at a small establishment.  Take into consideration that many establishments and banks will not accept torn or marked paper currency, so try to have all your bills in good shape and tear free.

Is the voltage the same as in the United States?
R/Yes, the electric current for Costa Rica is the same as in the United States (110 volts). No adapter is required.

Do I need any shots before visiting Costa Rica?
R/Most likely is that you don´t although please visit the Center for Disease Control website  for updated information related to Costa Rica.

Should I protect myself against biting bugs?
R/There are bugs in Costa Rica especially at the forest destinations, and although for the most part the bugs keep to themselves, there is those people who are especially attractive to biting insects. You will be able to find insect repellent through the country or you may bring your own (a high DEET product is suggested).

What happens if I have an accident or get sick during my vacation to Costa Rica?
R/Costa Rica offers up-to-date medical facilities. Although, make sure to carry with you at all times your medical information including blood type, allergies and medications. Bring with you a full supply of the medications you may need. Most medications are available in Costa Rica although a particular brand or type may not be available. It is likely that you would have to pay for any medical treatment.  However, we recommend you to check with your health insurance provider prior to departure in order to be certain if they will cover you while on your vacation and the extent of this coverage.

Does traveling during Costa Rica holidays will affect in any way my wellness vacation?
R/Although please have into consideration that certain public services and/or family businesses, restaurants and shops could be closed depending on how the holiday fall on the calendar. Hotels, resorts and restaurants in tourist areas will not close.

The most important holidays include January 01, March 19 (San Jose Day), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, April 11 (Juan Santamaria national hero day), July 25 (Guanacaste Annexation Day), August 02 (Day of the Patron Saint of Costa Rica), August 15 (Mothers Day), September 15 (Independence Day), December 08 (Immaculate Conception Day) and December 25.  There is a period of two weeks centered on the Christmas / New Year Holidays in which offices, and government offices close for one or two weeks. Banks are usually open a number of days during this period.

Is safety an issue when traveling to Costa Rica?
R/Traveling to Costa Rica is safe as long as you exercise common sense and caution as you would in any part of the world. It is a good idea not to be handling large amount so cash in public or showing off expensive jewelry.  It is a good idea to leave your jewelry at home. Be careful of pick pockets in crowded streets. We recommend you to make photocopies of your passport and keep the passport in the hotel safe while carrying the photocopy with you at all times.  Exercise the same degree of caution in Costa Rica that you would at home.

What type of clothing would I need for traveling to Costa Rica?
R/Although you might need certain variations depending on the destination and wellness activities you have arranged during your trip, our basic recommendation stands as follows:

• City Attire – During the daytime it is suggested that men wear pants (jeans are ok), and women should wear skirts, pants or Bermuda length shorts. During evening hours, men should wear nice slacks and shirt (sport jacket is optional), and women will feel comfortable in nicer casual evening attire. A light jacket or sweater may be necessary in cool nights.
   
• Mountain, Jungle & Beach attire – Resort wear for the beaches is best – casual is the rule. When going on a hike through the jungle rain gear is suggested. We recommend long pants and long sleeve shirt to be worn for protection.  Cotton clothing is best suited for the tropics, avoiding blue jeans or denim as possible as it can be quite warm and it is hard to dry. Jacket, sweater or sweat shirt is suggested when visiting the cloud forest or high altitude locations. If possible take two pairs of walking boots or shoes, since one pair can be worn while the other dries from previous use.
   
• Sport Activities – A hat, sun visor or cap is strongly recommended. Good walking shoes or hiking boots are best. For activities such as river rafting rubber sandals with backing, Tevas or old sneakers are needed. Sun screen (waterproof) is important and in some cases a disposable water proof camera could be handy.

How should I pack to travel to Costa Rica?
R/If you are traveling with large bags you may like to consider to travel as well with smaller weekender bags for trips to the beach and rainforest locations as certain weight limitations may be applicable on domestic flights and/or land transportation services such as shuttle buses. We will be happy to assist you for storing luggage either at your San Jose hotel or at our offices in case you need to.  If you are taking medication, always carry it with you rather than putting it in your suitcase.  If you forget anything at home don´t worry as most locations in Costa Rica have well-stocked stores, supermarkets and drugstores.