| WHO SHOULD GO |
| Fixed departures are open to everyone. Travelers should expect co-participants of all ages, nationalities, cultures and physical abilities. Also, additional guests may be added to any portion of any fixed departure itinerary. We are happy to accept children 12 and older. If you plan to bring your children to Costa Rica, please see our fixed dates in June, July and August that we have designated as Family Departures. |
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| HOTEL & LODGES |
| We reserve the right to change hotels at the last minute. |
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| ITINERARY ORDER |
| While the services provided remain the same, we reserve the right to change the order of the itinerary. Normally, we will advise participants of foreseen changes at the time of booking; however, occasionally changes are made at a later date. The same services are included regardless of the order of the itinerary. |
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| ADDITIONAL NIGHTS |
| Additional nights (if applicable) in San José do include breakfast, but the last night of the program in San José does not include breakfast (the morning of departure). |
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| PACK CAREFULLY! |
| Hiking shoes are necessary. Some participants prefer tennis shoes; however, if you choose not to bring hiking shoes, bring two pair of tennis shoes so one can be drying if they get wet. Binoculars add a whole new dimension to an adventure and are not easily available for rent in Costa Rica. Please also remember that it may be difficult or impossible to get items such as batteries or bulbs for flashlights and/or cameras-bring extras. It is also advisable to bring more film than you think you'll need! Spillable liquids should be packed inside reclosable plastic bags as light charter planes are not pressurized. |
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| BAGGAGE WEIGHT LIMITATIONS |
| There is a 25 lb. per person baggage limit (including all carry-on and stowable luggage) on light charter flights to Tortuguero and Corcovado and boat trips to Tortuguero. Extra baggage (if any) can be sent back to San José where it will be stored
at costa rica expeditions' office. Collapsible carry-on bags are recommended to allow for separating luggage if needed. |
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| MORE ON BAGGAGE LIMIT |
| The most frequent problem in achieving outstanding levels of satisfaction for participants on trips such as these has to do with the 25 lb. baggage weight limit for light charter aircraft and boats. It is important to understand that, for reasons of safety and cost, the baggage limit must be enforced on all light charter flights-regardless of whether or not they are full. |
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| SAFETY |
| Costa Rica Expeditions is the largest user of light aircraft in Costa Rica, with the exception of the government. Over the past 18 years, we have accumulated tens of thousands of passenger hours in light aircraft. There have been 2 accidents, neither of which resulted in fatalities. We enforce higher safety standards for the pilots and aircraft we use than the Costa Rican Civil Aviation Board. |
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| AIRPORT TRANSFERS |
| International arrival and departure transfers are not included for those arriving or departing on dates other than the scheduled arrival/departure dates for the program. |
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| AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX |
| Upon departure from Costa Rica, this $17 per person tax (as of June 1998) can be paid in colones, cash dollars or a combination of both. Travelers checks and credit cards are not accepted. |
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| SERVICE GUIDE & GROUP SIZE |
| Service Guides are bilingual guides who escort our guests on itineraries that do not include naturalist accompaniment. Often these are naturalists-in-training and have considerable knowledge of plants and animals. All have training in guiding techniques, a general knowledge about Costa Rica, and a sincere desire to share this knowledge. These guides are included to accompany the group for a portion of the itinerary and to help out with logistics. When there are eight participants or more on a trip, the same guide will accompany the group during the entire trip. If there are less than eight participants, the group will be on its own part of the time and may have different guides at the different sites. |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
| On the Explorer, during the stay in the Arenal area, meals are not included. This is done in order to keep costs down and to allow flexibility as to what and how much participants wish to eat. |
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| WELCOME ORIENTATION MEAL |
| Due to the the fact that many participants arrive after dinner on Day 1, we provide a welcome orientation breakfast on Day 2 in lieu of a dinner on Day 1. |
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| VOLCANO VIEWS |
| We cannot guarantee a clear view of a volcano, as the weather may be
cloudy at any time of the year. |
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| DRIVING CONDITIONS |
| Although Costa Rica is a small country and the distances between sites are relatively short, due to the conditions of winding, bumpy roads clients should expect long travel times from one point to another. |
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| COSTA RICA RIVER & RAIN FOREST ADVENTURE |
| For the two day Pacuare River trip on the Costa Rica River and Rain Forest Adventure participants will need to pack three groups of "stuff". The first set will be river gear which will be worn in the raft and will be wet the whole trip. The second set of "stuff" will be dry cloths to wear at camp as well as personal toiletries needed for the night at camp. The third group of "stuff" will be left on the bus so that participants will have clean dry (warm) clothes at take out. Please take with you on the river only those things that are truly needed. Each person will receive one dry bag to accommodate his/her belongings. |