-
When is the best time to go to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a pleasant place to visit any time of year. The dry season extends from December to April, and the wet season from May to November. Though the two coasts are never actually dry, most travelers visit Costa Rica during the highland dry season. The wet weather is warm, making the precipitation refreshing so it rarely inhibits any Costa Rica adventures and offers the advantage of seeing fewer tourists and more turtles. [Back to Top]
-
How far in advance should I book a Costa Rica EcoTour?
To ensure space is available in holiday periods that fall during Costa Rica's dry season, it is best to book at least nine months in advance and four to six months in advance the rest of the year. We are sometimes able to accommodate last minute travelers. We recommend booking your tour before your international flight. [Back to Top]
-
What is the difference between a guided tour and one that isn't?
We offer two types of ecotours to Costa Rica, guided tours and self-guided fly/drive trips. On the guided tours, knowledgeable native guides accompany most tour segments, though every trip includes some unscheduled periods to allow our guests time on their own. For fly/drive trips, our company representative provides a map and information kit on arrival and makes recommendations about guided activities offered by the destinations or lodgings en route to make the most of the itinerary. [Back to Top]
-
Are these Costa Rica Ecotours suitable for children?
We offer a Costa Rica Family Adventure Tour, suitable for children ages five to fifteen. Southern Explorations prides itself on designing family trips with children, first and foremost, in mind. Our family trips provide flexible itineraries in safe surroundings to capture children's imaginations, and pace the trips to keep them interested while providing parents an opportunity to relax a bit. For these trips we select only family-friendly accommodations that make for easily accessible leisure activities and meals. We keep transportation links between excursions short and effortless. Most important, we ensure that the trip meets every child's "wow" factor expectations. A full description of our Costa Rica Family Adventure Tour is on our website. [Back to Top]
Children would enjoy our other Costa Rica ecotours as well. To make family tours more flexible, we often recommend putting together a private group instead of booking one of our pre-set group trips. This works especially well with younger children. We are happy to answer all of your questions to give you the most accurate impression we can of what to expect.[Back to Top]
-
Can I extend my stay?
Yes, we offer an array of trip extensions to suit the individual needs and interests of our passengers. These trip extensions are described on our website. If you would like to discuss the options or arrange a trip extension, please contact us. [Back to Top]
-
What airport do your passengers fly to?
Costa Rica has two international airports, Juan Santamaria International Airport just outside the capital city of San Jose and Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia in the northwest region of the country. Most passengers fly in and out of San Jose. [Back to Top]
-
How do passengers get from one Costa Rica EcoTour destination to another?
In Costa Rica, we use a mix of private and public transportation to get travelers to their destinations safely and efficiently. This includes local air carriers, private vans and cars, comfortable tourist buses, river boats, etc. Our fly/drive tours use rental cars. [Back to Top]
-
What types of aircraft are used on domestic flights?
Most domestic carriers in Costa Rica use small commuter planes such as the 14-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan propeller plane. [Back to Top]
-
Are there luggage limits on domestic flights?
Most Costa Rican domestic flights have a 30-lb luggage limit. The less one packs, the more carefree and enjoyable the trip will be. It's best to pack clothes in two bags: one with city clothes that can be left at the hotel in San Jose and a separate bag for the rest of the visit. Booked passengers receive a detailed list of what to bring. [Back to Top]
-
What are the accommodations like in Costa Rica?
Our Costa Rica ecotour accommodations range from comfortable upscale hotels to remote jungle lodges. All have private baths and hot water, and most of the reception staff speaks English. Except for the budget alternatives offered on our fly/drive trips, our standard adventures feature 3-star accommodations. If desired, 4 and 5-star accommodations are available upon request. We personally inspect the rooms and amenities of all potential hotels and lodges in each tour location and select only those that meet our rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort, convenient location, safety, customer service and ambiance. We support lodges and hotels that employ sustainability practices and are owned and operated locally. Details about each accommodation are included in the tour descriptions on our website. [Back to Top]
-
What are the meals like?
Unlike other Latin American countries, Costa Rican food is not spicy or hot. There is a large variety of hot sauces available to add to your meal which allow for individual preferences. The most popular side dish is rice and beans (arroz y frijoles); together with meat, salad and plantains this makes up the full typical meal called "casado". The most traditional alcoholic drink is called "guaro", a clear spirit distilled from sugarcane. The quality of the domestic beers is excellent, as is the coffee liquor -"Café Rica". Fresh juices made of different tropical fruits are also common in Costa Rican tables and, of course, coffee is present everywhere. [Back to Top]
-
How much should I budget for this Costa Rica Ecotour beyond the tour fee and international airfare?
Meals/beverages not included in trip price: $20US - $25US
Airport departure tax: $26US
Tips, depending on activities and length of trip: $60US - $150US
The markets can be a shopper's paradise. Budget according to your tastes. [Back to Top]
|
