We Understand Your Expectations
We know how to match your expectations to Costa Rica’s offerings.
‘Custom’ Is NOT a Buzzword
Everyone promises customization. We actually do it. Our every trip is built from the ground up, based on your group, goals, and travel “personality.” Because, before we start planning, we get to know you. We’ll never force you to fit a generic itinerary; we’ll build one, just for you and from the ground up. And that means thrilled travelers. Whether you’re here for a quiet honeymoon or taking a multigenerational trip with little kids in tow.
Planning: You Can’t Really Plan This Yourself
Anyone can read a guidebook or book a hotel online. Only we can build the kind of once-in-a-lifetime trips that earn rave reviews. And, our reputation grants us access to activities and destinations you won’t find in travel guides or the itineraries from the other guys.
a) Unbiased, First-Hand Advice
The recommendations we make are our personal recommendations. We’ve paddled those rapids, strolled that beach, stayed at that hotel. Perhaps, even in the very room we recommend. Because, before we recommend a tour, an accommodation, an attraction—we see, do, and experience for ourselves. And we never, ever sell something we don’t love.
b) Avoid Mistakes…
You work hard all year; your vacation shouldn’t feel like work, too. In fact, your vacation—beginning with planning—should be perfect. We help you avoid the common mistakes.
c) Secure Payment Processing
Our secure booking portal has the most stringent level of certification available in the payments industry: We process bookings through a certified PCI Level 1 Service Provider, so our processing, transmission, and storage of card data is guaranteed safe and fully secured. Our systems are further secured by SSL certificates (to protect data in transit), firewalls, and regular systems scans.
While Traveling in Costa Rica…
a) No Travel Nightmares
We’re available 24/7, to resolve any issues. .
b) Last Minute Adjustments and Insider Tips
You can’t (and wouldn’t want to!) pre-plan every moment. So, while you’re here, feel free to reach out to our Travel Experience Team (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) for restaurant recommendations, tips on local events, and even last-minute changes to your itinerary.
c) Safety First From our spotless transportation to our choice in adventure activities—only those with strong safety records, proper permitting, and redundant protocols—we prioritize your safety. And, unlike anonymous online travel sites, we’re a local name and a face. We stand behind our recommendations and products.
d) Superb Guides & Drivers We’re choosy because we know you are, too. Our safe, English-speaking, and incredibly knowledgeable guides, drivers, and other in-country travel partners work to make every moment of your trip enjoyable.
e) 100% Confidence We are absolutely confident in our local knowledge and our ability to help you build the best possible trip for your needs and goals. Go ahead—just try us!
BookyBee is a team built by professionals with Jaco Costa Rica as our home base, with extensive experience in tourism and customer service. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality, best value, and most memorable experiences. We take care of every single detail during their visit to Costa Rica. We consider ourselves passionate adventurers, experienced in traveling to all the beautiful places our Central American gem has to offer. At BookyBee, we listen to our clients’ plans and focus on satisfying every travel dream.
Getting ready for your trip
If you are coming from the US or Canada, you are not required to
get any vaccinations. However, we always recommend discussing any
concerns with your primary care physician. The Costa Rican
authorities require that all travelers coming from the following
countries have a yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola,
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan,
Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador as well as
the Republic of Guyana.
The vaccine should be applied 10 days before entering the country.
This regulation will be enforced on everyone except senior
citizens, children under the age of 9 and pregnant women.
You are responsible for re-confirming your International flights. You should reconfirm at least 48 hours prior to your flight departure. Compare the information you receive with the information listed on your final itinerary from us and if there are any differences in the information, advise your travel consultant or our Travel Experience Team immediately. (Travel Experience Team 1-800-606-1860 Ext. No.2)
To enter Costa Rica a valid passport and a pre-paid airline (or bus) ticket exiting the country is mandatory.
Additional specific entry requirements depend on your country of citizenship. Currently, you may enter Costa Rica without a
visa if traveling with a United States of America, Canada or most European passports. Immigration will then stamp your
passport with your approved length of stay (usually 90 days). For other countries, a visa may be required. It is always best
to contact the Costa Rica Embassy nearest you for up-to-date entry and visa requirements.
Expiration rules on passports change constantly. Each traveler must verify they have at least one blank page for the entry stamp and check
their passport expiration date. Costa Rican Vacations recommends you have at least six (6) months of validity from the date
you return to your home country. It is also a good idea to have several copies of the picture page of your passport with you when you travel.
Again, for the most up-to-date requirements, check with your Costa Rica Consulate.
If you are issued the 90-day visa and you plan on staying longer than that time, you must leave the country for 72 hours and then
re-enter for a new 90-day visa or receive special permission (ie a work visa) before you arrive.
Any COVID-19 related requirements are detailed on this page: https://www.vacationscostarica.com/news/costa-rica-entry-requirements-for-tourists/
Money and Budgeting
Costa Rica’s official currency is the Colón, however, U.S. dollars are still widely accepted throughout the country.
Money can be exchanged in banks but the process is not easy.
You’ll usually have to wait in long lines and most tellers speak little English. Your passport is required to exchange money at all banks.
ATMs are the easiest way to get local currency. At most ATMs, you will have the choice of asking for colons or dollars. Keep in mind most banks charge a
transaction fee between $2.00 – $7.00 dollars.
There are currency exchange booths in the San Jose Airport, but exchange rates are generally not favorable and fees are generally applied.
We recommend bringing U.S. Dollars in denominations from $1 – $20. (avoid 50’s and 100’s).
Use these bills for your local purchases and you’ll receive your change in colons. You’ll then have some local currency to spend.
The vaccine should be applied 10 days before entering the country.
This regulation will be enforced on everyone except senior
citizens, children under the age of 9 and pregnant women.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but there are some exceptions. If you plan on using your credit card frequently it is
very important that prior to leaving on your trip you tell your bank that you will be in Costa Rica. For your protection most banks
automatically block transactions in foreign countries, so be sure that you advise your bank that you will be making charges while in Costa Rica.
Mastercard and Visa are the most widely accepted. American Express is accepted at most hotels and some restaurants but not by local or small vendors.
Discover Card is not accepted in Costa Rica.
Health & Safety
Water is safe to drink throughout Costa Rica. However, we do recommend that you drink bottled water in remote areas.
Bottled water is available at hotels, grocery stores, and restaurants. Do not use ice anywhere you
would not drink the water! Keep in mind we all have different degrees of delicacy in our systems.
If you are a person who often gets stomach distress when you travel, then it’s best to always choose bottled water.
Food is normally safe in all the better hotels that cater to international travelers.
In smaller “street restaurants” there is less certainty about the food quality. Avoid eating uncooked portions such as
salads in such places. If you buy fresh fruits at a roadside stand or from a street vendor, wash the fruits
carefully before eating them.
Costa Rica provides one of the best health care systems in Central America, both in private and public sector, and
both constantly strive to be up-to-date with contemporary medicine. It’s social security system called CCSS but is
also known as “la CAJA”. Over the last 60 years, La Caja has established more than 250 clinics and 29 public hospitals
in Costa Rica that cover all major populated areas throughout the country. The hospital services are available at a
low cost to the residents and tourists alike, 365 days a year on a 24-hour basis. With that said, some CAJA
hospitals won’t live up to expectations of U.S. and Canadian visitors. The public emergency rooms are usually
crowded and noisy and it’s very likely that available doctors or nurses won’t speak English. CAJA system does function
if you have a lot of patience and time to wait.
On the other hand, private clinics and hospitals provide top-class services and are frequented as main hubs for medical tourism in
the country. Private clinics are often recognized for their excellent services and have positive testimonials.
Currently, new developers are fostering investments of private clinics and hospitals throughout the country.
Hospital CIMA: This hospital is controlled by the International Hospital Corporation of Dallas, Texas. CIMA is notably the best
equipped, full-service hospital that features the most modern health care technology. The second establishment
opened recently in Liberia, Guanacaste.
Hospital Clínica Bíblica: located in the heart of San José, and has recently opened a new clinic in Liberia, Guanacaste.
The hospital in San José has a 24-hour rooftop heliport for emergencies.
Clínica La Católica: This hospital is known for its amenities for travelers that include a lodge for companion persons just a
few steps from the hospital. Clínica Católica is also located in San José downtown, in the east area.
Hospital Metropolitano: This hospital is the newest privately operated hospital in San José. It has three locations,
San José Downtown, Heredia and Tibás.
If you need to purchase medicines in Costa Rica, pharmacies are always available. Even remote towns will have a pharmacy open
during work hours. In San Jose and the Central Valley, 24-hour pharmacies are also an option.
Keep in mind that it is mandatory to have a prescription for some drugs. Prescriptions from doctors in the U.S. and other countries
may be accepted but will most likely need to be translated to Spanish. It is best to arrive prepared with a complete
supply of your own prescription medicines in their original prescription container.
In case of temporary emergencies, pharmacists are capable of administering injections. They can also provide recommendations for
specific medical conditions and check your blood pressure.
Being in a sunny tropical climate, it’s easy to get sunburned or dehydrated. A bad sunburn or dehydration are two ways to put a major kink in any vacation. Make sure you use plenty of sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and drink plenty of liquids to avoid such problems.
Mosquitoes are common year-round, however, rare in some areas due to low overnight temperatures (Monteverde or San José).
Mosquitoes are most common at dusk and dawn; especially in rain forest or rural areas.
It’s a good idea to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you are going to be hiking or walking in the
forest during these times. A good insect repellent sprayed onto your clothing or skin will be effective to
keep mosquitoes from bothering you (if you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first
and then the repellent). A DEET based product is not necessary but is generally the strongest option you can buy.
Malaria does exist in Costa Rica (as in every other country in Central America), although it is very rare and any outbreak makes
the news. It’s up to you whether you want to bring malaria medication, but be aware that plenty of locals and expats get
by without it, and thousands of tourists visit each year without using this medication. More common mosquito-derived
ailments are Dengue fever and the Chikungunya and Zika virus, which are easily combatted by taking the
precautions mentioned above as protection against mosquito-borne diseases. If you develop one or more of the
following symptoms seek medical evaluation for treatment: fever, rash, joint and/or muscle pain, severe eye pain
behind eyes), mild bleeding (nose or gum bleed or easy bruising).
Beach Safety
It is important that visitors follow basic safety precautions when enjoying the sun and sand at Costa Rica’s beaches.
PLEASE be aware of the risks that exist at beaches throughout the country:
* Many beaches will be marked with flags to let people know the conditions of the surf.
* Red Flags indicate that water conditions are unsafe and no one should enter the water.
* Yellow flags indicate rough conditions and swimmers should enter with caution, but no restrictions apply.
* Green flags indicate normal conditions.
* Always swim within designated areas. Enter the water carefully. Be aware of rocks or steep drop offs.
* Never swim alone.
* Respect the beach-inhabiting animals; some of them have painful methods of keeping humans away, for example, the spiny sea urchins.
* Keep in mind that lifeguards are uncommon on the beaches. Do not count on lifeguard assistance.
* Rip tides, strong currents, and big waves are normal in Costa Rica. They can also appear unexpectedly and without warning.
Respect warnings on the beaches. If you are unsure if your beach is safe, check with your hotel or call us so we can
assist you with information about your area.
Is Costa Rica safe?
Costa Rica is an extremely safe country. It is very easy to let down your normal guard while you are here in Costa Rica
enjoying the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, but it is important to take normal safety precautions.
* The largest crime in Costa Rica is petty theft so be diligent in watching over your personal items. Use your hotel safe at all times.
* Do not leave cameras, purses, Ipads, Ipods, and cell phones unattended on restaurant tables, pool lounges, or beach towels.
* Leave expensive watches and jewelry at home.
* If you have a rental car, stow your personal belongings under the seat, make sure the car is locked and if possible park it in an area in which you can keep an eye on it.
* We always recommend you bring a photocopy of the picture page of your passport as well.
Clothing
A light waterproof windbreaker or poncho is a good idea if you are visiting the Caribbean (like the Arenal Volcano area). A sweater or light fleece will get you through cooler evenings in San Jose or Monteverde. If you are visiting the mountains, though (Talamanca Area) you will want some warmer clothing or plan to layer.
Costa Rica is a casual country. Most people wear shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, sandals. If you are going out for a special dinner, you may want to wear a polo or button-down shirt for men and a nice top or sundress for ladies. Nothing too fancy.
Hotel Services
Each hotel is different; please ask your travel consultant or the Travel Concierge on details of the hotels you will be visiting.
The electricity in Costa Rica is 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz10/ 120 watts, the same as in the United States. Generally, most outlets will be designed for 2-prong, flat blade plugs. If your electronics require a different plug shape or wattage, please make sure to get a voltage converter.
Concierge Services
As part of your vacation you will have access to our 24/7 Travel Experience Team. Please remember your travel consultant will NOT be your first contact.
If you need anything at all it is always best to go to our In-Country Travel Experience Team, who are equipped to help you faster than anyone else.
To reach our Travel Experience Team during your stay for anything at all from dinner reservations to a lost passport PLEASE CALL 4031-7711.
This is a local number that you can call from your hotel to reach us.
Need a good place to go for dinner? Few travel experiences are more rewarding than breaking bread with the locals,
on their turf; sharing their comfort food. Our Travel Experience Team will help you immerse yourself in a new land,
enjoying regional cuisine, and becoming part of the local culture.
Among the population in Costa Rica are immigrants from all of Europe, the Americas, Middle East, Australia, North Africa and most of Asia.
Their contribution to Costa Rica’s cuisine includes great fusion combinations.
Costa Rica provides a wide variety of succulent tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh seafood, and quality beef.
Our typical staples like rice and beans are enhanced and taken to a new level with the influence of all the different
cultures creating amazing fusion cuisine.
If you crave international dining; in tiny Costa Rica you can sample Argentinean, Chinese, Indian, Italian, French, Mexican, Japanese,
Peruvian, Spanish, Middle Eastern and yes, American food. Most restaurants provide vegetarian options too.
For a list of “must try” restaurants. Just contact the Travel Experience Team!
Wildlife
Costa Rica is well known for its’ abundance of wildlife and a relative ease to get up close to birds, mammals, and reptiles.
It’s important to remember that these are all wild animals. Our slogan is “Observation without Disruption” When you encounter wildlife,
remember we are in their habitat. Sit or stand quietly and enjoy the wonder and brilliance of seeing animals in the wild.
Please NEVER try to touch any wild animals and do not feed them. Human food causes serious health problems, especially for Monkeys.
Every year park rangers find many animals killed by the consumption of human food. Animals can be a danger to you as well.
Although they look cute and cuddly, most rainforest animals have sharp teeth and claws and they will not take kindly to being disturbed.
Bring your binoculars and your cameras and enjoy the incredible variety of wildlife throughout the country,
but please help us to protect this, our most valuable natural resource, by respecting each and every animal and bird you encounter.
Tours
Please note that some tours have weight, age & size restrictions. Be sure to check descriptions on your itinerary and advise us immediately if you have a concern.
If you plan on doing any hiking or adventure activities you should plan on bringing comfortable, durable closed-toed shoes. (Keen or Teva’s, or Sneakers with a sturdy, treaded sole). Footwear is likely to get wet and muddy, so be prepared with a secondary pair of shoes to wear after your activities. For rafting and waterfall rappelling, you will get wet. Bring a set of dry clothing to store with the outfitter so you can change after the tour. Flip Flops are not appropriate for any outdoor adventure activity.
Roads and Transportation services
There are two international airports in Costa Rica – the San José International Airport (SJO), which is in Alajuela, and the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), which is located in Liberia. Passing through customs at either of the international airports is relatively stress-free. After collecting your luggage, you continue through a checkpoint where officials pass baggage through an X-ray machine. After this, you’ll be able to leave the terminal and travel to your final destination.
Domestic airports: the airports listed below require passengers to pay an arrival and departure fee. To prepare yourself for the trip, remember to have the following amount ready in colones or dollars when arriving to and departing from these airports: Tambor $2.25; Quepos $5 for arrivals, $3 for departures; Arenal $7.
Before you jump in a taxi, there are a few things you should know:
Only hire authorized cabs. One of the most important things to remember when taking a taxi in Costa Rica is to only hire
licensed, authorized cabs. Affectionately known as “rojos” due to their cherry-red color, these taxis are
easily identifiable and can be flagged down as you would anywhere else in the world. However, in some parts
of the country, illegal taxis, popularly known as ‘piratas’, can often be mistaken for an authorized cabs,
as their drivers make every attempt to appear legitimate. The easiest way to differentiate between a genuine
and illegal taxi is to look for the yellow triangle on the vehicle’s doors. Even though they might be a
little cheaper, don’t be tempted to take an illegal cab – stick to the authorized taxis.
Keep the meter running. In Costa Rican taxis, the meter is known as the “Maria,” and this device is usually mounted on
the vehicle’s dashboard. Before setting off on your journey, ensure that the Maria is turned on, as this can
eliminate the possibility that you’ll be overcharged for your trip. To request that the driver turns on the
meter before you hit the road, simply gesture at the Maria and say “Puede, por favor, poner la Maria,” which
means “Can you please turn on the meter?” Most drivers will not take offense to this request, and it helps
keep everything straightforward in terms of what you can expect to pay. In terms of rates, most cabs charge
around $1 for every two-thirds of a mile traveled or so, making taxis a remarkably cost-effective way of
getting around.
Tipping is not expected but the little extra money is always welcome. Avoid using big bills, as drivers don’t have a lot
of change with them and are reluctant to take anything larger than $20 US dollar bill.
Travel times can vary significantly between destinations. Our speed limit, in general, is 50 km/hour.\
Thus, if the distance between destinations is 200 km, you should plan on it taking about four hours.
Our main highways that connect major cities and ports are mostly 2 lanes. There is often truck traffic on the roads
which can affect the time it takes to get from one place to another. It can often be difficult to pass
and at times we have to be patient until we get to an area that allows us to get around the slow moving 18-wheeler.
Getting there is part of the fun, though, so be sure to enjoy the gorgeous scenery and chat with your driver about the local
towns you’ll be traveling through.
* Here is a list of some of the more popular routes with driving times:
* Alajuela (SJO Airport) to Manuel Antonio – 3.5 hrs.
* Alajuela (SJO Airport) to Arenal – 3 hrs.
* Alajuela (SJO Airport) to Monteverde – 4 hrs.
* Arenal to Tamarindo – 4 hrs.
* Liberia to Arenal – 3 hrs.
The roads in Costa Rica vary significantly depending on the route that you are traveling.
Roads between most destinations are two-lane, paved roads that wind up and around the mountainous terrain throughout the country.
If you find yourself driving in the country, it is best to be very alert and drive defensively. Try to avoid driving
at night as most roads are not lit and do not have reflective lines. Weather conditions can change quickly and
nighttime driving can be dangerous. Some areas and some hotels do not have paved entrances, so chances are at
some point you will find yourself along a dirt road during your trip to Costa Rica. Many bridges narrow to a
single lane and drivers must be ready to yield and give right of way to the oncoming traffic.
For your first visit to Costa Rica, we generally recommend taking private transports to get a feel for the driving conditions.
This way, the next time that you visit you will already understand the driving conditions and can decide whether or
not to rent a car. Our system of roads in Costa Rica continues to improve each year but signage is limited and sometimes inaccurate.
Vehicles equipped with GPS devices have significantly improved visitors’ ability to tour the country at their own pace.
Should you decide to drive, we strongly suggest equipping the vehicle with a GPS unit. For experienced travelers,
with a lot of patience; driving on your own can be a fun experience. In general, though, we prefer our guests to enjoy our private transfers.
Phone services
Costa Rica has an international country code of 506 (the US country code is 1), and anyone calling Costa Rica from
outside the country needs to apply this code. If you’re calling from the United States or Canada you need to dial 011
first, which indicates that an international call is about to be made. Failure to do this will place your call to New
Brunswick, Canada (area code 506)! Once you dial 011, and then 506, you just dial the number and you’re through.
So to call the Costa Rican Vacations office from the USA or Canada you would dial 011-506-2296-7715. That’s the international code
of 011, then the country code of 506, and then the telephone number or 2296-7715. This is just an example – you should
never need to call us from the States on this line as we have a US Toll-Free number that you can call just like any other.
Calling from outside the US or Canada is slightly different, in that the rest of the world has a different international code.
This code is either 00 or the + sign (whichever you prefer or your phone can support). So if you were calling Costa
Rican Vacations from Europe, say, you would dial like this: 00506-2296-7715 or +506-2296-7715.
Calling other countries from Costa Rica is exactly the same: 00 and then the country code (1 for the USA/Canada)
and then the number itself, area code first.
To call to Europe (or elsewhere) you dial: 00 + country code + city code + number.
You can make International calls from most hotels. Most calls will have a fee, so do check with the hotel for costs prior to making your call. You may access Skype on your laptop, smartphone, or Ipad anywhere that there is Wifi. If you are carrying your personal cell phone, it’s best that you check with your service provider in your home country to find out about connectivity and costs. Some phone companies have very expensive fees for utilizing their service inside Costa Rica.