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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS;

WHAT IS "THE SOUTHERN ZONE"? 

THE "SOUTHERN ZONE" OR "ZONA SUR" IS A PHRASE USED BY LOCALS TO DESCRIBE THE SOUTHWESTERN COASTLINE OF COSTA RICA, INCLUDING  THE 35KM (24MILE) STRETCH BETWEEN DOMINICAL, ESCALEARAS, UVITA AND OJOCHAL.  THIS IS WHERE THE LUSH RAINFOREST MOUNTAINS KISS THE MAGNIFICENT PACIFIC OCEAN. 

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE? 

OUR DRYEST / HOTTEST PART OF THE YEAR IS DECEMBER - MARCH WITH TEMPS RANGING FROM LOW'S IN THE 70'S AND HIGHS AROUND 85-90 DEGREES .  IT IS HOTTER AT THE BEACHES, COOLER BY ABOUT 10-15 DEGREES IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS/MOUNTAINS.  AFTERNOON RAINS START USUALLY IN APRIL OR MAY, AND WE GET INCREASINGLY MORE RAIN FOR LONGER PERIODS, WITH THE MOST RAINFALL OCCURRING NORMALLY IN OCTOBER.  CHECK OUT CURRENT LOCAL WEATHER IN UVITA AT   http://www.accuweather.com/en/cr/uvita/114691/weather-forecast/114691
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/costa-rica     (sunset/sunrise/weather/time zone/sun and moon phase info) and Windy.com (set it for “rain-snow” (over on the right margin). 

CAN I USE MY CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND US DOLLARS?
 
  • YES, BUT CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY TO LET THEM KNOW YOUR DESTINATIONS AND TRAVEL DATES...IF YOU DON'T, THEY MAY SHUT THE CARD DOWN ON A FRAUD ALERT, SUSPECTING IDENTITY THEFT.  MOST CREDIT CARDS COMPANIES CHARGE AN INTERNATIONAL USAGE FEE, AND AN EXCHANGE RATE FEE. 
  • MOST BEACH AND TOURIST DESTINATIONS/STORES/RESTAURANTS DO ACCEPT US DOLLARS.  WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO TO A LOCAL BANK AND CHANGE OUT TO COLONES, AS IT MAKES IT EASIER TO CALCULATE WHAT YOU OWE, AND YOU ELIMINATE ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR MERCHANTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU ON THE EXCHANGE RATE.   ASK THE BANK WHAT, IF ANY, FEES THEY CHARGE TO GIVE YOU CASH FROM YOUR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD.  KEEP IN MIND, THIS MAY BE CONSIDERED A CASH ADVANCE. 
  • WE HAVE ATMS AVAILABLE LOCALLY THAT ACCEPT FOREIGN DEBIT CARDS.  MOST WILL ALLOW YOU TO WITHDRAW 50,000 COLONES (ABOUT $94 US AT CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES).  YOU CAN DO THIS 4 TIMES IN A DAY, FOR A TOTAL WITHDRAWAL OF ABOUT $376  US.  KEEP IN MIND, RULES TEND TO CHANGE OFTEN HERE, SO THIS AMOUNT CAN FLUCTUATE.
  • EXCHANGE NO MORE THAN $10 AT THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPORT EXCHANGE HAS A HORRIBLE EXCHANGE FEE.  THE CALDERA HIGHWAY TOLLS ACCEPT SMALL US AND CANADIAN BILLS. 
  • DO NOT BRING LARGE DENOMINATIONS (50'S-100'S) AS THE BANKS AND MERCHANTS WILL SCRUTINIZE THEM.  ALL BILLS MUST BE UNMARKED AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, NO RIPS, TEARS OR MARKINGS.
  • SOME RESTAURANTS ARE CASH ONLY....BE SURE TO CARRY ENOUGH CASH TO ACCOMMODATE THIS.
  • FOR CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES GO TO;  http://www.xe.com/currency/crc-costa-rican-colon 

WHAT IS YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE? 

MAIN ROADS ARE NICELY PAVED, HOWEVER SOME PAVED LOCAL ROADS ARE MISSING PAINTED LINES AND REFLECTORS.  SIDE ROADS WILL LIKELY BE PATCHY CONCRETE, GRAVEL AND CLAY. 

INTERNET / CELL / ELECTRIC / WATER OUTAGES ARE COMMON, ESPECIALLY DURING MAJOR HOLIDAYS WHEN WE HAVE MANY MORE PEOPLE IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE.  WE LIVE IN A JUNGLE / BEACH ENVIRONMENT.  PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT THE SAME LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY, SERVICES OR CONVENIENCES AS YOU ARE LIKELY USED TO AT HOME.  PLEASE DO EXPECT HUMIDITY, BUGS, LOTS OF WILDLIFE, AND A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF "ROUGHING IT" GOES WITH THE TERRITORY.  COSTA RICA IS NOT A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, BUT IT IS A SECOND WORLD COUNTRY.

WHAT IS YOUR ELECTRICITY? 

SAME AS IN THE US, 110 VOLTS, NO ADAPTERS ARE NECESSARY.  COSTA  RICA IS AN ECO-CONSCIOUS, CARBON NEUTRAL GOAL COUNTRY.  PLEASE HELP US CONSERVE OUR RESOURCES BY TURNING OFF LIGHTS, FANS AND A/C WHEN NOT IN THE ROOM, AND BE JUDICIOUS WITH YOUR WATER USAGE (GOOD  HABITS TO GET IN, NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE !). POWER OUTAGES AND AMPERAGE FLUCTUATIONS ARE COMMON, IT IS ADVISABLE TO UNPLUG ALL SMALL DEVICES AND APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE.  BRING A FLASHLIGHT FOR EACH PERSON.

CAN I USE MY CELL PHONE? 

WE HAVE HAD SOME GUESTS SUCCESSFULLY USE THEIR US PHONES AND A ROAMING PLAN, BUT THE CHARGES ARE RANGING FROM 20CENTS TO $1/MINUTE.   OTHERS HAVE ARRIVED IN COSTA RICA TO DISCOVER THEIR PHONES DO NOT WORK LOCALLY AS PROMISED.   TEXTING WITH A US PHONE MAY OR MAY NOT WORK HERE LOCALLY EITHER.   THE BEST OPTION IS TO BRING AN "UNLOCKED" PHONE, AND PURCHASE A SIM CARD AT THE KOLBI KIOSK NEXT TO THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA, OR IN THE TERMINAL.  MOST SMART PHONE NAVIGATION APPS WORK FOR OUR MAJOR LANDMARKS, WHICH WILL ASSIST YOU IN FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND.  OR, YOU CAN BRING OR BUY AN INEXPENSIVE FLIP PHONE, AND PURCHASE A KOLBI SIM CARD, AT THE AIRPORT.  LOCAL SUPERMARKETS SELL SIM CARDS ALSO.  SOME OF OUR GUESTS SUGGEST USING APPS SUCH AS VIBER, SKYPE, ETC. TO MAKE FREE PHONE CALLS.    http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/iosapps/5-best-free-phone-call-apps-for-iphone-3513098/

DO YOU HAVE INTERNET SERVICE? 

YES, WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE MANY MODERN CONVENIENCES.  WE ARE HOWEVER, LOCATED IN A RURAL MOUNTAINOUS AREA.  MOST LIKELY, THE INTERNET WILL NOT BE COMPARABLE TO WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE AT HOME.  THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY "ICE" (E-SAY) PROVIDES INTERNET, ELECTRICITY AND CELL SERVICE, AS DO  SEVERAL PRIVATE COMPANIES.  HOWEVER, THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT IS OUTDATED AND BANDWIDTH IS OVERLOADED (ESPECIALLY DURING THE HIGH SEASON AND HOLIDAYS WHEN WE HAVE MANY VISITORS IN OUR AREA).  INTERNET SERVICE IS NOT GUARANTEED IN YOUR RENTAL AGREEMENT, BUT WE DO OUR BEST TO OFFER THE HIGHEST SPEED AND LEVEL OF SERVICE AVAILABLE.  BELOW ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS;
  • TRY TO TAKE A "PURA VIDA" ATTITUDE, AND TRULY "UN-PLUG" ON YOUR VACATION!!  TAKE A BREAK FROM THE RAT RACE :-)
  • IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING INTERNET CONNECTIONS ISSUES, TRY UNPLUGGING THE ROUTER FROM THE POWER SOURCE FOR 1 MINUTE AND PLUGGING IT BACK IN
  • PLEASE DO NOT RE-SET THE ROUTER AS THIS WILL DISABLE IT AND RESULT IN A $60 TECH SERVICE CALL, PAID BY THE GUEST.
  • THE INTERNET WILL RUN SLOWER IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE ITEMS CONNECTED (LIKE HAVING IPHONE, IPAD, ETC CONSTANTLY ON WI-FI).  IT IS BEST TO USE ONE DEVICE AT A TIME
  • DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND THE DAY TIME, MORE PEOPLE ARE ON THE BANDWIDTH.  AT NIGHT AND IN THE EARLY MORNING YOU WILL FIND THE SPEED IS FASTER 
  • PLEASE TRY TO USE THE INTERNET FOR EMAIL OR WEBSITE ACCESS ONLY.  IF YOU STREAM MOVIES, FACEBOOK, ETC YOUR SPEED WILL BE SLOWER.
  • WE HAVE HEARD THAT SOMETIMES ICE WILL "CAP" USERS THAT ARE DOWNLOADING MOVIES, BANDWIDTH INTENSIVE, OR HIGH GIG USERS.  PLEASE AVOID STREAMING VIDEO/MUSIC/GAMING.
  • PUBLIC WI-FI IS AVAILABLE IN UVITA FOR PATRONS OF; MARINO BALLENA RESTAURANT (LOCATED NEXT TO BM SUPERMERCADO), DONA MARIA RESTAURANT (ACROSS FROM BCR BANK), LA JUNGLA (HARDWARE STORE ON THE SOUTHERN END OF TOWN)
  
WHAT SHOULD I BRING /  BUY?  

IN TOURISTY, SURFER-TOWN DOMINICAL, THERE IS A GAS STATION NORTH OF TOWN, SMALL GROCERY SHOPS, MANY RESTAURANTS, AND A LOT OF SOUVNIER SHOPS AND BEACH VENDORS.  UVITA IS LESS TOURISTY, MORE OF A COMMERCIAL CENTER WITH ONE GAS STATION NORTH OF TOWN, TWO BANKS, TWO LARGER WELL-STOCKED GROCERY STORES (AND MANY SMALL ONES), SOME SMALL TOURIST SOUVENIER SHOPS, AND MANY RESTAURANTS.   OJOCHAL HAS THREE SMALL GROCERY STORES, AND MANY FINE FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN RESTAURANTS.  MOST ANYTHING YOU NEED, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE LOCALLY.
  • BRING SEVERAL COLOR COPIES OF YOUR PASSPORT PHOTO PAGE AND DRIVERS LICENSE.  STORE THEM IN VARIOUS PLACES, I.E., YOUR SUITCASE, VEHICLE, ACCOMODATIONS, PURSE, ETC.  IF YOUR PASSPORT IS LOST OR STOLEN, HAVING A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT WILL MAKE THINGS MUCH EASIER.  REMEMBER, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FLY IF YOUR IDENTITY CAN NOT BE VERIFIED.
  • TRAVEL LIGHT!  DRESS COMFORTABLY AND CASUALLY (SHORTS WITH POCKETS (ZIPPERED ARE BEST), FLIP FLOPS, BATHING SUIT, SHOES FOR WALKING/HIKING, SUNDRESS FOR LADIES).  IT IS COOLER IN THE MOUNTAINS AND SAN JOSE, WE ALWAYS BRING LONG PANTS AND A LONG SLEEVED SHIRT, JACKET OR SWEATER IF WE'RE GOING TO BE IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS.  IF YOU GO HORSEBACK RIDING YOU'LL NEED LONG PANTS AND CLOSED TOE SHOES.  BRING NON-SLIP WATER SHOES/SOCKS TO EXPLORE OUR MANY BEAUTIFUL WATERFALLS.
  • STRONG WATERPROOF SUNSCREEN, SUNGLASSES AND HATS. THE SUN IS VERY STRONG HERE, PROTECT YOUR SKIN, EYES AND HEAD!
  • RAIN BOOTS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE LOCAL HARDWARE STORES.  BRING A LIGHTWEIGHT, EASY FOLD, RAIN PONCHO
  • BRING BUG SPRAY, "OFF" WITH DEET AND "ALL TERRAIN" ARE GOOD BRANDS.   SPRAY YOUR LEGS AND ARMS TWICE A DAY.  BRING "BENADRYL" BRAND ANTI-ITCH SPRAY FOR BUG BITES.  REMEMBER, KEEP WINDOW SCREENS AND DOORS CLOSED, AND TURN OFF THE LIGHTS IN UNOCCUPIED ROOMS/SPACES TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BUGS.
  • OF COURSE, BRING A CAMERA....WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, RAIN FOREST JUNGLE, SUNSETS AND LOTS OF BIRDS AND WILDLIFE!
  • FLASHLIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT TO HAVE AT NIGHT SO YOU CAN MAKE YOUR WAY AROUND PARKING LOTS, THE HOUSE, FROM THE CAR TO RESTAURANTS,  ETC.
  • STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE BEFORE YOU GET TO YOUR RENTAL HOME AND STOCK UP ON FOOD, DRINKS, COFFEE, ZIPLOCKS (GOOD FOR KEEPING THINGS DRY IN THE RAIN AND AT THE BEACH), ETC.  THERE ARE TWO LARGER SUPERMERCADOS IN UVITA, HOWEVER THE MAXI PALI IN QUEPOS (45 MINUTES TO THE NORTH) AND THE BM SUPERMERCADO IN PALMAR NORTE (40 MINUTES TO THE SOUTH) ARE USUALLY 10-20% CHEAPER.
  • WE OFFER OUR GUESTS AN INFANT / TODDLER RENTAL PACKAGE CONSISTING OF A; GRACO PACK-N-PLAY, HIGH CHAIR, BACK PACK BABY CARRIER, UMBRELLA STROLLER AND ASSORTED FLOATIES AND TOYS.  THE COST IS $10-15 PER DAY WITH A $100 DAMAGE DEPOSIT.
  • YOUR  HOME WILL  COME STOCKED WITH ; SALT, PEPPER, COOKING OIL, CLOTHES DETERGENT, DISH DETERGENT, HAND SOAP, TOILET PAPER, PAPER TOWELS, TRASH BAGS, CLEAN LINENS AND TOWELS.  ALL OTHER SUPPLIES CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE UVITA BM SUPERMERCADO GROCERY STORE LOCATED ACROSS FROM BANCO NACIONAL AND NEXT TO MARINO BALLENA RESTAURANT. 

HOW DO I GET FROM SAN JOSE TO THE SOUTHERN ZONE? 

YOU CAN; 
1. RENT A CAR JUST OFF SITE OF SJO, AND DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 HOURS TO THE SOUTHERN ZONE.  IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SCENIC ROAD THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS (HIGHWAY 27/CALDERA) AND ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST (HIGHWAY 34/COSTANERA)
2. HIRE A PRIVATE TAXI/VAN DRIVER.  WE'LL BE GLAD TO SEND YOU A REFERRAL VIA EMAIL, THE COST IS ABOUT $250 ONE WAY
3. TAKE A SHUTTLE VAN FOR APPROXIMATELY $60/PERSON  http://www.monkeyridecr.com/
4. FLY ON A 19 PASSENGER PLANE FROM SJO TO QUEPOS AIRPORT (LOCATED ONE HOUR DRIVE NORTH OF UVITA)...OR FROM SJO TO PALMAR SUR (LOCATED ABOUT 1 HOUR SOUTH OF UVITA).  FROM THERE YOU CAN RENT A CAR, OR HIRE A PRIVATE TAXI TO DOMINICAL/UVITA/OJOCHAL.
http://www.flysansa.com/en/home

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RENTING A VEHICLE? 

THE MAIN CALDERA / 27 (SAN JOSE TO THE PACIFIC BEACHES) AND COSTANERA HIGHWAY / 34 (RUNS ROUGHLY PARALLEL DOWN THE BEACHES) HIGHWAYS ARE NICELY PAVED...ANY OTHER ROAD WILL PROBABLY BE A COMBINATION OF DIRT, GRAVEL, CONCRETE, MUD AND POTHOLES.  YOU WILL NEED TO RENT A STRONG 4 X 4 VEHICLE.  WHEN YOU ARE COMPARING PRICING, BE SURE TO GET A GUARANTEED ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE (INCLUDING THE MANDATORY INSURANCE OF $20-30/DAY, 13% SALES TAX AND AIRPORT TAX).  PLEASE BE SURE TO PAY ANY "HOLD" OR DEPOSIT WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD, NOT A DEBIT CARD.  IT SEEMS TO TAKE AN ACT OF GOD, AND MUCH MORE TIME, TO GET THE "HOLD" TAKEN OFF WHEN USING A DEBIT CARD, WHEREAS CREDIT CARD "HOLDS" ARE REMOVED QUICKLY.  WHEN YOU GET YOUR VEHICLE, CHECK THE WIPERS/BRAKES/4 X 4/TIRES TO BE SURE THEY ARE ALL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER BEFORE DEPARTING THE RENTAL CAR AGENCY.   BE SURE TO HAVE THE AGENT INSTRUCT YOU ON HOW THE 4X4 OPERATES.   WE WILL EMAIL YOU AN INTRODUCTION TO A RENTAL CAR COMPANY THAT OFFERS OUR GUESTS A CORPORATE DISCOUNT.  YOU CAN FIND MORE HELPFUL INFO ABOUT  REQUIRED  INSURANCE AT https://vamosrentacar.com/rental-info/

HOW IS THE DRIVE FROM SJO TO DOMINICAL / UVITA / OJOCHAL? 

WITH NO STOPS, DELAYS OR TRAFFIC, IT IS A BEAUTIFULLY SCENIC 3.5 HOUR DRIVE  FROM  SAN JOSE TO THE SOUTHERN ZONE. WE USUALLY SET UP OUR MEETING TIME WITH GUESTS FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS AFTER FLIGHT ARRIVAL TO ALLOW TIME TO; DEPLANE, GET THROUGH IMMIGRATION / BAGGAGE CLAIM / CUSTOMS, PICK UP YOUR RENTAL CAR, STOP FOR A BITE TO EAT AND SHOP FOR  GROCERIES.  PLEASE TRY TO DRIVE WHILE IT IS STILL LIGHT, AND LEAVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.  DRIVNG UNFAMILIAR, POORLY LIT, MOUNTAINOUS ROADS AT NIGHT IS NOT SAFE, IS STRESSFUL, AND IT IS EASIER TO GET LOST.  SUNSET IS EARLY HERE, BETWEEN 5:25PM AND 6:00PM.  YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER STAYING IN SAN JOSE OVERNIGHT, RATHER THAN DRIVING IN THE DARK.  

TICOS (COSTA RICANS) ARE KNOWN TO DRIVE RECKLESSLY!!  EXPECT; VEHICLES TO PULL OUT ON TO ANOTHER ROAD WITHOUT STOPPING OR LOOKING, PASS ON BLIND CURVES AND HILLS, HAVE COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR DOUBLE YELLOW LINES, AND TURN SIGNALS CAN MEAN ANY NUMBER OF THINGS SUCH AS; "I AM TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT", "PASS ME ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT", "I'M MAKING A U-TURN", OR "I HAVE FORGOTTEN I HAVE MY TURN SIGNAL ON".  DRIVE DEFENSIVELY AND CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT AS MOST STRETCHES OF ROAD ARE NOT LIGHTED.  

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I ALLOW FOR LEAVING MY RENTAL HOME AND GETTING BACK TO THE AIRPORT (SJO) FOR MY RETURN FLIGHT HOME?

AIRLINES REQUIRE YOU TO CHECK IN / ARRIVE 3 HOURS BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT DEPARTURE.  ADD 30-45 MINUTES TO DROP OFF YOUR RENTAL CAR AND GET BACK TO SJO.  ADD 3.5 HOURS TRAVEL TIME WITH NO DELAYS OR TRAFFIC.  ADD TIME FOR FILLING UP THE TANK WITH GAS, AND STOPS FOR FOOD AND BATHROOM BREAKS.  6 HOURS IS BARE MINIMUM...WE RECOMMEND LEAVING 8 HOURS BEFORE YOUR RETURN FLIGHT TO AVOID BEING RUSHED AND LESS STRESSED...BEST TO WAIT AIRSIDE THAN MISS YOUR FLIGHT!

DOES GPS WORK HERE? 

YES, SURPRISINGLY.  OUR SMART PHONE NAVIGATION APP WORKS GREAT FOR THE MOST PART.  "WAZE" WORKS VERY WELL HERE IN COSTA RICA.  BE AWARE YOU MAY LOOSE SIGNAL UNEXPECTEDLY AND OFTEN.  ALSO, THERE ARE VERY FEW STREET SIGNS IN COSTA RICA...IN MOST RURAL AREAS, THERE ARE NO STREET SIGNS.  YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY...NO STREET SIGNS.  ALL ADDRESSES ARE SIMILAR TO "200 METERS WEST OF THE CATHEDRAL", OR "50 METERS EAST OF BANCO NACIONAL".  BRING A COMPASS IF YOUR ARE DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED.  AND REMEMBER A METER IS JUST OVER 3 FEET.  IF YOU ASK A TICO (COSTA RICAN) FOR DIRECTIONS, YOU'LL PROBABLY GET THREE DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

IS IT SAFE? 

YES, THERE IS VERY LITTLE VIOLENT CRIME IN COSTA RICA.  WE FEEL SAFER HERE THAN IN THE US.  OF COURSE, STAY OUT OF "BAD" PARTS OF ANY TOWN OR SAN JOSE (LIKE ANY BIG CITY).  HOWEVER, PETTY THEFT IS UNFORTUNATELY COMMON IN MOST ALL COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY OF LAPTOPS, PHONES, CAMERAS, TVs, ELECTRONICS, CASH, DEBIT / CREDIT CARDS, ETC.  PLEASE VIEW THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PAGE LISTED UNDER GUEST INFO.  JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE VACATION, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO USE COMMON SENSE AND TAKE THESE PRECAUTIONS;
  • REMEMBER TO LOCK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS OF YOUR VEHICLE AND HOME AT ALL TIMES,  WHEN HOME AND OUT AND ABOUT.
  • LEAVE A LIGHT, RADIO OR TV ON TO MAKE IT APPEAR SOMEONE IS HOME. 
  • DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS IN SIGHT AT THE HOME, OR IN THE CAR.  BRING JUST YOUR KEYS AND ESSENTIALS TO THE BEACH SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY WATCHDOG. 
  • LEAVE FLASHY OR EXPENSIVE JEWELRY AT HOME, IT'S NOT WORTH POSSIBLY LOOSING IT OR HAVING IT STOLEN.
  • CONSIDER PURCHASING A WATERPROOF POUCH FOR PERSONAL DOCUMENTS, CASH AND PHONE THAT YOU CAN TAKE SWIMMING, TEST IT OUT AT HOME FIRST.  THERE ARE GREAT PRODUCTS, REASONABLY PRICED ON www.amazon.com 
  • CALL THE TOURIST POLICE AT 2787-0243 OR CALL 911 IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME.  FILE A POLICE REPORT / DENUNCIA AT THE LOCAL POLICE STATION.
  • BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR VACATION, MAKE A COPY OF ALL YOUR CREDIT / DEBIT CARDS, AND ID / PASSPORTS (FRONT AND BACK), RETAIN A COPY IN A SAFE SECURE PLACE.  IF YOUR WALLET IS STOLEN, THIS MAKES IT EASY TO CALL THE BANKS AND AGENCIES AND FILE A LOST /  STOLEN CARD REPORT.  IF YOUR PASSPORT IS LOST / STOLEN, YOU WILL NEED A COPY OF IT IN ORDER TO GET A REPLACEMENT OR BOARD A PLANE! 
  • MAKE SURE YOUR PHONE IS NOT IN AIRPLANE MODE.  TO ASSIST IN TRACKING A LOST OR STOLEN PHONE,  WRITE DOWN THE IMEI (INTERNATIONAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT IDENTITY) NUMBER, AND KEEP IT SOMEWHERE SAFE, BUT ACCESSIBLE .  THE IMEI NUMBER CAN BE FOUND BEHIND THE BATTERY OR BY DIALING *#06#.
  • IF YOU PHONE IS STOLEN, DON'T BLOCK IT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE AUTHORITIES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRACK IT.   IMMEDIATELY CHANGE YOUR EMAIL PASSWORD.
  • KEEP YOUR TABLET AND LAPTOP SERIAL NUMBERS IN A SAFE, BUT ACCESSIBLE LOCATION. 
  • WE RECOMMEND INSTALLING APPS ON YOUR CELLS AND LAPTOPS TO ASSIST IN TRACKING THE LOCATION OF, AND RETRIEVING, LOST OR STOLEN ELECTRONICS.  SOME HELPFUL APPS ARE;
CELL PHONES;
http://wheresmydroid.com/  GET THE PRO VERSION
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648?mt=8
LAPTOPS;
http://lojack.absolute.com/en
https://awarenesstechnologies.com/laptopcop.html

WHAT DO I DO IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?

CALL 911...OR DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF NEED, THERE IS A CONTACT LIST FOR; DENTIST, DOCTORS, PRIVATE AMBULANCE, LOCAL HOSPITALS, POLICE AND THE US EMBASSY  LISTED ON THE REFERRALS PAGE OF OUR SITE. 

IS THE WATER SAFE TO DRINK? 

WE HAVE BEEN DRINKING FROM THE FAUCETS FOR YEARS, WITH ONLY ONE INSTANCE OF GETTING SICK.  THAT BEING SAID, BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY ON YOUR VACATION.  YOU MAY WISH TO BUY SOME BOTTLED WATER AT THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE.  YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEND YOU TIME IN THE BANOS, INSTEAD OF AT THE BEACH :-) 

WHERE CAN I BUY FRESH FISH AND VEGETABLES? 

 YOU CAN BUY FRESH FISH:
  • AT THE ENTRANCE TO OJOCHAL ON FRIDAY MORNINGS FROM RANDALL
  • AT THE UVITA SATURDAY MARKET, LOCATED AT THE INDOOR SOCCER FIELD, 100 METERS WEST OF THE BCR BANK
  • AT LA MACHA, LOCATED BETWEEN DOMINICAL AND UVITA, EAST SIDE OF THE COSTANERA, NEAR THE TURN OFF FOR LA PARCELA RESTAURANT
THE UVITA BM SUPERMERCADOS, SATURDAY MARKET, SAN ISIDRO THURSDAY MARKET, AND LOCAL ROADSIDE STANDS, SELL GREAT FRESH FRUIT.
  
WHERE CAN I GO FISHING?

WE HAVE MANY TOUR OPERATORS FOR OFFSHORE FISHING, PLEASE REVIEW OUR LOCAL ACTIVITIES PAGE TO BOOK A TOUR.  SOME OF OUR GUESTS HAVE HAD LUCK ONSHORE/BEACH FISHING ON THE SOUTH END OF PLAYA VENTANAS AS THE HIGH TIDE STARTS TO GO BACK OUT.  ANOTHER BEACH WITH SIMILAR CONDITIONS IS PLAYA DOMINICAL, AT THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER.  MANY LOCALS FISH THERE.

SHOULD I TIP? 

YOUR RESTAURANT BILL WILL INCLUDE A 13% SALES TAX AND A 10% SERVICE FEE/TIP.  WE PERSONALLY TIP AN EXTRA 10% WHEN THE SERVICE AND/OR FOOD IS GOOD.   WE TIP 10-20% TO NON-FOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS, I.E. TAXI DRIVERS, TOUR GUIDES, ETC.  TICO SKILLED AND UNSKILLED WAGES ARE A FRACTION OF WHAT MOST OF THE REST OF THE WORLD PAYS...HOWEVER, IT IS NOT CHEAP TO LIVE IN COSTA RICA.  KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED.

WHAT ARE TICOS LIKE? 

YOU WILL FIND TICOS (COSTA RICANS) TO BE VERY GRACIOUS, HELPFUL, FRIENDLY AND HARD WORKING.  PLEASE SMILE ALOT, BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL, HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR, AND OFFER A GOOD HAND SHAKE.  SPEAKING A FEW WORDS OF SPANISH (GRACIAS, POR FAVOR, HOLA, ETC.)  WILL GO A LONG WAY.  YOU WILL NEED TO BE PATIENT, EVERYTHING JUST TAKES A LITTLE (OKAY, A LOT !!) LONGER HERE.  PLEASE AVOID BEING IRATE, ANGRY, OR HAVING AN ATTITUDE...IT WILL NOT SERVE YOU WELL IN THIS COUNTRY.

WHAT IS A DEPARTURE/EXIT TAX? 

WHEN YOU DEPART COSTA RICA, THERE IS A $29+/- DEPARTURE TAX THAT YOU CAN PAY BY DEBIT/CREDIT CARD, OR IN COLONES OR US DOLLARS.  AS YOU ENTER THE AIRPORT FOR YOUR FLIGHT HOME, THE LONG DEPARTURE TAX COUNTER IS TO YOUR FAR RIGHT.  KEEP A PEN AND YOUR PASSPORT (AND EYEGLASSES IF NEEDED, LOL) HANDY ON THE FLIGHT HOME, AS YOU'LL NEED TO COMPLETE CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION FORMS DURING YOUR FLIGHT.  MOST AIRLINES INCLUDE THIS TAX IN THE PRICE OF YOUR TICKET, SO YOU MAY WISH TO CHECK TO SEE IF IT IS ALREADY INCLUDED.  YOU CAN VERIFY BY CALLING YOUR AIRLINE, OR THERE IS A BIG SIGN ON THE WALL TO THE LEFT OF THE DEPARTURE TAX COUNTER THAT LISTS WHAT AIRLINES INCLUDE THIS FEE. 


Please feel free to submit your own FAQs, we're always looking to improve and be of greater service.