DISCOVER COSTA RICA TRIP NOTES Trip Code: WUC (AUC) Country: Costa Rica Amended: October 2013 Edition No: VB 1 2014 Valid from: 01 Jan 2014 - 31 Dec 2014 HIGHLIGHTS • Unrivalled wildlife viewing in the world's most bio- diverse country - howler monkeys, caiman and sloths are just a few species at home in Costa Rica • Visit the beaches and waterways of Tortuguero, an important nesting site for Green turtles • Experience verdant rainforest, lush mangroves, lava fields and serene cloud forests • Relax on idyllic Pacific coast beaches • Stay in eco-friendly lodges and hotels SUMMARY A tropical paradise bursting with wildlife; Christopher Columbus was right to christen Costa Rica the 'Rich Coast' when he discovered it in 1502. Home to 6% of the world's plant and animal species, many endemic, the country's rich biodiversity is extremely colourful. Over 850 bird species have been recorded here - far more than found anywhere in North America, Europe and Australia. A cornucopia of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a nature lover's delight. Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: 0845 863 9626 E-mail: [email protected] Costa Rica has the most enlightened conservation policy in Latin America. As a result, protected areas comprise almost 27% of the country. Specific environments are being carefully preserved, including varied kinds of forests, mangrove swamps, marshes, rafia swamps and coral reefs. Staying in privately owned eco-lodges, we travel to each of the diverse habitats of the country; from hot and humid Caribbean seas to dense tropical rainforests, from idyllic beaches to volcanoes. Every area we visit has its own flora and fauna, to fascinate and enthral any eco-enthusiast. Costa Rica is a vivid and politically peaceful country with stunning scenery and a tropical climate - this comprehensive tour offers the perfect introduction to Central America. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Whilst the driving distances are not very long and most roads are good, some roads are of poor quality which can result in slow driving times. Particularly, this applies to the road which leads to the river on the way to and from Tortuguero and the roads in and out of Monteverde. The times given in the itinerary are generally accurate, but heavy rain can increase travelling times. There are several included and optional walks on the itinerary which occasionally involve walking on rough paths. These are suitable for most levels of fitness and usually last from two to three hours. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken. Many of the areas visited on the trip are hot and humid and there is the chance of heavy rain year-round - this is why Costa Rica is so green! Tortuguero is probably most famous as a hatching ground for Atlantic green turtles, which, subject to permission, can be seen laying their eggs from late July to October. (B,L,D) Day 4 To Arenal A boat takes us back to our bus and we drive northwest through banana plantations to our lodge near Arenal Volcano. The drive is spectacular, passing pineapple and sugar cane plantations. Following a massive eruption in 1968, Arenal was Costa Rica's most active volcano until recently when it entered a resting phase. Apart from the volcano, this region has much to offer, including thermal waters, waterfalls, dense vegetation and the Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve. Optional night excursions are available; visit the hot springs, or take a Sky Tram or cable car through the rainforest for great views of the volcano. Travelling time today is about five and a half hours by bus and one hour fifteen minutes by boat. (B,L) Day 5 Arenal Our goal today is La Fortuna Waterfall. A steep 20-30 minute hike/ climb through the luscious jungle, well within the capabilities of anyone with reasonable fitness, is worth the effort - a dip into one of the natural pools punctuating the foliage will soon cool you off. After lunch we have an optional short scenic hike to the lava fields of Arenal Volcano, a fantastic moon-like landscape. The volcano has a classic conical shape, grey on one side and green on the other, with several fumaroles that spit out steam from time to time. (B) BIRD-WATCHING DEPARTURES For keen birders, we have designated a number of departures that will be accompanied by a specialist bird-watching guide. Walks and visits to national parks will be led with the intention of seeing as much bird life as possible. Dates have been scheduled as follows: Day 6 To Monteverde 29th March This morning we transfer to the Tilaran Mountain Range. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills to Monteverde and Santa Elena. The road (which is bumpy and can be in poor condition following rains) climbs to this forest-cloaked region whose name literally means 'Green Mountain'. Today's drive is about three and half hours, on bumpy dirt roads. (B) 22nd November Day 7 Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve 2015: Today we visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, world-famous for its biodiversity. The reserve is the perfect place to take an unforgettable walk in the clouds and is ideal for bird watching and hiking. Santa Elena is one of the first community-managed reserves in Costa Rica and is administered by the Santa Elena High School. It is dedicated to conservation and also to the improvement of local education standards. On clear days we may also enjoy views of Arenal Volcano from here. The afternoon is free for optional excursions. (B) 2014: 11th January 22nd February 19th January 23rd February 26th March 14th November LAND ONLY ITINERARY Day 8 To Manuel Antonio The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Those on group flights will arrive in the evening and will be transferred from the airport to the hotel. Land Only clients are advised to meet at the hotel. We travel southeast along the coast, following the Pan-Am Highway and passing plantations of African oil palms and teak. The drive takes around five hours. We spend two nights at Manuel Antonio National Park which is a beautiful spot where the forest meets the sea and iguanas and White-faced monkeys can often be seen on the beach. We stay at a hotel located near to the main entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park and Espadilla beach. (B) Day 2 To Tortuguero Day 9 Manuel Antonio National Park Heading northeast, we swap San Jose's busy streets for the tropical cloud forest of Braulio Carrillo, where the foliage consists of giant gunnera, busy lizzies and bright orchids. The Caribbean coast is not far away from here, and a scenic boat trip of approx. one hour and 15 minutes brings us to our lodge in Tortuguero. The area is only accessible by boat or light aircraft, so it remains a remarkably tranquil and unspoilt spot, devoid of all noise pollution. We arrive on the water via a network of canals and spend the afternoon at the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will be requested at the entrance). A substantial portion of the day will be spent on the move; a total of six hours, including an hour's break for breakfast. (B,L,D) This morning we have a guided tour of the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio to see its combination of tropical beaches, jungle and dramatic rocky headlands. Inside the park we may see monkeys (White-faced, Squirrel and Howler), iguana, sloths and agouti. The beaches in the national park are considered to be some of the most beautiful in the country and we have all afternoon to enjoy them. (B) Day 1 Start San Jose Day 10 To Golfito We continue south, towards Golfito. The four hour drive takes us to a relatively wild and undiscovered region. Not seen by many outsiders the dense jungle here has hardly been explored or researched. We stay for the next two nights in the beautiful Esquinas Rainforest Lodge set in the heart of primary rainforest and bordered by the newly created Piedras Blancas National Park and Golfito Nature Reserve. The lodge is financed by the government of Austria as a project combining forest research, development aid and nature conservation. In the afternoon we explore our peaceful surroundings in search of the abundant bird and insect life that resides here. (B,L,D) Day 3 Tortuguero In the early morning a boat trip takes us along the spectacular canals to admire the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero. Travelling by boat enables us to pass serenely along the waterways, hopefully with sightings of monkeys, caiman, iguanas, turtles, butterflies and many of the 309 bird species recorded here. We return for breakfast and then those that want to can repeat this activity. In the afternoon you can relax in your new surroundings and enjoy the hotel facilities. 2 reduce impact on the surroundings, properties are small and facilities can be limited. Esquinas Rainforest Lodge Please note that while we try to confirm Esquinas for all our groups, and most groups are able to stay there, due to the size of the lodge it is not always possible for us to use this property. In this case, we may have to substitute Esquinas with another lodge on the Pacific Coast with similar facilities, activities and sustainable tourism credentials. If this is the case, we will inform you prior to your departure. In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffet style, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge are also buffet style. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Single Accommodation: Please ask your sales consultant for updated information about availabilty. Day 11 Golfito We take a morning hike through the rainforest and with the help of a knowledgable local porter we are likely to see snakes, monkeys and maybe sloths. We will experience all the sights and sounds of the jungle. The going can be quite slippery after rain but the hike is a highlight of the trip and is well worth the effort. The afternoon is free for optional activities - delve deeper into the forest (a 10 mile network of trails depart directly from the lodge) or simply relax by the stream-fed pool. (B,L,D) Extra Accommodation: Extra accommodation in San Jose can be arranged, please call our Sales team for further information. TRANSPORT We travel in private, air-conditioned minibuses and also boats in Tortuguero. Day 12 To Savegre Valley WEATHER AND SEASONALITY We head back northwest, passing through San Isidro and then up and over the Cerro de la Muerte mountain range. The driving time is around four and a half hours to Savegre. We stay up in the cloud forest in Savegre, said to be the best place in the whole of Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy quetzal. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat - the males in particular are striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in length. A good pair of binoculars are helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well amongst the wet leaves of the forest! After lunch we'll take a short walk from our lodge into the cloud forest. (B,L,D) Day 13 Savegre Today is free to relax, or to try any of a number of exciting optional excursions. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the view from the lodge. For those who are passionate about trekking, an optional tour to Los Quetzales National Park can be arranged to admire the tropical cloud forest and sub-Andean vegetation of the area. Birds that may be seen in this area include hummingbirds, colibri, tanagers and trogons, whilst tapirs, sloths and Squirrel monkeys may also be seen. (B,L,D) Costa Rica is located 10º north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average temperature range is 10ºC - 13ºC in the highlands, and from 22ºC - 26ºC in the lowlands. There is a rainy season from May to November when there are daily downpours, though these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of bright sunshine, so midsummer is not necessarily a bad time to go. December to April is the driest time of the year but you should still expect some rain. Day 14 To San Jose After a one hour walk, we spend the morning in the beautiful village of Copey where we step momentarily into the agricultural lives of those living in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. We usually visit a local school in this area - the children are very welcoming and it is a great opportunity to interact with locals (please note that we always visit a local school on this trip during term time, but the location of the school we visit may vary according to school schedules, therefore please allow flexibility). Some lunchtime snacks will be prepared for us with a local family, which is sure to be a memorable touch of Costa Rican hospitality! A two and a half hour journey takes us back to San Jose, where there is time to explore the modern capital. (B,L) JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 16 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sun Although most departures are scheduled to start on Saturday, certain departures will start on alternative days of the week. Please check our website for more details. Day 15 End San Jose Itinerary Start Our trip ends in San Jose after breakfast. (B) The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon and will arrive in the UK the following day. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of United Airlines or Iberia (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD All accommodation is in hotels and eco-lodges, some with swimming pools. Due to the isolated nature of some properties and the desire to 3 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. With its abundant natural diversity, Costa Rica has a world-renowned tradition of conservation. On this trip we visit national and private parks, including the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in the country. Entrance fees directly support conservation efforts in the areas we visit. We also visit a typical rural school to meet the children and deliver a gift of educational supplies (donation included within the trip cost). If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Free Transfers Our local operator is a leading member of the Rainforest Alliance and has been awarded a '4 Leaf' award from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute for their sustainable tourism practice & dedication to improving standards. The majority of accommodation that we use is in family-owned lodges. An example is Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a model project combining conservation, environmental research and community development in a rural area of Costa Rica. It provides employment for the local community and helps to fund local healthcare and education. Exodus offers free airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip: please see the Free Transfers section below for more details. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: www.exodus.co.uk/responsible-travel PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. JOINING THE TRIP IN SAN JOSE 15 days, normally start San Jose Sat, end San Jose Sat Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in San Jose in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 2pm. Holders of British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU passports can enter Costa Rica for a stay of 90 days without a visa. Proof of onward travel may be required when entering Costa Rica - we suggest you take a print out of your flight details in case officials ask to see them. Free Transfers All passengers flying via the USA will have to clear immigration during transit. Prior to travel you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (US$14) under the Visa Waiver Programme. Please see www. exodus.co.uk/USVisa for more information. If you're not a UK citizen please check with your local U.S. Embassy. Exodus offers FREE airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip, so no matter which flight you choose to arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in advance; unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel; transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge; transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times.Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip. FLYING VIA THE USA Recommended vaccinations for this trip are: Hepatitis A. The US is known to have lengthy immigration queues which must be navigated by all passengers, including those in transit. We only book flights that meet the minimum valid connection time and wherever possible we will ensure there is at least a 2 hour window between connecting flights. If your flight to the US is delayed and the connection becomes particularly tight, we advise you to make your way as quickly as you can from the plane to immigration where you should make yourself known to an official in an attempt to move closer to the front of the queue. The risk of malaria on this trip is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited on this trip. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Please note that if you will be entering Costa Rica from most South American countries you will need to have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly 4 recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Tabacon hot springs (4 hours) approx US$85 Monteverde Sky Walk suspension bridges (2 hours) approx US$39 Frog Pond Museum (1 hour) approx US$15 Canopy tour (3 hours) approx US$40 Butterfly garden (1 hour) approx US$15 Manuel Antonio Canopy tour (3 hours) approx US$67 Sea canoeing (4 hours) approx US$69 Whitewater rafting (5 hours) approx US$72 Morning or sunset sailing cruise (4 hours) approx US$80 Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Tipping (leader and local staff) Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. However, it is usual for groups to tip guides and drivers and it would be reasonable for each group member to contribute about US$3 per day for this purpose, although you may wish to tip more if travelling in a small group. Local Time GMT -6hrs. Electricity 120 volts AC, 60Hz Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 6 and 16 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC), with an exchange rate of 785 to the UK£ and 520 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. It is best to take US dollars to Costa Rica, as sterling is difficult to exchange and the rate can be poor. In practice, US dollars are widely accepted as payment in Costa Rica. WHAT TO TAKE ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques Essential Equipment and Clothing ATMs are increasingly available in Costa Rica and are now present in most tourist areas. A flat fee of up to US$3 and a small commission usually applies with debit card withdrawals. Sunglasses Sunhat Sunscreen Waterproof poncho or waterproofs Warm sweater (for cloud forest) Short trousers Weatherproof shoes Dress is fairly conservative except in resorts. Women do not normally wear shorts in the towns and men should always wear a shirt or t-shirt. MasterCard and Visa are quite widely accepted in the bigger hotels, restaurants and tourist shops, though not, of course, in rural areas. Always check the handling fee when paying by credit card as it can be high. Travellers cheques (in US dollars also) can be quite difficult to change, especially outside the capital. It is certainly much more convenient to carry as much of your money in cash as possible, so long as you are security conscious. We recommend that you bring some small denomination notes ($1 and $5 notes) since getting change is often a problem when paying for small items and taxi drivers are notorious for never having change. Optional items: Swimming gear Umbrella Camera with telephoto lens Binoculars Flashlight Small daypack for walks Universal sink plug Insect repellent Extra Expenses and Spending Money You should allow extra to cover the cost of meals not included in the price of the holiday. Snack lunches are approximately $15-18 and evening meals $25-32 per meal (excluding drinks). Baggage and Baggage Allowance Average costs for drinks are $1-2 for mineral water or soft drinks, $3-4 for a bottle of beer and $4-5 for a glass of wine. At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 23kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. There is an international departure tax on leaving San José at the end of the trip; this was US$29 at the time of writing, but this is subject to change. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check www.baa.com and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Porters at the airport and hotels are normally tipped about US$1 per piece. For the boat to and from Tortuguero, the maximum luggage allowance is 25lb (11kg) per person (one piece). You can take a travel bag with the items you need for the trip and leave the rest of it in the luggage room of the San Jose hotel. Your main luggage will be collected by our local partners and returned to you on Day 4 when you are met off the boat from Tortuguero. This restriction is often relaxed locally - please ask your trip leader for current information. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) All prices are per person and some excursions require a minimum number of participants: La Fortuna / Arenal Sky Tram night tour (3 hours) approx US$70 Ecotermales hot springs (4 hours) approx US$32 5 Reading List: Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Costa Rica Handbook by Christopher. P. Baker (Moon Publications, USA, 2007) A Guide to Birds of Costa Rica by F.G. Stiles & A.F. Skutch (Helm Field Guides, 1991) © Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? http://www.exodus.co.uk/community IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) 1582 644 100. Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. 6 HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email. 2. Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you’re ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 7
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