What to Pack for Costa Rica
Travel Insurance for Costa Rica
Serendipity recommends travel insurance for lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellation, and medical emergencies available through your travel agent or Travel Insurance Services, (800) 937-1387 or (925) 932-1387 or www.travelinsure.com or www.travelguard.com
While Serendipity Adventures avoids unnecessary risk, there is nonetheless risk involved. Please understand that our Costa Rican insurance covers injuries sustained in our operation, under the National Health Plan. We recommend that you also check your personal medical insurance for coverage outside the United States.
Car theft is possible all over Costa Rica. Please avoid carrying extra “things” and then leaving them in the car when away from your hotel. Serendipity is not able to buy insurance in Costa Rica on vehicle contents or mysterious disappearances from vehicles, hotels, etc. Serendipity must therefore limit its liability to no more than $100 per person for the loss of personal possessions. Please note that all participants will be required to sign and return our release form prior to departure.
Transportation Security Restrictions & Prohibitions
For information regarding international flight security, visit: http://www.tsa.gov for USA travelers; visit http://www.catsa.gc.ca for Canadian travelers. If traveling from outside the USA/Canada, please request further information. Your airline(s) will clearly state rules on luggage weight and size requirements.
Passports & Visa Requirements
Citizens of the United States, Canada and most European countries are not required to have a visa to visit Costa Rica. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 180 days (either to return to your country or to go to another country). Please also carry two photocopies of your passport for your own security.
Costa Rica Currency & Credit Cards
US Dollars (USD) in cash are widely accepted throughout Costa Rica. It is better to bring small bills ($20 bill maximum). On arrival, it is quite simple to exchange to CRC, whether at the airport, at hotels, in tourist areas, or at the grocery store. If you are traveling with a Serendipity Adventures Guide or Dedicated Driver, they can assist you to exchange to CRC.
Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted throughout Costa Rica, especially in cities and tourist areas. Please check with your credit card company to determine the international transaction fees to avoid a lot of charges. AMEX is not widely accepted throughout Costa Rica. ATM machines are widely available as well.
Tipping in Costa Rica
If you have received good service, then a tip is very much appreciated but not expected. We have included a guide below:
RESTAURANTS – All Costa Rican restaurants will automatically add a 10% gratuity to your bill before it’s given to you, in addition to the 13 percent tax. In Costa Rican eateries, tipping is optional, though it’s polite to offer an additional sum if you feel your server exceeded your expectations.
HOTELS – If you’re staying at a high-end resort, it’s customary to offer a tip of around $1 per bag. Similarly, many people leave the housekeeper a tip of around $2 per day for the duration of their stay. If you have a few drinks at the hotel bar, it’s generally considered good manners to tip around $1 per drink.
TRANSPORTATION – If you’re taking a cab a short distance, a large tip isn’t really necessary, but rounding the fare up to the nearest dollar is usually the norm. For longer cab rides, a tip of between $1 and $5 is sufficient, but if you’re going a really long way, giving a little extra might be a good idea. Tipping tour bus drivers will cost you a bit more. For an all-day tour, a tip of around $10 is appropriate, but again, it is by no means expected.
TOUR GUIDES – When it comes to the tour guides themselves, however, a tip of between $5 and $15 per person is considered polite, depending on how many people are in your tour group.
SERENDIPITY PRIVATE GUIDES & DEDICATED DRIVERS – If you are traveling with a Serendipity Adventures Guide or Dedicated Driver, we use a lump-sum gratuity system that you can charge to your credit card at the end of your trip. Your guide will give you a tipping form where you can allocate specific amounts to any or all of the persons who contributed to your trip. An acceptable range used by many previous Serendipity clients to calculate total gratuities has been 7% to 12% of the retail price of your itinerary.
Inoculations & Medications
In Costa Rica, there are currently minimal threats of tropical diseases such as Malaria, Typhoid, and Yellow fever. We recommend that your Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are up to date. Many foreign authorities warn of high risk, but these advisories are conservative and intended for ultra-risk-averse travelers.
If you use any type of over-the-counter or prescription meds regularly, including aspirin or similar, asthma spray, and/or medication for car sickness, we recommend you bring a supply with you. Drugstores are common in Costa Rica, but we cannot guarantee your preferred brand is available here. If you are traveling with a Serendipity Adventures Guide or Dedicated Driver, our first aid kits contain common pills such as Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, and Benadryl, but guides are not allowed to prescribe any meds to clients. You are welcome to use pills from our first aid kit at your own risk if you are sure you are not allergic to the
substances.
Baggage Recommendations
Packing light and using soft-sided luggage, such as a duffel bag, is highly recommended. For Serendipity Guided and Dedicated Driver trips, our vehicles include a rooftop cargo box (Thule) that can stow a reasonable amount of luggage. For groups of 5-6 or more, we will provide a vehicle that will seat all passengers comfortably, but luggage space does become more limited so please be mindful of the amount of luggage each person is bringing.
Lost Luggage
If your luggage does not arrive when you get to Costa Rica, go to the lost luggage declaration desk. You must give them a photocopy of your passport, the address of your first night’s hotel, and the claim number on your baggage check stub (write down your baggage check stub for your records too). Serendipity will not be permitted to enter the airport to assist you in this process.
Laundry Service in Costa Rica
Most hotels offer laundry service, yet at a highly inflated price. It is available if absolutely necessary. At times, Serendipity guides may find economical alternatives. For this reason, it is critical that you rely on a good set of quick-dry clothes you can wash by hand (if needed) and reuse.
Cell Phones, Electronics & Wifi
Costa Rican outlets are 110 volt, the same as the US/Canada. However, many outlets only support the two-prongs (non-grounding receptacle) and not the three-pronged grounded outlet. An AC ground lifter (A.K.A “cheater plug”) could come in handy.
When it comes to tablets, iPods & laptops, our advice is simple: bring ONE DEVICE ONLY and leave the rest at home – the smaller and lighter your choice, the easier to manage. The opportunities for photography are extraordinary – cameras are welcomed and encouraged. Cell phone cameras and “point & shoot” models are easiest to manage (preferably water/shockproof – Olympus model). SLR and video cameras require special protection and care, including padded camera bags or water/shockproof boxes (Pelican Box).
Your international roaming capabilities must be verified with your cell phone provider not all services are covered in Costa Rica. SIM cards are available locally, but you still must verify if your phone is unlocked. Another option is to purchase an eSIM, such as Holafly, again making sure that your phone is unlocked and compatible prior to your trip.
WiFi connectivity is common in most hotels (3-5 star) although the quality/stability of the connection is often unstable. Some hotels only offer WiFi in common areas and not in the rooms. Almost all hotels do offer computers with internet connection for guest use, and internet cafés are common throughout Costa Rica.
Smoking
According to law #9028, smoking is prohibited in hotel rooms and any public areas. Some hotels allow guests to smoke in designated areas away from other guests.
Bugs & Other Varmints
There are always insects and small animals around you while traveling in Costa Rica – sometimes in your own bedroom, even at the best hotels. Ants, geckos, small lizards, and beetles enter rooms, vehicles, and restaurants. Do not take any food into your room, keep windows and doors closed, and be mindful of where you step.
Airport Pick-Up
A few days prior to your departure, you can expect an important message from Serendipity titled “LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS”. This will contain specific details that will help you prepare for your arrival in Costa Rica including airport instructions, guide name/contact info, and friendly reminders of important documentation.
Contacting Serendipity Adventures
Our Office in Turrialba, Costa Rica, is open 7:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday to Friday. For emergencies outside of these hours, please call the relevant number listed below. We recommend downloading WhatsApp before you depart so we can provide you with assistance before or during your trip. Our WhatsApp number is +506 8703-8743.
MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:30AM – 5:30PM
Costa Rica time (-6UTC)
Within Costa Rica: 2556-2222
Toll-free from USA and Canada: (888) 226-5050
All other countries +506 2256-5852
AFTER HOURS & WEEKENDS
(24/7 emergency number)
Within Costa Rica: 8703-8743
From USA and Canada: 011-506-8703-8743
All other countries: +506-8703-8743