Q.
How many international airports are there? Which
airlines fly to Costa Rica?
A. International flights to Costa Rica land either
at the Juan Santamaría International Airport
in the Province of Alajuela, located at 17 kilometers
aprox (10 miles) from San Jose City or at the
Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport located
in the city of Liberia, Guanacaste province (major
Costa Rica airports). If you need information about
hotels near Juan Santamaria Airport and hotels
or resorts near Liberia Airport we invite
you to check out our site.
Most major international airlines fly to Costa
Rica, with service originating from various points
in Europe, the United States, Canada, the Caribbean
and South America. Airlines with flights to Costa
Rica include Continental Airlines, American Airlines,
Delta, United Airline, U.S Airways, Iberia, Martin
Air, KLM, Alitalia, British Airways, Grupo Taca,
Copa, Cubana and Mexicana.
Domestic airlines offer daily flights to main
tourist destinations within Costa Rica. Local
flight operates from the Juan Santamaria Airport
and the domestic airport Tobias Bolaños,
located in San Jose.
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Q. What
kind of transportation it is available?
A. There are different ways of transportation from one destination to the other. The most recommendable
for your comfort are: rent
a car, domestic
flight, private
transfers, shuttle
buses or taxis.
Also Costa Rica has a public bus system that offers
an inexpensive way of transportation. There is
public bus transportation service to many towns
and cities, and quality buses serving the main
tourist destinations.
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Q. What
are the car rental regulations in Costa Rica?
A. Please check our Car
Rental Section. Thank you. Contact
us for information regarding Costa Rica car rental
regulations.
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Q. What
should I pack and what kind of clothes should
I bring?
A. We suggest you to pack light, bring comfortable
clothing and shoes. Remember that baggage and
luggage restrictions at airports are tight. Suggested
clothes are: pants, shorts, t-shirts, long-sleeve
shirts, socks, sweater or jacket, bathing suit,
light rain jacket, large hat, walking shoes or
tennis shoes, sandals and hiking boots; casual
clothes for nights and fine dining are highly
recommended. Good gear
to pack for Costa Rica and clothing tips to travel
to Costa Rica
Other suggested gear: camera, binoculars, flashlight,
sunglasses, necessary medications, pocket-size
English/Spanish dictionary, umbrella, insect repellent,
waterproof sunscreen or sun block (high protection
factor is recommended), towel, alarm clock, a
small first aid kit. Drugstores have a good supply
of these items, but you can find them more expensive
that in your country.
Don’t forget your driver's license if you
are renting a car and your Scuba Diving certificated
if you are planning to go
diving.
It is also suggested to bring a small backpack
for day pack, especially if you are taking one
day tours or if you want and can leave the biggest
luggage at the hotel in San Jose. Please have
in mind that domestic
airlines and shuttle
services have a 25 pounds luggage weight limit.
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Q. I need
prescription medications, what should I do?
A. Many prescription drugs are sold over the counter
in Costa Rica, but we suggest you to pack your
prescription medications in your carry-on luggage
and carry them in their original containers and
to bring a copy of your prescriptions in case
you lose your pills or run out. It is suggested
to carry the generic name of prescription medicines,
often the names are different from those in the
United States and Europe. It's always best to
have a prescription from a doctor.
Also don't forget an extra pair of contact lenses
or prescription glasses.
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Q.
Where I buy a map?
A. The Costa Rican Tourist Board (tel. 800/343-6332;
www.visitcostarica.com) can usually provide you
with decent maps of both Costa Rica and San Jose.
Also you will find maps in many souvenir shops
and at the bookstores in San Jose and large cities.
If you are renting
a car, usually the company will provide you
with one.
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Q. What
is the traditional menu I can find in Costa Rica?
A. There's international food available throughout
the country, a wide range of French, Italian,
Chinese, Mexican cuisine can be found, as well
as Costa Rican traditional dishes.
A traditional breakfast consists of "gallo
pinto" (black beans and rice), eggs, tortillas
and sour cream, fresh fruit juice and the best
coffee. A typical Costa Rica lunch known as "casado",
includes: rice and beans, one choice of meat (beef,
chicken, pork, or fish), salad, fried plantains
(a type of banana, very sweet). Fish and seafood
are excellent as are the fruits and vegetables.
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Q. Do I
need travel insurance?
A. We strongly recommend you to purchase short-term
traveler’s insurance, covering baggage,
accidents and/or trip cancellations.
Travel
insurance plans
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Q. What happens if I loose
my documents?
A. If you loose your passport or any other personal
document you should report it immediately to the
local police and your nearest Embassy or Consulate.
We strongly recommend you to keep a copy of your
passport data page and other important documents
in a secure place.
Embassies
in Costa Rica
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Q. Do I
have to spend the first and last night in San
Jose?
A. This will depend on your international flight
arrival/departure time.
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Q. Can
I attend a Spanish school in Costa Rica?
A. Yes, Costa Rica has different institutes where
people can learn Spanish. For those interested
in a good learning program there are different
alternatives for people of all ages and budgets,
there are courses of varying lengths and degrees
of intensiveness. Some Spanish schools can also
arrange for homestays with a Costa Rican family
for a total-immersion experience. Most are located
in San Jose, but there are also schools in Heredia,
Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Flamingo and Tamarindo
and in some schools you can attend classes in
different locations.
Contact us for more information.
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Q. Are
immunizations required?
A. Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations
in the developing world, from a general health
point of view. Usually there are no required immunizations
for entering Costa Rica. If you are traveling
to extremely remote locations we encourage you
to check with your local health department. Costa
Rica immunizations information
Travelers'
Health
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Q. Is it
safe to swim at the ocean?
A. Some of Costa Rica's beaches have riptides,
strong currents that can drag swimmers out to
sea. A riptide occurs when water that has been
dumped on the shore by strong waves forms a channel
back out to open water. These channels have strong
currents. We suggest you to check for warning
signs or ask the local people.
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Q. Are
drugs legal in Costa Rica?
A. No, drug laws in Costa Rica are strict, so
is better for you to stay away from marijuana
and cocaine and any other kind of illegal drugs.
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Q. Are
there newspapers and magazines in English, or
only in Spanish?
A. There are six Spanish-language newspapers in
Costa Rica and one English-language weekly, the
Tico Times. In addition, you can get Time, Newsweek,
and several U.S. newspapers at some gift shops
or at the bookstores in San Jose. On the bookstores
you will also find magazines in English.
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Q. Which
are important numbers I should have in mind?
A. We suggest you have the phone number of your
bank, your credit card company, airline, the hotels
where you are going to stay and your
country consulate orembassy in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Travel and Comfort phone number is
(506) 2268-9071 for any information you need.
Emergency number 911
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Q. Do you
share my personal information?
A. No, we follow our Privacy Statement: Costa
Rica Travel and Confort S.A and it staff will
not share any of the personal information you
provide to us to third parties, it is for our
records only. Costa Rica Travel and Comfort does
not sell or rent your data to third parties. We
guarantee that the information we receive from
you will be used only toprovide you with information
about Costa Rica and to reserve and confirm your
vacation package or itinerary.
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Q. How
I can get a price quotation or information about
Costa Rica?
A. Just send us an e-mail with your questions or fill in the form
to create your own itinerary, will be our
pleasure to assist you with any information and
with price quotation.
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Q. Do you
charge a fee for your services?
A. No, we offer travel advisor assistance, information
and tourist’ services arrangements with
no extra charge.
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Q. If you
send me a quotation or information do I have to
book my itinerary through your company?
A. No, sending you an itinerary, a price quotation
or information is part of our service. It does
not mean any obligation, however you can take
advantage of our best service, experience and
knowledge and plan your entire trip with us avoiding
searching everything on your own or waiting too
long for answers and information, we will be taking
care of all the details.
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Q. What
if I want to visit a place and/or need a service
you do not list on your site?
A. Please just Contact
Us and let us know which your plans are.
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Q. Can you assist us with
Real State advice?
A. Houses, villas, condominiums, apartments are
available for rent. Also there are specialized
companies that will guide you if you want to buy
a property, either in the city and surrounding
areas, in the beach or in the mountains.
Let us know your interests and we will help you
to get in touch with the best operator and real
state companies in Costa Rica. Real
state in Costa Rica, information and travel assistance.
realstatequestions@travelandcomfort.com
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Policies: Terms and Conditions
Q. Which are your reservation
and payment policies?
Once you request reservations we will proceed
to book all the services (subject to availability).
Once they are confirmed we will provide you with
a confirmation of services sent by e-mail (or
by fax if you prefer). Once a service is confirmed,
any change must be done by fax or by e-mail, and
it will be subject to availability.
A credit card authorization form will be submitted
with our confirmation of services. Please fill
in this form, sign it and return it to us by fax
(506) 2268-2004 or e-mail, to secure your reservations,
otherwise services will be canceled.
No charges will be made to your credit card
until 30 days prior to your arrival date, when
the full payment has to be done to guarantee your
spaces. We will advise you of the deadline for
your payment which must be received before the
specified date (time limit) in order to avoid
cancellation of services. During Holidays periods
and/or high season, a deposit may be required
to hold the confirmed services and payment has
to be done 60 days prior to arrival date.
In some cases part or full payment will be required
before 30 or 60 days prior of arrival date, depending
on the season and according with vendors’
policies.
Reservations done within 30 days of travel date
require full payment upon receipt of our confirmation,
otherwise it will be cancelled.
Costa Rica Travel and Comfort accepts Visa and Master Card credit cards or wire transfers.
Q. What will be included?
A. At the moment of the price quotation we will
specify what is included on your itinerary or
individual services, and we will reconfirm what
is included at the moment of sending you the confirmation
of services.
Travel voucher will be sent to your e-mail address
or delivered to you at the first location of contracted
service in Costa Rica, specifying all services
included.
Q. Which are your cancellation
policies?
As part of our excellence in
service, we understand that unexpected circumstances
may happen and you have to cancel your plans.
In case of cancellations, we will try to help
you as much as possible, but we are restricted
by the individual policies of the vendors (hotels,
tour operators, transportation companies and others).
All cancellations must be received by fax or by e-mail.
The following refund policy
will apply in addition to any supplier fee or
penalty. (DO NOT apply for the Holiday period
and High Season)
If we receive your cancellation:
30 to 21 days prior to arrival date – 75%
reimbursement, 25% penalty
21 – 15 days prior to arrival date –
50% reimbursement, 50% penalty
Less than 15 days – No reimbursement –
100% penalty
During Holidays periods and High Season cancellations
policies will be according to the vendors’
policies, so refunds will be subject to any supplier
penalty.
No refunds will be made due to weather delays,
flight cancellations, unused services or no shows.
Contact
Us
Disclacimer: our responsibility
Costa Rica Travel and Confort S.A, is a travel
agency that acts only as agent for passenger in
regard to travel, making arrangements with domestic
airlines, hotels, rent a cars, tour operator and
other independent parties to provide travel services
that passenger purchases. All these companies
are independent suppliers over whom Costa Rica
Travel and Confort do not have direct control.
In absence of negligence or mistakes from us,
we are not responsible for any claims, losses,
injury, accident, additional expenses, damages
or delay of baggage or other property, delay or
inconvenience, cause by: the act or omission of
any vendor (hotels, airlines, tour operators,
transportation companies, rent a car, and any
other third party); delay or changes in international
flights schedules; mechanical problems; governments
decisions and it’s consequences; weather
or other factor beyond our control, failure to
obtain or bringing documents when required, failure
to follow instructions of the policies of the
different vendors, cancellation or penalties for
any reason in travel services arranged, medical
or health problems or physical disabilities.
Costa Rica Travel and Confort S.A reserve the right
to cancel or alter the travel services at its discretion,
having always security and safety as a priority
over anything else. In case of changes or cancellations
done by our company, refund of the specific services
will be done. Suppliers reserve the right to decline
or cancel any service either for security and safety
reason of the passenger/s or for not following their
policies and procedures, interfering in the operation
of the tour or the rights, welfare or enjoyment
of the other tour passengers. In this case the refund
for unused land services is subject to vendors policies. |
