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Frequently Asked Questions
We hope most of your questions regarding general trip details and trip registration can be answered here. If not, contact us and we will answer your questions and help you prepare for your trip. You can email questions to: info@costaricarios.com or call us at 1 888 434-0776
What is ALL-INCLUSIVE and what is included in the trip price?
All accommodations, meals and activities
Expertise and services of professional guides, available 24 hours per day
Airport pick-up and drop-off
All transportation during the trip
All park entrance fees, taxes and permits
Pre-departure information packet
What is not included in the price?
Airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica, alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, personal travel or medical insurance coverage. We recommend you buy travel insurance to cover you for trip cancellation, curtailment and other expenses you may incur or make sure your personal insurance policy is up to date.
Why is Costa Rica Rios the best choice for my vacation in Costa Rica?
Since 1995, we have been perfecting adventure travel in Costa Rica.
We specialize in Costa Rica all-inclusive adventure trips and offer the best itineraries available.
We provide value and service for our clients.
We live in Costa Rica and operate trips year round.
Our custom specialized itineraries will match the interests, activity levels and budgets of any private group, we listen to your needs and design your vacation accordingly.
How long has Costa Rica Rios been in business?
Costa Rica Rios was founded in 1995 and has successfully operated all of our adventure, nature, rafting, multi-sport, kayaking, canoeing and biking trips from the same location ever since!
What is our commitment to service?
Costa Rica Rios Mission Statement,The Essence of our company: Costa Rica Rios staff will provide the highest quality service to meet all client’s needs and expectations. Each employee will strive to increase our guest’s sense of adventure, awe of nature and expectation of professional service. With every client, we will reveal the natural wonders and excitement of Costa Rica.
What is our commitment to the environment?
Since Costa Rica Rios was founded in 1995, we have worked supporting environmental programs in our community. When you travel with Costa Rica Rios, we encourage you to help us minimize our impact on the unique and varied ecosystems we encounter. We are proud members of 1% For the Planet, whereby we donate 1% of our annual turnover to non-profit environmental organizations.
Do you have references for your trips?
Yes. Costa Rica Rios has an extensive list of guest comments on our website and we will be happy to provide contact information of previous guests who have volunteered to act as references. Contact us for a list of previous clients at info@costaricarios.com or call us toll free: 888 434-0776.
Who travels with Costa Rica Rios?
Our guests consist of singles, couples and families who share the same passion for nature, exploration, and adventure as you. With this common background for quality and exciting adventures, making new friends and sharing new experiences with family, guaranteeing everyone a lifetime of memories. Guest come from all walks of life and age has never limited any participant. Plus, experiencing Week of Rivers, Week of Adventures, or a Costa Rica Rios Custom Tour, places you among the few privileged adventurers in the world who have enjoyed world class tropical rivers and adventure.
May I join a trip if I am pregnant?
Based on the rigorous nature of our trips we do not permit pregnant guests to join our scheduled group tours. Please contact us for a custom tour.
When is a good time for a trip to Costa Rica?
Concerning weather, Costa Rica enjoys a very consistent tropical climate year round, allowing us to offer exciting trips every month. The average daytime temperature in Turrialba is 82° and along the coast the temperature varies from 70 to the 90’s. During the dry season (December through April), sunny blue skies and warm dry days are common. Throughout the rainy or green season (May through November), the typical pattern is sunny and hot in the morning and a shower in the late afternoon. Concluding answer: A good time for a trip is when you can get away!
What is Costa Rican food like?
Fresh and delicious. Our meals are prepared fresh daily, by our own personal chef, with locally grown fruits and vegetables and fresh meats, fish and cheese. A typical Costa Rican diet consists of rice, black beans, cheese, chicken, beef, fish, salads, vegetables, and of course fresh tropical fruit. We attempt to have a delicious regional or international dish for every meal, plus great desserts. If your diet requires a special food selection, please notify us at time of registration.
Should I sign up for a group standard trip or a customized trip?
If your schedule is such you can join our standard trips, you will be among other people with similar interests, and that adds a positive social aspect to the trip. If you wish a more personalized and private trip with family and friends, or if your time off does not work out for the standard trip, you would be better off with a customized trip.
What is the schedule for payment and sign-up?
For our scheduled tours we require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation and secure your spot on a trip, the balance is due when you arrive in Costa Rica. Visa, Mastercard or Amex credit cards are accepted, as well as cash.
For custom tours we require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation and secure your spot on a trip, the balance is due 6 weeks prior to your trip start date. Visa, Mastercard or Amex credit cards are accepted, as well as cash. For tours with a value of more than $3500 per person, we will accept a 25% deposit payable at the time of reservation, with another 25% due 3 months prior to your trip start date and the balance due 6 weeks prior to the beginning of your tour. Peak Season policies may vary, please check at time of booking.
What is the cancellation policy?
For our scheduled trips: Guests who have made a deposit and need to postpone their trip due to an illness, emergency, or personal reason, and maintain their deposit with Costa Rica Rios, may rebook their trip with a change fee of up to $350 (depending amount of prior notice). For guests who have paid for their trip and need to cancel, Costa Rica Rios will charge the following penalties from the total trip price:
46+ days prior to trip start day – 20%
31-45 days prior to trip start day – 40%
1-30 days prior to trip start day – 100%
Any balance will be refunded to the credit card originally used to pay the deposit/trip price.
For our custom tours: Guests who need to cancel or postpone their trip due to any reason will be subject to the following penalties from the total trip price:
46+ days prior to trip start day – 25%
31-45 days prior to trip start day – 100%
1-30 days prior to trip start day – Non-refundable
Any balance will be refunded to the credit card originally used to pay the deposit/trip price.
All Chirripo National Park and Lodge bookings are non-refundable.
Costa Rica Rios does its best to stay with the booked itinerary, however if your trip needs to be amended due to adverse weather or other natural phenomenons, we reserve the right to make any necessary changes. Costa Rica Rios is not responsible for any additional costs that you may incur, due to cancelled or missed flights.
What are my responsibilities as a trip member?
Clients are responsible for selecting a trip that is suitable for their interest and level of fitness.
Getting Ready Passport & Visa
You will need a valid passport to enter Costa Rica valid at least 6 months after the date you return home. Currently citizens of the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Romania, South Korea, New Zealand, Tawain, Uruguay, the UK, France and most other Western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of Australia, Ireland, Iceland, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Vatican City and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. Please check with a Costa Rican Embassy or consulate several months prior to your trip if you are unsure of your visa requirements. If you are traveling on a non-US passport and your flight intinerary takes you through the USA you now need to complete the ESTA online registration. This is a registration required by the US government and was brought into effect in January 2009. Please click on the following link for more information www.cbp.gov/esta The registration should be completed at least 72 hours prior to travel, is valid for 2 years and costs $14 per applicant.
Health & Immunizations
Costa Rica has safe drinking water and a good public health system. But you may be exposed to tropical diseases which you should be immunized in advance. In the U.S. check with the Center for Disease Control at 404-639-3311, or with your physician for health planning and immunizations you should receive prior to the trip.
Clothing and Personal Items
For a complete packing list please read the information document of your trip. In general, you will usually be comfortable in shorts and a tee-shirt during the daytime, and long pants and a shirt in the evenings. Avoid cotton clothing as they tend to get cold when wet and take longer to dry. At higher elevations, a sweater or jacket is needed. Because rain showers may occur any time of year, you may wish to bring something to wear in the rain. Pack a pair of walking shorts, a couple of quick dry tee-shirts, comfortable walking/hiking shoes, socks, underwear, bandanna, billed or brimmed hat, rain jacket and pants, lightweight polypro sweater or jacket, light weight long pants and shirt. Also pack a towel for beach, extra batteries, camera, film, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses and retention strap, retention strap for your glasses if you wear them, and personal toiletries.
Additional tips before departure
• Confirm flight, and inform us of changes in schedule. • Make copies of your passport and airline tickets.
