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Costa Rica Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ'S TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Click the links below to answers to your
questions about Costa Rica. Don't see an answer to your question Please feel free
to contact us at reservations@zindis.com for
further assistance.
Q: Why should I rent a house or condo rather than stay in a
resort? A: Where you stay, as well
as what you like is personal to your taste. Both have advantages; however we
feel that a private vacation rental has advantages that far outweigh those
of a hotel:
- Privacy!
-
Full kitchen to eat at home when you wish (results in savings on food
costs)
- Usually a private pool or communal pool shared with a select few.
- Laundry facilities allows you to bring less clothes
Q: What services are provided with my rental? A: A
member of the ZINDIS Group will be
available to assist you with planning your Costa Rica vacation and will
introduce you to your Vacation Home and review a local map of the area to
get your Costa Rica vacation started in the right direction. Our wonderful
folks at our Concierge Desk can help with many aspects of your vacation such
as reservations for cars, trips and tours, private chefs, spa services, and
general help and local information. Click here to be directed to our CONCIERGE DESK.
Q: Can we get someone to cook meals at our vacation home? A: Private chefs are available but are
limited, therefore, planning in advance is required. You should contact your
Concierge to make reservations. (This service is at an additional cost.)
Q: Will there be an internet connection and WiFi available? A: All of our homes are equipped with
internet via CAT5 cabling; fiber optics have not found their way to our area
of Costa Rica as of yet. The average download speed here is 1-5 Mbps, & you
may notice that North American are a little slower due to the fact that at
peak times the cables between countries become overloaded.
Q: Is smoking allowed inside my vacation home? A: We
proudly promote our homes as
"smoke-free" environments. However, smoking is permitted outdoors and on
terraces as long as the smoke does not enter the unit. NOTE: There are
penalties for smoking inside and for leaving cigarette butts around the
property.
Q: Do I need to rent a car? A: This
depends on which property you rent. However, we feel that at least one car
is necessary to run errands and to personally tour all the sights. Some of
our wonderful homes are walking distance to local amenities; however there
are some that do require some form of transportation in order to grocery
shop, etc. Please verify with the reservation desk at reservations@zindis.com about your
vacation home if you are not planning on renting a vehicle.
We proudly promote Adobe Rate Sheet
based on the quality of customer service & cars provided. We will be happy
to assist you with your rental car needs. Simply review the Adobe Rate Sheet
provided and let us know which car you would like. Please rent as soon as
you know you flight information to assure the best selection and pricing. If
you choose to rent elsewhere, please verify that your rental quote contains
both the required Costa Rican Limited Liability Insurance and Taxes as these
two fees can nearly double a rental quote and make for an unpleasant start
to a vacation.
Q: I’ve heard the roads are bad in Costa Rica, is it safe to
drive? A: The rural roads in Costa
Rica are not paved and can be rough especially in the rainy season. However,
the roads around Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Liberia, and the Gulf of
Papagayo area are actually quite good as there are many luxury hotels and
upscale communities that maintain their roads to North American standards.
Q: How are the roads in the rain & do I need to rent a 4WD
vehicle? A: Be warned that potholes
are common, but for travel to many of Costa Rica’s vacation hotspots –
Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa and Playas Del Coco
for example – you will NOT need a 4WD vehicle. If Monteverde or some of the
country’s more remote areas are on your itinerary, 4WD is suggested and
sometimes necessary. During the rainy season (September-November), all roads
are susceptible to landslides and flooding, and a 4WD is recommended.
Q: Do I need an international drivers license to drive in Costa
Rica? A: No, your country's license
is valid (make sure it has not expired) in Costa Rica for the duration of
your tourist entry stamp. When driving, always carry your passport, or a
copy of your passport ID page and entry stamp page on your phone or a
xeroxed copy showing proof of legal status in the country.
Q: Are taxi's available? A: Yes! The
official taxis in Costa Rica are RED, not yellow. Take only those. They're
insured, pay their taxes, and charge you with a meter ("maria"). You will
find them available all over Playa del Coco however you may need to call
them if located in Playa Hermosa. The local Taxi number is 2670-0303 and
they generally arrive within 10-15 min.
Q: Who are the guys trying to wave me down on the side of the road and what
do they want? A: When driving
through parts of Playa Panama, Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco you may see
young men & women frantically waving you down, generally by speed bumps or
corners (areas that require you to slow down). These individuals are selling
time-shares to local Costa Rican hotels. Please do not stop in the middle of
the road to chat with these solicitors – If so inclined to hear about
time share opportunities, please pull off to the side of the road for safety
purposes.
Q: What currency does Costa Rica use? Are credit cards accepted and are there
ATMs’? A: The Costa Rican Currency
is the Colon (named after its discoverer Christopher Columbus). The US
Dollar is also widely accepted throughout Costa Rica. All major credit cards
are accepted at restaurants and stores and there are ATMs throughout Costa
Rica.
Q: Can I exchange money at the airport? A: Yes, but the
exchange rate is not
favorable. If you must get Colonés at the airport, exchange the bare minimum
and then head to a local bank to exchange for larger denominations (bring
your passport). Generally, prior to your arrival, there is no need to do a
cash exchange for the local currency, the Coloné. US Dollars are accepted
everywhere as are most credit cards. The easiest way to end up with local
currency is to make a purchase with large bills at a local grocery store and
your change will be the in local currency. Also be aware that for bills $50
or larger, you will be asked to provide a photo ID.
Q: Are Credit Cards accepted by local businesses? A:
Almost all places accept major credit
cards, with the exception of smaller local vendors. To be sure that you do
not have unexpected complications with your credit card transactions, we
advise you to notify your credit card company of your intent to travel
abroad prior to your departure and verify whether there are additional
International processing fees attached to each purchase made.
Q: Are ATM's available? A: There is
1 ATM machines located in Playa Hermosa (20 yards in front of our office),
And 3 located in Playa's del Coco. Most will dispense your choice of local
Colonés or US dollars.
Q: How much do I tip in Costa Rica? A: Restaurants, in
general, include a 10%
gratuity in the bill. While tipping is not customary in Costa Rica, tipping
for professional services has become universal, especially in the tourism
industry. If you received great service, it is always nice to show
appreciation by leaving a dollar or two more and is always welcome. It is
also considered polite to tip Concierge, Maids, Guides, Boat captains, and
Drivers for performance and services rendered. While largely a personal
decision, a tour guide may be tipped $5-$20, depending on the size of your
group and performance.
Q: Are there many restaurants close by? A: Playa Hermosa
has several excellent
restaurants and bars offering casual and upscale dining. Within a 10 minute
drive there are dozens of restaurants of all kinds from the family run
"sodas" to fine dining and cuisines to meet just about every taste.
Q: Is there a supermarket in the area, where can I buy bread, milk, meats,
and adult beverages? A: There are 4
full service market in Playas del Coco and 2 smaller stores in Playa
Hermosa, plus a local "Carniceria" or meat market which sells beef, lamb and
pork along with fresh homemade sausages and burgers. The Super Luperon is
located on the main road here in Playa Hermosa and is just minute's drive
from many of the homes. The Auto-Mercado located in Playas del Coco (10 min
away) is a very large North American style grocery store and will have
almost anything you are looking for. You will receive a local map upon
check-in and your shown where each grocery store is located. There are also
several local fresh fish markets around the area which can be pointed out to
you on your map as well.
Q: What is the food like in Costa Rica? A: Costa Rican
cuisine is mostly mild and
savory. Spicy food is uncommon, and traditional dishes go heavy on the Latin
American favorites of rice, beans and local produce. Small diners, called
"sodas", serve up generous portions of homemade meals, and are very
economical; you’ll pay $4-$7 for a full plate of food and a natural fruit
drink.
Q: Is Costa Rica considered a safe place to travel? A:
As anywhere is the world, Costa Rica
does have crime but considerably less than the U.S., Canada and Europe, with
violent crime virtually unheard of in our area. That being said, petty theft
does occur, so please be careful when deciding to bring electronic gadgets
and we strongly encourage valuable jewelry & other small valuable items be
left at home. When traveling anywhere you are encouraged to use simple
safety precautions such as always locking the doors to your Vacation Home
and car as well as making sure that any valuables and electronics remain out
of sight.
Q: What about medical services? A:
There are emergency medical services (with ambulances) in Playas del Coco,
Sardinal which are both only 10 minutes from Hermosa.
Q: Is the water safe to drink? A:
Yes! Water is potable in all parts of the country. We recommend that you
travel with a bottle of water at all times to prevent dehydration.
Q: Are the beaches in the area safe for swimming? A:
Yes. Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco,
Playa Ocotal and Playa Panama beaches are located in Bahia Culebra (Snake
Bay, named after its shape), which is reef protected and the surf is very
calm. There are no riptide currents that are associated with the other
beaches to the south. Nevertheless, the ocean should always be respected by
those who intend to enjoy it. NOTE::
Costa Rica does not provide Life Guards on the public beaches.
Q: Are there any travel safety tips you can offer? A:
Unfortunately, petty theft in Costa
Rica is common. While enjoying a swim, please always keep an eye on your
belongings on the beach, or have a member of your party watch them for you.
Keep your money on you or in a safe place, and never leave anything of value
in your car! It is also a good idea to keep a copy of your passport with
you. Leave your passport at your vacation home in a safe place. You don’t
want to lose it! Simply use your common sense.
Q: What precautions should I take? A: The Centers for
Disease Control offers
recommendations for certain vaccinations (such as tetanus), there are no
health requirements for visiting the Costa Rica.
Q: Bug Spray, Sunscreen or Both? A:
BOTH! The suns rays are particularly potent due to our proximity to the
equator, sunscreen is highly recommended with the waterproof/sweat-proof
kind being the best options for our area. A bad sunburn at the start of your
vacation can actually impact the outdoor activities that you are able to do
during the rest of your vacation.
Costa Rica boasts a healthy ecosystem; along with that are bugs that range
from being a mild nuisance to ones that can bite or sting. We recommend
using bug repellant, particularly in the early morning and early evening
hours.
Q: What number should I dial in case of emergency? A: In
an emergency, please dial 911.
Q: Really, how far away is the airport? A: The Liberia
International airport (LIR)
is a mere 25 minutes drive away. San Jose airport (SJO) is around 4 hours;
and while that does not sound too bad, we do recommend that if you opt to
arrive through San Jose that you spend the night if your flight is scheduled
to arrive at 2PM or later. The roads between our area and the Costa Rica
capital are poor lit and there is virtually no signage. To complicate the
drive, there is currently major road construction making for possibly
dangerous conditions in the dark.
Q: Do I need a passport? A: As of
December 31, 2005, US visitors to Costa Rica are required to have a
passport. It MUST NOT expire less than 6 months before your arrival date,
you will not be allowed to enter Costa Rica if your passport is within 6
months of expiring!
Q:What are Costa Rica's biggest holidays? A: Costa Rica
is primarily a Catholic
country and its most important holidays revolve around Christian based
events. Holy Week, known as Semana Santa, is the week leading up to Easter
Sunday – and a very popular time around the beaches. Christmas (December 25)
until the day after New Years is also important/busy, followed by Costa
Rica’s Independence Day, celebrated on September 15.
Q: What does High-Season mean? A:
High-Season in Costa Rica generally refers to our "Dry Season" staring
mid-November through the Easter holiday. If planning to travel during these
months, you will see our area at it's busiest as well as the warmest &
driest. Very little, if any rain will occur during this time.
Q: What are your recommendations when planning to travel to Costa
Rica? A:
PLAN
AHEAD!
To make the most of
your vacation experience please plan ahead, especially during busier times
(December - July). This is true in regards to the best selection and pricing
for rental car bookings, tours & sight seeing trips, and any other special
experiences you would like to enjoy in Costa Rica. Please check out our
Concierge Services to help start you on your way. Also, Trip Advisor and
many other websites offer great insight into what to do while you are here.
Q: What should I pack? A: Costa Rica
is very laid back and casual so there isn't a need for formal attire. Feel
free to go light on luggage as even the nicer restaurants have relaxed
standards of dress. Also be sure to pack walking shoes or amphibious hiking
shoes to visit some areas you may want to see. These areas are forested and
feature hot springs, various wildlife, waterfalls, and volcanoes. You may
also want to ride the zip lines of a canopy tour and they require
closed-toed shoes. Make sure and pack some sunscreen as well as bug
repellent for the rainy season and or rain forest trips.
Q: Will my cell phone work in Costa Rica? A: Yes, many
carriers have coverage in the
Hermosa and Coco area. Please check with your carrier for official details.
The ZINDIS Group has cell phone rental available to our guests and are
generally inexpensive. Coupled with an international credit card or Voice
over IP's (like MagicJacks phone lines that many of the home have), you can
stay in touch internationally. All domestic and received calls are free with
the rental. For more information on renting a cell phone during your stay,
feel free to contact us at reservations@zindis.com.
Q: What voltage and type of electric plugs are used? A:
Electrical outlets in Costa Rica are
110v just like in North America, no currency converters are required.
Q: What is Costa Rica's time zone? A: Costa Rica does
not observe Daylight
Savings Time (DST), so it operates at GMT-6 year-round. During Daylight
Savings Time in the United States (mid-March through early November), Costa
Rica is in the Mountain Standard (MST) time zone. The rest of the year,
Costa Rica is in the U.S. Central Standard (CST) time zone.
Q: Does it rain a lot during the rainy season? A: The
rainy season starts in May and ends
sometime in November. The rain is more frequent during the latter part of
September through October. Actually the Green (Rainy) Season is tropical and
an average “Green Day” is sunny throughout the morning and early afternoon.
Then it gets cloudy and you may have a short shower or downpour. Sometimes,
in the late day or evening you could have a thunderstorm followed the next
day by sunshine. Our region receives more sunshine than anywhere else in
Costa Rica. There is less rain here than anywhere in the country as evidence
by many of our homes having palm trees and cactus as part of their
landscaping.
TIPS & TRAVEL FACTS
PASSPORTS - #1 MOST IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATION! Check your PASSPORT expiration
dates. If your passport is set to expire within 90 days to 6 months of your dates of travel,
you may not be allowed to enter Costa Rica.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS - CHECK IN INSTRUCTIONS. Do not rely on GPS, phone apps
or the directions saved to your smart phone or mobile device when driving to our office for
check-in. We respectfully request that you print the instructions to have on hand to prevent
any unforeseen delays in your arrival. Trust us we when say that this the best option for
handling the directions when meeting up with us for your check-in.
RENTAL CAR RECOMMENDATIONS: We proudly promote Adobe Rental Car based on the
quality of customer service & cars provided and recommend that you rent as soon as you know
you flight information; Car Rental. If renting
elsewhere, please verify that the quote contains the required Costa Rican Limited Liability
Insurance & taxes to prevent any unexpected price jumps.
AIRPORT: The Liberia Airport (LIR) is only 20-30 minute drive from the Playa
Hermosa/Playas del Coco areas and is accessed by most major airlines. The San Jose Airport
is, at a minimum, 3 1/2 hours drive from our area. We strongly recommend that if you are
traveling from the San Jose Airport, to not do so after dark.
ARRIVE PREPARED - PLAN AHEAD: This important, especially during peak travel
times, in regards to the best selection and pricing for rental car bookings, tours & sight
seeing trips, and any other special experiences you would like to enjoy in Costa Rica. Our
Concierge Desk will be happy to help you with any questions you may have, please contact us
at concierge@zindis.com for further information.
CELL PHONES: Please make sure that we are able to be in contact with you, at
least until we meet up to introduce you to your vacation home. This is quite important to
avoid unforeseen issues such as getting lost, car problems, lost luggage issues, etc. Please
check with your cell phone provider about what is needed for cell phone access. If
interested, ZINDIS can provide you with a cell phone to rent during your stay. For more
information, please contact reservations@zindis.com.
DRESS ATTIRE: We are a beach community in the tropics and quite warm year
''round! Bring very light, breathable clothing. Comfort is key while you are here. Our
ZINDIS homes are equipped with washer and dryers to further assist with packing lightly.
CASH EXCHANGE: No need to exchange for the local currency when traveling to
Costa Rica; the Coloné, as US Dollars are widely accepted, as are most credit cards. The
easiest way to end up with local currency is to make a purchase with larger bill, and your
change will generally be the in local currency.
SAFETY: Costa Rica is considered one of the safer countries to travel to as
the violent crime rates are very. That being said, petty theft does occur, please be careful
when deciding to bring expensive electronic gadgets and we strongly encourage valuable
jewelry & other small valuables be left at home. It is also important to travel smart and
not leave your vacation home and/or rental vehicles left unlocked. We also strongly
encourage you to not leave valuables in plain sight at any time.
DRINKING WATER: The drinking water is generally safe; however bottled water
and bags of ice are available at any grocery store if that is your personal preference.
BUG SPRAY & SUN SCREEN: You will definitely need both when out and about, we
recommend a waterproof type if available. We recommend that you use both liberally while
here.
CREDIT CARD SAFETY: To make sure that you do not have unexpected issues with
your credit cards while here, notify your credit card provider that you will be in Costa
Rica. Also, it is highly recommended that you check to see if your credit will charge you
"international service charge" while here.
ROADSIDE SOLICITORS WARNING: When driving through parts of Playa Hermosa you
may see young men & women frantically waving you down, generally by speed bumps or corners
(areas that require you to slow down). These individuals are selling time-shares to local
Costa Rican hotels. Please do not stop in the middle of the road to chat with these people –
If so inclined to hear about time share opportunities, please pull off to the side of the
road for more information.
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