Itinerary

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The eco- trip itinerary to Costa Rica.
Day 1: London (Heathrow airport)-San Jose (22/03/2010)
Terminal….., meet two hours prior to departure at…. (Departure at 8:40). We will meet the
group at the ticket desk. Time of arrival is scheduled at 20:40pm. On arrival we personally
assist you and take you to the hotel Inn where you have room and board.
Day 2: San Jose-Muella San Carlos (23/03/2010)
Breakfast: 7:00am. Departure from the hotel Aurola Holiday Inn to the Hotel Tilajari passing by
the National theatre, gold museum, and the Jade museum. Then visit San Jose and leave by
minibus to Quesada city. Lunch en route. Leave the hotel Tilajari (Quesada city), swimming and
dinner at the hotel Tilajari. In the Iguana salon, presentation with an overhead projector, and
brief explanation from engineers of forestry management of ecoforest in Costa Rica.
Day 3: Muella San Carlos (24/03/2010)
Hotel Tilajari. Breakfast at 7:00 am. Transfer to San Joaquin de Curtis. Visit farms and lunch in
Quincho (grilled meat). Return to Hotel Tilajari. Dinner and accommodation at 4pm.
Day 4,5,6 (25/03/2010-26/03/2010-27/03/2010)
Hotel Tilijari. Breakfast at 7:00 am. Practice activities, Arenal volcano and visit to the national
park (optional), hot springs de la Fortuna (optional), rafting in the Serapiqui River (optional),
canopy in a tropical rainforest (optional) or rest. Dinner and accommodation at 4pm.
Day 7: -Muella de San Carlos-San Jose (28/03/2010)
Breakfast a 7:00am. Leave San Jose to take the flight back to London at 15:45. Arrival in London
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on the 29 at 6:55am.
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Important facts to take into account before departure:
Telephone numbers in Costa Rica:
- Dialing codes: 00506+telephone number
- Hotel Tilijari: 2462 1212
- Hotel Holiday Inn: 2523 1000
Clothes for the trip:
- T-shirts, pants and summer shoes
- Warmer clothes such as a jacket or a sweater
- Rain gear, waterproof shoes and rain coat
- Bathing suit and flip -flops
Required Vaccinations:
No required vaccinations for international travelers.
Recommended vaccinations
It's convenient to do a check up in regards to your official vaccinations. Also, we would gladly recommend doing
other vaccines in an authorized international vaccine centre.
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Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the jewel of Central America but has a reputation to be an oasis of peace surrounded by
turbulent neighbors. Costa Rica offers much more than just stability.
Introduction
Costa Rica is the jewel of Central America but has a reputation to be an oasis of peace surrounded by turbulent
neighbors. Costa Rica offers much more than just stability. The natural attractions and fauna of the country, as well as
its intelligent conservation policies carried out over the years, attracted tourists from around the world. The Costa
Ricans are well aware of this factor. Successive Governments have made efforts to preserve the image of the nation as
an ecotourism paradise, turning Costa Rica in a suitable place to know the tropics in a natural state with minimum
impact.
However, for those who decide to walk for hours by stream with water up to their knees might see a reptile hanging from
a tree, which is not the ideal diversion but one should not cross out this opportunity from his list. On the contrary, with
large costal extensions, it is not surprising that Costa Rica holds some of the most amazing spots to surf with numerous
beaches and a climate that promotes leisure and enjoyement.
Official Name: Republic of Costa Rica
Surface: 51.100km2
Population: 4.100.000 hab.
Capital city: San Jose (340.000 hab.)
Nationalities and ethnicities: 96% of Spanish decent, 2% of African origin, 1% indigenous and 1% Chinese.
Language: Spanish, Creole English and indigenous dialects
Religion: 85% Catholics and 14% Protestants
Political regime: Democratic republic
President: Oscar Arias (Nobel Peace Prize)
GDP per Capita: 8.300 dollars
Inflation: 9.1%
Annual increase: 1%
Main economic resources: coffee, bananas, sugar, processed foods, fabrics and clothes, building materials, fertilizers,
plastic products, electronics and tourism
Major trading partners: the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, Guatemala and Mexico.
Interested Facts
Visas: visa requirements change quickly and it is best to inquire the Consulate before departure. Citizens of Argentina,
Spain, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay do not need visas unless they stay longer than 90 days. Residents of Bolivia,
Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Venezuela can remain in the country for 30 days without a visa.
Also, inhabitants of Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru and the Dominican Republic need visas as well as for the Cubans that
require supplementary documentation. The visa for those who need it costs 20 dollars and is sold at the Costa Rican
Consulate.
Health conditions: dengue in unhealthy costal areas, malaria, limited risk of cholera and hepatitis. You should protect
yourselves from mosquito bites and drink bottled water.
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Local time: GMT-6
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz
Weights and measures: metric system
In regards to the climate, the most enjoyable season is the dry season that takes place from December to April.
Therefore, in this period everybody travels to Costa Rica, which explains that prices increase and hotels get full.
Even if, during the humid seasons streets are blocked it is still worth visiting the country and discovering a more
relaxed atmosphere. April, May and the periods that go from the middle of October to the middle of December
are the designated months to enjoy both seasons.
The country is practically shut down for Easter week, and days between Christmas and New years are
considered to be official holidays, especially in San Jose. Various locations celebrate their Saints and other
th
significant dates. San Jose day is the 19 of March, although the day of the Angels of virgins (Costa Rica's
nd
patron) is celebrated on August 2 . The Juan SantaMaria day (may 11th) commemorates the national hero that
contributed in the expulsion of William walker in 1856, and Hispanic day (12th of October) is a national holiday
in America.
Environment
Lovely Costa Rica is located North of Nicaragua and West of Panama. The Northwest side is facing the
Caribbean Sea and the South, the Pacific Ocean. A chain of mountains extends itself from the border of
Nicaragua, in the Northeast, to the border of Panama, in the Southeast, that divide the country in two. In the
center of this mountain range, rises a plateau on one side and on the other side low coastal lands. More than
half of the population lives in this mountain range, which offer fertile land. The Caribbean Cost has a longitude
of 212km and is characterized for its mangroves, swamps and sandy beaches. The Pacific Coast is more rugged
and rocky due to the existence of various gulfs and peninsulas that reach 1.1016km.
The biological diversity of this country attracts nature lovers from around the world. The main attraction for
many is the 850 species of birds starting from the dazzling quetzal, the indigo colibri, and the Guacamaya bird to
the Toucan. The tropical forests of Costa Rica have more than four thousand species of trees, which provide a
wide range of habitat for the local fauna, which include four species of monkeys, sloths, armadillos, jaguars,
tapirs and many more. There is also a large diversity of butterflies. The national parks cover approximately12%
of the country and protected forests and including the indigenous reserves the land is protected to 27%.
Costa Rica is a tropical country with only two seasons: humid and dry. The Second season runs from December
to April and the other season is the rest of the year. In general, the Caribbean coast has humid climate all year
around. The temperatures vary slightly between seasons and depending on altitude make them range from
14-22 C. San Jose is located at 1.150 m and has a mild climate that the locals call “Eternal Summer”: the average
minimum temperature is 15 c, while the maximum reaches 26. The coastal area is much warmer and the
temperature ranges from 21 c at night to more than 30 c during the day and the pacific the temperature
increases by a few degrees. The humidity in lower altitude is quite suffocating.
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Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, natural beauty and friendly population rather than for its culture. The
overwhelming European influence erased almost completely the indigenous existence, as this was a country of
peasants that lived off a “survival economy” until the mid 19th century, therefore the cultural activities were
delayed for the last hundred years.
The number of Catholics exceed 90% of the population although the majority only go to church for christenings,
funerals and weddings. The black people on the Caribbean coast are solely Protestants
and in San Jose there are other religious groups such a small Jewish community.
Spanish is the official language and English is mostly understood in touristic areas.
There is also a type of English Creole spoken in Costa Rica. In more isolated places,
people communicate in their colloquial language and the most common one is
called the Bribri, spoken by approximately 10 thousand people in Costa Rica.
The Costa Rican Gastronomy is tasty and delicious and its main ingredients are veal,
chicken, fish accompanied with rice, corn, baked beans and fresh fruit. The coffee
is also delightful.
Other recommendations
Although Ecoforest is responsible for the hotel and activity costs it does not take
into account all extra expenditures such as souvenirs that you may want to bring to
your families, or extra snacks and beverages not found in your packed lunch. You may
also want an afternoon coffee or drink. Therefore, it's recommended that you bring a minimum of 300 dollars in
small bills to avoid any problems and you may also use your VISA in most stores.
Considering the heat and sun in Costa Rica it is suggested that you bring caps, hats that will cover your head to avoid
sunstroke. Sunscreen is a necessity and can be expensive and difficult to find, so make sure to bring some with you.
We would also advise you to bring a raincoat and umbrellas in case of tropical rains during your stay.
For smokers, bring your cigarette's as they are difficult to find and quite expensive.
It is also recommended that you bring a beach towel and scandals with Velcro because there will be many activities
that will require both, on occasion; and we will not provide them. For the adventures that you will fulfill, such as
Rafting, it is suggested that you bring scandals that fit tightly or with Velcro so that you don't loose them in the
rapids, which will be very difficult to find.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, it is important to bring bug repellent, as mosquitoes are different from the
ones in Spain as well as their sting. The swelling is much greater and it seems that we attract them.
You should also bring any type of analgesic in case of headaches, backache etc. We do not know what is more
appropriate for each traveler works, so make sure to include this as you may encounter discomfort when changing
climate, bed.
Remember to drink only bottled beverages and water. Please make sure to ask if the water is drinkable, especially
when you are in more isolated areas.