Check us out on FacebookIf you have any questions and wish to contact us by telephone, Skype or e-mail, you can also request a Call Back if you give us your telephone number and OK time range to call back. Please see our contact information at the bottom of this page or use our Contact Form and feel free to ask us as many questions as you need, to feel fully informed. We will always be glad you called and will answer your inquiries to the best of our ability. Languages spoken are English and Spanish.
Below, please find answers to some of the most frequent questions we get asked.
It is your vacation, and we are dedicated to helping you have a Complete Cultural Experience.
Our local guides will provide you with the inside cultural information so you can really get to know Costa Rica and its best asset, the Costa Rican people and their culture.
This is a link to The New York Times article "The Happiest People", Jan 6, 2010.
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Any information given here is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as legal advice in any form, way or manner.
Please contact the Costa Rican consulate nearest you for the most current information on requirements.
The following information was current at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice.
- What is the best airport to fly in and out?
For international flights, the Liberia (LIR) Airport is by far the most convenient, at approximately a 50 minute drive from us.
For domestic flights, the Tamarindo (TNO) Airport is the most convenient at approximately a 10 minute drive from us.
Please read more about the airports by clicking here and scrolling down to Airport Information at the bottom of the page.
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Do I need to speak Spanish?
No you don't!
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Can you learn Spanish here?
Of course you can we have some great Spanish schools right here in Tamarindo.
- What is the Currency used in Costa Rica?
We use Colones, but the US Dollar is accepted in most places as long as they are not $100 and $50 bills and your bills are in fairly good condition, they do not like torn or defaced dollar bills at all. Any Bank will exchange your $100's and $50's for smaller dollar bills or for colones. Many ATM's will dispense your choice of Colones or Dollars, and ATM's are widely available. The Euro is not really a currency used here, but you can exchange it at any bank for Colones or Dollars and banks are available almost everywhere. Any other currency, British Pound or Yen, Canadian or Australian Dollars, etc. are not accepted.
- Are Credit Cards and Debit Cards accepted?
Yes, major credit cards and debit cards (that have a Visa or MasterCard logo) are widely accepted, but the more remote you get, the better it is to ask before you order your meal or purchase any goods. Some establishments will condition the use of credit and debit cards to a minimum purchase amount and/or they might add a percentage to the total to upset the credit card fee to them, like I said, ask before you eat or drink!
- Do I need a Visa or a Passport?
It depends on what country you have a passport from, and everybody needs a valid passport that is not to close to the expiration date.
Please contact the Costa Rican consulate nearest you for the most current information on requirements.
The following information was current at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice.
Any information given here is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as legal advice in any form, way or manner.
Below are 2 lists:
1- Visitors from these countries are allowed to stay 90 days without a Visa:
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, United States and all European countries except from Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech Republics, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia.
2- Visitors from these countries are allowed to stay for 30 days without a Visa:
Australia, Belize, China, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, The Philippines and Venezuela.
If your country is not on those lists, please contact the nearest Costa Rica consulate for information before making any arrangements.
- Do I need Vaccines?
Maybe. Please read on:
No, unless you are flying into Costa Rica from one of the countries that are in the list of "at risk for yellow fever":
Caribbean: French Guyana.
South America: Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Saw Lioness and Sudan.
If you are flying in or have been recently to any of these countries, then you need to have the Yellow Fever Vaccine at least 10 days in advance, before you fly into Costa RIca or they won't let you in.
- Are the Food and Water safe?
Yes they are! Costa Rica is a very health and hygiene conscious country and the water and food are generally safe. There are many other Latin-American countries where the water is not safe, but Costa Rica is not one of them. Of course that you should exercise common sense, as in anywhere in the world and there is plenty of bottled water if that is your preference.
- Should I bring my own SUP board and paddle?
If you are a Beginner, definitely No. We have everything you need to learn, enjoy and have a blast.
If you are an Intermediate to Advanced SUPer please give us a call, Skype us, or send us an e-mail and we will discuss the different kinds of more advanced boards that are available to you depending on your date of arrival.
The same goes for the paddles, if you are a Beginner, no problem, we got you covered. If you are Intermediate or Advanced, you probably already know that it is better to bring your own, awesome, custom fit, carbon fiber paddle, but like I said before please get in touch and we will make sure to discuss all the options with you.
According to the perception of the people in other Latin countries, Costa Rica is a bilingual country, so don't worry we got you covered, either in English or Spanish. Spanish is our native language, but most people have a level of English adequate for clear communication and many are fully fluent in both languages. Our guides are definitely fluent in English.
