Faqs
- Can I pay TCCR for my tour with a credit card.
- Payments can be made through PayPal using Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover. It is not necessary to have a PayPal account. TCCR will send you via email an invoice with a link to PayPal. Using PayPal helps us to keep our costs low and thus our tour prices low. In addition, since we are a small company with personalized service this payment method prevents us from overbooking tours and disappointing our customers. With PayPal you can also arrange for a direct transfer from your checking account to TCCR. We also accept payment by personal, business or cashiers check or money order. Ten days after we receive your registration form we will email you an invoice for your $500 per person deposit which secures your seat. Then, we will invoice you again for the balance approximately 45 days prior to departure.
- Do I need a passport or visa to travel to Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica is an international destination so you will need a passport. Citizens of the U.S. and Canada do not need a visa at this time.
- Do I need to speak Spanish to travel in Costa Rica?
- Spanish is the national language of Costa Rica so it is always nice if you can learn a few words. On the Caribbean coast where we will be traveling many people speak English as well.
- Can I use my electrical appliances in Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica electrical outlets are 110V just like the United States. However, if you have appliances with three prongs you should bring an adapter as most outlets work only with two pronged plugs.
- Is Costa Rica a safe country?
- Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America. In the capital city of San Jose, like most large cities around the world, the crime rate is higher. On the Caribbean coast you will very rarely hear of a serious crime. When traveling anywhere, tourists should always be cautious regarding their belongings. We recommend, for example, that you do not take all your money, camera, etc., in your backpack to the beach and then leave it alone while swimming. Don’t flash all your money when you are paying for goods in the supermarket or in a restaurant and do not give money to people who may approach you on the street. These tips are common sense but it doesn’t hurt to have a friendly reminder. The Caribbean coast has a reputation (similar to Jamaica) as a place to buy drugs. If someone approaches you on the street you simply say "no" and go on your way. If you follow common sense rules and err on the side of caution, you will have a fantastic vacation with no problems. Costa Rica is a democracy with no national army. The people are lovers of peace and very laidback. Politically speaking you will not find a more peaceful place.
- Are your tours nonsmoking?
- There are very few places in Costa Rica that are completely nonsmoking; however most bars and restaurants, especially on the Caribbean coast, are open-air so the effect is not quite as bad. We will do our best to honor requests for nonsmoking hotel rooms, however we cannot promise due to the fact that some hotels do not offer them. We can guarantee you that the hotels we use are high-quality, open-air and extremely clean with excellent ventilation.
- Are your tours recommended for people with physical disabilities or limitations?
- Unfortunately, Costa Rica does not have the same ADA laws and requirements as the United States, making it difficult for people in wheelchairs or who are limited in their ability to climb stairs or walk long distances. Our tours involve activities that include hiking, sometimes on less than perfect terrain. On the Caribbean it is not always possible to find a taxi late at night which may mean a fairly good walk back to the hotel. We ask that you keep these things in mind when deciding if our tours are right for you and your circumstances.
- Do you have age restrictions for your tours?
- We require that anyone under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult. Children are welcome on our tours and we can even arrange for babysitting if mom and dad want to go out alone for a night. Most of our hotels offer family-sized rooms and although prices are not reflected on the website, if you send us an email we will be glad to quote you a per person rate with a room for the entire family. We are also happy to custom design tours for extended families. We do not, however, offer discounted prices specifically for children. Check our website regularly as we are designing special family tours for Summer 2007.
- Do you sell airfare?
- At this time we do not offer airfare because we believe you can find a much better deal on the internet. We are considering assisting travelers with airfare in the future so check the website from time to time.
- Can I use my credit and ATM cards in Costa Rica?
- Credit cards are accepted at many hotels and restaurants in the capital city of San Jose, however not as widely as in the U.S. There is a high tax businesses must pay when they accept credit cards and they usually pass it along to the consumer so it is not always in your best interest to pay with your credit card. The most widely accepted credit card is Visa, although MasterCard is being accepted more and more. Discover and American Express are not as widely accepted so we recommend bringing a VISA card if possible. On the Caribbean coast we recommend that you plan to pay in cash as credit cards are not widely accepted. We will assist you with money exchange when you arrive in Costa Rica.
- Do I need to exchange my money?
- You can use your ATM card at many banks and some give you the option to withdraw money in either dollars or colons or you can exchange money at any bank. We encourage travelers to convert some money to colons out of respect for the country and its currency. By withdrawing with your ATM card or exchanging at a bank you will be assured to receive the current rate of exchange. This is not always the case if you pay in dollars and, in addition, you will almost always receive your change in colons.
- What should I pack?
- Costa Rica is a very casual society so you will have no need for anything more than a nice pair of khakis or a nice sundress. Since most of your time will be spent at the beach, we recommend doing what the locals do: shorts, jeans, t-shirts or tank tops and sundresses. Don’t forget your bathing suit of course! For shoes, bring a good pair of walking or hiking shoes (we could encounter muddy terrain on our hikes), flip flops or sandals. That’s it for clothes! You will also need a light jacket or sweatshirt as it gets a little more cool at night in San Jose. It is also a good idea to bring a small travel umbrella, a flashlight and a rain poncho or very light rain jacket. Last but not least, don’t forget the sun block. Anything you might need to replace in the way of personal hygiene items can be bought at local supermarkets.
- Why is the price higher for solo travelers?
- When two people are traveling double and sharing a hotel room they are splitting the cost of the room. A solo traveler is responsible for the entire cost of the hotel room. If you are traveling solo and wish to share a room we can try to find you a roommate but that is solely at the discretion of other travelers and not guaranteed. If there is no one desiring to share a room, you will be required to pay the single price.
