FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Reservations, cancellations & costs
- Will my trip cost me more if I reserve it through you?
No, your trip will not turn out more expensive if you book it through us than if you book each service directly. The reason is simple: Zuma Tours S.A. works on a commission base with its suppliers, which makes it possible to come out with the same prices than those offered by each supplier (hotels, car rentals, and activity service providers). Plus, you will have experts constantly advising you on the feasibility of your travel plans, the best tour options, properties, and helpful tips.


- What other benefits do I receive if I reserve my trip through Zuma Tours?
1- You only have to pay once for your holiday, and we take care of everything else. You do not have to worry about putting together your itinerary, contacting each service provider, waiting to receive confirmations, and all the little details involved in planning a trip.

2- We give you professional counsel during all the process of trip preparation. We know Costa Rica and we constantly travel throughout the country researching new properties. We have more than 15 years of experience in receiving people with the most diverse interests, which gives us the expertise to advise you what best fits your interests and desires.

3- You can travel unworried knowing that there is a support company that will respond to any, question, need or problem whilst you are in the country. We have a 24-hour emergency number.


- How should I book with Zuma Tours?
Scheduling your trip with Zuma Tours is very simple.

1- You send us an e-mail (info@zumatours.net) or fax (+ 506 – 642 0050) in which you tell us about your interests, questions, and ideas for your holidays according to the information you have read in this website. If you already have your travel dates and/or flights, it helps us have a closer approach to what your trip can be.

2- We listen to you, make our suggestions and send our advice regarding the logistics of your itinerary and the locations that best suit your interests. We make a proposal with a day-by-day itinerary and pricing.

3- Once you decide on your trip plan, and upon your approval, we proceed to book all the services requested. After receiving the written confirmations from all the different suppliers, we send you an e-mail or fax in which we state inform you the status of your bookings. In case there is no space available in one or several services (hotels, tours, etc.), we suggest you other properties and give you a new pricing (we try to keep the pricing as close as possible to the original quote). As soon as everything is booked and confirmed, we send you an invoice with the total holiday amount and once we receive your payment, we proceed to issue the service vouchers that you will receive when you arrive in the country.


- Which penalties apply if I cancel my services?
All services must be paid immediately after confirmation. If, by any chance, you must cancel your trip or any particular bookings, please bear in mind that all cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received with a minimum of 30 days prior to arrival receive a total refund, less a handling charge of USD $100. Twenty days prior to arrival, a 30% of the total amount is subject to forfeiture. Eleven days prior to arrival, 50% of the total amount is subject to forfeiture. Ten days or less prior to arrival, 100% of the total amount is subject to forfeiture. Zuma Tours is not responsible for non-recoverable expenses incurred by travelers in preparing for a cancelled trip, such as a non-refundable advance purchase hotel, transfers, tours, etc., nor for any necessary additional arrangements should the applicant have embarked prior to the departure date. Certain hotels have more strict cancellation and refund policies. These vary according to each hotel and depending on additional circumstances (time of the year, occupancy rate). Zuma Tours strongly recommends its clients to purchase trip cancellation insurances to avoid any inconveniences.


Traveling to Costa Rica
- Can I buy my international airplane ticket through Zuma Tours?
Being Zuma Tours an incoming tour operator (in other words, that handles travel services only within Costa Rica), the company does not issue any international airline tickets. We do recommend you purchase your tickets at home with enough anticipation. If you book arrival and / or departure transfers with us, your Zuma Tours advisor will certainly ask you your flight number and time of arrival/departure at least ten days before you arrive.


- Which airlines fly to Costa Rica?
Flights and connections to Costa Rica have increased in the last couple of years. Travelers can now arrive both in San José or Liberia (Guanacaste) International Airport. See which airlines reach the Costa Rican territory:


Arriving in San José:

Arriving in Liberia:

- How do I know if someone will pick me up at the airport?
If you have booked an arrival transfer through Zuma Tours, then an identified driver (usually with a Zuma Tours T-shirt) will be waiting for you at the airport. This person will hold a board with your last name written on it, so pay attention to the signs in order to spot your driver. He / she will take you to your hotel, and will give you your service vouchers and / or information package. If you are traveling with a group, then your Costa Rican tour guide will wait for you at the airport as well.

- How is the weather in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica benefits from a perfect tropical climate. The average temperature is 70°F (around 21°C) in the highlands. In the lowlands temperatures range from the high 70´s to the low 90´s (21 to 28°C). Costa Rica does not have four defined seasons; what can be called seasons is rather defined by the amount of rainfall. There is a rainy season from May to November. The dry season lasts from December to April. However, even during the rainy season the mornings are, more often than not, bright and sunny. Temperatures vary little throughout the year; the main influence on temperature is altitude. Always pack an umbrella or raincoat, just in case!

- What should I pack to come to Costa Rica?

- Are there any special discounts if I travel with children?
Children sharing the room with their parents or adults in charge usually pay less than the regular fare. The policies regarding children’s discounts and age limits vary from one hotel to the other, so make sure you inform us the age of your children so that we can check on special rates when quoting your itinerary. Also, take into consideration that children sleeping not sharing the room with their parents (e.g. two children staying in one room whilst their parents stay in another room) do not benefit from any lodging discount.


- Where and how can I access money in Costa Rica?

There are numerous banks in San José and within the Central Valley. There you can change travellers’ cheques, and buy colones (local currency). Take your passport with you, it will be requested. Also make sure your signature is the same as in your passport, otherwise your transactions will be immediately rejected. Outside San José you might find banks in the main towns both in the beach and in the mountain and lowland areas. When you go to the bank, it is a good idea to ask the counter for the branch offices throughout the country. Banks are usually open from Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. They are closed on certain holidays (Dec. 25th, January 1st, Holy Thursday and Friday), so inform yourself well in advance. ATH automatic expenders are also available in San José and the main tourist areas, but do not be too confident that you will find one in every place.


Other particular issues
- Will I Travel alone throughout the country?
Since the majority of our holidays are tailor made, most of our clients travel with private transportation services. This means that they will travel only in the company of their driver. However, for those clients who wish to reduce their transfer costs, there is the possibility of taking Seat-in-Bus transfers. The SIBs work on pre-established routes. Basically, they are door-to-door transportation services that have particular schedules and that take people from different hotels. An individual client usually travels with other tourists that he/she does not know.


- Are there any particular restrictions I shall consider when booking a one-day tour?
Several activities, especially adventure tours, do have specific regulations to avoid accidents. For instance, most canopy tours have a weight limit of 225 pounds per person. White water rafting companies need to know if the clients are too tall, or weigh more than 230 pounds, in order to provide the corresponding life vests and helmets. Weight limits also apply for horseback riding tours. Please let us know with if you have any restriction before booking your tours and activities.


What shall I do in case of emergency?
For any emergency within Costa Rica, dial 911 or 128 (Red Cross). If you are driving, try to reach any public place (gasoline station, minimarket, restaurant), to ask for help. We also provide a 24 hour emergency number for you to contact us. As a safety tip, always carry the telephone number of a contact person at home (if possible, give us this information as well before you arrive in Costa Rica), and give a copy of your itinerary to your loved ones in your country, as well as the telephone numbers of the hotels you will be staying at.


Send us your questions!
Zuma Tours is eager to help you clear out your doubt. Please write us to ask your questions.



BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Preparing your trip
The more information you gather before traveling to a foreign country, the more open you can be to this new encounter and, of course, the better memories you can take home with you. The first thing to consider when the time of your holiday approaches is what to pack and what can be left at home.


Clothes:
San José is an informal and casual city; you can wear jeans, and comfortable walking shoes almost everywhere. Formal attire is only used on special occasions, like in business travels, and exclusive dinners or concerts. The highland areas (Monteverde, Savegre Valley) can be cold, and a sweater is recommended. If you are traveling to the Chirripó National Park, you shall take warm clothes, gloves, and scarves, since you will be sleeping 3500 m (1,070.2 ft) above sea level with no heating systems in the shelter. For the lowland areas light, loose-fitting shirts and trousers are essential (the weather is hot, sunny, and in some areas, humid). For beach excursions you will need a "complete" swimsuit. Nude or topless swimming or sun bathing is not common. If you plan to hike in the national parks make sure you bring the appropriate walking shoes. A hat or cap is a must for preventing sunburn.


Don't forget to bring:
A small backpack or travel bag for day tours, pocket knife, flashlight or torch, sandals for the beach, a pair of binoculars to observe animals, insect repellent, sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, and rainwear (umbrellas, raincoats, waterproof shoes). We recommend you bring plenty of film, as it can be expensive in Costa Rica. Rolls of film for slides are especially difficult to get hold of. An alarm clock may also come in handy. The electrical current throughout Costa Rica is the same as US-110 volt AC. Outlets are generally 2-pronged. A voltage converter is necessary in order to use 240/250-Volt AC-powered items.


Food & Drinks:
Unlike other Latin American countries, Costa Rican food is not spicy or hot. There is a large variety of hot sauces available to add to your meal which allow for individual preferences. The most popular side dish is rice and beans (arroz y frijoles); together with meat, salad and plantains this makes up the full typical meal called "casado". The most traditional alcoholic drink is called "guaro", a clear spirit distilled from sugarcane. The quality of the domestic beers is excellent, as is the coffee liquor -"Café Rica". Fresh juices made of different tropical fruits are also common in Costa Rican tables and, of course, coffee is present everywhere.


Shopping:
Costa Rican business hours vary according to the type of business. Government offices, professionals and service-orientated businesses maintain hours from 8:00 to 17:00 hours. Shops are generally open from 10:00 to 19:00 hours. The lunch period is usually 2 hours long. Most banks are open from 9:00 to 15:00 hours and do not close for lunch.


Cultural awareness
An open mind and tolerant spirit are the best allies for a successful trip. Holidays involve new encounters, surprises and, more often than not, unexpected situations. Your attitude towards new, unfamiliar experiences plays a key role in the impressions you have in a foreign country.

Follow these few tips to get the most out of your trip to Costa Rica.
• The road infrastructure (street conditions and road signalization) in Costa Rica is not very developed, so be patient when traveling within the country.
• Try to speak at least the basic words in Spanish: local people will appreciate your efforts and it is also a way of showing your interest for the country.
• Costa Rican lifestyle tends to be more laidback than that of European or North American countries. Be patient if things take longer to be done than in your home country.
• To have a closer approach to the country you are visiting, establish contact if possible with the communities near the hotels you are staying at.
• National realities are complex; even if you do not understand certain situations or people’s behaviors, do not judge them based on a first impression.
• Be spontaneous and friendly; people notice it.
• Be positive and especially patient with the unexpected, remember that language and cultural barriers do exist.
• Do not expect things or people to be like they are at home: the magic of traveling relies on discovering the world’s differences.


Arriving in Costa Rica
Zuma Tours’ special arrival service starts from the moment our clients leave the aircraft and enter the Juan Santamaría International Airport ( San José) or the Daniel Oduber Airport ( Liberia). If you have booked the arrival transfer to your hotel through us, then a driver will be waiting for you outside the airport. He will have a board with your last name on it, and most of them will be wearing a Zuma Tours T-shirt. This person is in charge of taking you directly to the hotel where you are booked in for the first night.

The voucher system: All services booked through Zuma Tours are paid before the traveler arrives in Costa Rica. Upon arrival, the clients receive a small package with their service vouchers. The voucher system consists in a sort of coupons issued for each service booked (hotel lodging, meals, tours, transportation) which the clients give to each service supplier.


Embassies
You can turn to the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate in your home country to enquire about visa requirements, official paperwork, and in general, the latest news about Costa Rica. Here you will find the basic information of Costa Rican embassies abroad. Make sure you find out about visas with enough anticipation, it may take some time to issue them!


Costa Rican Embassies in Europe
Austria
Address: Untere Ausgarten Strasse 38/1
A-1020 Viena
Telephone: (+ 431) 804-0537 |

Belgium
Address: 489 Ave. Louise
| Boite 13
1050 Bruxelles
Telephone: (+322) 640-5541 / 640-5969
E-mail: ambcrbel@coditel.net

France
Address: 78 Avenue Emile Zola
75015 Paris
Telephone: (+331) 4 578 9696/ 6161
E-mail: embcr@wanadoo.fr

Germany
Address: Dessauerstrasse 28-29
D-10963 Berlin
Telephone: (+ 49) 30 26 39 8990
E-mail: emb-costa-rica@t-online.de

Italy
Address: Via Bartolomeo Eustachio N°22
Interno 6 00161
Roma
Telephone: (+3906) 442 510 46 / 442 510 42
E-mail: embcosta@tiscalinet.it

Netherlands
Address: Laan Copes van Cattenbruch 46
2585 GB, Den Haag
Telephone: (+31) 70 354-0780
E-mail: embajador@embacrica.demon.nl

Norway
Address: Skippergat 33, 8th Floor
0154 Oslo
Telephone: (+47) 22 33-0408 / 22 42-5823
E-mail: embajada@costarica.no

Spain
Address: Paseo de la Castellana N° 164, 17-A
28046 Madrid
Telephone: (+34) 9 13459622
E-mail: embajada@embcr.org


Switzerland
Address: Schwarztorstrasse 11
3007 Bern
Telephone: (+41) 31 372-7887
E-mail: Embajada.Costa.Rica@thenet.ch


United Kingdom
Address: Flat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate
London W2 3LH
Telephone: (+44) 207 706-8844
E-mail: costaricanembassy@btconnect.com


Costa Rican Embassies in the Americas
Brazil
Address: SRTVN 701 C, Ala A Salas 308-310
Edificio Centro Empresarial Norte
CEP 70.710-200
Asa Norte, Brasilia D.F.
Telephone: (+55) 61-328-2219
E-mail: embrica@solar.com.br


Canada :
Address: 325 Dalhouise Street, Suite 407.
Ottawa ON, K1N 7G2
Telephone: (+1) 613 652-2855
E-mail: embcrica@travel-net.com


Mexico
Address: Calle Rio Poo N° 113, Colonia Cuáctemoc Entre Rio
Pánuco y Lerma
México D.F.
Telephone: (+525) 55 525-7765
E-mail: embcrica@redint.com


United States of America
Address: 2112-S Street
North West Washington D.C. 20008
Telephone: (+1) 202 234-2945
E-mail: ambassador@costarica-embassy.org


Costa Rican Embassies in the rest of the world
Israel
Address: Rehov Diskin 13 Apto. 1 Kiryat
Jerusalem 92473
Telephone: (+972) 2 566-6197
E-mail: emcri@netmedia.net.il


Japan
Address: Kowa Building N° 38 9 FL 901 4 – 12- 24 Nishi
Telephone: (+813) 3 486 1812
E-mail: ecrj@tky3.3web.ne.jp


China & Taiwan
Address: Diplomatic Quarter 5F, No. 9/1 Lane 62 Tien Mou
West Road Taipei
Taiwan , R.O.C
Telephone: (+886) 2-2875-2964
E-mail: embcrtw@ms71.hinet.net


If you already are in Costa Rica, bear in mind that your country’s embassy is your first and essential link with your home country. In case of loss or theft of your passport or other important documents, you shall head to your embassy in Costa Rica. They can also help you establish contact with people and institutions at home.



European Embassies in Costa Rica
Belgium
Address: 4ta entrada de Los Yoses, 25 mts. Sur, San José
Telephone: (+506) 225-6255 / 225-6633
E-mail: sanjose@diplobel.org


France
Address: Del Indoor Club, 200 m. Sur y 25 m. Oeste
Curridabat, San José
Telephone: (+506) 234-4167
E-mail: sjfrance@racsa.co.cr


Germany
Address: Barrio Rohrmoser,
De la Casa del Expresidente Oscar Arias Sánchez, 200 m norte y 75 m este
Telephone: (+506) 232-5533
E-mail: info@embajada-alemana-costarica.org


Netherlands
Address: Oficentro Ejecutivo La Sabana, Tercer Edificio, Tercer piso
Detrás de la Contraloría, Sabana Sur San José
Telephone: (+506) 296-1490
E-mail: nethemb@racsa.co.cr


Spain
Address: Calle 32, entre Avenida 2 y Paseo Colón San José
Telephone: (+506) 222-1933 / 221-7005
E-mail: embespcr@correo.mae.es


United Kingdom
Address: Piso 11, Edificio Centro Colón
Paseo Colón, San José
Telephone: (+506) 258-2025
E-mail: britemb@racsa.co.cr


The Americas Embassies in Costa Rica
Brazil
Address: Paseo Colón, Edificio Torre Mercedes, 6° Piso San José
Telephone: (+506) 295-6875
E-mail: embbrsjo@yahoo.com

Canada:
Address: Oficentro Ejecutivo La Sabana, Edificio 5, Piso 3
Detrás de la Contraloría, Sabana Sur
San José
Telephone: (+506) 296-4149
E-mail: canadacr@racsa.co.cr

Mexico
Address: Ave 7ª. N° 1371 (75m. Este de la Casa Amarilla)
San José
Telephone: (+506) 258-2437
E-mail: n.a.


United States of America
Address: Pavas, frente a Centro Comercial Oeste
San José
Telephone: (+506) 220-3939
E-mail: hdssjo@usia.gov


ABOUT COSTA RICA
Geography
Costa Rica is situated in Central America just 10 degrees north of the Equator. The country comprises a population of 4 million "Ticos" (local name for Costa Ricans) and a landmass of 20,000 sq miles (51,000 sq km). It is a rugged land with mountains, green valleys, active volcanoes, tropical lowlands, lakes, rivers and beautiful beaches with palm trees, and white-golden sands. The Central Valley forms the heart of Costa Rica. The capital city of San José and the larger towns of Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago are located within it, which is inhabited by around 60% of the nation's population. Other important places include: Ciudad Quesada (near La Fortuna), San Isidro (Southern Costa Rica), and the coastal Liberia, Puntarenas, and Port Limón. Its privileged position, in the middle of North and South America, has nourished the country with a variety of wildlife, from dolphins to hummingbirds, and with a variety of flora (e.g., more than 1200 species of orchids!).  


History
Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. Since the civil war of 1948, the country has no standing army; in fact, the Constitution expressly forbids it. During the last 50 years Costa Rica has established a well-developed conservation system, not only nature wise, but also regarding its social and cultural wealth. As early as 1948, a free compulsory educational system was consolidated, resulting in a literacy rate of over 93%. Almost 90% of all high school students attend public institutions, and the four most prestigious universities are still public. Generous government budgets provide medical coverage for every working citizen, resulting in an extremely low infant mortality rate and average life expectancy of over 70 years.

Some highlights you will like to visit to learn more about our history:
Costa Rican National Museum www.museocostarica.com
Museums of the Central Bank www.museosdelbancocentral.org
Costa Rican Arts Museum www.ilustracionydiseno.com/home2
Costa Rican Art and Contemporary Design Museum www.madc.ac.cr


Weather
Costa Rica benefits from a perfect tropical, never-ending-spring climate. The average temperature is 70°F (around 21°C) in the highlands. Lowland temperatures range from the high 70’s to the low 90’s (21 to 28°C). The rainy season goes from May to November, whilst the dry season lasts from December to April. However, consider that even during the rainy season mornings are, more often than not, bright and sunny; expect as well occasional showers during the dry season. Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence on temperature is altitude. Pack rain gear with you, as well as light sweaters or jackets for mountainous sites such as Monteverde or the Savegre Valley. Also do not forget humidity (in some regions, like in the Caribbean or in Sarapiquí, it can reach 90%). Hydration is important in the area, since you will surely sweat!


Travel requirements
All visitors arriving in Costa Rica require a passport valid for more than six months. Citizens of some countries also require a visa to enter the country, so please check ahead before traveling. Zuma Tours also recommends you to carry, additional to your passport, another proof of citizenship with a photo ID (for example, your driver’s license). Adults entering the country are permitted 500 g. of tobacco, 5 litres of duty free wine or spirits, and 2 kg of candies or dainties. The Costa Rican government forbids incomers to bring fresh fruits & vegetables, plants and live animals without official permission. The departure tax costs USD $26 per person, and shall be paid in cash inside the airport the day of departure. Zuma Tours recommends you to: travel light when possible; prepare your travel documents with enough anticipation, photocopy your passport (it will help your embassy in case of loss or theft), and a small backpack for daily walks in the forests & beaches.


Money issues
Nowadays travelers prefer to carry as little pocket money as possible. The amount of cash to be brought depends mostly on the places you will visit and the type of holiday you are planning. If you have purchased a holiday in which lodging, transportation, tours, and meals have been paid for in advance, then you will surely need less cash than if you are traveling by public bus and staying at small rural hotels that do not take credit cards. Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa and Master Card (American Express is taken in few places, and Diner’s Club is rarely accepted). When purchasing local currency – colones -, consider that Costa Rica handles almost only US Dollars; Euros are being changed in very few banks, but on a very high commission. When you are in the country, bear in mind that most banks close at 3:30 pm (15h30) and do not open during weekends or special holidays.


Health & insurances
Medical services are available throughout the country and many doctors speak English. All the main cities & towns have a public hospital: San José, Cartago, Limón, Puntarenas, Ciudad Quesada (near Arenal), Nicoya, Liberia, and Golfito. Rural communities usually have small medical offices called EBAIS, where you can head to for basic attention. Before you travel check the routine vaccinations (Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio). Contact your local health department at home for advice on traveling to the Central American tropics. Additionally, we recommend you to bring all prescribed medications needed. Zuma Tours suggests you to purchase in your home country a travel insurance that covers you overseas in case of illness or death, and to acquire trip cancellation insurances that reimburse you if you incur in last minute cancellations (most hotels and tour companies in Costa Rica do not reimburse late cancellations). Inform us if you have any particular health requirement (allergies, food restrictions, asthma, etc.), so that we can plan your itinerary accordingly!



NOTEPAD
Northern Region
No 5 big resorts: there are mostly nature lodges, according to the environment.
Monteverde hotels have no swimming pools.
There are no domestic flights to Arenal, Sarapiquí or Monteverde.

Central Valley

North Pacific

Mid Pacific

South Pacific

National Parks

Walking / Trekking

Birdwatching

Canopy tours

Mountain Biking

Scuba Diving in Costa Rica

Horseback Riding and Equestrian Activities