[10 days] Forests & Shorelines of Costa Rica: An Ecotourism Adventure Costa Rica

Book with confidence: To reserve your spot on a tour, a $350 deposit will be required. However, you can book with complete peace of mind as this deposit will be 100% refundable until 56 days prior to the trip start date.

What happens if we cancel your trip?
If we are forced to cancel your trip because it is not viable (due to COVID-related travel restrictions), or if we cannot manage your health and safety on a particular itinerary, or because we do not have the numbers to reach our minimum (usually 4, but occasionally 6), then we will ask you to select one of the following options:

• Move your booking monies to a new adventure in 2022 or 2023. Your monies are fully protected by the Travel Trust Association.
• Accept a credit refund note: this is a 100% financially protected note that can be used at any time for a future adventure with us. Your monies are fully protected by the Travel Trust Association.
• Request a refund: if you are in a situation where you need to request a refund, then we will be able to arrange that for you. We will process this within 14 days of receiving your bank details, but often the refund will be with you much sooner than that.

What happens if you cancel your trip?
To provide you with as much flexibility as possible in these changing times, if you cancel your trip up to 56 days before your adventure, you can:

• Move your booking to a new date or new adventure without any cancellation charges.
• Accept a credit note, with no expiry date, for the value of your booking, to be used against a future adventure.
• Request a refund: we will offer you a refund of monies paid excluding all non-refundable costs (ie supplier payments already made). Where possible, we have negotiated with our suppliers to accept payment 30 days before the start of an adventure, but this is not always possible. We will process any refund request within 14 days of receiving your bank details, but often the refund will be with you much sooner than that.

If you cancel your adventure 56-30 days before the trip: clients will lose their deposit.

If you cancel your adventure 29 or <29 days before your departure, then you will lose your entire payment.

This trip takes place on the following dates. Book for when you feel comfortable and safe to travel. You may also privatize this trip (only travel with those whom you book the trip with) and choose your own departure date.

• November 20th - 29th, 2022
• March 26th - April 4th, 2023
• April 9th - April 18th, 2023
• November 19th - 28th, 2023

Suitable medical and travel insurance is compulsory including cover for Covid-19 medical expenses. You must also demonstrate that you have travel insurance, either acquired from one of the insurers supervised by the General Superintendency of Insurance of Costa Rica or international insurance endorsed by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism, which covers at least accommodation and medical expenses generated by the COVID-19 disease.

If you choose to use your usual insurance company, you must request from the insurer, a certification issued in English or Spanish, stating at least three conditions (as well as the policy naming you specifically):

• Validity of the policy to cover your visit to Costa Rica.
• Guarantee coverage for medical expenses in cases of pandemic disease COVID 19 in Costa Rica, for at least US $50,000.
• A minimum coverage of US $2,000 for extended lodging expenses due to pandemic disease.

Without these requirements being met, you will not be able to enter the country.

Please be fully vaccinated and boosted before traveling. You may also need proof of a negative Covid test before arrival to the country. Keep a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.

In order to enter Costa Rica, you will be required to fill out and take with you a digital health pass.

When landing on Costa Rican territory, everyone must wear a mask and comply with the strict protocol of the air terminal, respecting physical distancing, using the disinfection mats, having your temperature taken, and following any other health instructions.

Special precautions:

The Covid-19 situation is region and country-specific, and at the time of publication, here are some measures we're taking to ensure the health and safety of our travelers:

We will only run an adventure when:

• The FCDO (the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; a UK government body) has approved non-essential travel to the destination (this is because we're a UK-based company)
• Where travel restrictions are not deemed prohibitive
• Where we can run our itinerary adhering to local rules & guidelines
• Where we have links with local operators ‘in country’ for an accurate insight into conditions
• Where our Risk Assessment deems it is safe to do so

All our trips focus on:

• Small-group or private travel, so the number of people you're interacting with will be limited
• Off the beaten track destinations, so you'll spend a lot of time outdoors in the fresh air, not in crowded cities
• Caring for the communities we visit, which means acting mindfully of their health and well-being

We'll also do the following:

• Ask you, upon booking, to complete a confidential health screening questionnaire
• Only stay in Covid-19 compliant hotels following the appropriate protocols
• Only go to restaurants with protocols complying with local requirements for food hygiene and social distancing
• Minimize public transportation and ensure our drivers adhere to Covid-19 protocols

Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Easy" mean?
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with an emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.

Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitudes (below 3000m).

You will not be required to carry more than a daysack with water and essentials.  Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn-in walking shoes/boots.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism and are using hotels run by locals. The accommodations on this adventure really accentuate your experience. We put time and effort into building our relationship with accommodation suppliers to ensure you have a great trip. We choose accommodation based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us.

Wherever we can we will choose smaller, more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, or in remote areas (like the mountains), we may not have a wide range of options.  An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things with are exciting and memorable and reflect the countries we are visiting.

The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where hotels and refuges are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.

• San Jose (Day 1): 4* Hotel President, family-owned, centrally located hotel. Ensuite rooms with wifi, bar & restaurant.
• San Gerardo de Dota (Day 2 & 3): Saverge lodge; rustic 4* spa hotel set in a nature reserve. Ensuite rooms with wifi. Bar & Restaurant.
• Marina Ballena National Park (Day 4 & 5): Hotel Cristal Ballena: 4* boutique hotel & spa situated on a hill between the Pacific Ocean and the rainforest-covered mountains. Pool, bar, park & spa. Ensuite rooms with wifi.
• Drake Bay (Day 6 - 8): Jinestes de Osa 3* Hotel just off the water in Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula. Spectacular bay views, ensuite rooms with wifi. Bar & Restaurant.
• Alajuela (Day 9): Buena Vista Chic 4* Boutique Hotel in a relaxed colonial Spanish style. Small pool. Ensuite rooms with wifi. Bar & Restaurant.