• Flashlight or a headlamp
• Sunglasses
• Sun block
  
• Bug Juice
  
• Two quart water bottles
• Camera and film
• Binoculars

Visas and Documents

You will need a passport to enter Costa Rica. Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. You are allowed 90 days’ stay with no visa. Officially, you can enter the country for up to 30 days with a birth certificate or driver’s license (assuming you are a U.S. citizen) after paying a US$2 fee, however, we strongly recommend a passport as this will facilitate money exchanges, and will allow you stay longer than 30 days if you so decide. When you arrive, your passport will be stamped. During your stay, the law requires that you carry your passport at all times, although a copy usually suffices.

Travel Insurance

Get it! This should cover you for medical expenses, luggage theft, and costs incurred due to unavoidable changes in your travel itinerary. It should also cover you in the case that you have an accident and have to be flown home. Ticket loss is also covered by travel insurance. We use AAA.

Money

The Costa Rican currency is the colón. The exchange rate changes frequently and can be found online. Carry your passport when changing money. Make sure that your US bills are in good shape, as it sometimes difficult to change worm or torn money. Make sure you change all of your colones back to dollars before exiting the country (or as many as possible), as it is difficult to change larger amounts back in the States.

Major brands of traveler’s checks in US dollars are readily exchanged into colones, but the rate is usually 1% to 2% lower than cash. Because they can be replaced in the event of loss, traveler’s checks are safe. It’s worth having some US cash for use when banks are closed. You can generally not use traveler’s checks as cash as you can in many places in the U.S. It is also possible to get a cash advance with your credit card. VISA is the card most readily accepted. There are also an abundance of ATM machines in most larger towns and cities. There’s one in Puerto Jimenez. Check with your bank to see whether your card will be accepted and where in Costa Rica.

Pickpockets do exist in Costa Rica, especially in some of the busier and poorer areas of San José. Carry money in inside pockets, money belts, or pouches beneath your clothes. Don’t carry a wallet in your trousers or jacket pockets, as this is the first thing pickpockets look for. Divide your money among several places so that if someone pickpockets you, you won’t lose all your cash.

Telephone

Our phone number at the farm is: 506-393-1323

Internet

There’s an Internet cafe in Puerto Jimenez.

Hiking

When hiking, always stay on the trail. Bring plenty of water. We normally recommend at least 2- quarts for moderate hikes. It is best to wear light, long pants and shirts to minimize your exposure to both sun and insects. Good hiking boots are important.