Got questions about the Wildlife Impact and Eco Adventure or Blue Zone Experience? Looking for information about traveling to Costa Rica? Need details about travel insurance and what to pack? We got you covered! We’ve put together our most common questions to help the whole process a breeze for you.
If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to help.
Before Booking an HTG Group Trip
We run tours based on a minimum occupancy of 8 people and a maximum of 16.
Passengers may hold their space on a trip with a transferable-deposit. Should you need to cancel, you can use your deposit towards any future same or similar Costa Rica tour, based on availability.
We understand that life happens and your travel plans might need to change, so we want to help by being flexible.
For every tour, you have the option of paying a deposit to secure your spot or the full amount. If you choose to pay the deposit, the remaining balance will be due 60 days prior to travel and the cancellation policy will be adjusted to the following:
- 60+ days notice – no penalty, infinity deposit held for next booking.
- 31-59 days notice – 50% penalty, infinity deposit held for next booking.
- 0-30 days notice – 100% penalty, infinity deposit held for next booking.
The cost of airfare is not included in the tour price. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the start and end destination of the tour.
We can help you find the best flight deals once you've secured yourself on the trip.
Yes. You are required to have both travel and medical insurance to travel on a Hopscotch the Globe Group Trip. If you don’t have coverage, we recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance.
Most of our tours include the option of choosing single or double occupancy. Occasionally, there won't be a single room option (like during our home stays), but we will do out best to accommodate your preference.
Each one of our tours is carefully put together by us and our in country hosts. We can't promise that each tour will be the exact same each time because we enjoy switching things up. Also, our trips fill up fast! We recommend securing your spot on the trip that really speaks out to you as soon as you can so you don't miss out.
COVID Specifics
Should the tour need to be postponed due to COVID, you'll receive a full travel credit for the same or similar trip in the future.
No. As of October 26, 2020, Costa Rica no longer requires a negative Covid test to enter the country.
We require everyone on our trips to have travel insurance. This will protect you if you need to cancel you trip, come down with an illness or have a family emergency.
No. You do not need to quarantine upon arriving in Costa Rica.
Planning Your Trip
We recommend a medium size suitcase or backpack that you'll be able to carry from your hotel room to the vehicle, sometimes on rugged terrain. Space is limited on some transportation, so there's a limit of one main piece of luggage + daypack per person.
Documents:
- Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
- Insurance info (required)
- Passport (required) (With photocopies)
- Required visas or vaccination certificates (if applicable) (With photocopies)
- Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
Essentials:
- Binoculars (optional)
- Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
- Cash, credit and debit cards (for international use)
- Day pack (Used for daily excursions)
- Ear plugs
- First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
- Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal or a wrist strap)
- Fleece top/sweater (It’s chilly in Monteverde and San Jose at night sometimes)
- Footwear (hiking shoes, sports sandals and something comfy)
- Hat
- Locks for bags
- Long pants/jeans (for forest walks and chilly evenings in the mountains)
- Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
- Reusable water bottle
- Shirts/t-shirts
- Sleepwear
- Small travel towel (Hotels will provide towels for the room, but not for taking to the beach ect.)
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable)
- Watch and alarm clock
- Waterproof backpack cover
- Windproof rain jacket
Warm Weather: It is typically hot in most places in Costa Rica. Lightweight and moisture wicking materials are ideal.
- Sandals/flip-flops
- Shorts/skirts
- Sun hat/bandana
- Swimwear
Costa Rica Water Activities:
- Drybag (Will help keep cameras and essentials dry)
- Sport Sandals or Water Shoes (if you plan to do waterfall rappelling and/or rafting)
Tipping is customary in Costa Rica, while not obligatory, we invite you to participate in the local customs. If you feel you received great service, this token of appreciation will be of great significance to the people who'll be taking care of you during your trip. Here is a guideline based on the region, however if you felt like you received an especially outstanding service, any additional amount will always be welcome.
- Tour Guide(s): $5-$10 per day, per person
- Tour Leader: $5-$10 per day, per person
- Driver: $2-$5 per day, per person
- Hotel Cleaning staff: $2 per day
- Food and Beverage: 10-15%
We recommend taking out small lump sums from any ATM along the way. You can withdrawal both local colones and USD at most ATMs. We also recommend that you bring an emergency fund of 200USD with you in case you have any issues with your cards when you first arrive.
The Costa Rican government requires those arriving from or who have recently visited certain countries in South America or Africa to have an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. You should consult your doctor or a local medical professional for up to date travel information well before departure.
- Proof of onward travel
- Fill out the electronic epidemiological HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr.
- COVID SPECIFIC: You do not need to show proof of being vaccinated OR a negative test to enter Costa Rica. There is also no need to quarantine. Tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and individuals aged 18 and younger (even if unvaccinated) can enter the country without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days prior to arrival in Costa Rica. Unvaccinated individuals aged 18 and older must purchase a travel policy with a duration equal to the period of stay in the country, with the exception of passengers in transit, whose minimum validity is five days that covers, at least, medical expenses generated by Covid-19 and lodging expenses due to quarantine. However, everyone who comes on our tours needs to have travel insurance regardless 🙂
- Traveler’s Medical Insurance
During Your Trip
Yes! There are drop off/pick up services in most of the towns we stay in so you will have regular access to laundry services.
An arrival transfer is included in the trip fee. Your driver will be waiting for you upon exiting the airport with a sign with your name on it.
A departure airport transfer is included in the trip fee.
Absolutely! We can book your pre or post night accommodation in San Jose or Liberia (depending which city your tour starts in) at our joining hotel. We also offer customized trip extensions for before or after the group trip. Send kristen@hopscotchtheglobe.com an email for more detials.
You can check in at our joining hotel anytime after 2:30 PM. Should your flight arrive earlier, we will do everything we can to arrange an early check-in. If early check in is not possible, you will be able to store your luggage safely at the hotel and enjoy the common areas or explore the city centre.
