Destination Guide - Costa Rica

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	The Coast To Coast Adventure Mountain Biking, Hiking & Whitewater Rafting (12 Days)
2	A Costa Rican Adventure Whitewater Rafting, & Hiking (8 Days)
3	Ultimate Adventure Medley Biking, Hiking Rafting, Kayaking, & Canopy Touring (10 Days)
4	Adventure Playground Biking, Hiking, Rafting, & Zip-Lining (9 Days)
5	Turtles and Trails Biking, Hiking, Rafting, Zip-Lining, & Volunteering with Leatherback Sea Turtles (9 Days)
6	Adventure for the Soul - Women Only Biking, Hiking, Rafting, Horseback Riding, Sea Kayaking, Zip-Lining, Yoga, & Spas (9 Days)

This lush paradise is guaranteed to satiate any traveller hungry for adventure. The untouched wonders that await you in this tiny country are so varied and so rich you'll want to return again and again. National parks and reserves account for more than one quarter of the land in Costa Rica. BikeHike Adventures was born guiding travellers through Costa Rica's rainforests, seacoast and rivers. We're hooked, and we know you will be too. From jungle canopy to raging rapids, Costa Rica will delight and amaze you with its natural beauty.

Official Name: Republic of Costa Rica
Population: 4 million
Capital City: San Jose, pop. 345,000
People: 96% Spanish and 4% other
Languages: Official language is Spanish. Also spoken are English, Creole and Indian dialects
Religion: 84% Roman Catholic, 16% other
Currency: Costa Rican Colon
Time: GMT minus 6 hours
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Coffee, tourism, bananas, textiles and sugar
Airport Departure Tax: $26 USD (subject to change)

IMPORTANT FACTS

Travel Documents

Citizens of Canada, the US and the UK only require a valid passport to enter Costa Rica. Please ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of arrival, or you may be refused entry. Always carry a photocopy of your passport in the unfortunate case of loss or theft; this precaution will speed up the reissue process. Visa requirements vary from country to country. Before departure make sure to check with your local Costa Rica consulate for the most current up-to-date requirements. A visa is not required for Canadian, US or British citizens.

Climate

Located just ten degrees north of the Equator, Costa Rica enjoys the advantages of the "perfect" tropical climate. The average temperature is 22’C (72’F) in the highlands and temperatures vary from mid 20’s to low 30’s C (77’F to 95’F) in the lowlands. All year long the conditions are pleasantly moderate, with a rainy season or "winter" from June to early November, and a dry season or " summer" from December through May.

Food

Some must-tries include gallo pinto – a dish consisting of rice, black beans and spices; empanadas – a bread turnover stuffed with bread and cheese; and ceviche – seafood marinated in a lemon, onion, and garlic sauce.

Water

Water is usually safe to drink in San Jose, however bottled water is recommended when traveling in the country and is easily purchased at stores. If you are susceptible to changes in the water, you will find that fresh juices, soft drinks and beer are readily available.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations for Costa Rica, however there are some recommended ones including tetanus, diphtheria, polio and Hepatitis A. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for information on health requirements, as this information can and does change frequently. A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel/.