Get ready to go

Passports and Visas

"It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required. Please check the information at www.gate1travel.com/visas.aspx for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details. Passengers who enter, leave and then re-enter the same country on their itinerary should check if they require a double-entry visa. Passport applications are available at most Canadian Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has blank pages."

Trip Preparation

"A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order. Make sure also that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip and carry them with you in case your luggage is delayed. Bring a change of clothes in your carry on bag in the event that your luggage is delayed or lost. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. You may also make a digital copy of your passport to keep a clear picture with the important details in your cell phone or digital camera photos. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills. We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Due to security reasons, many museums have restrictions on the size of bags that can be taken inside and backpacks, carry-on bags or large purses may not be permitted. It is recommended to bring a small shoulder bag or purse to use in these situations instead. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. We suggest that you place liquid containers into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks."

Travel Protection

"Affordable Rates

The easy, affordable way to protect your vacation investment! Missing a vacation is bad enough. Losing the money you paid for your vacation is even worse. The Collette Vacations Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan is your ticket to worry-free travel. Now you can protect your travel investment at a very affordable group rate—take the peace of mind with you when you travel.

Collette Vacations Pre-Departure Cancellation Fee Waiver

This benefit allows you to cancel your trip for any reason up to the day prior to departure. Additionally, if your arrival on your trip is delayed due to inclement weather, mechanical breakdown or an organized labor strike, you can take a later flight and you will be reimbursed for the cost of any unused land or water travel arrangements.

Why you should purchase Travel Protection:

If your Trip is Canceled or Interrupted, Your Travel Investment is Protected
If you are like a lot of people these days, you don't just look forward to your vacations, you need them. A vacation is your opportunity to rest, relax, and recharge your batteries. Or to catch up with friends and family. Unfortunately, many things happen that might cause you to cancel your travel plans or cut them short. Illness or injury. The death of a family member. The worst part is, without adequate protection, you can lose your vacation and your money, as well. The Collette Vacations Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan protects your travel investment if your trip is canceled or interrupted.

If you must interrupt your trip or return home early for a covered reason, the plan will pay (up to the original cost of your trip) for your unused land or cruise arrangements, less any refund paid or payable, plus the additional air expense to return home or rejoin your trip.

Medical Expense and Emergency Assistance Benefits Could Be a Real Lifesaver!
If you have a serious illness or injury, the last thing you want to worry about is getting the care you need. The Collette Vacations Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan gives you peace of mind with benefits that cover, up to the plan's limits, everything from medical expenses (incurred within one year of a sickness or injury that began during your trip) to special transportation (such as an air ambulance) required for medical reasons.

Travel Delayed? You're OK!
You’ll be reimbursed up to $100 per day to a maximum of $1,500 total for meals and accommodations if your trip is delayed for more than 12 hours for a covered reason.

Baggage Lost or Damaged? You're Protected!
It’s a traveler’s nightmare. You arrive at your destination, but your baggage has disappeared. Or has been stolen or damaged. What do you do? If you’re protected by the Collette Vacations Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan, you’ll be reimbursed up to $2,000 to replace or repair your lost or damaged luggage and personal articles.

Baggage Delayed? Need Clothes and Toiletries? Count on us!
The Collette Vacations Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan reimburses you up to $200 to help cover the cost of clothing, toiletries and/or personal items if your baggage is delayed for more than 24 hours while you are on your trip.

Accidental Death Benefit
Your beneficiaries will receive payment according to the plan's Schedule of Coverages for accidental death which occurs within 365 days of an injury sustained while you are on your trip."

For more information, please download the document below.

http://www.abfddc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Collette-Insurance-Program1.pdf

Cell Phones & Calling Cards

"You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in San Jose, Costa Rica. If you can access the Internet as you travel, you can take advantage of email or a Skype Internet telephone (VOIP) account for the best value. Additionally, if your phone can connect to WiFi you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Alternatively, you may investigate renting a cell phone before you leave or buying an inexpensive phone locally. When calling from a foreign country, you may also use a prepaid calling card; normally, the only additional charge (besides the prepaid long distance charges) is a local fee of a few cents and possibly a connection fee if you are using your card at your hotel. It is best to check with the hotel’s reception desk prior to making phone calls to avoid unexpected charges. Please note that we are unable to provide compensation for phone calls regardless of reason.

Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another

When dialing a number from one country to another, you should proceed as follows: dial your country's Exit Code (often indicated with a “+” sign), then the destination Country Code, then the Phone Number. For most countries, the exit code is 00. Exceptions include the USA and Canada (011), Hong Kong and Cambodia (001), Australia (0011), and Russia (8 Pause 10*). For Brazil, please consult with the local telephone company. If you are dialing from a mobile phone, you can enter a “+” instead of the international Exit Code (011, 001, 0011 or 00) by pressing and holding the 0 key. For most countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and South Pacific, if you are calling from a local phone to a number within the same country, you should drop both the exit and country codes and then add a leading 0 (zero). Exceptions include Spain, Italy, Hungary and Malta (no additional zero needed to dial locally)."

WiFi Access

"WiFi access has improved. Free or inexpensive WiFi internet is accessible at coffee shops, airports, restaurants, libraries and on some trains and buses. WiFi access in hotels and cruise lines often involves a fee, determined by that property. Signal strength is subject to local conditions and not guaranteed. Availability on cruises is also dependent upon its location while sailing through multiple countries. Please note that WiFi can be extremely slow, unreliable and sometimes nonexistent in developing countries or, on moving conveyances such as buses and cruise ships."

Staying Healthy While Traveling

"All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal healthcare provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations.

There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.

Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities, and depending upon your destination, you may want to avoid street foods, salad bars, raw vegetables and fruits, unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.
Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water and avoid consuming ice cubes made with tap water.
If you have allergies to foods, medications or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a medical alert bracelet and/or a physician’s note detailing required treatment should you become ill.
Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.
Where appropriate, pack sunscreen and insect repellent (for both active and warm destinations).
You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with bandaids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications which should be adequate for the entire trip.

Travel Safety Advice: We strongly recommend that tour participants review the destination country's specific information athttps://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html.

Notice on Aircraft Cabin Insecticide Treatment - Please note that some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for in-bound foreign flights. A list of such countries is available at: http://www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements.

Costa Rica - Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccine is currently required ONLY for passengers arriving from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela including passengers who connect via these countries with a stay of more than 12 hours. For the latest health requirements and recommendations, please visit Centers for Disease Control and also consult with your personal healthcare provider.

Costa Rica has a good healthcare system, with public hospitals in every major city and private clinics with European or US standards available in San Jose. Among them are the CIMA hospital (Tel: (506) 2208-10-00) and the "Clinica Biblica" (Tel: 2522-10-00). Both of these hospitals offer a 24 hour pharmacy should you need to pick up any important medication. Otherwise, while you are traveling there are smaller pharmacies throughout the country open during the day with a more limited selection.

You may encounter mosquitoes in both urban and rural areas, especially during wet seasons. Travelers are encouraged to bring insect repellent and consider wearing clothing that adequately covers arms and legs.

About the Zika Virus - The Zika Virus is a mosquito-borne virus mostly found in areas of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. According to the CDC, most cases of Zika are mild. However, there is a potential link between this virus and a brain defect called microcephaly which affects unborn babies and may pose a potential risk to pregnant women. If you are pregnant or believe you could be at the time of travel, the CDC cautions against traveling to these destinations. For information, please visit www.cdc.gov/zika/. "

Consideration for Tour Participants (Escorted Tours)

"Please Consider Others - We ask tour members to refrain from wearing colognes, perfumes and/or personal products containing excessive fragrance, in respect for other clients on the tour bus who may be allergic.

No Smoking - We ask tour members to be considerate of their fellow travel mates and refrain from smoking cigarettes or cigars in the vicinity of other tour members including in outdoor areas where smoking may be permitted but may still affect other tour participants. "

Climate & Clothing

"Costa Rica - Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons. The dry season is from December to April and the wet season is from May to November. Weather always varies between regions, some higher altitudes like Monteverde have cooler, wet weather. Manuel Antonio experiences hotter, more humid weather, and while during the day the temperatures can be very warm everything can cool down at night.

Comfortable lightweight clothing is recommended, as well as a sturdy pair of hiking boots and a light rain coat. Layers are recommended for people traveling to many different parts of the country so that you can adapt to every type of weather throughout your trip. If you choose to participate in the optional Canopy or Zipline tours, it is recommended that you wear old or worn clothing.

Carara National Park: When traveling to Carara National Park, it is very important to pack rain gear, hiking shoes, and insect repellent in the luggage that will accompany you.

Costa Rica Average Temperatures:

https://www.gate1travel.com/weather/americas/default.aspx#costa-rica-weather "

Book & Film Recommendations

"Many of the travelers enjoy reading about their destination - either in advance of their trip or while traveling - as a way of adding context to their visit. Whether reading a traditional guide book, learning about the history and culture, or simply enjoying a fictional novel set in the destination, a good book can add greatly to your experience. Similarly, a good movie set in your destination helps set the mood before you travel.

COSTA RICA: Books
The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica by Mavis Hiltunen Biesanz, Richard Biesanz and Karen Zubris Biesanz
Life Above the Jungle Floor by Donald Perry
A Neotropical Companion by John Kricher
Happier Than a Billionaire: Quitting My Job, Moving to Costa Rica, and Living the Zero Hour Work Week by Nadine Hays Pisani
Assault on Paradise by Tatiana Lobo
Costa Rica: A Traveler's Literary Companion by Barbara Ras

COSTA RICA: Films
The Blue Butterfly (2004)
Carnival in Costa Rica (1947)"

Come, join us in San José