FAQs

Question

COVID protocols and vaccine requirements in Costa Rica?

Answer

Costa Rica is implementing widespread vaccine requirements starting January 8th. In order to attend our wedding, you must be fully vaccinated, per the national requirements of Costa Rica. You will be required to upload a copy of your COVID vaccine card digitally to the "Health Pass." Anyone who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine should have at least one second dose of Pfizer or Moderna before travel. Booster vaccines are recommended for all travelers. While Costa Rica does not require a negative COVID test for entry for USA travelers, you will need to have a negative test within 24 hours of your departure to re-enter the United States. Rapid antigen tests are available at the airport for a $75 out of pocket cost. Please arrive to the airport at least one hour earlier than normal to allow for testing and results.

Question

When is the RSVP deadline?

Answer

We ask that you RSVP no later than December 1st, 2021. Please let us know if you are able to attend and where you will be staying as early as possible, and update that information with Shannon as you know more details about your trip.

Question

Should I get travel insurance?

Answer

As of August 1, 2021, all tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can enter the country without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica. Vaccinated tourists must attach the vaccination certificate to the Health Pass. In the case of U.S. travelers, the "COVID-19 vaccination record card" will be accepted. Tourists not vaccinated, with incomplete vaccination or vaccinated with a serum other than those admitted by the Costa Rican authorities, must purchase mandatory travel insurance that meets the following requirements: 1. Valid during the entire stay in Costa Rica (coverage dates). 2. $50,000 for medical expenses, including COVID-19. 3. $2,000 for lodging expenses in case of quarantine. Even if you are fully vaccinated, we recommend getting travel insurance due to the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 and its global impact. Your credit cards may already offer some type of travel insurance.

Question

When should I book my hotel? How should I book?

Answer

We recommend booking your accommodations ASAP because of the high interest in travel for 2022 and because March is part of Costa Rica's high season. We have a small block of rooms reserved at Arenal Kioro Hotel for the week of our wedding. If you are interested in booking as part of our hotel block at Kioro, contact our travel coordinator, Grettel, at bluebutterflycr.assistant@gmail.com. Our hotel block will be released 30 days prior to arrival, so the latest you can book as a part of our block is by February 1st.

Question

Will transportation be provided to and from the hotel?

Answer

We will be arranging a select number of shuttles to provide transportation to and from San Jose International airport and La Fortuna. On the day of the event, we will have transportation to shuttle folks from The Springs to their local La Fortuna hotels. We have not yet determined the best times to offer shuttles to and from the airport, as we will attempt to arrange them according to your travel schedules. Please reach out to our travel coordinator, Grettel, as soon as you have your flight information so that we can promptly schedule shuttles and relay that information to our guests. You can email Grettel at bluebutterflycr.assistant@gmail.com.

Question

Do I have to fly in to San Jose?

Answer

For simplicity, yes, it is preferred. San Jose has the most flight options. There is one other major airport in Costa Rica in Liberia. If you fly into Liberia, please be prepared to arrange transportation to the venue to and from La Fortuna either on your own or with our travel coordinator, Grettel, at bluebutterflycr.assistant@gmail.com.

Question

I want to stay somewhere other than your hotel block, is that okay?

Answer

Of course! We have a small hotel block reserved at Hotel Arenal Kioro, where we will be staying. We are also recommending Los Lagos Resort for a more cost effective resort option. Other properties in the area we recommend are: Amor Arenal, for an adults-only 5-star luxury experience ($550/night), or for budget stays, Selina hostel in downtown La Fortuna, where you can book a private room for about $60/night. If you are looking into private property rentals, you may notice less options on AirBnB than you might expect. Locals seem to prefer the VRBO platform to AirBnB. Check there for great vacation rentals!

Question

Why did you choose a destination wedding in Costa Rica?

Answer

We chose a destination wedding because we saw the opportunity to have an adventurous and romantic once-in-a-lifetime experience with our closest family and friends, and we thought that a destination wedding better reflected our relationship as a couple more than a traditional wedding. We chose Costa Rica because it perfectly captures our vision of adventure and romance through its rich culture, landscapes, and the spirit of pura vida (pure life), which manifests itself through the Tico (local Costa Rican) lifestyle.

Question

What is the wedding venue? Will the ceremony and reception indoors or outdoors?

Answer

Both our ceremony and reception are taking place at Club Rio at The Springs Resort and Spa in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, which is an indoor/outdoor open air space. For the ceremony, we hope to be fully outdoors. For the reception, we will be utilizing the Club Rio open air building for the bar and dance floor, and plan to have one long family-style dinner table along the river (weather permitting).

Question

Do you have tips for finding cheap flights?

Answer

Sign up for Google Flights price tracking ASAP. If you're in the Rochester area, consider flying out of Toronto or Buffalo.

Question

What should I wear? Is there a dress code?

Answer

We want our guests to be comfortably dressed for the environment, so the dress code is casual. See our "schedule" tab for more detailed dress recommendations.

Question

What should I bring? I've never been to the rainforest before!

Answer

In addition to what you'd pack for a typical vacation, you'll need insect repellent, a light water-repellent rain coat with a hood, and a comfortable pair of hiking boots/trail running shoes, and some sun screen. And don't forget your wedding attire and passport, of course!

Question

Why doesn't anything have a specific street address?

Answer

In Costa Rica, they do not use numerical addresses. All addresses are determined by distance to local landmarks. Download and use the Waze app for the most accurate directions and help getting around (locals use Waze instead of Google or Apple maps).

Question

How can I get around while there?

Answer

Ubers are easily accessible and very low fare (you can get from Los Lagos or Kioro into the town of La Fortuna in less than 10 minutes for about $5 USD. We recommend downloading the Waze app for help navigating around the area. If you're interested in renting a car or arranging additional shuttles beyond what we are providing, please contact our travel coordinator, Grettel, at bluebutterflycr.assistant@gmail.com.

Question

Should I bring a gift? Where are you registered?

Answer

We hesitated to create a registry because we genuinely feel that the best gift we could ever receive is having our loved ones with us at our wedding. Gifts are not expected, however, for your convenience we have prepared a gift registry through Zola. Please note, we are unable to travel with gifts around the country. You can find our registry at https://www.zola.com/wedding/happilyeverheinlein/registry.

Question

Will food and drinks be served at the reception? Will there be special diet options?

Answer

Please let us know ASAP about food allergies or other dietary restrictions. As of now, we tentatively plan to offer an open bar with an expansive plated dinner with vegetarian options.

Question

Where are local hot spots outside of the resort?

Answer

Check our "things to do" page for our favorite La Fortuna recommendations!

Question

What will the weather be like in Costa Rica?

Answer

Expect warm temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees. While March is the driest year in La Fortuna, we will still be in the rain forest. Occasional rain is likely, as is humidity.

Question

Should I exchange my USD for Costa Rican Colons (CRC)?

Answer

Yes. If you need to obtain cash while in Costa Rica, their ATMs offer the best rate. We recommend stopping at an ATM inside the San Jose airport after you arrive. You will receive a worse rate if you exchange money at the bank counter. You can withdraw additional cash at the local bank ATMs in the town of La Fortuna during your stay if needed.

Question

What is the tipping etiquette in Costa Rica?

Answer

Tipping is not customary in Costa Rica, but in the tourism industry tipping for professional services is universal. It is considered polite to tip guides and drivers for performance and services rendered. Note that all restaurant bills include a mandatory 10% tip, and leaving extra is uncommon.

Question

What is the time zone in Costa Rica?

Answer

Costa Rica does not observe daylight savings time, so it operates at GMT-6 year-round. During daylight savings time in the United States (mid-March through early November), Costa Rica is in the Mountain Standard (MST) time zone. The rest of the year, Costa Rica is in the U.S. Central Standard (CST) time zone.

Question

I don't have a passport. Will I need to get one? When?

Answer

Yes, you will need a valid passport to travel to Costa Rica. If you do not have a passport, you should order one several months in advance (at least 12-16 weeks). Please check the expiration date on yours if you already have one!

Question

Is it safe to drink tap water in Costa Rica?

Answer

The water is potable in most of the country, and the tap water in La Fortuna is excellent quality. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle with filtration system if possible. Bottled water will also be widely available for purchase if needed or preferred.

Question

Do I need an adapter for my electrical devices?

Answer

No. Costa Rica’s electricity operates at 110 volts and 60 hertz, the same as in the United States and Canada.

Question

Is Costa Rica safe?

Answer

Yes, Costa Rica is generally a safe country. As with all foreign travel, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and practice general safety precautions: don't leave personal items unattended; travel in pairs or groups if going out late at night; safely pack and store extra copies of your documents in case of a loss.

Question

How far away from the airport is the venue?

Answer

La Fortuna is approximately 2.5 hours from both San Jose and Liberia airports.

Question

What are people from Costa Rica called?

Answer

Costa Ricans are called Ticos (male) and Ticas (female). It is in no way a derogatory term.

Question

What does "pura vida" mean?

Answer

“Pura Vida” translates literally to pure life or simple life. In Costa Rica, pura vida is more than just a saying—it is the Costa Rican way of life. Costa Ricans (Ticos) use this term to say hello, to say goodbye, to say everything’s great, to say everything’s cool. However, it is not the words that reflect the true meaning of ¡Pura Vida!. Pura Vida is the way Ticos live. Not surprisingly, Costa Rica has been named one of the happiest countries in the world. Ticos have a very relaxed, simple way of looking at life. No worries, no fuss, no stress—pura vida to them means being thankful for what they have and not dwelling on the negative. Pura vida is an emotion, it’s an attitude, it’s happiness, and it’s a way of life.

Question

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Answer

Not really, though Ticos appreciate it greatly when they see you try. It always helps to know some basic phrases and terms. However, 80% of Costa Rica's economy is based on tourism, so most people speak at least some basic English. We recommend learning some Spanish prior to travel. Try Duolingo or other free apps for daily 15 minute lessons on your phone!

Question

What do I do with my toilet paper?

Answer

Costa Rica runs on a septic system which cannot handle paper, feminine products, or trash. You must put all toilet paper and other personal hygiene products in the trash can.

Question

Is Costa Rica cheap for travelers?

Answer

It depends on the kind of travel experience you are looking for. There are a wide range of accommodations from (per night) $8-15 bunks in hostels to $30-70 extremely nice airBnB/VRBO rentals, to $250-300 Tico-owned rain forest lodges with many amenities, to 5-star luxury hotels that can be over $500 per night. For food (per person) in general it is about about $5-15 for breakfast, $15 for lunch, $15-30 for dinner. Cocktails are $5-$12 in most places. Many lodges and hotels that have prices similar to the US costs for lodging have sustainable tourism practices and are doing something good with your money. Public transportation is pretty affordable. National Park entry fees range from $6 to $25. Tours and guides are from $25 to $100. You can plan additional travel, transportation, and excursions with our travel coordinator, Kirsten, at bluebutterflycrtravel@gmail.com.

Question

How can I communicate with others at home while I am abroad in Costa Rica?

Answer

We recommend using "WhatsApp" on your smartphone. WhatsApp uses internet and we will make a large group message for important notifications for all guests. Connect to WiFi whenever possible (at hotels, restaurants). If you have Verizon, you can purchase the daily "travel pass" for $10/day which provides you with limited data and calling.

Question

I want to rent a car. Is it safe to drive at night?

Answer

If you'd like to rent a car, we recommend booking through our travel coordinator, Grettel, at bluebutterflycrtravel@gmail.com. We don't recommend driving at night. Many of the roads are mountainous with sharp turns, are poorly lit, have little to no shoulder, and in some have potholes.