FAQs

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The countdown has begun……

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It's time to start preparing for the upcoming trip to Costa Rica! We gathered some information that will help you decide on what to bring and what to expect. The information below might help you a little and keep in mind we are just an email and/or text away in case you have any other questions.

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Our Rainforest Wedding FAQ’s

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If you have any additional questions please contact our wedding planner: Tui Frye at bluebutterflycr@gmail.com

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Why Costa Rica?

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¡ Pura Vida! Baby!! This is the first question that everyone asks us! The answer is simply, why not? Our family and friends are from all over the place and therefore our wedding is going to be a destination for many no matter where we have it. Costa Rica is also a beautiful country that is teeming with natural wonders. Costa Rica is easy to travel in and trips there inspire bliss and we like that. People who travel here say it changed the way they thought about the world. We, as a couple, are enchanted by the forest and biodiversity. We LOVE the rainforest/waterfall/volcano vibe! It’s BEAUTIFUL here and the locals are so nice, the fruit is super fresh, and you can drink the water!! We know it is far away for many people but we really hope you will join us.

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Should I get travel insurance?

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YES! We recommend getting travel insurance so you are covered for emergencies. We use Travel Guard when we travel internationally: https://www.travelguard.com/ Please note that many US credit cards offer travel insurance as a part of their member perks so you might want to check if you have some coverage already.

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What to bring…..

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Besides the usual suspects and the outfit for the wedding you might want to consider bringing: Clothing for Costa Rica - Short sleeve t-shirts. Quick dry shirts are recommended, long sleeve shirts for protection from the sun or hiking through higher elevation forests, swimsuit and possibly a sarong, a pair of long pants for hiking in the forest. Rain jacket – It should be lightweight and breathable, brimmed hat for protection from the sun, nylon mesh bag for dirty/wet clothes Recommended Shoes to Pack for Costa Rica Hiking or walking shoes dependent on the level of activity, sandals or flip flops, dress sandals or light dress shoes. You may also want to consider amphibian hiking shoes or reef/river sandals depending if you plan on doing land/water activities such as rafting or canyoning.

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Documents to bring…

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*Passport – and possibly visa, depending on your nationality. *Passports must have 6 + months left before they expire. Copy of your passport, drivers license * Money – everybody accepts the United States dollar or you can exchange for Costa Rican colones. $20 bills are best as larger denomination bills are rarely accepted. *Credit or debit card *Drivers License if you’re renting a car *Insurance card along with contact information *A card with emergency contact information for friends and/or family *Departure ticket/reservation – without it, you will not be allowed to enter the country

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What else should I bring?

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Miscellaneous Items: Camera with carrying case, charger, memory cards Dry bag or a few Ziploc freezer size bags Water bottle or bag for hiking Binoculars and flashlight or headlamp Container for your prescription or sunglasses Light backpack for day trips Health Care and Basic First Aid: *Prescription medicine - You should bring any medications you need with you as it may be difficult to find here. Prescription glasses, contact lenses and cleaning solution Sunglasses Band aids Imodium® for diarrhea/Motion sickness medicine such as Dramamine® (we opt for herbals and homeopathic such as: activated charcoal, arsenicum, ginger chews, Wonder Belly) Sunscreen – waterproof and at least SPF 20 (I personally don’t use sunscreen, however, we do a mineral based one for Mark. No toxic chemicals on his person or in the land) Insect repellent - Many recommend Skin-so-Soft® works well for no-see-ums, and 95% DEET repellent for mosquitoes. Again, we don’t use chemicals, they are toxic for the rainforest and for your person, so I made my own with essential oils, herbs, Castille, and a coconut oil base. and it was awesome… we also recommend the mosquito bands/bracelets). The bugs weren’t too bad for us. Pain relievers and or fever reducers such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or Acetaminophen (again if you are completely holistic like us- white willow, arnica, homeopathics, Migra-T, feverfew, CBD, Calendula, colloidal silver, etc, are what we use) Vitamins and mineral supplements if you normally take them (we bring immune enhancing supplements such as: Superlysine, zinc, vitamin C, NAC, black seed oil capsules, Amazon Immune Support, quercetin, vitamin D, echinacea goldenseal, etc)

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How far away from the airport is the wedding venue?

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La Fortuna is located approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from the San Jose airport, depending on which route you take

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What is the best GPS/Map app to use?

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The best app to use is Waze. It is the most accurate and updated “map app.” The locals are constantly updating information and primarily use Waze. I’ve been told numerous times “Do NOT use google maps.” Waze was very easy and user friendly. I’d simply type in a destinations and voilà!! So there you have it.

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How can I communicate with others while in Costa Rica?

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We recommend using "WhatsApp" on your smartphone. In some places the mobile service is spotty. WhatsApp uses internet and we will make a large group message for important notifications for all guests.

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What does ¡Pura Vida! Mean?

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“Pura Vida” (pronounced poo-rah vee-dah). Simply translated, it means “simple life” or “pure life”, but here in Costa Rica, it is more than just a saying—it is a 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.

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What are folks from Costa Rica “called?”

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Ticos. The word Tico is for a male and Tica for a female person. No. It's not derogatory in any way. -

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Do I need to speak Spanish?

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No habla español? No worries… although not a necessity, it always helps to know some basic phrases and terms. However in Costa Rica, 80% of the economy is based on tourism so most people speak English and Spanish. We recommend learning some Spanish prior to travel. Try Pimsleur or the Duolingo App for daily 15 minute lessons on your smart phone. Comprende?

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Is Costa Rica Safe?

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Yes. Costa Rica is a very safe country. Petty theft happens sometimes. Never leave your bag unattended. If you take a bus sit in the window seat and watch the bag area from the time it is checked until you leave. If you go out at night try to go in pairs or groups. Don't take purses to clubs or out to party spots at night if you can avoid it. If you are on the beach and want to swim get someone to watch your bag. Wear your seat belt. Bring sunscreen and sun protection. If you are in Central San Jose and go to the "Coca-cola" bus station (buses going to the Caribbean side), be careful. Do not walk in the neighborhood around it. This is a hot spot for theft in the country. Be aware constantly and watch your things. If your hotel is close (walking distance) and you need to go to the Coca-cola station do not walk, take a cab

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Can I drink the tap water?

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Yes. The tap water is safe to drink everywhere we will be traveling.

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What is the currency?

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The Costa Rica currency is the colón. Pronounced 'Coal - lone - eh'. The exchange rate can change daily at times. It is usually about $1 USD will equal about 550+/- Costa Rican colónes. However, most places also take US dollars. We recommend using US dollars/credit card for more expensive purchases like hotels, activities, and sometimes meals. We recommend using colón for food and other in-country purchases. There is no need to exchange money as all businesses will accept your payment in dollars and give you change in colones. When we came in June, we used credit card and US dollars. I do recommend any large purchases (hotel, car rentals, etc) and any grocery stores and restaurants that you pay with credit card if you do not understand the exchange rate. There are ATMs in Costa Rica too but be aware you may get fees on both ends. More information is available here: https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/money-costa-rica/

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What is the weather like?

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We are going to the rainforest, so no matter what season it is, be prepared for rain. Many days it rains either at night or for a few hours during the day, but it could rain all day long when we are there. The weather is highly variable and wearing layers is great. Bring things that are lightweight and dry quickly. Extra clothes and swimsuits are helpful because sometimes things that get wet don't dry all the way. Expect temperatures that can go from cool enough that you need long pants and a fleece jacket to so warm that you want flip flops, shorts, and T-shirts. More information by region is available here: https://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/weather.asp

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Are there active volcanos in Costa Rica?

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Costa Rica has 6 active volcanoes but all of them are sleeping right now. The big volcano we will be near is Arenal. It used to have an active lava flow and was beautiful to watch at night. However you will not see any lava or volcanic activity on this trip because Arenal is currently in a resting phase.. More information is located here: https://www.arenal.net/volcanoes-costa-rica

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What should I wear for jungle hiking?

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You should wear long pants and shirts and rubber or hiking boots if you want to go off trail or in areas where few people travel. This is the most safe outfit. The trails can also be very muddy. You can also wear hiking boots and shorts on the well trodden trails. Hats are good to wear if it is sunny or raining. Bring sunscreen and bug spray.

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How many bird species are in Costa Rica?

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There are 850 bird species in Costa Rica – that's 10 percent of the world's total avian population

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Are there dangerous animals in Costa Rica?

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Yes. There are wild cats, including jaguar and puma. However, is VERY unlikely that you will encounter them. Cats are shy and secretive nighttime predators. They live deep in the jungle. Humans are not their prey. Most people that try to find these species do not succeed. Here is some info on what to do if you see a cougar: https://blog.theclymb.com/tips/avoid-cougar-attacks/ There are 22 species of venomous snakes. That's why you need to wear boots if you walk off trail. If you see a snake stay at least 4 feet away from it, don't put your camera in its face. Crocodiles live in rivers. Don't swim in the big rivers, especially if the water is murky. Ants and bees? We might see them. More general info on dangerous animals is located here: http://www.ticotimes.net/2014/12/06/costa-ricas-most-dangerous-creatures

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What do venomous snakes look like?

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They have big viper heads. Some camouflage with the ground and trees and others are bright colored for a warning. Here are some pictures: https://nicoyapeninsula.com/wildlife/snakes.php

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What do Bullet Ants look like?

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They are big and black. They live in holes in the jungle ground. They march along trees and large leaves in the jungle. More info is here: https://www.activewild.com/bullet-ant-facts/

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What do poisonous dart frogs look like?

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They are bright and colorful. Don't touch them. Try not to lick them either. More info here: https://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/flora-fauna/bright-poison-dart-frogs.asp

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What should I actually be worried about?

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Sunburn and not drinking enough water if it is hot out.

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What do I do with my toilet paper?

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Toilet paper goes in the bathroom trash can. The septic systems cannot handle paper, feminine products, or trash. Put everything besides poop and pee in the trash can

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Is Costa Rica cheap for US travelers?

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It depends. It is similar to traveling in a mid-western US town. There are a wide range of accommodations from (per night) $8 bunks in hostels to $30-70 extremely nice airBnBs, to $500 Tico-owned rain forest lodges with many amenities, to 5 star luxury hotels that can be over $1,000 per night. For food (per person) in general it is about about $5-15 for breakfast, $15-30 for lunch, $15-45 for dinner. Fancy drinks 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 cheap. National Park entry fees range from $6 to $25. Tours and guides are from $25 to $100. Staff are highly trained and it is worth it.

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Will the hotel have screened windows or AC?

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Yes. All of the rooms will have screened windows. Many of the rooms have AC, however the location is in the mountains so AC is mainly a humidity control measure and less so used for cooling the room when it is hot out.

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What about tipping?

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Restaurants: Required by law to add a 13% tax and 10% tip to the bill. As a general rule, Costa Ricans do not tip. If you wish to, tip between 5 and 15%, depending on service. Taxis: Cab drivers are not usually tipped unless extra service is provided. For longer cab rides, a tip of between $1 and $5per person is sufficient, but if you’re going a really long way, giving a little extra is a good idea. Tipping tour bus drivers: For an all-day tour, a tip of around $10 per person is appropriate, but again, is by no means expected. Drivers of water taxis usually get around $2 per journey. Guides: When it comes to the tour guides themselves, however, a tip of between $5 and $15 per person is considered polite, depending on how many people are in your tour group. If you go on a scuba diving tour or fishing, a tip of about $10 per person is acceptable.

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Is it safe to drive at night?

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We don't recommend driving at night if you are not familiar with the area. Many of the roads are mountainous and some have potholes in some places and sharp turns in many places. Also note, the sun goes down around 530pm.

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What is the time zone?

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Costa Rica observes Central Time Zone (-6 GMT) all year. Costa Rica does not observe daylight savings time

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Will I need an adaptor for my electronics in Costa Rica?

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You will not need an electrical converter or special adaptors for electricity in Costa Rica if you are coming from the United States or Canada. It is the same standard 110 voltage as these countries use. If you are coming from any other country that uses a different voltage, such as most European countries, you should bring a converter that is compatible with 110 voltage. If you are bringing an item that requires 3 prongs, you may want to consider bringing a 2 prong converter.

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¡PURA VIDA!

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So, there you have it… Everybody has their own styles and plans, so use this as it is intended; a general packing list for Costa Rica. Take the ideas that apply to you and leave the rest. And then we say “Pura Vida!”, just relax, this is a beautiful country and we hope you will want to come back one day!