Eco-Arts

 

The Extravagant World: A Writing Retreat in Costa Rica

 

Travel Tips

 

 

Passports

 

Reminder: A visa is not required for our trip but a passport valid for at least thirty days from your arrival is required.  Check your expiration date if you have a passport or apply soon if you don’t.

 

Here’s the State Dept. link where you can find application details:

§        http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

 

 

Documents

 

·        Passport – no visa needed

·        medical insurance card

·        photocopy: passport, credit cards you’re taking, insurance card, etc. - leave a copy with someone at home and take one with you

 

 

Travel Insurance

Health Care: Please check with your health care provider to see what the coverage is overseas.  If they cover you, get the details about reimbursement. If they don’t cover you or if you are only partially covered, consider buying traveler’s insurance that includes coverage for illness, injury, medical services and medical evacuation. The cost of the insurance isn’t that much compared with the out of pocket cost if you need any of these services.

 

 

Trip Cancellation: We mention this here because there are events (public or personal) that are beyond our control.  You might want to investigate Trip-Cancellation Insurance available through many groups.   

 

 

Here are a couple of places to start:

§        AAA Trip Assist Cruise/Travel Protection at 1-800-284-8300 (www.aaa.com)

§        TravelSafe is another company that offers insurance  (http://www.travelsafe.com/)

 

 

Computers, Wireless Access and Cell Phones

 

There will be public computer access in the hotels in San Jose, but there is no public internet access at the lodges where we will be staying. Plan your internet access needs for the beginning and end of the trip as we cannot guarantee access at other times. Wireless access is generally not available. The reliability of cell phone reception is always questionable. Check with your provider to see if you have service in Costa Rica; otherwise it is possible to rent a cell phone locally. You can usually make phone calls from the public telephones at the hotels and lodges. International calling cards are recommended.

 

Electricity

 

Costa Rica operates at 110-volts AC and uses the same plugs as the U.S. You will not need an adapter or a transformer. You might wish, however, to bring a small surge protector if you plan to bring a laptop.

 

 

Clothing – Head to Toe

 

 

Clothing

 

In general, fast drying, loose fitting, warm weather clothes are most practical.  Cottons or the new lightweight synthetic fabrics are best. Shirts with a collar are preferable to T-shirts because they protect your neck from the chaffing of the binoculars strap and from the sun.  A scarf can also come in handy for this purpose.  You’ll also want to bring light, long sleeved shirts that can be a protection from the sun and the occasional biting insect.  You can always roll up the sleeves if it gets too hot.   Some of the hotels have a pool, so bring a suit if you want to swim. And don’t forget a hat. 

 

Generally, you want to wear muted, natural colors in the forest (greens, khakis, etc). No whites, no brights, no scary patterns (scary to wildlife) except at the lodges.

 

·        Some places to shop: A-16, REI, LL Bean

·        Some brand names: Ex Officio, Royal Robbins, Patagonia, North Face

·        Some materials: CoolMax, Buzz Off clothing (Permethrin is a man-made form of a natural insect repellent found in the Chrysanthemum plant that bonds with clothing to make it a repellent that doesn't go on your skin)

 

 

Footwear

On our walks, you’ll want a high cut shoe/hiking boot that offers support for a long walk but is not too heavy or too hot.  There will be times when a walking shoe or cross-trainer will be adequate.  Break in new shoes well before the trip.  Bring sandals for lounging around the hotel.  Wear socks that wick away moisture; you don’t want hot wet feet – bring enough pairs for frequent changing.  

 

Keeping dry

 

Although we will be traveling in the “dry” season, that just means that it usually doesn’t rain quite as much as in the rainy season.  Also, the cloud forest drips even if there is no rain elsewhere.  Bring a light rain jacket with a hood- the more breathable the better.   If it is wet or cold in the mountains, you can always layer with a sweater.

 

Keeping warm

 

For the most part, this won’t be a problem, but in the mountains it could get quite cool in the early mornings and at night.  Layering is the best solution.  If you have thin thermal/silk/capeline underwear, use this as a first layer.  A long sleeved shirt, a light wool sweater or a polar fleece sweater/jacket, and your rain jacket should keep you as warm as you’ll want to be.  You probably won’t want a heavy jacket that once we’re walking, you’ll want to remove. 

 

Remember that you know yourself and your comfort best – think of these only as suggestions.

 

 

Laundry service

 

Each lodge has laundry facilities.

 

 

Gear

 

Journal or writing paper and pens	Binoculars
Computer with extra battery or charger	Field Guide
Alarm clock	Flashlight
Small notebook	Camera and charger
Wide-brimmed hat	Personal first aid kit
Water bottle	Personal medications
Scarf	Sun screen & lip balm w/SPF
Sun glasses	Sunscreen shirt
Day pack or fanny pack	Repellent
Spanish dictionary/phrase book	Foot powder/talc
Wash cloth (if you use one)	Lens cleaner
Flip-flops/thongs	Reading material

 

Health

 

§        Remember to bring any prescription drugs that you require and to have them in your carry-on luggage. Also bring any over-the-counter medications you think you might use.  Our main goal is to stay healthy and focus on preventative measures. But, like good scouts, we should be prepared.

§        No immunizations are required or recommended, but you may want Hepatitis-A  just as a precaution. Here's a site that has travel medicine information that you might find interesting.  We won't be in any areas mentioned (such as the Caribbean coast and the southwest) that have had cases of malaria or any of the other exotics that are listed on the site.  If you plan to travel to other areas on your own, check this site and the one for the Center for Disease Control:

http://www.travmed.com/

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm