Costa Rica CUSTOM ITINERARY
General Concerns
- Where will we stay?
- Who is coming?
- How much care ?
- Are all meals included in the price of the trip?
- What will we eat?
- How will we travel?
- What should I bring?
- Should I bring snacks and baby food?
- What does ecotourism mean?
- What can I do to help Costa Rica?
- Stability, health and the environment.
- Health precautions.
Traveling with kids in Costa Rica.
- Does my child need a passport?
- What if both parents won't be traveling with their child?
- What about diapers?
- Are cribs and high chairs available?
- Toileting and diapering concerns.
- How much care can you provide for my children?
Other Questions
1. Where will we stay?
We will stay at small family-run lodges as much as possible in order to experience the real Costa Rica and support the local economy. Many lodges consist of small one-room cabinas with a double bed and one ot two single beds and an attached private bathroom with shower. The cabinas are often arranged around a garden area or wading pool. The families who own the lodges serve wonderful homemade full breakfasts with loads of fresh tropical fruit each morning in their open air dining areas. Our lodges are often in the countryside or on the quiet edge of town, where bird-watching opportunities abound. We avoid the hotels with noisy bars or those run by American or European chains that serve the mass-market tours and take the profits out of the country where they are needed. back to top
2. Who is coming?
Global Family Adventures custom itinerary tours are small (just your family and any friends you decide to invite along) so that we can be flexible and attentive to the needs of our youngest travelers. Our tours are specially designed for families with children ages 1-7. Families are welcome to invite aunts, uncles, grandparents and good friends to join them. A bilingual guide/driver will be on every tour unless you prefer to travel without a guide. A wonderful caregiver is available to travel with your family upon request for an additional fee. Children under 1 and over 7 are welcome, but will be the parent’s responsibility. Babies can be great travelers and if they like to nap in a backpack carrier you can take them along on almost every activity. back to top
3. How much
Your children will be primarily your back to top
Caregivers are provided for children ages 1-7. Many children over age 7 enjoy participating in the group hikes and other activities with the adults. However, special arrangements can be made with advance notice for kids over 7 so that parents can participate in some activities not age-appropriate such as white-water rafting which has an age minimum of 11. back to top
4. Are all meals are included in the price of the trip?
All breakfasts are included in the price of your trip. You are responsible for the cost of lunches and dinners which are available for a very reasonable cost at restaruants. Snacks and drinks are not included. back to top
5. What will we eat?
We will be visiting Costa Rican restaurants that serve tasty traditional foods such as chicken, fresh fish, beans and rice, yucca (manioc) and wonderful tropical fruits. Much Costa Rican food is flavored with cilantro, red sweet pepper, garlic and yummy Salsa Lizano. Unlike in Mexico, food is very mildly spiced, but Tabasco sauce is standard on every restaurant table. Many restaurants also offer gringo-friendly options that have become popular with the locals like hamburgers and cheese sandwiches. Safe bottled water, pasteurized milk and juice boxes are available everywhere. Vegetarian options are also available. back to top
6. How will we travel?
Your guide will drive your family in his private vehicle. Depending upon the size of your group, it may be a 4-door 4WD car, a minivan or a 9 person minibus. All vehicles are air conditioned with seatbelts. The vehicle will stay with your group so car seats can be strapped in once and stay there. Hotel shuttle buses may be used for some airport transfers. Shuttle buses may also be used occasionally for adult transport to activities. back to top
7. What should I bring?
Travel light! You’ll have the opportunity to do laundry about half-way through the trip. Lightweight, quick drying clothes, a rain poncho, camera and binoculars are a must. You’ll receive a very detailed list of recommended items before the trip. back to top
8. Should I bring snacks and baby food?
Due to agricultural restrictions, you won’t be able to bring any fresh food from home, but bringing a few sealed jars of baby food, packages of crackers, Cheerios or canned food is OK. You can visit a supermarket to stock up on fun, local treats (granola bars, nuts, raisins, plantain chips, fruit, water, juice boxes, etc.). Baby food is also available, though the selection is very limited and the flavors will be different- mango and papaya are first foods here! Most Costa Ricans make their own baby food and mashing small portions of adult food at meals may work fine for you. back to top
9. What does ecotourism mean?
The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:
- Minimize impact
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
- Support international human rights and labor agreements
10. What can I do to help Costa Rica?
Read about what an inspired second grader did to help here.
Learn about an organization that is working to support and expand the Monteverde Cloud Forest here.
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11. Stability, health and the environment
Costa Rica is a democracy and is known as a very stable country with health care on par with industrialized nations. It abolished its army in the 1940s and invests heavily in education and its national park system. In 2003, it outlawed open pit-mining and oil exploration. Nature-based tourism is the country’s number one industry. With a well-educated populace, software companies such as Intel have come in and are now responsible for 25% of the country’s GNP. Unlike most other Central American countries, Costa Rica has a growing middle class. However, the rural areas are still poor which brings the annual per capita income down to $6650. Because of Costa Rica’s national health care and social security systems, life expectancy is the same as in countries where income is four times that much, and actually a bit longer than in the United States. back to top
12. Health Precautions
Visit your doctor, pediatrician or travel clinic before the trip to make sure your family is up to date on their vaccinations. As of February 2007, St. Mary’s Medical Center’s travel clinic in Duluth, Minnesota says that Hepatitis A is generally the only vaccine for Costa Rica that is advised in addition to the ones you should already have. Hepatitis A should be given one month before the trip to everyone 2 years and over. Those under 2 can get Hepatitis A protection from gamma-globulin.
Check with the Center for Disease Control for up to date recommendations at www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm or call 877-394-9747. Many hospitals and medical centers have nice travel clinics where you can schedule one time for appointments for the whole family and they will update immunizations, give you current CDC info for the country you plan to visit and show a short video on travel health safety.
Malaria occurs in some areas of Costa Rica and those who are in close contact with migrant workers are most at risk. Dengue fever is another mosquito-carried illness that is present in Costa Rica. Our travel clinic recommends insect repellant with 30% or less DEET for adults and older children, 7-10% DEET for younger children and babies. Clothing can be treated with permethrin (the substance applied to mosquito nets) to reduce the use of DEET. You can treat your own clothing or buy clothing pre-treated (available at REI and Gander Mountain). Our travel clinic recommended this as a safe option for young kids to reduce the amount of DEET needed. Treat or buy only one outfit (loose-fitting long sleeve shirt and pants) per person and wear during rainforest hikes and when passing though buggy areas. Preventative malaria medication may also be recommended. Check with your travel clinic or doctor/pediatrician. back to top
Traveling with Kids
General travel with kids
Ticos love children. Unlike in some countries, children are welcome everywhere. Noisy kids will get smiles in restaurants from the locals and wait-staff, not dirty looks. Whenever possible, we will patronize family-friendly places that will enjoy our sometimes rambunctious group.
13. Does my child need a passport?
Every child will need his or her own passport. Both parents must be present when applying for the passport. You’ll need passport photos, a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and photo ID for both parents. Passports for children are valid for 5 years. Passports take at least 6 weeks to process so start the application early to avoid paying the expedited service fee! Passports can often be processed at post offices and driver’s license centers. back to top
14. What if both parents won’t be traveling with their child?
Costa Rica requires entry/exit authorization letters if you are traveling with a child 18 or under and one or both parents will not be in the country. You must get a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) giving you permission to enter Costa Rica and take the child out of Costa Rica again. This rule was put in place to prevent international kidnapping. Global Family Adventures can provide you with a form upon request that has been accepted by the Costa Rican authorities in the past. back to top
15. What about diapers?
Bring a week’s supply. We’ll visit a supermarket to restock. Local and sometimes American brands of disposable diapers in sizes 1-5 are readily available. If you prefer a particular brand or need larger sizes or pull-ups, please bring your own for the entire trip. Swim diapers are generally not available in Costa Rica. back to top
16. Are cribs and high chairs available?
Global Family Adventures is working with the lodges and restaurants to obtain these items. Right now, high chairs are often, but not always available. Most families choose to bring a small booster chair with folding tray that straps to a chair. Cribs are available at some locations, but not all. If your child requires them, let us know and we can suggest light-weight travel options for you to bring. back to top
17. Toileting and diapering
As you'll have private transport, just ask for stops anytime for toileting, diapering, snacks and running around. Because diaper changing stations are not available in developing countries, bring a compact folding or roll-up changing surface and wipes. back to top
18. How much ?
Your children will back to top
Other Questions
19. Terms and Conditions
Prices
All accommodations, all breakfasts, land transportation, airport transfers, and the services of a guide/driver are included in the tour price as specified herein.
Not Included
Airfare and airport exit tax ($26 pp) are not included. Food and drinks besides breakfasts are not included. Gratuities for luggage handling, housekeepers, local guides, drivers, babysitters and guides are not included. Optional activities that are booked during the tour are not included. Personal Expenses – Phone calls, room service, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, soft drinks, laundry, airline excess baggage charges and other optional incidental extras are not included.
Baggage Responsibility
You retain responsibility for your own luggage. We cannot assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage nor personal effects due to breakage, theft, or normal wear and tear through hotel, airline or driver/guide handling. Please have adequate insurance if reimbursement is important to you.
Code of Conduct
Global Family Adventures reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the operation of a tour.
Travelers Needing Special Assistance
Global Family Adventures unfortunately cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining, or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, please travel with a companion who can assist you.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility of Children
Please be informed that any minor traveling on a Global Family Adventures tour is the sole responsibility of the parent and/or guardian. The accompanying adult must ensure that all rules of safety and conduct are followed by the children in their party.
Photography on Tour
Global Family Adventures reserves the right to take photographs on tour and use them for promotional purposes. By booking a Global Family Adventures tour, travelers agree to allow their image to appear in such photographs. Tour participants who prefer that their image not be used are asked to notify the guide at the beginning of the tour.
Itinerary Changes and Flexibility
Global Family Adventures will make every effort to operate our tours as advertised. Travelers should be flexible as situations may arise, either voluntarily or involuntarily, that necessitate changes to the itinerary. On these occasions Global Family Adventures reserves the right to alter the itinerary or change properties as deemed necessary. Any net savings realized by such changes will be refunded to affected passengers and any additional costs over the original cost of the tour will be borne by Global Family Adventures.
Limitation of Liability
Global Family Adventures LLC is a Minnesota limited liablility corporation based in Duluth Minnesota. Global Family Adventures LLC purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. Global Family Adventures CANNOT, THEREFORE, BE LIABLE FOR DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY OR ANY OTHER LOSS that may occur due to any act or omission of any such supplier and/or by reason of any other event over which it has no control. Payment of tour cost constitutes your acceptance of the Terms and Conditions set forth herein and in more specific passenger tour documentation.
Cancellation and Transfer Fees
Regardless of the reason, cancellations and transfers from one tour to another result in costly charges from our suppliers. Therefore, the following fees apply. In fairness to others, we cannot make exceptions. These fees apply whether or not a person transfers to another tour departure. Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Duluth office.
90 Days or More Before Departure - $500 per adult
89-45 Days Before Departure – 50% of tour cost
44-20 Days Before Departure – 75% of tour cost
19- 0 Days Before Departure – 100% of tour cost
Travel insurance is recommended.
Claims and Refunds – Except for verifiable extenuating circumstances, refunds are not made for any missed tour services. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of termination of the tour and be accompanied by supporting documentation. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual costs of the services involved. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals.