Costa Rica is full of exciting tour
options that include everything from world-class white water rafting
and active volcanoes to secluded sun-swept beaches. With so many
options available, visitors may find it difficult to decide upon
just the right tour. How do you choose? Begin by determining what
is important for you in a trip; this should include the destination,
duration of stay, activities and available budget among other
things.
The following guidelines should give
you a better idea about what to search for in a tour.
What am I doing here anyway?
Although Costa Rica’s small size makes it relatively easy
for visitors to participate in a wide range of exciting activities,
deciding beforehand what you would like to do will help narrow
down your options. What are you passionate about? Is there something
you’ve always wanted to try but kept putting it off? Are
their certain activities or conditions that make you feel uncomfortable?
If excessive heat and humidity is not really your thing, then
a sultry beach or jungle hike is probably out of the question.
You’ll feel better exploring some of Costa Rica’s
spectacular volcanoes and alpine like meadows. Do you want to
explore a single destination, or would you prefer to cover multiple
destinations within a region? Some people may prefer to concentrate
on a specific geographical area such as Costa Rica’s northern
pacific zone, central pacific, southern pacific or Caribbean zone,
to name a few. Each of these areas offers unique attractions.
If you’re short on time, a well-organized tour to a specific
region will cut on transfer times common to tours that cover several
areas. On the other hand, a tour may only be part of the reason
you came to Costa Rica. Look for flexibility, many tour operators
offer extension packages allowing you to pick and choose as you
go along. If time isn’t of the essence, renting a car or
even using public transportation will allow you to delve deeper
into the local culture. Some companies offer tours that include
a variety of activities, both adventure and cultural, providing
a little taste of everything. Take a little time to think about
what you really care about before grabbing the first tour that
comes along.
Sorry, we’re closed…
Costa Rica is currently a hot destination and potential visitors
may have a difficult time finding adequate hotel space during
the high season. This tension between supply and demand encourages
some hotels to charge more for their services than they’re
actually worth and tends to produce higher prices across the board.
Travelers should look carefully at the price value relationship
for services offered. Consult with your tour operator for professional
advice and research the web (ratings, guest comments) to make
sure your getting a good deal. Travelers seeking budget opportunities
will find a variety of options available depending on the time
of year. Costa Rica’s high season begins in late November
and continues through the end of March, then picks up again from
June through August. This is when the highest influx of tourists
visit the country and is generally (with some exceptions) the
most expensive time to come. Most areas of the country offer pleasant
and sunny weather conditions perfect for a wide range of activities.
Part of this period coincides with “summer” vacation
for school children, so some beaches and roads may be a little
crowded. Late April through November is considered the rainy season
and prices tend to be less expensive (except June – August)
and beaches less crowded. For some areas of the country, the rainy
or “green” season is actually the best time to visit,
so travelers should contact their tour operator for special discount
package options throughout the year. Don’t underestimate
the importance of shopping around!
All in the family
If traveling alone, you can pretty much do as you please. If you
are traveling with others, you will want to take their needs and
interests into consideration. When traveling with children, search
for family-friendly tours and activities, as well as accommodation
options suitable for children. Remember, not all activities are
suitable for younger children, rafting and canopy adventures for
example, have minimum age requirements. There are also some hotels,
particularly small ones, that do not admit children under twelve
years of age. All-inclusive tours are usually a good option. Recently
some tour operators have begun to offer family-specific oriented
tours. Consult with the hotel or with your tour operator for specific
details regarding children travel options.
Group Therapy?
One important aspect of a tour that is frequently overlooked is
whom you’ll be traveling with. Are they people that share
your same interests? What size is the group? A small group will
tend to be more expensive, yet offer opportunities not available
with larger groups. Are you a people person, or do you like to
travel alone? The experience of participating with a group of
various individuals from different backgrounds in the midst of
a foreign culture and exciting activities tends to produce group
bonding. And although there are certainly times when you just
can’t get along with someone, the greatest travel memories
are often made-up of experiences contributed by the people around
you.
Pass the Oxygen please…
Make sure you know what you are getting into. If searching for
the remote control leaves you heaving, then you might think twice
before embarking on a five-hour hike through the rainforest. On
the other hand, a full day of white water rafting followed by
a trek through the jungle may be a walk-in-the-park for some.
So be honest with yourself, you more than anyone else knows best
your strengths and limitations. And remember, although the bird
watching tour might appear a rather sedentary affair, it’s
best to check with your tour operator for a clear description
of each tour and any necessary physical requirements.
Take me to your Leader
The guide, as the link between cultures, is generally considered
60% of the potential success of a tour. Check with your tour operator
for information regarding a guide’s training and experience.
What kind of background does he or she possess? How long have
they worked for the company? A guide should possess exceptional
people skills, anticipate customer’s needs and have a well-rounded
knowledge of the different peoples of the region, history, botany,
geography, etc. The best tours combine local guides with scientists,
and these are usually the most expensive.
Pura Vida (Pure Life)
Pura Vida is common expression in Costa Rica that roughly translates
as a mixture of “life is great, everything is ok, don’t
worry be happy”. After all, the main reason you came to
Costa Rica was to relax and have fun. So enjoy the country, its
people, culture, food and yes – even the perfect tour. And
if any mishaps or unexpected surprises do occur, take it in stride
and try to find the humor in each situation (I really didn’t
need all my clothes). So take on that white water with gusto,
and delight in the serenity of a butterfly-laden rainforest secure
in the knowledge that you have chosen the best Costa Rica tour
option available!
