Attire: What To Wear

Day: 
The dress code we recommend during the day is smart casual. Activities run rain or shine so please bring appropriate rain gear. Comfortable footwear is also recommended. There may be some days on which you will be away from the hotel all day. We recommend that you bring a small daypack or a small carry-on bag with you.

Night: 
Pack for a resort vacation. Men should wear closed-toe shoes for dining, but there is no need for a jacket or tie. You may need a shawl or pullover for the cool evenings or for air-conditioned areas.

Currency

Costa Rica’s currency is the Costa Rican Colón (₡), though US dollars are widely accepted. ATMs dispense both currencies, and credit cards are accepted in most places except for small rural shops.

There is no need to exchange US dollars, but if you choose to, the hotel front desk is the best option. Avoid exchanging at the airport due to poor rates.

Banknotes come in 500, 1000, 5000, and 10,000 colón denominations, while coins range from 5 to 100 colónes. Older coins are silver and larger, while newer ones are gold-colored, which can be confusing for first-time visitors.

Tipping & Gratuities

Gratuities for bellmen, housekeeping, and included activities have been covered on your behalf.

For optional tours, tipping is at your discretion unless noted otherwise. A $5–$20 tip per person for guides is customary.

At restaurants, a 13% tax and a 10% service fee are added to the bill.

While this service fee is intended for staff, it may not be fully distributed. If you receive exceptional service, an extra 5–10% tip is appreciated but not expected.

For taxis, rounding up to the nearest dollar is standard for short rides, while a $5 tip is appropriate for longer trips.

Climate

Costa Rica enjoys a beautiful tropical climate with pleasant temperatures year-round. November on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is the transition season between wet-dry; with many weather sites placing it in the “dry season”. In November it is has an average high of 32 °C and a low of 23°C.

Average High
Daily Mean
Average Low
32°C / 90°F
26°C / 80°F
23°C / 74°F

Time Zone

The Waldorf Astoria, Costa Rica, is just outside the town of Coco Beach in Costa Rica. It is located in the Central Standard Time Zone – all year. They do not observe Daylight Savings Time. When it is 12:00 pm noon at the Waldorf it will be:

  • 10:00 am in Vancouver
  • 11:00 am in Calgary
  • 01:00 pm in Ontario and Quebec
  • 02:00 pm in Halifax

Telephones

  • Country Code for Costa Rica:
    +506
  • Calling Costa Rica from Canada/US:
    Dial 011 + 506 + local number
  • Calling Canada from Costa Rica:
    Dial 001 + area code + local number

Long-distance calls from hotel rooms may incur high service charges. Using a calling card is recommended.
For cell phones, contact your provider to pre-purchase a travel plan. Alternatively, SIM cards are available at the airport, or you can use an e-SIM before departure. Services like AloSIM offer affordable short-term data plans.

Internet

Basic Wi-Fi is included throughout Waldorf Astoria.

Electricity & Electronics

Costa Rica uses 110-volt, 60-cycle electricity, the same as Canada and the US. Standard two-pronged flat plugs are used, so no adapter or converter is needed for North American travellers.

Program Inclusions

  • Accommodations for 3 or 4 nights, depending on your choice;
  • Round-trip transportation between airport and hotel where you arrive and depart at the same time as our group airline arrivals and departures;
  • All meals as described in the day-by-day itinerary;
  • Services of staff at Hospitality Desk; and
  • Porterage, internet, housekeeping.

Not Included in Your Program

  • Costs to secure passport or required travel documents;
  • Airline charges for checked baggage;
  • Room service and in-room mini-refreshment centre charges;
  • Optional Activities and Dine-Around meals;
  • Gratuities for optional activities (unless otherwise indicated);
  • Lunches and dinners other than functions planned through The Advocates' Society and listed in the itinerary;
  • Telephone calls and faxes;
  • Charges for damage whether accidental or intentional to hotel, airline or other property; and
  • Travel Insurance.
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