Travel Tips from JacoBeachTours.com






Departing for Costa Rica
Arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to scheduled departure time. Review the airline luggage policy. Airlines charge per checked bag checked. spirit Arilines charges $10 - $20 per bag counts online through the Spirit Airlines website.
Food service on many airlines has been discontinued. Beverage service is available with snacks to be purchased often with just debit or credit cards.
Carry all prescriptions and medication in your carry on lugggage along with one day change of clothes.
Items like bottled water, cans of soda and any container over 2 ounces are not allowed in your carry one bags. Place shampoo, make-up, toothpaste and mouthwash in a zip lock style bag in your luggage. Purchase a soft cooler which you can use to chill drinks during your stay. Place your ziplock bag in your soft cooler inside your luggage. Coleman also makes a cooler which will hold 8 and 16 cans. Both size coolers will fit in your luggage. Cooler are very useful while traveling and make great gifts for your favorite cab driver or your hotel room service attendants.

Secure Your Belongings at Your Hotel
Prior to departure to Costa Rica make at least 2 copies of your passport. When enjoying Costa Rica leave your passport in the security deposit boxes at your hotel. There is no reason to travel on tours with your passport. Carry a copy of your passport with you at all times.

Use the security boxes at your hotel for Your passport, airline tickets or airline confirmation letters, credit cards and personal belongings like watches, jewelry and digital cameras.

Carry the cash or colonies you will need for the day or evening. Leave excess cash in your hotel security deposit box. Carry just one credit/debit card on any day tour or while shopping or dining. Please leave remaining credit/debit cards in the security deposit box at your hotel.

Departuring Costa Rica
Arrive at the Airport at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure. Costa Rica departure tax is $26. Payable at the airport. Duty free products , prfume, watches, liquoretc. must be purchased a minimum of one hour prior to boarding time. Please arrive early to check -in, exchange currency, clear security and purchase duty free liquer. USA citizens are allowed one gallon of liquor per person, (Over 21 years of ge) 5 - fifths, 4 - Quarts or 2 - 1.75 liter bottles.

Coffee and Hot Sauces
Purchase coffee and Costa Rica sauces including the world famous Iguana hot sauces at leading supermarkets in Costa Rica. Purchase Costa Rica coffee inclucing Volio and Cafe 1820 Molido  in various sizes in the Supermarkets/ Super Mercado Mas Menos and Pali for $1 to $1.50 for a 12 ounce bag. Your selction of coffee is limited at the airport and you can save money by purchasing coffee prior to arriving at the airport. 
Iguana hot sauces make great souviners and gifts. Expect to pay $1 per bottle.
This is a great bargain. The colorful labels are a one of a kind design.

What to Wear
Daily Temperutes on the Pacific Ocean coastal areas average 85 to 95F degrees 30 to 33 C.
Button down the from 100% cotton shirts and blouses allow you to open your shirt and enjoy the breeze during the peak time of tempertures. Wear quality shoes for walking in uphill and downhill terrains. Costa Rica a great vacation resort for active tourism.
Baseball style hats with a black colored underside of the brim will help cut glare. Sunshine in Costa Rica at times can cause you to squint even with sunglasses. Polarized sun glasses are definately recommended.

Suntans and Sunscreen
Sunscreen is less expensive when purchased in the USA.
Apply sunscreen early in the day and allow 15 to 30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed. 
After a morning shower, apply sunscreen evenly, enjoy breakfast and your 30 minutes allowing the sunscreen will provide good covrage for the day ahead. Applying additional sunscreen will increase your protection especially after swimming.
Did you know you can great a great sun tan while sitting in the shade under an umbrella or
Tiki Bar roof. Suntans are caused by reflexing sun rays. Reflexing sun rays from pools, beaches, water and any surface create your suntan. Exposing yourself to direct sun rays causes sunburn.
When around the pool or on the beach everyone is being exposed to the same amount of reflexing rays. Those people in the direct sun are exposing themselves to burning rays, which will cause a signicant sunburn in Costa Rica and in any sun vaction destination.

Apply sunscreen early in the day and allow 15 to 30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed. 
After a morning shower, apply sunscreen evenly, enjoy breakfast and your 30 minutes allowing the sunscreen will provide good covrage for the day ahead. Applying additional sunscreen will increase your protection especially after swimming.

What to Bring
Purchase batteries for digital cameras prior to departing to Costa Rica. Batteries are available
in all major cities and resorts, however bringing back up batteries on day tours and evening events is suggested.