Costa Rica – A Tropical Paradise

Level 4: Active

Expectations: The tour includes well-paced walking tours with regular breaks. Up to 3-5 hours of walking each day. To fully take advantage of all this tour has to offer, guests need to be able to walk longer distances, climb several flights of stairs and navigate steps and uneven terrain walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators). Your itinerary can include significant changes in temperature and altitude and may require a higher number of longer travel days with morning and/or evening activities. Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Excursions require standing and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, expect a vigorous pace and enjoy participating in two to three hours of physical activity per day without the use of a cane or walker mobility aid.

For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.

The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.

It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.

All hotel baggage handling fees are included. We also include basic gratuities for the Tour Director, Coach Driver, and local Tour Guides. If someone has truly gone above and beyond additional tipping is permitted, but never required.

If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.

Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.

We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.

SUN TOURS acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.

You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Albuquerque International Sunport. If you have a frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation.

If you are joining the tour from locations other than Albuquerque, we can make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.

Do not forget to bring your government issued picture ID to show at the airport. If you do not have the proper ID, the airline and border security will turn you away.

We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carry-on baggage and contents due to enhanced security measures. If you have further concerns, please visit the TSA's Web-site at www.tsa.gov. There is room inside the motorcoach for your hand carried bag.

On our preferred airline for this tour, passengers are assessed a fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.

In January, Costa Rica enjoys its dry season with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Temperatures are warm, ranging from 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C) on the coast and 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C) in the Central Valley. Days are sunny and clear though evenings can be cooler, especially in highlands. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes for various terrain. If you want to bring a walking stick, it must be in your checked bag. Mosquito repellent is also highly recommended.