Welcome to Mountainside’s Journey to Costa Rica! Below you will find some information that will be useful while planning your travels.
REGISTRATION FORM:
Please complete the following Guest Profile (click for link) at your earliest convenience. This allows us to easily record your vital travel information.
WAIVER
Please sign and return the Mountainside waiver form (click for link) to Naomi at naomi@elevatedestinations.com.
ITINERARY
Please find a snapshot of the itinerary below. There will also be opportunities to do Qi Gong, Meditation and Empowerment Activities.
- May 7: Arrive and settle into the hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with the group.
- May 8: Canopy tours, Rio Negro river tubing, horseback riding, hot springs and more at Hacienda Guachipelin!
- May 9: Volunteer at Las Pumas Rescue Center and learn about how staff have been rehabilitating wildlife here since the early 60’s. In the afternoon meet professionals interested in marine life and shark conservation from Misión Tiburón.
- May 10: Snorkel with Misión Tiburón and experience firsthand what you have learned from them the night before! In the afternoon head to Arenal Springs.
- May 11: Learn about organic farming, plantations, and medical gardens at La Casona, an elegant, turn-of-the-century country home of former Costa Rican president Rafael Iglesias. It is considered one of the most-charming and authentic cultural sites in Costa Rica.
- May 12: Today is at your leisure to enjoy the hotel amenities or explore La Fortuna Town on your own. In the evening enjoy a Night Walk tour to see the nocturnal side of Costa Rica’s wildlife.
- May 13: Head back to San Jose, with a stop at Poás Volcano National Park, the largest active crater in the world.
- May 14: You will be transferred to the airport for your international departure.
COST
Shared accommodation: $3,185 per person
Single room supplement: $525
Includes: All accommodations, meals except during free time, all transport to programmed activities, all mentioned activities and entrance fees, gratuities for guide/drivers/restaurants.
Does Not Include: International transport (flights, airport taxes etc), travel and medical insurance, personal expenses and other extras, airport departure tax.
MOUNTAINSIDE STAFF MEMBER JOINING THE TRIP:
- Jessica Dunn, Manager of Alumni Relations
- Stephanie Stanton, Wellness Senior Coordinator
FLIGHTS FROM THE US:
International flights are booked by travelers independently. If you would like the contact information for a trusted independent travel agent we are happy to provide you with this information. Kindly forward your international flight information to Naomi (naomi@elevatedestinations.com) once you have booked your flights. Here are our arrival and departure recommendations:
Main Program:
- Arrive in Liberia at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) anytime before 4pm on May 7, 2017
- Leave from San Jose at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) anytime on May 14, 2017
EXTENDING YOUR TRAVEL:
Elevate Destinations is happy to assist with your travel needs. Please let us know if you would like to arrange any pre or post travel plans.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Mountainside has purchased a policy to cover accident and medical costs only. We would encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance at your own expense. Please note that some insurance options require purchase within 24 hours of making payment for your trip. We encourage you to review your travel insurance options before making payment to Elevate Destinations.
Elevate Destinations is partnered with the Travel Insurance Center, a broker of travel protection products. For assistance, contact Alan Lightbody, Agent Representative, E-mail alightbody@travelinsurancecenter.com, Toll Free 1-866-979-6753 Ext. 3648, or Direct 402-343-3648.
Guests may acquire travel insurance through the Travel Insurance Center, or any other travel insurance company of their choosing. Elevate Destinations recommends that travelers evaluate the insurance options available for their needs, and inquire with providers about insurance that will provide coverage if the trip needs to be cancelled.
PASSPORT:
Travelers should ensure that the validity of their passports extends at least six (6)months beyond the end of their intended stay, and should have at least two (2) blank (unstamped) visa page in their passport to enter the country. The last two amendment pages are unacceptable for immigration stamps. *Note that you will need to renew your passport if you are out of Visa pages, as the State Department no longer provides additional pages. If you need to renew your passport, please do so as soon as possible. US passport holders can find information about applying for or renewing passports at travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.
VISA/TOURIST CARD:
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica, but must have a valid passport and proof of a departing flight.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Please consult with a travel clinic or your personal physician regarding the recommended immunizations for travel to Costa Rica. You will need to do this well in advance of your trip as some vaccinations require time to take effect, and you may need to allow time between a series of shots. . Comprehensive information can be found on the CDC website for Costa Rica.
In addition to being up-to-date on routine vaccinations 4-6 weeks before travel, the CDC recommends that most travelers be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. The CDC also recommends some travelers to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B, Rabies, and Yellow Fever*.
*There is no risk of yellow fever in Costa Rica. The government of Costa Rica requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever.
Note: Zika is a risk in Costa Rica. Because Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause serious birth defects, women who are pregnant should not travel to Costa Rica. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to Zika virus during and after the trip. For more information, see Zika Virus in Costa Rica.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to reach out to our Travel Team:
Katherine Redington
katherine@elevatedestinations.com
202-643-8370
Naomi Garner
naomi@elevatedestinations.com
207-370-4886