DISCOVER COSTA RICA

DoYou

KnowWhat to

Pack?THE ALL IN ONE TRAVELHACK

YOUR COMPLETEITINERARYFROM DAY 1TO DAY 12

HINTSTIPSINFOAND JUICY DETAILS

A COMPLETEGUIDE TO YOUR

PROJECTS

D I S C O V E R C O S T A R I C A |   T H E U L T I M A T E T R A V E L G U I D E

Hey there!Firstly, on behalf of everybody at Bamboo, I would like to offer you our thanks for choosing to

experience this incredible part of the world with us. We guarantee you an amazing time and

we’re all very much looking forward to meeting you in Costa Rica soon.

 

I imagine that right now you’re very excited about your upcoming adventure and this little guide

has been put together to help you understand more about what will be happening, what to

expect, how to plan and more. We guarantee your time with us will be unforgettable from start

to end.  

 

Bamboo is growing as our style of 'travel' has proven to be the 'way' to travel. You are now a part

of this journey and we welcome you with open arms and hearts. This growing experience is

down to people like you, so get stuck in, become part of our way of life, live every moment and

take nothing for granted.

Peace, Love & Bamboo

Mark (& the other Panda, Colin)

Follow me on Instagram to join

our Bamboo journey @markbamboo

highlights of your tour

Soak up the stunning vista of the

Arenal Volcano

VOLCANO

Wake up to sounds of the jungle in La

Fortuna

JUNGLE

Chill out for sunsets on breathtaking

beaches.

BEACHES

Embrace a fascinating and

captivating culture

CULTURE 

Sample authentic and traditional,

mouth-watering cuisine

FOOD 

Learn about the continuing work

being done to sustain and replenish

the local wildlife

GIVE 

It’s finally here - the commencement of

your epic journey starts today. When you

land and have gone through all the usual

rumble and tumble of airport formalities,

one of our hearty and forever-smiling

guides will be waiting to greet you with a

hug, smile and Bamboo hi-5! 

They will be very noticeable as they sport

their Bamboo colours or wave the

Bamboo flag - yes, we have flags. You’ll

then be whisked off to the

accommodation to get rested and

refreshed.

There will be an informal meet &

greet for those of you feeling energised

enough tonight. Let the adventure

begin!  

DAY 1 (MON)SAN JOSE!

To kick off today, we will gather you all 

for an in-depth orientation. We'll explain

some do's and don'ts, the culture and

customs as well as offer some tips to help

you get the most out of this trip.

It's then off to the animal rescue centre,

located about an hour and a half away

from San Jose city. We'll have a brief look

around and learn about the work going

on to protect the country's flora and

fauna.

Once we are all happy and in the know,

we will head back to our lodging for a

relaxing afternoon before heading out for

a welcome dinner together.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch &

Dinner

DAY 2 (TUES)ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRE

Today we will head to the animal rescue

centre and get straight into feeding,

cleaning cages, and learning more about

the country's ecosystem and animals.

We will spend tonight back in San Jose

and enjoy an evening walk around

downtown, checking out the shops

and seeing the sights and monuments,

You'll feel like a local in no time!

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch 

DAY 3 (WED)ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRE 

After breakfast, it's time to get on the road and

head off to the Pacific Coast!

On arrival at the conservation project we'll have

a chat about the work that's going on here to

save Costa Rica's turtle population.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 4 (THURS)SAN JOSE - TURTLECONSERVATION PROJECT

itinerary

Working with a local award-winning

initiative, we will be doing a variety of tasks

that not only focus on the turtle

population but also the education of the

local community.

The beaches of this area are stunning and

have been the fertile breeding grounds for

these turtles for thousands of years.

Together we'll work to reverse the negative

effects that humans have created and

ensure that these legendary creatures

continue to have a safe and sacred land

for breeding.

Whether you're involved with beach clean

ups, night patrols or educating the local

community, each and every task will play

and important part towards the overall

goal of improving the lives, and sustaining

the population of Costa Rica's sea turtles.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5-7 (FRI - SUN)TURTLE CONSERVATIONPROJECT

This morning we'll bid farewell to the coast

and set off on our 300 kilometre journey to

the picturesque town of La Fortuna.

Famous for it's active volcano, lake and hot

springs, the surrounding vistas are like

something from Jurassic Park, all that's

missing are the dinos!

We'll start off our stay here with an

introductory tour of the local flora and fauna

before settling into our accommodation for

the night.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8 (MON)TURTLE CONSERVATIONPROJECT - LA FORTUNA

Today we get our adventure on with a hike

in the Arenal Volcano National Park. 

We'll learn about Costa Rica nature and

the history of the area, and witness

remaining lava rocks from the last

eruption. Get ready for some amazing

views! 

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 9 (TUES)LA FORTUNA

After our last jungle breakfast, we'll go to

the Reserve to hike a volcano. Then we're

heading back to the beginning, back to

where it all started with a road trip to San

Jose.

But the fun doesn't end just yet, we have

a final night-out to give Costa Rica the

send-off it truly deserves! 

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 11 (THURS)LA FORTUNA - SAN JOSE

An amazing boat adventure awaits in the

marshy wildlife refuge of Los Chiles. Just a

couple of hours from La Fortuna, here lies

one of the world's most biodiverse animal

habitats. 

Cruising along the river in this nature

lovers paradise, we'll be looking out for

numerous bird, reptile and plant species.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 10 (WED)LA FORTUNA

It's over...the end! Trust us, you won't believe

how much you've done, how much you've

experienced, how many new friends you've

made and how soon you want to be back

here in this magical country.

Hugs, back-slaps and hi-5's all around, along

with that final team photo – the memory

that'll last forever. 

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 12 (FRI)DEPART SAN JOSE

What's includedDISCOVER COSTA RICA

1. Airport Pickup (8am - 6pm on arrival

day)

2. All accommodation (shared rooms)

3. All activities as mentioned in the

itinerary

4. All meals as mentioned in the itinerary

5. Donation to projects

6. Accompanied by one of our amazing

guides

7. Boat tour of the Los Chiles Wildlife 

9. A nice surprise or two along the way

10. Memories to last a lifetime!

FAST FACTS

VISA and passport requirements are YOURresponsibility

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Not all people who wish to travel to Costa Rica need a

tourist visa; this will depend on your nationality, the

purpose of visit, country of residence and duration of stay.

Visa requirements are based on international agreements

or treaties. However, the visa does not guarantee entry to

Costa Rica.

We recommend that you check the following website to

check if you require a visa or not.

http://www.costarica-embassy.org/

You will need to be able to prove that you have an exit

flight from Costa Rica upon arrival. This must either be

printed or available to show upon request. You will not be

granted entry without this information to hand.

T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U N E E D T O K N O W B E F O R E W E B E G I N D I S C O V E R C O S T AR I C A

THE NITTYGRITTY

Native Costa Ricans call

themselves Ticos and Ticas.

Costa Rica has a 96% literacy

rate. For rural areas where

children can’t make it to

school, lessons are taught

over a national radio station

It is essential that you arrange travel insurance providing

suitable cover for the duration of your trip before you travel.

Bamboo offers a comprehensive policy through our

partners AHI. For more information, click here

TRAVEL INSURANCE

FAST FACTS:

MONEY

Basic costs of things:

Local Meal Casado (rice, beans

plantain) $6.00

Meal at a mid-standard

restaurant $15.00-$20.00 

Bottle of beer  $3.00

Bottle of water $1.00 

Memories - Free of charge

Remember to tell your bank that

you are leaving the country to

avoid your cards getting blocked.

The Colón (named after Christopher Columbus,

known as Cristóbal Colón in Spanish) is the

currency of Costa Rica.

The plural is colones. CRC When it comes to

advice on how much money to bring, it’s

entirely up to you. All our BamFam members

are very different.

Where some go all out, others are on a budget.

You can find both high end and budget

restaurants, bars and shops.

ATMs, or cash machines, are prevalent

throughout Costa Rica with the exception of

when you are volunteering. We recommend that

you bring some currency with you, which you can

change before touch down in Costa Rica, or if you

prefer at the airport once you arrive. Please

remember that ATM machines will charge you for

withdrawals, and you should bare this in mind

when budgeting.

As mentioned above you will be issued the local

currency called colón. Typical exchange rates are:

$1 - 560£1 - 748

In the touristy areas of Costa Rica you can spend

USD along with colones,

We don’t recommend bringing traveller's cheques

with you. The reason is that banks across Costa

Rica have odd hours of operating, and it may

cause unnecessary hassle finding a bank open

when you wish to make a transaction. Major

credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica.

Larger hotels and restaurants may accept credit

cards, but in general cash is king.

MONEY

FAST FACTS:TRAVEL

For up to date information about the best

travel vaccinations to have before arriving in

Costa Rica we urge you to contact your own

GP, travel health clinic or check the World

Health Organisations website. Bamboo are not

medical professionals and therefore can’t offer

you medical advice. 

VACCINATIONS

FLIGHTS

Thanks to the world wide web we all now have

access to great flight deals through websites

such as Skyscanner, Google Flights and more. If

you’d rather use the services of a booking agent,

the likes of STA Travel, Trailfinders and Flight

Centre are all available online.

To be eligible for the airport pick-up, please

arrange your flight to arrive at San Jose

International Airport on the day that your tour

starts between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

The tour ends two weeks later in San Jose From

there you’ll need to make your own

arrangements for onward travel.

IMPORTANT NOTICEOnce you have booked and confirmed your

flight to Costa Rica, please make sure that you

have shared your flight arrival time and flight

number with our team.

Without those details we will be unable to

guarantee your collection on arrival.   

Did you know that?

On a flight the bathroom door isn’t really

locked when you’re inside. Lavatory doors

can be locked and unlocked from the

outside for a multitude of reasons. It

allows flight attendants quick access to

locked lavatories in case of emergencies.

In other instances, it allows the cabin

crew to restrict access to bathrooms

during takeoff and landing.

Did you know that?

Costa Rica is the second largest exporter

of bananas in the world after Ecuador

TRAVEL

ARRIVALS INFO

San Jose International Airport can be a busy

airport and also a confusing place. Please read

these details carefully so you are prepared on

arrival.

You will need to complete an arrivals card when

you land in San Jose, before passing through

immigration. This will ask for where you are

staying in Costa Rica. You will be staying in the

Barrio Escalante area of the city. The name and

address of the hotel will be confirmed

approximately 14 days before your arrival so

please make a note of this when you receive it.

Once you have passed through immigration

(Passport Control) you’ll need to turn left and

collect your luggage from one of the carousels

before heading through the exit.

Once through you will enter the busy main

arrivals area. You will see a crowd of taxi drivers

but go straight through them until you find our

Bamboo team member holding a Bamboo sign. 

They should be easily recognizable with their

Bamboo t-shirts. Once you’ve spotted our team,

head over and introduce yourself, you will then

receive further instructions.

Please bear in mind that we may be waiting for

others to arrive, so your transfer to the hotel may

not be immediate.

Once we have you we’ll transfer you to the

hotel, help you check in and give you more

details of what’s happening.  

Keep your eyes peeled for the smiling

face that holding our Bamboo logo -

Kooga our guide in the photo above

loves to smile...honest!

MAKE A NOTE!

If you cannot locate one of our team

on arrival, please call the following

number:

+506 6111 0851

If you have supplied us with a mobile

number, make sure your phone is

turned on as we may be trying to

contact you.

ARRIVAL

FUN FACTS:TRANSPORT

This first trip will take us from the capital city of San Jose

to the secluded beach area on the Pacific Coast where

you’ll be getting your hands dirty at the turtle

conservation project.

Travelling by air-conditioned bus, the journey takes

around eight hours.

SAN JOSE TO TURTLE PROJECT

Bidding the coast farewell, we leave the turtle project and

head to the mountain town of Monteverde. It's around a

five hour drive by air-conditioned bus.

TURTLE PROJECT TO MONTEVERDE

The journey from Monteverde to La Fortuna will be both

overland and on water!

It's around a two-hour drive from Monteverde to Arenal

Lake where we'll then jump on a small passenger ferry for

a scenic 45-minute boat trip across the lake. 

Back on dry land, it's then just a 30-minute drive to La

Fortuna town.

MONTEVERDE TO LA FORTUNA

LA FORTUNA TO MANUEL ANTONIO

It's a long drive of around seven hours here but we'll make

plenty of stops along the way and the beaches waiting for

you at Manuel Antonio are well worth the journey!

MANUEL ANTONIO TO SAN JOSE

The last leg of our trip is back to San Jose the night

before your departure. It's approximately three hours

drive from Manuel Antonio.

To cut down on high levels of pollution,

San José, Costa Rica, car owners are

forbidden to drive into the city one day

out of the week. The forbidden day

corresponds to the last number on their

car’s license plate.

YOUR TRANSPORTThroughout the tour, you'll be using

private, air-conditioned buses or mini-

vans to travel overland

TRANSPORT

GUIDES

FAST FACTS: GUIDES

Any tour is only as good as the guide – fact. The input

of a tour guide cannot be understated. Their input

into your tour, their little insights, the off-the-beaten-

track adventures, the knowledge and experiences

that they share with you will make or break your time

wherever you are in the world.

At Bamboo, we take the selection and training of our

guides and coordinators very seriously. Each guide

undertakes a structured training program of three

months and only once we’re convinced that they are

genuine representatives of Bamboo are they signed

up to the family.

Each of our tours has English-speaking guides to

support you, answer your questions, educate you and

to ensure that your time is unforgettable. From time

to time we may have new guides-in-training on our

tours. If you’re lucky to have a trainee on your tour,

please be patient. They are undergoing training and

therefore their knowledge won’t be that of the

trained and experienced guide who will be

accompanying them. 

TIPPING

Although not in any way expected or encouraged,

anybody who goes over and above the call of duty to

ensure that you have the very best time, may deserve

a special little thank you.

Did you have extra special service in a restaurant? Did

the bus driver make an additional pit-stop just for

you? Did your guide go out of the way so that you

could experience something unique? At Bamboo

we’re firm believers in Karma – what goes around

most definitely comes around! 

Our guides are the face of Bamboo,

and they come in all shapes and

smiles.

We love each and every one of them

more than Elephants love bananas. 

Whilst most of them are elite travel

mavericks in their own right, you may

come across newbies who are on the

path the greatness.

If you're lucky enough to meet a

fresh-faced newbie, be sure to show

them your support and patience,

most guides remember their first

tours forever, so let's play nice.

The 'must brings'H a v e y o u p a c k e d t h e f o l l o w i n g ?

0. An open mind

1. Light 'work' clothes

2. Warm clothes for the evenings

3. Dark Clothes (Only during nesting

months; July-December)

4. Work gloves

5. Flip flops or sandals

6. Trainers or sneakers

7. Torch

8. Insect spray

9. Hat & sunscreen

10. Reusable water bottle

11. Multi-use plug adapter

12. Towel

The 'can brings'Everyone is different, so the following list is just a few

suggestions of things you may like to consider bringing.

1. Medical Kit

2. Toiletries

3. Earplugs

4. Any home luxuries you simply can't

live without

5. Card games or books

6. Day pack/small backpack

ACCOMMODATION

VOLUNTEERING

Ready, set, go...it's time to give back!

Your accommodation here will be dorm-style and

you'll be sleeping on bunk beds with three other fellow

travellers, with one bathroom per dorm.

The accommodation is basic but comfortable and

clean. Towels are not provided so it is important that

you bring your own.

Each room is equipped with mosquito nets and a fan

to keep you cool at night. 

TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT

This lovely little guesthouse is set on a quiet street but

within walking distance of bars and restaurants. This

accommodation will also be exclusive to your group.

Rooms here will be on a dorm style basis but will be

extremely comfortable.

Free WiFi is available throughout the guesthouse.

SAN JOSECASA ALMA

ACCOMMODATION

LA FORTUNAHOTEL PRINCESA DE LUNA

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Costa Rica's forests.

Accommodation will be twin or triple share here and

each room comes with its own private bathroom.

Free WiFi is available around the hotel and common

areas.

With large and spacious gardens it's a wonderful place

take a break, relax in nature and enjoy the view.

Working with a local animal rescue centre, you will be contributing to the overall

mission of rescue, rehabilitation and, where possible, the release of endangered

Costa Rican wildlife. The main goal of the centre is to ensure the welfare of the

animals housed at the centre and support them to recover from both physical and

psychological wounds. Many animals at the centre have sadly suffered abuse in the

tourism sector or illegal pet trade prior to their rescue. The centre not only helps to

help these animals, but also raise awareness about their mistreatment.

The tasks you will be involved with may vary depending on the needs of the animals

and the work going on at the time of your arrival. Some of the activities you may be

assisting with could include:

Food Preparation and FeedingPreparing a selection of healthy and natural food for each animal, you will learn

more about the varying nutritional needs. Rather than just putting food in bowls,

certain species benefit from foraging, as they would do in their natural habitat. We

work to create enrichment through feeding; a foraging ball for monkeys or a fruit

string or popsicle for birds who need to sharpen their beaks whilst pecking for food.

Building and ConstructionMany animals require active enrichment in and around their enclosures or cages.

This encompasses quite a variety of work and can involve building 'toys', climbing

apparatus, houses and swings. It's all about giving the animals additional

opportunities to spend time in a more natural environment in order to keep them

healthy and challenge them to follow their instincts.

Cleaning enclosuresIt goes without saying that these beautiful creates deserve a clean and safe space to

live in. You'll be involved in cleaning as well as checking the safety of enclosures and

cages.

General centre maintenenceRaking trails, sweeping, fixing fencing and tending to trees and plants all help to

keep the centre as natural, safe and beautiful as possible for both the staff and

animals.

ANIMALRESCUE CENTRE

The conservation projects we support on the Pacific Coast are located on the

country's southern Nicoyan Peninsula. They offer unique experiences where you'll be

involved in sea turtle conservation and hands-on volunteer work; assisting in the

protection of marine and terrestrial life resources as well as interacting with, and

educating the local communities.

Nesting season for the turtles on the Pacific Coast is commonly between the months

of July and December. This is normally when the turtles come ashore to nest and lay

eggs on the beach. Please remember that the turtles are wild animals and sightings

are never guaranteed, even during nesting season.

The projects operate year round and vital work is always being carried out to support

the conservation of the animals and their environment.The tasks you will be assisting

with may vary depending on when you travel but the sort of activities you can expect

to be involved with could include:

Beach Clean upsFishing nets, pollution and rubbish are one of the causes of the alarming decline in

turtles hatching on these beaches. We'll work together to ensure the beaches are

clean and safe for both the wildlife as well as the local community.

Community outreach and educationEducating the local community is an important part of the project's work. Without

the support and engagement of the community, habits and customs will not change

and their ecosystems will continue to suffer. Outreach activities range from school

visits to workshops and environmental initiatives like recycling. The project also

recruits and employs local members of the community, providing a wage and a

better opportunity than poaching eggs to earn a living.

Night PatrolsDuring turtle nesting season, we conduct nightly beach patrols. This is to ensure the

turtles have a safe passage from the sea to hatch their offspring. We also count both

turtles and eggs, relocating nests from the beach to the hatchery for protection.

TURTLECONSERVATION

ARRIVALDETAILS

HEALTH& SAFETY

PERSONALDETAILS

FOODALLERGIES

BEFORE YOU ARRIVEPlease ensure you have given the following information to

our team before arrival so that we can ensure you have the

best experience ever!

Please email bookings@wearebamboo.com with the

following information:

- Arrival Flight Date (dd/mm/yyyy) - Arrival Flight Time - Flight Number

- Name On Passport

- Passport Number

- Other Passport Information

- Nationality

- Date Of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

- Gender

- Contact Number

Please inform us if you have any

intolerance to the following foods

and ingredients:

- Your Travel Insurance provider

- Travel Insurance Policy Number

- Travel Insurance Emergency Number

- Any medical conditions and allergies

- Any medication you're taking

Dairy

Soy

Eggs

Peanuts

Tree Nuts

Fish

Shellfish

Sesame

Corn 

Gluten

Lactose Fructose 

Histamines 

Fructans

Galactans  

Salicylates

Other (Please Specify) 

TERMS & CONDITIONSPlease read these Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of your

contract with WeAreBamboo. This agreement is made at the time of booking and

becomes legally binding upon payment of your deposit. By booking a program

with WeAreBamboo, you signify you have read and accepted these Terms and

Conditions

All programs advertised on our website and/or on Facebook are offered and/or

operated by WeAreBamboo Ltd. (trading as Bamboo and referred to as Bamboo

or ‘we’ hereinafter) with company number 59926953 whose registered office is:.

WE ARE BAMBOOLEVEL 261 SEAVIEW ROADLOWER HUTT, NEW ZEALAND 5010

All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions. Bamboo

reserves the right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time.

Please view our full terms and conditions here:

https://www.wearebamboo.com/about/legal.php

Please note that the information in this pack is subject to change at any time without notice.