Frequently asked questions

Cancellations made 14 days or more before the tour date are eligible for a refund. All sales are final within 13 days of the tour date. Tours to Corcovado (day, overnight) and to Caño Island are non-refundable because the park and reserve pre-bill us as soon as we confirm your spot.

Guests can cancel free of charge until 60 days before arrival. Cancellations inside 60 days are charged the total price.

Yes — a 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation. It secures your spot and, for park-permit tours, lets us reserve the passes in your name.

Honestly, we don't recommend driving to Drake Bay — the time and cost don't usually add up. A small rental car is fine for most of Costa Rica. If you do drive, keep in mind that June through November rivers can get impassable without a 4×4. From Palmar Norte it is about 3–4 hours of driving.

The earliest bus leaves the Tracopa station (near Clínica Bíblica) at 5 AM. The ticket window opens at 4:30 AM; in high season buy at least a day ahead. You arrive in Palmar Norte around 11 AM, then take a taxi to Sierpe. Tell the taxi you are going to Pacheco — we arrange pickup at the bus stop and help with luggage. The boat to Drake Bay leaves Sierpe at 11:30 AM, and we meet you on the beach at Drake around 1 PM.

Yes, at least one day ahead at the Tracopa station. During December through April the buses are typically fully booked. Tracopa schedules: tracopacr.com

Around $10–12. The coastal route takes about 5 hours; the mountain route is about 6 hours.

A private car is about $16; shared it is usually $4 per person.

There are two daily boats — 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM — at $20 per person. No reservation needed.

Ask for Don Jorge at Hotel Oleaje Sereno — he runs secure parking for $6 per day, and the boats also leave from that restaurant.

No ATM, no bank — your last chance for cash is Palmar Norte. Bring enough for your stay; some restaurants only take cash. At our properties and tours you can pay by credit card, though Costa Rica adds a 13% tax. Dollars and colones both work in cash.

Yes. Occasional blackouts happen for a few hours when trees come down on the lines — normal for a rainforest community.

No. Almost every hotel (including ours) provides free wifi.

Camera with extra batteries and charger, binoculars, alarm clock, electrical adapter, flashlight or headlamp, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, bug repellent, a small first-aid kit, short-sleeve shirts, shorts, a bathing suit, water sandals, a sweater, a rain jacket, light long pants (for insect protection and night hikes), socks, and hiking boots. A large ziplock for wet clothes and a small one to protect the camera from rain are both worth bringing.

Yes — around the corner is a soda (Costa Rican-style casual restaurant), a pizzeria, and a seafood place. The village has several more sodas within walking distance.

Restaurants usually include a 10% service tip on the bill; smaller sodas do not always, so check the bill. For tour guides and crew, tips are not required and service quality is the same without one — but local salaries are modest and a small tip goes a long way.

Yes, especially for Corcovado — park permits are limited and government-reviewed, and last-minute availability is never guaranteed. For everything else, booking ahead also lets us arrange transport and pickups.