CRQ pre-trip help

[cas2ie]

Hi All,

I'm headed out on Aug 24th CRQ trip and getting excited and anxious. Sadly, I took french in high school and don't know a word of Spanish (except the bare minimum of hello, thank you, goodbye, and where's the restroom). I am wondering how to get to the hotel without being ripped off by a cab. From research, it says cab drivers usually won't know a specific address, so should I bring a map?(If anyone is flying in from Miami at 10:50AM on the 24th, cab with me please!)

Also, how much money should I carry on me? When going on excursions, where are our personal belongings? Is it safe to leave cash with our bags?

Should I be carrying USD or colones? Are the excursions in USD?

I know, so many questions - but I'm going alone and would like to be prepared!

Thanks a bundle!

[rockyp]

I'm going on the same trip in October. You can call Gap to add an arrival transfer to your tour. There will be someone legit waiting for you at the airport with a Gap Adventures sign when you arrive. I think it's around $15-20 per person and they take you straight to your hotel. It's definitely worth it for peace of mind in a foreign country. I got scammed by a taxi driver in Thailand on my previous trip =S

[cas2ie]

I was able to get a transfer! Yay.

Thank you!

[sairen42]

For anyone else that may read this in the future...
The cab meter in Costa Rica is called the maria. You always always want to be sure that your cabbie is going to use it. If they refuse, get the next one.
Addresses in Costa Rica aren't really a thing the way we might understand them - everything is from a certain landmark, and so many blocks directionally. So try and get in touch with either G or the hotel itself to get the address / directions ahead of time to give to the driver.

[geofio]

Definitely get the transfer. They will have a sign withthe logo at baggage pickup, and get you to the hotel. From there, we were able to walk to everything. Bring us dollars - you will be able to convert with no trouble, and most will take us SMALL bills. Do not take100$ bills, no one wants them. Most times your change will be in colonies. You will need small ones for tips! I found when exchanging it will not be exact but usually felt like it was 'round' up. 100 colonies was about 2 us. I brought 700 cash, and between tips, excursions, food drinks, and souveneirs, i was about on target.
budget around 50 each for adventures that are not part of the package.
DEFINITE MUSTS the zip lines and the rafting.
Have fun! I absolutely loved the small group, open choices concept and cannot wait to go again!

[barbaral]

Hi all, I took a taxi to and from the airport - it was fine, but I think a bit more expensive than the transfer ($27 to the hotel, around $29 back but we shared a cab back).

One mistake I made my first day was to go to a bank and wait on line to exchange my cash. Turns out you can just go to an ATM - oops. Some ATMs offer both dollars and colones - nearly everyone took dollars but I tried to carry half of my cash in dollars and half in colones at all times.

I saw above the post about the dollar equivalent - it's actually around 1000 colones to $2 (the post said 100).

You can take the city bus easily but you need colones - they will give you change.

The roads in San Jose are unreal. There are holes that are feet deep. My poor cab driver drove over one when dropping me off at my hotel and the entire right front wheel went into it, requiring several guys to lift the car out of it and move it.

[daknees9]

I'm just wondering about what luggage to bring. G adventures recommends a duffle bag or backpack- whichever is more comfortable.
I know we do some hiking but I'm assuming the bags are in the van or hotel.
Any advice?

Thanks