Crocodile Bay Resort, Frequently Asked Questions

Important Travel Update! All U.S. visitors to Costa Rica need a valid passport that will not expire for at least 90 days after your return to the United States!!

Do I need any shots before visiting Costa Rica?

Do I need trip/travel insurance?

Do I need a passport to travel to Costa Rica?

How do I get from the airport to my hotel in San Jose?

Do I have to spend the night in San Jose on the day of arrival into Costa Rica and on the night before departure?

How long is the flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez?

Is there a weight limit on the plane from San Jose to the lodge?

Do I need to bring my own fishing equipment?

Does Crocodile Bay Resort provide equipment for the eco tours?

How long do the eco tours last?

Should I bring insect repellent?

Do I need to tip? If so, how much?

What kind of credit cards or ATM cards are accepted?

Is there laundry service at Crocodile Bay Resort?

Are there hair dryers in the rooms?

Are there phones in the rooms?

Are there TV's in the rooms?

How much money should I convert to local currency?

Important phone numbers:

Departure Tax

NatureAir Weight Notice: Notice is given regarding our domestic air carriers weight policy. This is for the safety and well being of the passengers, and we urge your cooperation regarding this serious (and somewhat awkward) matter. Please feel free to contact us or Natureair with questions, or to notify us of your desire to purchase a second seat in accordance with the policy. Thanks for your cooperation.

"Passengers who are more than 250lbs of physical weight are required to pay 2 airfare seat rates. This is due to, aircraft and seat weight capacity, and flight comfort, this over charge will be done at airport on day of departure. 20% discount will apply if confirm thru reservation before date of departure.

Please visit www.natureair.com for further details.

 

Do I need any shots before visiting Costa Rica?
A: Please visit the Center for Disease Control's website at http://www.cdc.gov for current traveler's health topics and recommendations, or consult your doctor with any concerns.

Do I need a passport to travel to Costa Rica?
A: Yes. A valid U.S. Passport that will not expire until at least 90 days after your return to the United States is required. You may stay in Costa Rica for up to 90 days without a visa but you need a passport. For U.S. Passport information visit http://travel.state.gov/

How do I get from the airport to my hotel in San Jose?
A: If you have purchased our transfer package, a driver will be waiting for you directly outside the airport departure doors (after clearing customs) with a Crocodile Bay sign. Be sure to keep the phone number of our San Jose Logistics Coordinator, Pablo Hidalgo - Costa Rica Cell # From the USA: 011 506 8-831-2088 In Costa Rica 8-831-2088

Do I have to spend the night in San Jose on the day of arrival into Costa Rica and on the night before departure?

A: Depending on your time of international arrival and departure into/from Costa Rica, we may be able to eliminate your overnights in San Jose. The last flight down to our lodge in the high season (Dec 1-April 20) departs at 3:15 pm and in the low season (April 21-Nov 30) departs at 10:45 am. You would need to arrive at SJO three and a half hours prior to those departure times to make the flight to Crocodile Bay Resort.

From Puerto Jimenez back to San Jose the earliest flight departs at 7:00 am and arrives in San Jose at approximately 8:10am year round. If your connecting flight back to the states departs after 11 am, you will be able to avoid a San Jose Hotel sleepover for your final night.

From December 1 to April 20th the last flight back to San Jose is 4:30pm each day. It is possible to fish from 7am until 3:15 pm, a regular fishing day, before you depart Crocodile Bay Lodge. Call Reservations at 1-800-733-1115 for the details.

How long is the flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez?
A: 45 minutes

 

Q: How much baggage can I bring?
A: There is a 25 pound baggage limit (including carry-on's) enforced on the "in-country" flight to/from Crocodile Bay Lodge. Baggage over 30 pounds will incur a $1.00 per pound surcharge.  Please pack light! Your hotel in San Jose may have a secure storage room to leave heavier, unnecessary items. Please check with the front desk.

Do I need to bring my own fishing equipment?
A: Crocodile Bay Lodge does provide conventional fishing equipment. Though if you have a "lucky" rod and reel, you can bring your own. Fly fishermen may want to bring their own special fly fishing equipment. Please consolidate rods in a tube if you do bring your own, to make traveling with it easier and protect against damage.

Does Crocodile Bay Lodge provide equipment for the eco tours?
A: Yes

How long do the eco tours last?
A: Tours leave after breakfast and return by 4pm. Half-day tours return at noon.

Should I bring insect repellent?
A: There are bugs in Costa Rica. For the most part the bugs keep to themselves, but there are those people who are especially attractive to biting insects (you know who you are). The lodge does have air-conditioning and screens on the room windows. Though, for added protection you may want to bring a bug repellent. We recommend a repellent with DEET as the active ingredient. There is also a gift shop at the lodge where you can purchase bug repellent, and other sundries, if you forget to bring your own.

Do I need to tip? If so, how much?
A: Tips are greatly appreciated by our staff and captains. We suggest $25-50 per angler per day for the captain at day's end. $10 per guest per day is suggested for hotel wait staff (bar, restaurant, housekeeping). A tip "pool" may be given at the end of your stay.

What kind of credit cards and ATM cards are accepted?
A: Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards are accepted in Costa Rica and at Crocodile Bay Lodge. ATM cash machines are available in San Jose only. Puerto Jimenez has a 24 machine that allows cash advances on most major credit cards if your account offers cash advance via a pin#. Check with the bank that issud your credit card for obtaining a pin.

Is there laundry service at Crocodile Bay Lodge?
A: Yes, there is laundry service for a small fee (approx. $0.50-3.00 per item)

Are there hair dryers in the rooms?
A: Hair dryers are available at the front desk.

Are there phones in the rooms?
A: Yes

Are there TV's in the rooms?
A: No. The TV in the bar area does have Direct TV with access to U.S. News and sports programs. We also get the "Sunday Ticket" during the football season so guests can enjoy their favorite teams after a day of fishing or a half day of eco touring and relaxing.

How much money should I convert to local currency?
A: Don't go overboard converting dollars to "colones". Its difficult and expensive to convert back to dollars. Many establishments in Costa Rica welcome American dollars, and any charges incurred at Crocodile Bay Lodge can be paid with Visa or Mastercard. The front desk at your hotel in San Jose can assist you with currency conversion if you wish to carry colones. The exchange rate is around 471 colones to $1.00.

Do I need trip/travel insurance?

Travel/Trip insurance is strongly recommended for many reasons. Insure your trip against additional expenses due to sickness, baggage loss, flight cancellations, medical emergencies and other unforeseeable circumstances. Click here to sign-up

Travel/Trip insurance is strongly recommended for many reasons. Crocodilebay.com has a FAQ page with a link to a comparative travel insurance website with multiple plans. Insure your trip against additional expenses due to sickness, baggage loss, flight cancellations, medical emergencies and other unforeseeable circumstances.    www.crocodilebay.com/faq.htm

Departure tax:
Departure tax from Costa Rica is $26 and is payable in colones or U.S. dollars.