Crocodile
Bay Lodge Travel FAQ:
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Frequently Asked Questions
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 Lodge 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 Lodge?
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
Do
I need any shots before visiting Costa Rica?
A: We at Crocodile Bay Lodge feel that it
is unnecessary to obtain shots in order to visit our lodge,
however, we do recommend visiting the Center for Disease Control's
website at www.cdc.gov for
up to date information regarding Costa
Rica.
Do
I need a passport to travel to Costa Rica?
A: As of December 31, 2002 all US citizens who travel to Costa
Rica for tourist/pleasure purposes need a valid passport.
If you would like more information you can visit Costa Rica's
embassy site at www.costarica-embassy.org.
How
do I get from the airport to my hotel in San Jose?
A: After clearing customs/immigrations and exiting the airport
terminal, please watch for our employees, Carlos or Gabriel,
who will be holding a Crocodile Bay sign. They will transport
you to your hotel. Please note their cell phone
numbers listed below.
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 two hours prior to those departure times to make the
flight to Crocodile Bay Lodge.
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 25 pounds will incur a $.55 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?
A: Yes, we strongly recommend you insure your trip. Please
click here for details.
Important
phone numbers:
1. Crocodile Bay Lodge: 506-735-5631, 506-735-5632 (2nd line),
506-735-5633 FAX
2. Cory Williams, Director of Hotel Operations
3.
Carlos Zuniga, Transportation Rep.: cellular (011) 506-389-0543
4. Herradura
Hotel: 506-239-0033
5. Del
Rey Hotel: 506-221-7272
6. U.S.
Embassy: 506-220-3939, after hours/emergencies: 506-220-3127
***If
calling Costa Rica from the U.S. you must dial 011 first.
Once in Costa Rica it is not necessary to dial 011 or 506
Departure
tax:
Departure tax from Costa Rica is $26 and is payable in colones
or U.S. dollars.
