THE AIRPORTS 

Costa Rica features two major airports and several much smaller ones. You can choose to land in (SJO) San Jose  (the nation's capitol located in the Central Valley) or at what is popularly referred to as the Liberia Airport (LIR).

The former is a pretty typical big city facility and often suffers from the same delays that plague other metro airports. Up until about five years ago most all travelers to the country were forced to land here. But as tourism has evolved into the country's leading moneymaker, so has the flight traffic into the Liberia Airport near the pacific Coast.

If you choose to land in San Jose, you will likely rent a vehicle in order to make the five-hour trek to the coast. The drive is not the best way to start a vacation. An alternative from San Jose is to either fly in a puddle jumper for around $80 per person (luggage limitations apply) or secure a 12-passenger van/ bus ticket for about $30 per person.

Unless you have specific business in San Jose, we recommend you avoid it all together.

Liberia Airport is located in the "sticks" about 15 miles south of the City of Liberia.

A flight from Atlanta, GA (USA) to Liberia Airport takes 3 hours and 24 minutes. It will take another 30 minutes to secure your luggage and pass through customs.

May we humbly suggest that if you are arriving from a cold weather clime that you place some warm weather clothing in your carryon luggage and change in the plane or airport restroom.

From here it is just a 30-40 minute drive to the beach at Los Almendros.

Most all travelers believe that they MUST secure a rental vehicle. Not true if you are staying at Los Almendros. In fact, if you are visiting Costa Rica so you can "just plain relax", we suggest you don't rent a vehicle.

For a reasonable fee, the Los Almendros passenger van can pick up you and your party at the airport and deliver you to the door of your vacation home. And for the remainder of your vacation you can enjoy the amenities of Los Almendros and take a very reasonably priced 2.5 mile cab ride to the colorful, neighboring small city of Playas Del Coco.

Or have the in-house travel agency arrange for transportation for such fun recreational activities as fishing, surfing sightseeing by boat, diving and canopy tours (zip lining).  Or you may choose to get up close and personal with an active volcano; visit significant Liberia ("The White City"); tour a national park or local beaches. Even visit a butterfly farm, coffee plantation or a community filled with pottery-making artisans.

If you like to snorkel you certainly won't need transportation as one of the most popular and colorful "aquariums" is located just off the Playa Ocotal beach in front of your vacation home. 

THE RENTAL CAR

If you simply have to wander and want to rent a vehicle, here are a few handy tips. You don't need a four-wheel vehicle if you are going to stay on the main roads. Los Almendros management can arrange for you to be able to pick up your vehicle near the Liberia Airport. Make sure that you carefully inspect the vehicle with the rental agent and that all dents and dings are noted on the agreement. Check the tires and take her on a short test drive. It is also suggested that you take pictures with your handy digital camera.

If you drive and park a rental car everyone in the country will now know that you are a visiting "gringo." Including the "bad guys". You must now use the same common sense that you use back home. Lock the vehicle. Don't leave valuables in plain sight. Don't offer rides to strangers.

Now that you have a rental vehicle you are likely are going to do some driving. You are not in Kansas anymore. The major roads are in reasonable shape. The others aren't. Potholes large enough to swallow a small village are in evidence. Drive slow enough that you can avoid them.

Speed limits are posted in kilometers. Multiply the number by 60 percent and you have the approximate posted limits in mph. They are lower than you are accustomed. Yes, there are "speed traps". Yes, the fines are fairly hefty. Wear seat belts!

That having been said, there were only about 100,000 vehicles in all of Costa Rica about 15 years ago. Now there are a million. That's 900,000 "new" drivers. Some unfamiliar with speed limits, turn signals, headlights during rainstorms or even common courtesy. Don't take anything for granted! 

YOUR PASSPORT

The single most valuable item that you own is your passport. Without it you are unable to enter or depart a foreign country. Obviously, it is most important to you and is envied by the "bad guys".

Soon after arriving in a foreign nation, you should find a copy machine and take two pictures of this document. One showing your vital passport numbers (and mug) and the other showing your stamped arrival date. Carry the copies and really secure the real thing. The only time you will need "the real thing" is when doing bank business. 

BANK BUSINESS 

Banks are very popular in Costa Rica. They have air conditioning and a television set. Don't even consider visiting a bank on the day of a big football (soccer) game.

Don't be alarmed by the armed guard at the front door. It is a traditional safeguard (duplicated at gas/service stations) and one of the very few times you will ever encounter such a sight. Costa Rica is a passive, fun-loving nation with no army.

You will be asked to remove your sunglass and take a number - just like at a butcher shop or bakery.

Chances are (especially on Monday and Friday) there will be 30 or 40 people ahead of you. Keep the number; go sightseeing; and come back in a couple hours.

Better still, avoid the bank.

If you feel you must change your currency to the local "colones" (named after Christopher Columbus) may we suggest you visit the local grocery store and buy a few items with your big bill.  

MONEY MATTERS 

We estimate that 98% of the places you visit in Costa Rica will gladly take American currency or a credit/debit card. Others most likely have to endure the banks (be certain to have your real passport). So, you don't really need the local money. FYI - the exchange rate is about 500 colons to the American dollar.

As an aside, if you come from the United States or Canada, you are a North American and the residents of Costa Rica are Central Americans. We are all "Americans"

But back to money matters. 

The easiest way to have absolutely no money problems in Costa Rica is to bring an envelope filled with $20 bills. They are small enough a denomination that anyone can cash one. And you aren't flashing big bucks.

Merchants don't really like travelers' checks, as they take way too long to clear. And there are even some banks that will make cashing them problematic. And yes, you can often get a better bargain at a souvenir shop if you pay with cash rather than credit card or travelers' checks.

For those who have not traveled abroad - a word of advice. Call your credit card company in advance of your trip to insure that they will honor it. Especially when one member of the household is staying back home.

It's mighty embarrassing (and a predicament) to have your card rejected.

And another thing to consider is that ATM machines are scarce.  
 

DRINK THE WATER 

The water at Los Almendros de Ocotal comes from a nearby well and you can drink all that you desire.

In fact, most everywhere that you will probably go will have a water supply likely better than you have back home.

In fact, after settling in at your Los Almendros abode, may we suggest that you fill a couple available pitchers with water and set them aside. Every once in a while the local municipality or utility company will intentionally shut off electricity throughout the region (to do work). And a backup supply for making coffee comes in real handy.  
 

AIR CONDITIONING 

The temperatures in Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province are almost perfect on a year-round basis. Never too cold and rarely too hot. Air conditioning is rare.

You are highly unlikely to encounter a restaurant or shop with such an unnecessary luxury.

But, so as to provide you peace of mind, all rentals at Los Almendros are equipped with air condition units. With the exception of a handful of days a year, permanent Los Almendros residents never use them. Preferring to open windows and sliding glass doors and letting the cooling Pacific Ocean breezes meander through our homes. 

Elsewhere we will provide you a chart with the always-pleasant air and water temperatures on a year-round basis.

If you do turn on the air we ask that you turn them off when leaving your home for extended periods.