FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Costa Rica 

Do I need a passport or a visa to travel to Costa Rica?

A visa is not required. As of December 31, 2002 all Canadian, US and EU citizens who travel to Costa Rica for tourism and pleasure purposes only need a valid passport. Please check your passport to make sure you have at least 6 months validity from the time you enter Costa Rica. If not, you should get a new passport. 

Do I need any shots, Covid testing or health insurance to visit Costa Rica or return to US?

You do not need any shots or vaccines before visiting Costa Rica. However, we always suggest speaking with your Doctor and referring to the World Health Organization’s website before traveling anywhere.

Costa Rica does not require any Covid testing or vaccination to enter the country. While we respect your privacy regarding Covid vaccination status, we encourage you that if you have not been vaccinated for Covid you may want to do a test prior to travel to ensure you are free and clear, and ready to have a most enjoyable time in Costa Rica.

Please note that currently Costa Rica requires visitors to purchase health insurance coverage. See details at U.S. Embassy page

In addition, all visitors must also complete an online Health Pass (pase de Salud) 48 hours prior to travel to Costa Rica.

Should the United States continue to require Covid testing to re-enter the country, we will make arrangement for testing at a clinic in Puerto Jimenez. We will indicate cost and logistics as we gather that information.

How do I get to Costa Rica and Blue Osa?

You need to fly into Juan Santa Maria Airport in San Jose (SJO). There are a number of direct flights and other options from many main US hubs. Then you should book a connecting flight to Puerto Jimenez. 

Domestic Costa Rican carriers, such as Sansa, offer numerous flights daily from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez, with the one-way trip taking approximately 45 minutes. It should be noted, however, that there are no late afternoon or evening flights available; the last flights into Puerto Jimenez departs from San Jose in the mid afternoon. Visitors arriving into the country in the mid afternoon or evening should take this into consideration.

Should you need to stay in San Jose due to flight schedules in and/or out, we recommend Marriott Courtyard near the San Jose airport in Alajuela. 

We highly recommend booking airfare directly with the airline and not with an intermediary, for ease in case you need to make changes. We are glad to research flight options for you.

What is the time zone?

Mountain Standard Time with no “fall back” time adjustment - translation…. two hours earlier than New York… one hour later than Los Angeles :)

What are the options for airport transfer from Puerto Jimenez airport to Blue Osa?

Your Renovad retreat package includes airport transfer. We will schedule it through Blue Osa. 

How is the weather in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a tropical country located between 8 and 11 degrees north of the equator. It has twelve micro-climates, three different rainfall regimes and many micro climates. The Osa Peninsula is characterized by warm, breezy days, with highs between 82 – 92 degrees, and lows in the range of 75 – 85. Please take note, however, that the Osa Peninsula IS part of the rainforest, and is surrounded by jungle.

What should I pack?

To start, if you are taking the flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez and do not want to pay extra fees, you must limit luggage to a carry-on and a hand bag, together not to exceed 30 lbs. In any case, pack LIGHT and enjoy laundry service twice a week for $25 per load. The tropical climate makes it very comfortable to wear simple, lightweight clothing and footwear. Other than your beauty potions and customary toiletries, we recommend packing quick-dry clothes, water shoes and impermeable sandals, and do not forget bringing any prescription medications. Leave your blow dryers and flat irons at home as they are NOT allowed at Blue Osa because the solar generated power system cannot handle the voltage. Another note on packing: we highly recommend packing all items in plastic ziplock bags with silica gel bags to avoid the effects of rain forest humidity. Rather than unpacking, leave everything in your bags until use.

What level of experience is required to enjoy yoga practice?

YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE! Our yoga practice will accommodate all levels at your own capacity and range of motion, including guests who are not avid practitioners or might have never experienced yoga. This would be a great time to start or recommit to your practice!

Can we communicate in English?

Absolutely, but you are also welcome to practice your Spanish. 

What is the currency and accepted credit cards?

Colones is the official currency of Costa Rica, although US dollars are widely accepted. For Americans, it is not necessary to convert any money to local currency as all businesses happily accept U.S. dollars; however, expect your change to be in colones. In fact, we suggest not to change any money and bring several smaller bills so you do not receive any change. The current rate of exchange fluctuates around 600 colones for every 1 US dollar. Should you be in need of cash, the Banco Nacional and Banco De Costa Rica in Puerto Jimenez does have ATM cash machines. However, we suggest bringing whatever money you need with you, as Puerto Jimenez is 30 minutes from Blue Osa and all of Blue Osa rooms are equipped with secure safes for your valuables.

Items and activities purchased at Blue Osa can be charged to your room and paid with a credit card at the end of your stay with Visa and Mastercard; American Express is NOT accepted. If you are using your credit cards when you travel, please advise your bank that you will be making charges internationally. 

Please be aware that Blue Osa ONLY ACCEPTS CASH TIPS. 

Tip on tipping

Tips for services rendered are very much appreciated by Blue Osa’s hardworking staff. At the end of the week, you may leave a CASH tip in the tip box. All tips will be pooled and divided evenly among our staff of about 17 people who work in the kitchen, garden, office and housekeeping staff. If you would like to tip individually, you may do that also at check-out. As a guide, may we suggest a tip of $20 -$40/day. Likewise, tips for individually booked spa treatments and tours are left to your discretion.

Is there a departure tax when leaving Costa Rica?

There is a departure tax when leaving Costa Rica that must be paid at Juan Santamaria International Airport. This fee is $29 USD and is payable in either colones, U.S. dollars, or Visa/Mastercard.

Please note that as of January 2018, most airlines are including this fee in the price of the tickets.

Do we need electric converters?

The electrical current used in Costa Rica is 110 volts, so no need for converters for travelers from USA. 

Will my cell phone work in Costa Rica?

Wi-Fi is available in the Blue Osa lounge and dinning area. Contact your carrier for best options to further enable cell phone and data use. Unless you set up an international package with your provider, cell and data use outside of wi-fi enables communication apps can be expensive. 

Is Costa Rica safe?

Generally, Costa Rica is quite safe. Like any place, normal precautions and care should be taken depending upon where you are visiting. Violent crime is rare in Costa Rica. 

Before you leave the U.S., leave a color copy of your passport along with information about where you will be lodging with a loved one in the U.S.

Is the drinking water safe?

While Blue Osa’s water has been tested to ensure your safety, they provide filtered water in the Cocina. As they do not allow open cups on the yoga deck, they recommend bringing a water bottle, or you may purchase one in the Blue Osa store.

What happens in case of a medical emergency in the middle of the rainforest?

Renovad requires participants to purchase travel insurance with health coverage.

There is a 24-hour medical clinic located in Puerto Jimenez, 30 minutes away from Blue Osa. They always have a vehicle on property in case emergency transport is necessary. Additionally, Puerto Jimenez has a 24-hour flight service that transports patients to the nearby hospital in Golfito (an 8 minute flight) or to San Jose (a 45 minute flight). And, in case of an extreme emergency, a helicopter can be ordered from San Jose and land in a nearby field.

Medical care in Costa Rica is of very high quality and considered to be the best in Central America. San Jose especially has excellent hospitals, medical facilities and doctors that attend almost exclusively to foreign residents and travelers.

What are the cancellation policies, terms and conditions for booking this retreat?

See all terms and conditions in RSVP page.