costa rica 2009 fall meeting

Costa Rica 2009Costa Rica 2009

WHAT IS COSTA RICA?WHAT IS COSTA RICA?

It is a small It is a small country in country in Central America Central America about the size of about the size of West Virginia.West Virginia.

LOCATION

THE CAPITAL IS SAN JOSÉ

PRIDE OF COSTA RICAPRIDE OF COSTA RICA

Democratic TraditionsDemocratic Traditions: : no army no wars.no army no wars.

Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Protection: : 30% of the land is preserved for national parks, wild life and 30% of the land is preserved for national parks, wild life and

forest reserves.forest reserves.

The Hospitality of its PeopleThe Hospitality of its People The people are very friendly.The people are very friendly.

LANGUAGELANGUAGE

Costa Ricans speak Costa Ricans speak Spanish.Spanish.

Many of the people also Many of the people also speak English.speak English.

Bring a camera!Bring a camera!

Bring something to Bring something to entertain yourself while entertain yourself while on the bus!on the bus!

Again, bring a book, iPod Again, bring a book, iPod or something to do while or something to do while we are traveling!we are traveling!

Bring beach and swim Bring beach and swim gear!gear!

WILDLIFE IS WILDLIFE IS EVERYWHERE!EVERYWHERE!

TREE IGUANATREE IGUANA

Look for the “snake bird” Look for the “snake bird” when we go kayaking!when we go kayaking!

The Costa Rican national flowerLa Guaria Morada

(purple orchid)

THE PEOPLETHE PEOPLE TicosTicos, as Costa Ricans are commonly , as Costa Ricans are commonly

known, are a fairly mixed bunchknown, are a fairly mixed bunch. .

96 % of the population is white and 96 % of the population is white and mestizosmestizos (people of mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry)(people of mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry)

2% are blacks, mostly of Jamaican origin. 2% are blacks, mostly of Jamaican origin.

Less than 1% are Native IndiansLess than 1% are Native Indians

The other 1% come from other parts such as Asia, The other 1% come from other parts such as Asia, Europe and other countries in Central America.Europe and other countries in Central America.

Friendly local soccer Friendly local soccer match with the “Ticos”match with the “Ticos”

POPULATIONPOPULATION

Costa Rica has a population of more Costa Rica has a population of more than three million people.than three million people.

The state of Alabama has roughly The state of Alabama has roughly 4.5 Million people4.5 Million people

CLIMATECLIMATE

Costa Rica only has two seasons: Costa Rica only has two seasons: summer (sunny) summer (sunny) January to April or May January to April or May

winter (rainy). winter (rainy). from April or May to December. from April or May to December.

Average annual temperatures Average annual temperatures range range

from 89° F on the coast to 62° Ffrom 89° F on the coast to 62° F inland inland

EF TOURS!EF TOURS!

EF TOURS uses the best hotels and EF TOURS uses the best hotels and transportation availabletransportation available

We will have our own personal tour guide We will have our own personal tour guide 24/7 while in Costa Rica.24/7 while in Costa Rica.

Flight ExpectationsFlight Expectations

Europe 2005 Flights: Delta, ContinentalEurope 2005 Flights: Delta, Continental Costa Rica 2007: We flew to Houston then Costa Rica 2007: We flew to Houston then

to Costa Rica on Continentalto Costa Rica on Continental

Hotel ExpectationsHotel Expectations

All hotel rooms have a private bathroom.All hotel rooms have a private bathroom. Rooming will be determined on the trip. Rooming will be determined on the trip.

Kids will share rooms of 2-6. Usually Kids will share rooms of 2-6. Usually rooms of four. rooms of four.

All of our hotels in 2007 All of our hotels in 2007 had pools!had pools!

Hanging in the roomHanging in the room

Here we are with our Here we are with our “Kansas group”“Kansas group”

FOODSFOODS

Typical Lunch on tourTypical Lunch on tour

Eating in Costa RicaEating in Costa Rica

Gallo Pinto (Spotted Rooster) and Casados Gallo Pinto (Spotted Rooster) and Casados (Married.) Gallo Pinto consists of rice and (Married.) Gallo Pinto consists of rice and beans seasoned with coriander, onions and beans seasoned with coriander, onions and Worcestershire sauce usually served for Worcestershire sauce usually served for breakfast with scramble or fried eggs and a breakfast with scramble or fried eggs and a cup of Agua Dulce (pure sugar cane diluted in cup of Agua Dulce (pure sugar cane diluted in hot water) or coffee. Casado consists of white hot water) or coffee. Casado consists of white rice, black or red beans served with pork, rice, black or red beans served with pork, steak, or chicken, a small portion of steak, or chicken, a small portion of cabbage/lettuce & tomato salad, and fried cabbage/lettuce & tomato salad, and fried plantains. All is served in one dish for lunch or plantains. All is served in one dish for lunch or dinner with a refreshment or coffee.dinner with a refreshment or coffee.

Packing Tips, Packing Tips, SuggestionsSuggestions

We recommend that you pack as light as possible. We recommend that you pack as light as possible. About 50 pounds is a good measure for the amount About 50 pounds is a good measure for the amount you pack. We will have you carry this pound amount at you pack. We will have you carry this pound amount at one of our next meetings. All travelers will be expected one of our next meetings. All travelers will be expected to carry their own bags!to carry their own bags!

Many previous travelers choose to pack old Many previous travelers choose to pack old undershirts, socks and underwear that can be disposed undershirts, socks and underwear that can be disposed along the way. Many travelers end up bringing back along the way. Many travelers end up bringing back more than what they leave with. Keep this in mind more than what they leave with. Keep this in mind when thinking about what to bring.when thinking about what to bring.

MONEYMONEY We suggest taking about $300.00 We suggest taking about $300.00

spending money. Travelers tend to spending money. Travelers tend to spend almost as much as they take, keep spend almost as much as they take, keep this in consideration.this in consideration.

A pre-charged ATM or credit cards work A pre-charged ATM or credit cards work great!great!

We will collect tip money at our last We will collect tip money at our last meeting in May.meeting in May.

We will help with budgeting money upon We will help with budgeting money upon request.request.

MONEYMONEY

US Dollars, Cash—United States dollars are US Dollars, Cash—United States dollars are widely accepted (though not universally, widely accepted (though not universally, always have some colones, especially for always have some colones, especially for smaller purchases) and sometimes preferred smaller purchases) and sometimes preferred because of colón inflation. because of colón inflation.

Check with your bank to find the branch that Check with your bank to find the branch that will do exchanges. About $1=558 CRCwill do exchanges. About $1=558 CRC

Travelers checks can be changed at hotelsTravelers checks can be changed at hotels CASH SPENDS BEST AND EASIEST!CASH SPENDS BEST AND EASIEST!

Phone TreePhone Tree

Please fill out the phone tree document before Please fill out the phone tree document before you leave.you leave.

Let Mr. Brannon know if you would like to be Let Mr. Brannon know if you would like to be placed last or first on the list.placed last or first on the list.

We will use the list anytime we land or take off.We will use the list anytime we land or take off. Check with your cell phone provider to see if Check with your cell phone provider to see if

they serve Costa Rica.they serve Costa Rica. Travelers will have ample opportunities to call Travelers will have ample opportunities to call

home.home.

RemindersReminders

Passport should be obtained soon. We Passport should be obtained soon. We suggest getting one over the December suggest getting one over the December break. See handout for more detailed break. See handout for more detailed information.information.

You will need to bring a copy of your You will need to bring a copy of your passport to the February meeting. passport to the February meeting.

Mr. Brannon will keep all passports Mr. Brannon will keep all passports except for when the travelers need them.except for when the travelers need them.

Flexibility is KEY!Flexibility is KEY! Remember that our travel departure range is 6-04-2009 to Remember that our travel departure range is 6-04-2009 to

6-08-09. However, in the past we have been only a couple 6-08-09. However, in the past we have been only a couple days outside our departure date. days outside our departure date.

Also, it is possible although not likely that our tour itself Also, it is possible although not likely that our tour itself could change. Our first choice is “Coast to Coast”, Our could change. Our first choice is “Coast to Coast”, Our second choice is “A touch of the Tropics” and our third second choice is “A touch of the Tropics” and our third choice is discover Costa Rica.choice is discover Costa Rica.

“ “While we do our absolute best to get you running on While we do our absolute best to get you running on your top tour choice and requested departure date, bear your top tour choice and requested departure date, bear in mind that this is a group travel company and we do in mind that this is a group travel company and we do require date flexibility and alternative tour choices in order require date flexibility and alternative tour choices in order to get you the low group raters we offer. Your travelers to get you the low group raters we offer. Your travelers should be familiar and comfortable with this concept.” should be familiar and comfortable with this concept.” From EF tours. From EF tours.

RULESRULES

All regulations are in the EF tour All regulations are in the EF tour information.information.

Some of the most important rules are: Some of the most important rules are: Following Curfew, girls only in girls Following Curfew, girls only in girls rooms, boys only in boys rooms and you rooms, boys only in boys rooms and you should never be alone except when you should never be alone except when you are in the Hotel! Breaking these rules are in the Hotel! Breaking these rules CAN GET YOU SENT HOME!CAN GET YOU SENT HOME!

DeadlinesDeadlines

o Passport by next meetingPassport by next meeting

o Payments to EF by 99 days to departure Payments to EF by 99 days to departure February 25February 25thth, 2009, 2009

o By 76 days prior to departure, payment By 76 days prior to departure, payment for all inclusive insurance plan.for all inclusive insurance plan.

Special RequestsSpecial Requests Please let us know if you have any special Please let us know if you have any special

dietary or medical needs. dietary or medical needs. It is very important that we are aware of It is very important that we are aware of

any special needs months before we go on any special needs months before we go on tour.tour.

ADULTS: You will need to request your ADULTS: You will need to request your own room ahead of time.own room ahead of time.

Next MeetingNext Meeting

Next meeting will be late April or early Next meeting will be late April or early May when we get details for the trip.May when we get details for the trip.

You will need to bring a copy of your You will need to bring a copy of your passport and tip money at that time.passport and tip money at that time.

You will need to have the authorization You will need to have the authorization form turned in by this time.form turned in by this time.

Hand-outsHand-outs

Passport guidePassport guide InsuranceInsurance Packing List suggestionsPacking List suggestions Parental authorization form (return to me-Parental authorization form (return to me-

if needed, I can have them notarized)if needed, I can have them notarized) Fill out information sheetFill out information sheet

PURA VIDA means PURA VIDA means “the good life”“the good life”