1. What are
the weather conditions in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a tropical climate
with two distinct seasons. The Green Season lasts from May to November.
The Gold Season begins in December and continues through April. During
the Green Season expect a daily rain shower late in the afternoon or
evening which keeps the landscape green. During the Gold Season,
virtually no rain falls and the landscape turns a golden brown. In
Guanacaste where Tropical Felgate is located, the dry Gold Season tends
to last several weeks longer than in other areas of Costa Rica.
Temperatures vary primarily with elevation, not with
season; on the
coasts, the weather is warm all year, while in the mountains, nights can
be cool at any time of the year.
2. Is it necessary to speak fluent Spanish or have an interpreter when
travelling to Costa Rica?
No. Spanish is the official language, while English is
widely spoken throughout the country. Members of our Sales Team are
bilingual.
3. Is the water safe to drink?
Yes. Unlike many other Latin countries, Costa Rica
has similar practices and standards found in the U.S. for ensuring that
clean, potable water is available to all its citizens.
4. What is the
time zone?
Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time (-6 GMT) and
Daylight Savings Time is not observed.
5. How would you describe the area of Costa Rica where our projects are
located?
The Guanacaste province in northwest Costa Rica is a
land of volcanic peaks, jungle valleys, scenic waterfalls and natural
hot springs. Home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with national
parks and wildlife refuges, the area offers fascinating nature
exploration as well as historic sites and quaint villages. Its beaches
are some of the best in Costa Rica and the warm, crystal-clear waters of
the Pacific are both inviting and picturesque. The climate is
comfortable year-round, with low humidity, sunny days and balmy
star-studded nights.
6. What are the attractions to Playas del Coco for tourists and
residents?
Coco Beach is the most accessible and frequented beach
in Guanacaste. In addition to the commercial conveniences at the
Tropical Felgate Village Center, Coco offers a port captain, post
office, bank, small hotels and bed & breakfast establishments and a
selection of restaurants and souvenir shops.
7. Where are
the schools near Tropical Felgate?
The Country Day School in
Guanacaste (Pre-K through Grade 12)
Location: Playa Brasilito
Phone:
(506) 654-5042
Website: www.cdsgtc.com
Contact: Patrick Brown
Remarks: About an hour drive south to Brasilito, considered the best
school in the area. Tuition is $7,500 per year.
International Christian School
Location: Liberia
Phone:
(506) 665-0007
Website: www.icscr.net
Contact: Wendy Taylor
Remarks: About 40 minutes to Liberia. School is branch of larger school
in San JosÈ.
Escuela Teocali
Location: Liberia
Phone:
(506) 666-2903
Remarks: About 40 minutes to Liberia. School has been operating for
25 years.
8.
What recreational activities are available in the area?
Witch’s Rock canopy tour –
“Harness up and swing through the trees” on a series of zip lines
suspended between the tall trees of the tropical forest. Enjoy an
incredible view of the Gulf of Papagayo.
Horseback riding at El Aromal – Hacienda ARomal neighbors the Santa Rosa
National Park. You will observe a wide variety of wildlife and
experience breathtaking views as you ride through Aromal. A guided tour
begins at the sabaneros cattle herding station where you will wear the
typical hats and kerchiefs and the tour ends at the Hacienda where you
will be offered a cool drink and a typical Costa Rican snack.
Fishing – Guanacaste offers on of Costa Rica’s premium fishing
destinations – Catalina Islands. The deep water to the south and west,
off Flamingo and Tamarindo beaches is home to blue, striped and black
marlin, a multitude of sailfish and dorado (mahi mahi). Big-game fishing
is available, 16-65 kilometers (10 to 40 miles) offshore. Boats measure
9.5 to 16-metres (31 to 51 feet) and accommodate four fishermen each.
Every boat is equipped with high-tech communication devices, GPS, fish
depth-finder, life jackets and Penn International fishing gear. Half-day
or Full-day excursions can be easily arranged.
Scuba diving – There are many dive sites on the Guanacaste coastline,
showcasing an underwater life that is richly diverse in color, species
and natural volcanic rock formations. Marine life unique to this region
abounds – divers will see massive schools of fish, rays, jacks, whales
sharks, giant mantas, sea turtles, white tip sharks, dolphins and more.
Available diving trips include local dives, night dives and dives to the
Catalina Islands.
Surfing – For surfing enthusiasts, local surf shops can transport you by
boat to Witch’s rock, Petrero Grande, Ollie’s Point and several other
world-famous spots routinely featured in surfing magazines. For the less
experienced or new surfer, Tamarindo is a very popular surfing
destination, with two beaches: one for beginners and the other for the
slightly more advanced. Located approximately 1 hour drive southwest of
Tropical Felgate, lesions are available through local surf shops in
Tamarindo.
Rainforests – The Rincon Rainforest is Premontane Rainforest (Bosque
Pluvial Premontano) at 900 meters down to Very Humid Rainforest (Bosque
Muy Humedo Tropical) at 200 meters elevation. In generic terms, it is
classical piedmont rainforest on volcanic foothill soils, receiving 4-5
meters of rain annually. It is home to at least 500 species of
vertebrates, 3000 species of plants and many tens of thousands of
species of insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, spiders and
protozoans.
9. Are there
national parks in Guanacaste?
Parque Nacional Ricon de la Vieja and the Rincon
Volcano is located in Guanacaste about 58 kilometers or 36 miles from El
Coco. Estimated travel time is a 2-hour drive. This 35,000-acre
(14,161-hectare) national park is named after its active volcano, Rincon
de la Vieja. There is an abundance of Costa Rica’s national flower, the
guaria morada, a purple orchid. The wildlife in the park is extremely
varied with almost 300 species of birds recorded here. The Ricon Volcano
is about 1 million years old and is the third most active volcano in
Costa Rica. It has nine active craters. Gentle activity has occurred
many times since the late 1960’s. The most recent eruption of steam and
ash was in 1997.
Palo Verde Wildlife National Park is located in Guanacaste about 60
kilometers or 37 miles from Tropical Felgate. Estimated travel time is a
2-hour drive. This 42,000 acre (17,000-hectare) national park features
saltwater and freshwater lagoons and marshes, mangrove swamps and
deciduous woodland, as well as an impressive array or wildlife.
10. Where are the best
places to shop?
El Coco retail shops – Local merchants offer cigars,
clothing, jewelry,
t-shirts, hand crafted wood items and local pottery.
11.
Where is the closest International airport to El Coco?
The Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia is approximately
20 minutes from Tropical Felgate on a paved, well-traveled road.
Currently non-stop flights are available from Miami, Atlanta, Houston,
Dallas, Charlotte, Minneapolis, Newark, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.
12. Are there direct flights from the US & Canada to Liberia, Costa
Rica?
Delta Airlines flies direct from Atlanta to Liberia
six times per week. Delta Airlines is in the process of adding a
non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Liberia. American Airlines provides
service from Miami three times per week. Continental Airlines provides
service from Houston to Liberia twice daily, seven days per week.
Continental Airlines also offers one weekly non-stop flight from Newark
to Liberia.
13. Are transportation services available to the Tropical Felgate
office?
Transportation services can be arranged by contacting
a Sales Executive.
14. Can we bring our
pets to Costa Rica?
To bring a pet into the country
you must contact the Costa Rican consulate in the US to obtain the
proper paperwork and procedures prior to arrival. There is no quarantine
time for pets.
In general, pets must have all vaccinations and
documentation from a vet. Shots must be current within two weeks except
for rabies which must be less than one year. Certain species and breeds
of dogs and cats are not allowed in the country. It is an easy process
to bring a pet to Costa Rica provided the owners follow the procedures
correctly.
