Crocodile
Bay Resort, Costa Rica - Travel FAQ
Important
notice regarding NatureAir weight policies:
Important
Phone Numbers and Staff Information
Sign-up
for Travel Insurance with Insure My Trip Here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a vaccination(s) to visit
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?
What
happens when I arrive in Puerto Jimenez and Crocodile Bay Resort??
How long is the flight from San Jose to Puerto
Jimenez?
Is there a weight limit on the plane from
San Jose to the Resort?
Do I need to bring my own fishing
equipment?
What
time are meals served at Crocodle Bay Resort?
Does Crocodile Bay Resort provide
equipment for the eco tours?
Do
I need an appointment for Spa treatments?
How long do the eco tours last and how
do package credits work?
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
Resort?
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
What about Deposit, Cancellations, and Refunds?
NatureAir
requires the weight of all passengers. Please provide
weight when making your reservation. Passengers who are more than
250 lbs of physical weight are required to pay for an extra airfare
seat which is not included in packages. If paid prior to flight
date you will receive a 20 percent discount. The need for the
weight check is due to safety requirements regarding total aircraft
weight capacity. At NatureAir check-in you will be weighed and
if over 250 lbs., you will be required to purchase a second ticket
at full price. If this policy will apply to you, please discuss
it with your Crocodile Bay contact.
Please
visit www.natureair.com
for further details. Phone 011(506) 299-6000 Fax 011(506) 220-0413.
Toll free for U.S.A. and Canada 1-800-235-9272.
Do
I need any shots before visiting Costa Rica?
A: No vaccinations are required to enter Costa
Rica. Please visit the Center
for Disease Control's website at for current traveler's health
topics and recommendations, and consult your doctor for any concerns.
Do
I need a passport to travel to Costa Rica?
A valid U.S. Passport that will not expire until at least 30 days
after your return to the United States is required. You may stay
in Costa Rica for up to 90 days without a visa but you need a
passport. For U.S. Passport
information click here.
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 who will be holding a
Crocodile Bay sign (see phone & staff info).
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.
Call Reservations at 1-800-733-1115 for the details.
How
long is the flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez?
A: 45 minutes
What
happens when I arrive at Puerto Jimenez and Crocodile Bay Resort?
A:
Upon arrival in Puerto Jiménez, Crocodile Bay Resort drivers
will meet you at the plane to assist with luggage and escort you
quickly to the Resort adjacent to the airstrip. Staff will welcome
you with a refreshing fruit juice cocktail and your luggage will
be taken to your room. Simple snacks can be provided if desired.
You will be asked to provide a credit card at check-in for any
personal expenses you may incur, such as Eco tours, laundry services,
gift shop purchases, top shelf liquors, cigars, etc., which are
payable directly to Crocodile Bay Resort at the end of your stay.
If you have a fishing boat or ecotour scheduled you will be taken
to it as soon as you are ready.
What
time are meals served at Crocodile BayResort?
A: Breakfast
is served between 6 am to 8:30 am, Lunch 12 noon to 1:30 pm and
Dinner from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm. Hors d'oeuvre and Happy Hour are
served well before dinner at 4:30pm. We accommodate dietary requests;
advanced notice is recommended. Our gourmet meals are restaurant
or buffet style with a full menu and variety of entrees including
choice of fresh fish, of course, and chicken and beef dishes.
Bottled water is in each room and ice is available at the resort
kitchen.
Do
I need an Appointment for the Spa?
Spa treatments are available to all guests. Spa treatments require
an appointment with our Spa Staff to determine services desired
during your stay. All treatments are performed by spa therapists.
The Spa is open for appointments with times 9:00am, 10:15am, 1:30pm,
1:45pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:45pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm and 8:15pm.
Appointments at 8:15pm are for treatments of 1 hour or less. In
our high season chair massage by pool side are from 3:30pm –
6:00pm and only one therapist is available. Appointments are required.
Q:
How much baggage can I bring?
A: NatureAir
uses a baggage weight restriction of 30 lbs. per person for one
checked bag and 10 lbs for carry-on and camera equipment. Any
applicable overweight charges are payable directly to the airline
at the counter at the rate of $25 USD from 31 to 45 lbs and $60
from 46 to 60 lbs. and subject to flight with available space.
Additional bags weighing 30 lbs. are $25 per bag plus subject
to overweight charges. Oversized & overweight items, i.e.,
Fishing gear, Bikes and Surfboards are subject to space availability
and a charge of $40 per flight. If the flight is full and the
plane is at top weight, your luggage could be delayed and sent
on the next flight with available space. We recommend you pack
the overnight carry-on bag in your hotel the night before with
what you will need for the first day; with shorts, swimsuits,
sunscreen and medicine necessities. NatureAir also provides a
secure room for excess luggage at the Pavas airport which can
be picked up on your return for $5 per bag.
Do
I need to bring my own fishing equipment?
The daily fishing charters include captain (and crew, in the case
of Strike boats) gear, tackle, bait, lures and flies. Lunch, fresh
cut tropical fruits, snacks, cold beverages and beer are served
onboard the boat. Fishing tackle is provided to your specific
tackle preferences and we will do our best to satisfy your request.
We need prior notice of inshore or offshore fishing upon reservation,
so we may provide appropriate captains and boats. Of course, you
are welcome to bring your own tackle.
If f 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.
On international
flights we recommend that all sharp, pointed items and fishing
gear be packed in your checked luggage, including: rods, reels,
line, hooks, fishing line, flies, fly tying kits and fishing
tools, pliers, tweezers, scissors, pocket knives, etc. This
will help avoid delays and potential confiscation at security
checkpoints.
Does
Crocodile Bay Resort 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. Eco tour / Spa packages include a daily credit
of $125 per person, which can be applied to any Eco tour or Spa
treatment. Any daily balances carry over to remaining days. This
credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and will expire at
the end of your stay. Credits are reduced $125 on fishing day.
Eco / Spa credits cannot be used for any other resort expenditures.
Eco tours and Spa treatments may also be purchased a la carte
at the Resort and may be added to your room account. Inquire at
the front desk to arrange Eco tours or Spa treatments. Representatives
will be available in the evenings at the Resort to discuss the
various Eco-activities and Spa treatments that are offered. All
Eco tours require at least 12 hours advance notice. See the Eco-Adventure
Tour List and the Spa Services Menu
in your information packet for details and prices, or request
one be emailed to you.
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 Resort 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 Resort 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: Of course, tipping is never mandatory and is considered an
additional reward for exceptional service. Staff tips may be paid
in cash, traveler’s checks or credit card. We do get asked
for our recommendations and we offer the following guidelines:
Fishing
Captains - $25-$50 per angler. It is preferable to tip
directly to the captain in cash at the end of the fishing day.
However, you may always choose to pay your tips at the end of
your stay with your credit card or cash, just advise the name
of your Captain and or Mate. Tower boat captains will share the
tips with the mate. You may have different Captains for inshore
and offshore fishing.
Resort Staff (chef/ kitchen staff, wait staff,
bartenders and housekeeping) – app. $15 per person per day
as a tip ‘pool’ which can be added to your room account
at checkout for disbursement.
Eco-tour Guides - $10 per person for a half-day
tour, or $20 per person for a full-day tour, depending on the
extent of the services. It is preferable to tip the guide in cash
at the end of the tour or you can leave the tip to your guide
(advise name of guide) upon check-out. The guides will share the
tips with the driver on tours that involve a driver.
SPA Therapists Spa Therapists - Spa Therapists
- $10 to $20 depending on the treatment / package that you are
having. It is preferable to tip directly to the therapist in cash
at the end of the spa treatment or you can leave the tip to your
therapist (advise name of therapist) upon check-out.
Drivers – If you use one of the Resort’s
drivers or guides for local transportation, please tip separately
at your discretion.
Deposit, Cancellations,
and Refunds:
A deposit of $1,000 per guest is required within 10 days of the
reservation request. The balance is due 90 days prior to the scheduled
arrival at The Resort.
Refund Policy A refund of the deposit less a
handling fee of $150 per person will be returned provided a written
notice of cancellation is received prior to 90 days of your scheduled
arrival. There will be no refund of any monies for “no shows”
or cancellation received less than 90 days prior to scheduled
arrival.
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 Resort. 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 Resort?
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: Yes
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 Resort 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: Travel Insurance is strongly recommended because it is what protects
you against loss while traveling. Please see the last page for our
deposits, refunds and cancellation policies. Crocodilebay.com has
a FAQ page with a link to a comparative travel insurance website
with multiple plans. You can protect against changes in travel plans,
baggage loss, flight cancellation, medical emergencies and other
concerns. Sign-up
for Travel Insurance with Insure My Trip Here!
Departure
tax:
We highly recommend prepaying the $26 Airport Departure Tax at
the Pavas NatureAir Airport while waiting in the terminal at the
Government Office upstairs. You can pay with a Visa credit card
or cash. Master Card is NOT accepted at the Pavas or International
Airports for the departure tax. It opens at 6am. Passport is required.
One person can pay for the group with everyone's passport. Put
the receipt safely with your passport because you will need it
to leave Costa Rica. Paying at the NatureAir Terminal will save
time over waiting in line at the Juan Santamaria Intl Airport
later. Check your receipt to verify it is a Credit Card Charge
and not a Cash Advance.
Important
Phone Numbers and Staff Information
Crocodile Bay Resort
Phone from US: 011-506-2-735-5631
FAX: 011-506-2-735-5633
Director Hotel Operations: Cory Williams
General Manager: Beau Williams
Reception Manager: Kelvin Flores
Spa Director: Justa Solano
Fishing Director: Todd Staley
Eco Tour Director: Alberto Herrera
Jonathan Madrigal, San Jose Logistics Coordinator,
Cell # 011-506-8-844-9356
Lulu, 2nd contact for Ground Transportation,
Cell # 011-506-8-880-6571
Hotel Doubletree Cariari by Hilton 011-506-2-239-0022
Hotel Sleep Inn 011-506-2-222-0101
U.S. Embassy 011-506-2-220-3939, nights/emergencies:
011-506-2-220-3127 Dial 911 for Police Emergencies
When calling from Costa Rica no country code (011)
or area code (506) is necessary
HOME
| ABOUT COSTA RICA | VACATION
PACKAGES | COSTA RICA RESORT INFO | COSTA
RICA SPA | ORDER DVD