FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A small luxury eco-resort Copa De Arbol is specifically designed and located to cater to the traveler seeking an “off-the-beaten-path” rainforest and ocean experience. The resort is accessed by boat only, with wet beach landings that can be challenging at times. We also remind guests that we are in the jungle – which means there is a lot of wildlife, some dangerous, most magnificent. Copa De Arbol is a total escape from the outside world. Once you arrive, you will be immersed in your own private, tropical wilderness – no roads, cars, discos, shopping malls or supermarkets. Just you, the ocean, the wildlife, and the rainforest. Are you ready to escape?

PASSPORT

All foreign citizens entering Costa Rica must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date they leave the country.  Citizens of the United States, Canada and many other countries do not need visas to enter Costa Rica. Citizens of countries other than the United States, Canada and the European Economic Community should check with the nearest Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate.

FLYING

Most flights into Costa Rica fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).  The airport is located 20 kilometers from central San Jose. Another international airport in Liberia is also an option and it is located further north in Guanacaste.

Depending on your arrival time to SJO, you may have to spend the night in San Jose and catch a connecting flight to Drake Bay the next day.  If your flight arrives in the early morning you may be able to make a connecting flight the same day.  Keep in mind that baggage, customs and immigration could take up to an hour or more (although it is usually quite fast).

We can recommend a hotel for your overnight in San Jose as well as arrange a taxi to pick you up from your international flight.

AIRPORT

For international flights, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure as you will have to pay the departure tax of $28USD, verify paperwork, and deal with baggage inspection in addition to regular check-in procedures.

TIPPING

Restaurant: As an all-inclusive resort, our restaurant staff is not dependent on tips from our Cabina guests for the meals served, That said, if the service was extra attentive, feel free to tip.  A 10% gratuity, as well as a 13% state tax, will be added to all extras such as sodas, cocktails and food sold in the restaurant, which is the standard throughout Costa Rica.

Hotels: Customary tipping protocol applies to luggage handling and housekeeping.  Luggage is typically $1 per bag, more if there are stairs or a bit of a walk.  $1/day is a good guideline for housekeeping, more if there are more than 2 people, or if you are particularly untidy.

You will be able to include and pay for any staff tips with your final checkout, though US dollars are always welcome as tips.

MONEY MATTERS

We accept US dollars, Costa Rican colones, and most credit cards for all payments at the resort.  We do not accept travelers’ checks.

There are no ATMs in Drake Bay, and your last opportunity to exchange or withdraw cash will be at the airport in San Jose unless you are traveling to other parts of the country prior to your trip to Drake Bay.

In most small towns as well as throughout San Jose you will find Costa Rican banks with ATM machines.

INSURANCE

We recommend all travelers to purchase travelers insurance prior to your trip to cover you in the event you need to cancel.

PACKING

We recommend packing light and bringing things that dry quickly.  Recommended items include: sturdy sandals; light clothing; long sleeve rash guard and/or long sleeve shirts for sun protection if you plan on spending considerable time in the water, lightweight rain jacket; bathing suits; and other casual clothing.  If you plan on doing a lot of exploring in the rainforest you might want to consider bringing knee-high rubber boots otherwise hiking shoes or tennis will do fine as long as you don’t mind a bit of mud. It’s a good idea to bring a flashlight, binoculars, and a water bottle.

Keep in mind that we are in a remote area, and our gift shop has a limited selection of items, so you should bring any specialty items that you may require or prefer as well as sunscreen (we are on the equator, so we recommend bringing a higher SPF than you might normally use), and bug repellent with you. Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses, they are a must!

WEATHER

Drake Bay has two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season.  The rainy season runs from May through November and tends to bring daily afternoon showers and at times thunder, lightning and heavy rain, usually the heaviest rains fall in September and October.

December – April is the dry season with sunshine almost every day and very little rain.

The water temperature is between 82-88F degrees (perfect!) year-round. 

The air temperature fluctuates between low to high 80s depending on the time of year.

RESORT DRINKING WATER

Our water comes from a natural spring here high on the mountain behind the resort and is generally safe to drink. However, we then filter the spring water to ensure that it is clean, great-tasting and safe to drink. All of the water used to make ice at the resort is sourced from the same filtered water used for drinking. Bottled water is also available for purchase at the restaurant.

WILDLIFE INSECTS

Please remember Copa De Arbol is situated on the edge of a flourishing rainforest. Our property is home to many different Plants, Animals, Insects, Reptiles, and Birds.  With proper caution, and by following our guidelines, your trip will be enjoyable and comfortable.  Luckily we are located on the beach which usually provides us with an ocean breeze to keep the insects at bay, but it is still a good idea to bring bug repellent if insects usually find you especially tasty.

ELECTRICITY PHONES 

We have standard 2 prong 110-volt outlets in the restaurant and all of our accommodations. In the case of power outages, we have a very eco-friendly and quiet 30-kilowatt propane-powered backup generator.

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Most cell phones work from the resort, but occasionally the connection can be interrupted. Always double-check rates and roaming charges with your service provider as the international calling rates can be very high.