PASSPORT/TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens to enter Costa Rica. You must have a valid passport for the entire time you are staying in Costa Rica. Customs requires two complete pages in your passport for processing your entrance and return. Please ensure your passport has adequate pages.

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We recommend that you make photocopies of your passport. Be sure to leave one copy at home with family members and carry one copy in your purse and/or luggage. If your passport is lost or stolen, this will make re-issuing your passport easier. If you have not already uploaded a copy of your passport to your registration record, please email a copy to the Yamaha Concierge at yamahaconcierge@yamahabestinclass.com. This will help expedite your check-in process when you arrive at the hotel.

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TRAVEL INFORMATION

All fees for checked and carry-on luggage will be at your own expense. Please check your airline website for specific guidelines on costs associated with checked and carry-on luggage. In the case of weather or airline strike, delays or cancellations, guests must adhere to airline rebooking policy or pay for flight change on their own.

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SAFETY

Of course, like anywhere in the world, please leave all valuable jewelry and watches at home.  

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WEATHER

As we are at the end of the rainy season, it is typical to get afternoon and evening showers. So be prepared with a light rain jacket. Temperatures are typically in the mid 80’s for the high and lows in the mid 70’s.

You can expect sunrise around 5:30am and sunset around 5:15pm.

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ATTIRE

The basic attire for the Yamaha 2025 Costa Rica program is beach resort casual with comfortable walking shoes. We will have our Celebration Dinner at the Four Seasons, so festive resort attire is appropriate for this evening. Click on attire examples on the Agenda tab for additional clothing insight.

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ELECTRICITY

Costa Rica's electrical outlets are primarily Type A and Type B, which are the same as those found in the United States, Canada, and other countries: 

Type A: A two-pronged, flat plug that is not grounded 

Type B: A three-pronged plug with two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin 

 

Costa Rica's standard voltage is 120 volts and the frequency is 60 hertz, which is the same as the United States. This means that most US devices will fit directly into a Costa Rican socket without needing an adapter. However, you should always check the label on your device to ensure it operates within this voltage range. If your devices aren't dual voltage, you'd need a voltage converter. 

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TIME ZONES

Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time year-round and does not observe Daylight Savings time.

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CELLULAR PHONES

US cellular phones will work while in Costa Rica, but roaming fees will apply.  Prior to arriving in Costa Rica, contact your cell phone provider to add an international plan or ask what international rates will apply. The Yamaha Concierge will need to be able to communicate with you during the program. If you do not want to get an international plan, we will REQUIRE downloading WhatsApp which works with both data and Wi-Fi. WhatsApp is widely used worldwide and is a good option for those wishing to primarily use Wi-Fi messaging and calling.

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CURRENCY

The Costa Rica Colon is preferred, but US dollars are widely accepted. We recommend traveling with small denominations of US dollars for tipping purposes. Generally, bills larger than $20 are not accepted. Even if you use the USD, you will likely receive your change in colones. ATMs are available at the Four Seasons Resort.

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ATMS

ATMs will accept cards from the United States. Please confirm with your US bank before leaving. When using an ATM overseas, always opt to be charged in the local currency. Avoid what is known as ‘dynamic currency conversion.’ This is what occurs when you select to be charged in your home currency and end up being charged more than necessary for the conversion.

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CREDIT CARDS

Major credit cards are accepted such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express. You can also use debit cards to withdraw cash from the ATM.

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TIPPING

Gratuities for all Yamaha-hosted events, including hotel, are included in the program. Tipping is not expected but if you would like to leave an extra tip based on exceptional service, please feel free to do so.

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LOCAL COSTA RICA TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Respect the local culture: learn about it, don’t judge and share your own culture in a respectful manner. Always try to speak with locals before taking a photo and be careful at the cultural sites you visit, as they must be preserved.

 

Walk carefully: these destinations are exceptional thanks to their natural and cultural splendor. Do your part to keep them this way by following the designated trails, respecting those who care for them and do not take archeological or biological objects from the sites.

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Respect the country’s biodiversity and keep your distance. Don’t take photos with animals, don’t feed them and respect their habitat.

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BEST IN CLASS CONCIERGE

The Best in Class Concierge will be available to assist you on the trip each day at the hospitality desk from 7:00am - 7:00pm. Please ask them any questions regarding your itinerary or scheduled events.