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VISAS: A visa is not required for American, Australian, British, and Canadian citizens travelling to Costa Rica for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
CULTURE SHOCK: Costa Rica is a very peaceful country and serious issues are rare. However, petty theft is common and we recommend keeping an eye on your belongings at all times. Despite being a developed Central American country, road conditions can be mixed and there may be heavy traffic at times. Not everyone you encounter will speak English, so we recommend you relax, have a sense of humour, and take it easy.
LOCAL LGBT SCENE: Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to recognize same-sex relationships and overall Costa Rica is a tolerant (if not welcoming) destination. With that said, homophobia does exist in the country and we recommend refraining from public displays of affection to avoid ruffling feathers.
WEATHER: March is an excellent time to visit Costa Rica. It is in the midst of the country’s dry (and high) season. Daytime highs will average between 30–37°C (86–96°F) and lows between 25–30°C (76–86°F). Despite being the country’s ‘dry’ season, you should come prepared for showers.
VACCINATIONS: Based on entry requirements, some travellers may be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type A and B sockets. Visit http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/costa-rica for more information.
CONNECTIVITY: All of our accommodations will have Wi-Fi access, although network speeds can be slow. We recommend purchasing an international data package if you must be connected. Feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience with your friends and family at home. They might be a tad jealous!
We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travelers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must include medical coverage of US$50,000 and emergency repatriation coverage of no less than US$200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage.
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your host and guide, we recommend a tip of US $5-7 per person, per day for each of them, they’ll certainly appreciate it!
Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
The tour includes breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 6 dinners.
To keep things flexible, not all meals are included in the trip price. Although we typically dine together so that everybody can get a taste of everything, feel free to explore on your own…your guide will always have some restaurant recommendations.
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton
2nd Ave. between streets 1 and 3
San José
Costa Rica
T: +506 2103 9000
Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.
Tamarindo Diria
C. Central
Tamarindo
Costa Rica
T: +506 2653 0032
The local currency is the Costa Rica Colón, but US dollars are also widely accepted. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants, but not for gratuities. We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used only in the case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.
If you’re pleased with the service throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Details will be provided in your final trip documentation, but we recommend budgeting about $80 – 140 USD.
Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get heavier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.
Travel Documents:
General Personal Items:
Shoes:
Bottoms:
Tops:
Jackets:
Other:
Health-related Items:
We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 – Relaxing
2 – Light
3 – Average
4 – Demanding
5 – Challenging
