Participants from North American, European and most Asian citizenships can simply use their passport to enter and stay in Costa Rica as a tourist for up to 3 months. However, some countries' citizens require a visa.
Before traveling, please contact the Costa Rican Embassy in your home country for the most up-to-date requirements. You may find some information on Costa Rican embassies at www.rree.go.cr or www.migracion.go.cr
WeVOL requires participants to have COVID-19 vaccinations, and to bring proof of vaccinations with them. We recommend that you speak with a doctor about travel health precautions. Please keep in mind that many immunizations may require booster shots and may take a few weeks to be effective.
The official currency of Costa Rica is the colon; however, U.S. dollars are widely accepted, as are most major credit cards. You can check the current exchange rate here: www.xe.com. Do not exchange money at the airport, as you will not get a competitive rate. Please note that Matapalo does not have ATMs. The closest ones are located in Dominical (15.5 km away), and Quepos center (30 km away). There are national banks in Quepos and Uvita.
We recommend having some cash with you upon arrival, and to bring different kinds of cards as not all ATMs accept all cards. Check with your bank before you leave to confirm your card will work here.
Light, summer clothes are recommended for our tropical, coastal environment. You may also want to pack some essentials, as items can be very expensive to buy here.
Here's a quick list to help you get started:
All participants should fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José. From there, we are about a 3-hour ride away. We will arrange your airport transportation based on your arrival day and time. See below for options of getting from SJO to Matapalo.
Prior to your arrival, we will have finalized your arrival plan to Matapalo.
Getting Here:
Costa Rica is considered to be one of the safest countries in Latin America. The most common crimes are pickpocketing and vandalism. A visitor's principal concern will be pickpockets and vandals. Avoid carrying large amounts of money in vulnerable spots such as the back pocket and err on the side of caution.
We are located outside of the urban city rush and our beach town is quiet and peaceful. However, as always when traveling, it's important to stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. Always, let the WeVOL staff know about any incidents or uneasy feelings as soon as possible.
Costa Rica's climate is pleasant year-round, with naturally occurring breezes cooling down most of our coastal area. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are moderate, especially during the day, producing an eternal spring feeling. The rainy (or green) season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.
Costa Rica boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with year-round warm waters. Here are a few we highly recommend:
Nicoya Peninsula: Costa Rica's largest peninsula, this area is home to a collection of secluded and tranquil beaches. Try Playa Hermosa, Samara, Flamingo, Conchal and Playa Grande for a relaxing beach experience.
Montezuma: Located on the inner base of the Nicoya Peninsula, this is a truly diverse area and full of friendly locals and tourists.
Manuel Antonio: With white sands, blue-green waters, surrounded by jungles and streaming waterfalls, this is a popular place for many water sports.
Playa Dominical: Widely considered one of Costa Rica's best surfing beaches, this beach is located only 10 minutes from Matapalo.
Tortuguero: An amazing beach with an exotic feel located within Tortuguero National Park. Watch for tapirs, ocelots, manatees and green sea turtles – the area’s namesake – or take a tour through jungle canals and hiking trails.
Costa Rica is home to many national parks where you can explore an incredible array of native plants and animals, and natural environments:
Manuel Antonio National Park: Located only 37 km from WeVOL, this is perhaps the most visited park on Costa Rica. This park is home to monkeys, sloths, iguanas, toucans, and scarlet macaws. Enjoy the scenic hiking trails that showcase steep cliffs growing out of the shoreline and forested hillsides.
Corcovado National Park: Located on the Osa Peninsula, this park is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, and home to scarlet macaws, red-eyed tree frogs, jaguars, and tapirs – the largest terrestrial mammals in Central and South America.
Arenal Volcano National Park: Home to Costa Rica's most active volcano, this area is alive with flora and fauna, as well as rivers, waterfalls, and of course, hot springs.
Barra Honda National Park: Deep limestone caverns are the main attraction. Explore the extreme vertical decent of the Terciopelo Cavern with a park ranger. Climbing gear is available.
Chirripo National Park: Master the highest peak in Costa Rica, Mount Chirripo. With an elevation of more than 12,500 feet and elevation change of approximately 8,000 feet, the steep trail is 50 km (31 miles) roundtrip, so plan for a 3-day hike!
Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste National Park & Tortuguero National Park: Both of these parks are nesting grounds for thousands of sea turtles. Book a guided tour to access the beach during nesting season, from April to November, and be amazed as the turtles come in droves to lay their eggs.
Costa Rica: +506 8310-6271
USA: (443) 434-4436
WhatsApp: +506 8840-9724
