Frequently Asked Questions
Good to Know
A few helpful details to guide you through the experience.
What are Costa Rica adventures?
Costa Rica Adventures are immersive travel experiences that combine outdoor activities, wildlife, local culture, wellness, and boutique accommodations into thoughtfully planned itineraries.
They often include experiences such as surfing, hiking, wildlife viewing, farm visits, volcanoes, waterfalls, yoga, snorkeling, and cultural encounters.
Why choose a curated Costa Rica adventure instead of planning everything yourself?
Planning independently can be rewarding, but a curated experience saves time while providing access to trusted local partners and unique experiences.
Benefits include:
- Local expertise
- Seamless logistics
- Personalized itineraries
- Carefully selected accommodations
- Insider recommendations
- Less travel stress
What are the most popular adventure destinations in Costa Rica?
Popular regions include:
- Osa Peninsula
- Nosara
- Tamarindo
- Jacó
- Monteverde
- Arenal
- Turrialba
- San Gerardo de Dota
- Escazú
- Corcovado National Park
Each region offers different landscapes and activities.
What activities can I include in a Costa Rica adventure?
Depending on your itinerary, experiences may include:
- Surfing
- Paddleboarding
- Hiking
- Wildlife tours
- National parks
- Coffee farm visits
- Chocolate tours
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Breathwork
- Snorkeling
- Waterfalls
- Volcanoes
- Hot springs
- Horseback riding
- Mountain biking
- Cultural experiences
Are Costa Rica adventures suitable for beginners?
Yes.
Many adventures are designed for travelers of all experience levels. Activities like surfing, hiking, and yoga can typically be adapted for beginners while offering challenges for more experienced participants.
Can I customize my Costa Rica itinerary?
Absolutely.
Many travelers begin with an existing itinerary and adjust the destinations, accommodations, activities, or trip length based on their interests, travel style, and schedule.
What is a destination management company?
A destination management company (DMC) is a local travel expert that designs, coordinates, and manages experiences within a destination.
Unlike booking websites, a DMC works directly with local guides, accommodations, transportation providers, and activity operators to create seamless travel experiences.
How many days should I spend in Costa Rica?
Many travelers find that:
- 5 days works well for one region.
- 7–8 days allows for a more immersive experience.
- 10–14 days makes it possible to explore multiple regions.
The ideal length depends on your interests and pace of travel.
Is Costa Rica good for solo travelers?
Yes.
Costa Rica is consistently considered one of the most welcoming destinations in Central America for solo travelers thanks to its tourism infrastructure, outdoor lifestyle, and friendly communities.
Many curated adventures are suitable for solo guests, couples, families, and small groups.
What wildlife might I see?
Depending on the destination and season, visitors may encounter:
- Sloths
- Scarlet macaws
- Monkeys
- Toucans
- Hummingbirds
- Dolphins
- Sea turtles
- Coatis
- Frogs
- Whales (seasonal)
Wildlife sightings are especially common in protected areas such as Corcovado National Park and the Osa Peninsula.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica offers year-round travel.
The dry season (December–April) is popular for beaches and hiking, while the green season (May–November) offers lush scenery, fewer crowds, excellent wildlife viewing, and often lower prices.
How physically demanding are Costa Rica adventures?
Adventure levels vary.
Some itineraries focus on relaxation and wellness, while others include moderate hiking, surfing, kayaking, or mountain activities. Most experiences can be tailored to accommodate different fitness levels.
What should I pack for a Costa Rica adventure?
Most travelers should bring:
- Lightweight clothing
- Hiking shoes
- Water shoes
- Swimsuits
- Rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle
- Dry bag
- Daypack
Specific recommendations depend on the itinerary.
Why travel with Del Mar Adventures?
Del Mar Adventures combines local Costa Rican expertise with intentional travel design. Every itinerary balances movement, nature, cultural connection, boutique accommodations, and time to slow down, creating experiences that are both adventurous and deeply meaningful.
Good to Know
Payment & Cancellation FAQs
How much is the deposit to book an adventure?
A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total trip cost is required to secure your reservation. Once your deposit is received, we’ll begin confirming accommodations, guides, transportation, and experiences for your itinerary.
When is the remaining balance due?
The remaining balance is due 60 days before your departure date. If your adventure is booked within 60 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Is my deposit refundable?
No. The 30% deposit is non-refundable because we immediately begin securing reservations with our trusted local partners throughout Costa Rica.
What happens if I cancel my trip more than 90 days before departure?
If you cancel 90 or more days before departure, only your non-refundable 30% deposit is retained. No additional cancellation fees apply unless a supplier’s cancellation policy requires otherwise.
What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation schedule is as follows:
- 90+ days before departure: 30% deposit retained
- 60–89 days before departure: 50% of the total trip cost retained
- 30–59 days before departure: 75% of the total trip cost retained
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total trip cost retained
Why are cancellation fees necessary?
Each Del Mar Adventure is built with independent local businesses, including boutique hotels, guides, transportation providers, farms, and activity operators. Many of these services require advance payments and have their own cancellation policies, making it difficult to recover costs after reservations have been confirmed.
Do supplier cancellation policies ever override Del Mar Adventures' policy?
Yes. Some hotels, activity providers, or transportation partners may have cancellation terms that are stricter than our standard policy. When this happens, the supplier’s cancellation policy applies.
Who provides the accommodations and activities?
Del Mar Adventures carefully coordinates every itinerary using a trusted network of independently owned hotels, transportation providers, local guides, farms, wellness practitioners, and activity operators throughout Costa Rica.
Is Del Mar Adventures responsible if a supplier has an issue?
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. We strongly recommend that every guest purchase comprehensive travel insurance before traveling.
Coverage should ideally include:
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Medical emergencies
- Emergency evacuation
- Flight delays
- Lost or delayed baggage
- Travel disruptions
Because every itinerary involves multiple destinations and independent partners, travel insurance provides valuable protection if unexpected events affect your trip.
What happens if my flight is delayed or canceled?
Travel delays can affect scheduled transfers and activities. Comprehensive travel insurance can help cover unexpected expenses related to flight cancellations or delays. If your travel plans change, our team will do everything possible to coordinate with local partners and help adjust your itinerary where feasible.
Can I make changes to my itinerary after booking?
Depending on availability and how close you are to departure, some itinerary changes may be possible. Because reservations are confirmed with multiple local partners, changes may result in additional costs or be subject to supplier policies. Contact us as early as possible if you need to make adjustments.
Why do you recommend booking early?
Booking early gives you the best availability for boutique accommodations, guides, and unique experiences while allowing plenty of time to prepare for your trip. It also gives greater flexibility before final payments are due.