• > How Strenuous are these Trips?
• > Group Participants and Tour Leader
• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
• > Accommodations
• > Meals
• > Climate
• > Travel Documents
• > Flights
• > Airline Tickets
• > Money
• > Health
• > Luggage & Clothing
• > Resources
• > Communication

How Strenuous are these Trips?

The challenge level of this trip is Intermediate. Count on lots of walking and intensive nature explorations.

DJOSER…THE OTHER WAY TO TRAVEL
Djoser’s active journeys offer an ideal balance of guidance and freedom. Our reasonably priced, guide-assisted adventures cover the globe.  We feature ancient ruins, intensive nature explorations and authentic cultural interaction.  Book a private journey and set your own pace, or join a group. Travel with small groups of North Americans or, for a heightened cultural experience, join our adventurous, international groups, with Dutch travelers.  Let the journey begin...with Djoser!

Group Participants and Tour Leader

You will join an international group with Dutch and Belgian travelers on this trip.

This trip is accompanied by a Dutch tour leader who functions as a logistics coordinator, not a lecturer.  The guide addresses the group in Dutch and English. You will get the important information. Our trips do not have a strict itinerary. The days of travel are predetermined but the daily program is determined in consultation with the group and the guide. The guide will provide a program on most days and a number of excursions are planned, but not obligatory. You will enjoy the assistance of the guide and camaraderie of the group. But those who want more independence have the option to dine and explore on their own.



IN-COUNTRY STAFF
Our land representatives are situated in the destination country you will visit. We work closely with them and they function as our liaison with the guide, drivers and hotels. They are also available in the case of an emergency and their number will be provided on your emergency contact list.

PROBLEMS OR EMERGENCY
While you are away, should you have a problem, you have several points of contact. Your guide, our land representative, and of course, we are just a call or email away at our 24/7 emergency number. We will provide contact numbers for you before you leave. Please distribute this list to family or to your contact person at home. If someone needs to reach you from home due to an emergency, but is having difficulty due to language or bad connections, they can call our office and we will assist in contacting you.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Custom dates can be arranged for your private group of 10 or more. Please inquire about discounts for larger groups.

Local Transportation

Once we make a stop, we explore cities and villages on foot and by using the local modes of transport.

Accommodations

SINGLE TRAVELERS & ROOMMATES
On most trips, you can request single accommodations for a reasonable charge. If you would like single accommodations, please indicate your preference on your booking form.

On our International Group trips, if you are traveling solo, we will match you with a same-sex roommate. If there is not a roommate available, unless otherwise noted, there is no supplementary charge.  On the private trips or with North American Groups, there is a single charge if we cannot match you with a roommate.

EXTEND YOUR PROGRAM
On most trips you would have the option to extend your stay in the beginning or end of our trip, or at both the front and back. It is always a great idea to be fully rested when you begin your travels. You will also need to coordinate your flight arrival with the arrival time of the European travelers. Their arrival begins the land program. For many trips the European participants will arrive early in the A.M. In this instance we recommend that you book your flight so that you arrive the day or evening before so that you are sure to begin the trip with the rest of the group. We will reserve the hotel where the group will be staying, subject to availability. Look for extension hotel prices in the price section of our literature.

HOTEL EXTENSIONS (in U.S. Dollars)
On most of your trips you will have the option to extend your land program at the beginning or end of your program.  An extension is recommended for group trips when the European participants are scheduled to arrive early in the morning, so you will be ready to start with the group. 

Meals

During the trip you can decide for yourself where, what and with whom you want to eat. Of course you can eat with (a part of) the group, but you are also free to find your own restaurant somewhere. Meals are therefore not included in the tour price. At many hotels, besides a good breakfast, it is often also possible to have dinner. The tour guide can give you tips for good restaurants or nice cafés. Each country has its own national cuisine; besides unique dishes there are however also many similarities. In general the Central American cuisine is simple but surprisingly tasty. Besides the traditional “gallo pinto” (rice and beans) in most places you can also order a western breakfast, consisting of fresh fruit, juice and toast with preserves and eggs. Around noontime many local places will offer a cheap meal, “casado” or “menu del dia”. This meal in general consists of soup, bread, a main course, coffee or tea and often a simple dessert. The warm meal consists of tortillas, rice and beans and these are served in various combinations with chicken or meat. A popular dessert is fried bananas. At the coast you will mainly find fresh fish on the dinner menu; vegetarian meals are is also easy to find on this trip. Local meals may not always be gourmet creations, but eating at these local places is a nice way to get in touch with the local population. Because of the developed tourist infrastructure and the western influences you can also order typical American meals anywhere you go like pizzas, hamburgers, soups and meals with meat and fries. And of course the fruit in this tropical area is mouthwatering!

Climate

In tropical Central America, differences in climate mainly stem from the differences in altitude. Temperatures generally vary little throughout the year. In the lower situated areas the average day temperature is 86°F and the average night temperature is 65°F. In the mountainous areas the temperatures are a little lower and are similar to temperatures in European springtime. In the evenings it can be quite cool. Temperatures however rarely reach below 59°F. Costa Rica does not really have a winter or a summer. When Central Americans speak of winter they refer to the rainy season, which runs from April until November. The summer is the dry period from the end of December until the middle of April. In the rainy season it rains in heavy but predictable showers. However, throughout the entire year days without any sunshine are scarce. In the months September and October the chance of a tropical storm in the Caribbean is greater. It is possible to travel in Central America throughout the entire year.

Check the following website for a summary of temperature and rainfall in the region during your season of travel:  www.worldweather.org

Travel Documents

A visa is not required for this trip. Please check for the most current document requirements with the Department of State.

The website for the Dept. of State is:  http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.

VISA & PASSPORT EXPEDITOR
If you are in a rush for documents, a passport or visa expediting service can arrange your documents in a couple of weeks or a couple of days. We have used ITS EASY PASSPORT & VISA SERVICES, for years. They have easy to follow process instructions and have always been reliable. ITS EASY will honor a 10% discount off the processing portion of the fee if you let them know you are traveling with us.
Please use the following link for ITS EASY PASSPORT & VISA SERVICE:
http://www.itseasy.com/visa-expediting-services.php

TRAVEL INSURANCE
For piece of mind, we highly recommend that you procure travel insurance.  Make sure that you are covered in the event of illness or injury. If adequate treatment is not readily available in the area, emergency evacuation is often required by private carrier and can be exorbitantly expensive. Also, unforeseen events at home can prevent you from going, such as the illness of an immediate relative. Even things like delayed or missed flights or lost luggage can be costly. You are free to choose your own insurance provider. Over the years, we have recommended TRAVELEX. They offer a variety of plans and most importantly, they are responsive. Should you choose to go with TRAVELEX, you will contact them directly and the cost of your coverage will depend on the plan you choose. The cost will be based over the total cost of your trip and flights, and the amount is also subject to your age. Ask about the TRAVEL PLUS plan and the more economical TRAVEL LITE plan.  Their website is www.travelexinsurance.com and phone number is 1-800-228-9792.  It is important to get travel insurance immediately after booking as most companies have a brief window (10 days from booking) for coverage of pre-existing conditions, for example, coverage of cancellation due to a chronically sick relative.

Flights

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS FROM/TO THE U.S.
Djoser provides the LAND PROGRAM only.  You will need to book your own flights from and to the United States. Be sure to schedule your flight to arrive prior to the scheduled arrival of the Dutch travelers so that you will not miss the initial group meeting with the tour leader. Flight delays or late arrivals could result in missed activities or can even require that you catch up to the group, which may involve costly transfers. Leave ample time for flight connections and terminal changes. If the scheduled arrival time for the Dutch is early in the A.M. we recommend that you arrive the night before.


USEFUL LINKS FOR BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS
ORBITZ:   http://www.orbitz.com/
EXPEDIA: http://www.expedia.com/

BEFORE YOU FINALIZE YOUR FLIGHT, GET TRIP CONFIRMATION!
Do not book your flight prior to written or e-mail notification from Djoser that the trip is a "go". For instance, group trips must meet the required minimum enrollment. We will notify you of the status of enrollment upon request. Also, on very rare occasions, an unforeseen itinerary or date change can occur.  We advise you to take out travel insurance. Before booking your flight, make sure that you are aware of your flight provider's penalties for changes or cancellations.  We are not liable for penalties incurred for flight changes or cancellations. 

UPON ARRIVAL - AIRPORT TRANSFER
Upon arrival at the destination country, a representative, holding a DJOSER sign, will meet you at the airport and will take you to the hotel where you will meet the tour leader and the other travelers. Prior to your departure you will receive more information about this.  Be sure to give us your flight information: airline name, flight numbers, airport name, arrival and departure times.

FLIGHT DELAYED?
If your flight is delayed or canceled, please notify us so that we can alert the tour leader and land agent of your later arrival. It is possible that we will not be able to cancel or reschedule the pick-up for you upon arrival. In this case, you should take a taxi from the airport to the hotel address, which we have provided for you. Djoser is not responsible for this extra expense, however, generally, travel insurance will cover this expense.

Airline Tickets

On any Djoser trips, if there are internal flights, boat or train rides, the tour leader will hold the tickets and disperse to participants at the appropriate time. 

Money

MONEY MATTERS
The cost of the land packages includes city-to-city transport, guide assistance, lodging as described, and only meals listed in the price inclusive section. You should budget for out-of-pocket expenses for other meals, fees for optional excursions and activities, in-city transport and other personal expenses.  See our prices for the estimated out of pocket expenses.

CURRENCY & CASH
On your trip you will want to make sure you are prepared with the proper form of currency. ATMs can be scarce and charge cards are not always accepted.  You will want to exchange money for the local currency.  Before you go, you can check the most current conversion rates, and you can also print out a handy currency exchange "cheat sheet" at: http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet

TIPPING
On our international group trips, for your convenience, the tour leader will organize a tip pot at the beginning of the trip. At the beginning of the trip, each participant will donate a few dollars per day to the pot. The amounts will be disbursed to drivers, local guides, hotel staff, and others along the way.  If there are funds remaining at the end of the trip, they will be divided among the group.  The tip pot does not include a tip for your tour leader. On our private trips, tipping is up to you.

Health

Check with your doctor or local health authorities for the latest recommendations. Be mindful of what you eat. We recommend you carry a first aid kit and be sure to be equipped with your personal medications, painkillers, and medicines to prevent diarrhea and stomach disorders. The tour leader will also carry a first aid kit in case of emergencies. Keep in mind that travel and hiking or cycling can be tiring. It is important to be in good condition and fully equipped for the journey. Take care that you eat properly, drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. For country specific health advice, please consult the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.

Luggage & Clothing

Please limit your luggage to 35 pounds. We recommend a soft, rolling duffle bag. Hard suitcases are difficult to pack on the vehicle.  Be sure to bring good walking shoes that are comfortable and already broken in. Make sure any equipment that you bring is in good working order.

It is recommended that you bring a universal adapter plug and extra batteries for your flashlight, in the event of power outages. 

Resources

A good guidebook is invaluable. We recommend the Lonely Planet series as well as the DK Guidebooks.

Communication

Mobile telephone use is limited. Internet cafes can often be found in larger cities but count on a slow connection. Check with your phone provider before departure regarding coverage or consult the following webpage: www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml