Playa Conchal and surrounding areas of Costa Rica

There is a free shuttle service offered within Reserva Conchal from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The shuttle will pick you up from Condo Piolin and take you to the Beach Club, Golf Pro Shop, the Westin Hotel, W Hotel or to another neighborhood in the community. Simply call the Concierge Office (we provide a cell phone with a local phone number to make these types of phone calls) and request the shuttle. If you plan to explore areas outside of Reserva Conchal during your stay, you can rent a car or we can recommend driver services. Please be aware that car rentals in Costa Rica require additional mandatory insurance that may not be listed as part of the booking. This can be shocking to visitors who aren't aware of the process and the total bill is much higher than expected.

In beach communities like ours, the dress code is very casual: shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, bathing suit cover-ups and flat sandals is the typical dress. The Reserva Conchal golf course does require collared shirts for players. Most restaurants in the area are open aired and allow casual dress, but some of the higher-end restaurants may have a dress requirement. That said, a polo style shirt and nice shorts for men is formal enough, and for ladies, a sundress, or shorts and blouse is perfectly acceptable--but it is a good idea to check with a restaurant ahead of time to be aware of any dress policies. It is hot here year-round, so bring clothes in breathable, light-weight fabrics. Pack hats, too, to protect yourself from sunburn, and always use SPF. We have a HE washing machine and dryer in the condo, so if you want to pack lightly there's the option to wash clothes during your stay.

A 10% service charge (gratuity) is almost always included in dining bills. This is the customary amount, but you can leave an additional tip if you want.

Most businesses, restaurants, hotels, and shops accept credit cards. American Express and Discover may not be as widely, so plan accordingly. U.S. dollars and Costa Rican colones are the accepted cash. Both are distributed by ATMs here. If you use dollars, you may receive change in colones, and it may be at an average exchange rate, not the exact daily rate. If you would like to exchange dollars into colones, do so at a bank and not at the airport money exchange kiosk to save the exchange fees. The banks do not charge a fee for exchanging U.S. to CR currency, but bring your passport.

Sunscreen, golf balls and bug spray are expensive to buy in Costa Rica. To save money, buy these items at home and pack them.

Use Waze or Google Maps when driving in Costa Rica. Streets in our area are rarely marked, but both of these apps have the roads and addresses in their systems. Just search for the name of the place you are driving to, no address needed.

Pura Vida is the saying of Costa Rica. When saying good morning (buenos días) to a Tico (a Costa Rican), you will get a "Pura Vida" response. Ask a Tico how they are doing, and even on a bad day you will hear "Pura Vida." Translating to "Pure Life," it is the fitting slogan of Costa Rica because life here is laid back, focusing on a pure life of happiness, family, friends and the embrace of a beautiful country.

While Condo Piolin is located along one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, there are so many equally beautiful places to see accessible on a day tour. Here are some famous places you might want to consider for a day tour: -Rio Celeste waterfall -Rincon de la Vieja National Park -Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal -La Fortuna waterfall -La Fortuna hot springs -Rio Tenorio white water rafting -Barra Honda caves -Monteverde

Tap water in Costa Rica is fine to drink. While bottled water is widely available, tap water is fine. So to save some money and to save using a one-time use plastic bottle, bring your refillable water bottle with you. P.S. Costa Rica is also planning to ban single use straws, so bring your reusable straw, too.

As with many parts of the world, it is cheaper to buy products produced in Costa Rica than to buy imported items. In our area, there are a few stores that carry products and brands geared to tourists (U.S. and Canadian) and those items can be up to three times as expensive as the comparable local brand sharing the same shelf space.