Rafiki safari Lodge, Costa Rica a wilderness resort

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GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE

Costa Rica is located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. The government is politically very stable and has a high regard for the country's tourism industry. The locals are refferred to as Ticos and are always willing to share a smile. Mention something about their world cup team to any local person and you are sure to make a friend for life!

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TRAVELING TO COSTA RICA

Travel to Costa Rica from the United States takes approximately 4 hours by airplane. USA passports do not need a visa and are allowed to visit for 90 days. Other countries may have restrictions. For a listing of Visa requirements, please see the Costa Rican National Chamber of Tourism website.

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WHAT TO BRING

Having lifted my share of heavy luggage to people's tents, I can tell you that people bring WAY too much baggage to the tropics. Quick dry clothing, rash guards, and board shorts go along way down here.

The weather is pleasant, so spare yourself the back pain of bringing dress shoes, coats, hair dryers, more than one pair of pants, and more than one long sleeve shirt. San Jose can get a bit chilly but besides that you will not even look at warm clothes. These are the important things that we recommend that you Do bring to Rafiki.
-Rafting Sandals, or shoes ( my personal favorite are called TechAmphibian made by Salomon)
-Flashlight (We have some, but extras are quite handy)
-Bug Spray (I personally hate it, but it always nice to have)
-Sunscreen (the tropical sun is very good at roasting pelts)
-Camera (There are all sorts of beautiful images to be taken)
-Croakies for your Sunnies (We do sell them in the gift store)
-U joint for a Ford F-350 (just joking)

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GETTING TO RAFIKI FROM SAN JOSE

An railroad bridge over the Naranajo River

There are several ways to get to Rafiki. Quepos is the nearest City. From Quepos we can arrange transportation (via taxi) or you can drive in alone(4X4 is recommended, but not neccesary). Although it is only about 160 km from San Jose, getting to Quepos can take from 25 minutes to over 4 hours depending on the mode of transportation. Here is a map and some travel options below.
Here is a google map

Mode of transport	Cost	Estimated travel time	Remarks
Nature Air	$75-104 per person one way	25 min to Quepos,	Nature Air offers flights out of the international airport in San Jose. The flight only takes 20 minutes and it is a wonderful way to see the country from the air. These guys are little more eco friendly, and just friendlier in general... After the flight you will need to get a shuttle to get the lodge ($80) or you can have a rental car waiting for you...
Sansa Airlines	$75-$90 per person One way	25 min	Sansa provides an alternative airline from San Jose. Their terminal is separate from the international airport, so you have a walk a bit to make the transfer.There are several flights a day, but the afternoon flight is sometimes cancelled in the rainy season. Check www.flysansa.com for flight reservations.
Private Shuttle Bus	$225 to Rafiki	3 hours	A Private shuttle bus will pick you up at the international airport or any your hotel in San Jose and drop you off at the lodge. This is the most convienient and probably the fastest way to get to Rafiki!
Rental Car		3-4 hours to the lodge	A rental car gives you the most freedom, and is reccomended if you plan on traveling thoughout the country. The only downside is the you have to negociate the roads by yourself... $9 a day for a GPS is worth it!
Bus from Quepos	$5	1-2 hours	The bus leaves from Quepos to the town of Santo Domingo on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you really want a wild local experience, this is the ride for you!

LOCAL TIPS!

If we don't have a room for you at Rafiki, you can check to see if we have space at our new beach camp. It is only 45 minutes from Rafiki. The place is called the Rafiki Beach Camp www.rafikibeach.com. From the Beach Camp you can access Rafiki through day tours. Write us to find out more!

Please contact us by e-mail at rafikisafari@gmail.com for more information. We will gladly do everything we can to make your trip go smoothly.

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Weather

The country's climate is usually very pleasant with average temperatures ranging from 25° to 32° C (80° to 90° F) on the coastal regions and 13° to 25° C (55° to 80° F) in the high mountains and San Jose.
On the Pacific slope, the months of December through April are dry. This is the peak tourism time of year due to the perfect sunny days. From May to November, afternoon rains become more prevalent with October and November being quite rainy. While this time of year is wetter than the rest, it also brings cheaper travel fares, availability at lodge, better wildlife viewing, and for those interested in rafting, the river is at its prime!

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ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA
(All of the following are within a 1 hour drive of Rafiki Safari Lodge)

Squirrel moneky in Manuel Antonio National Park

Matapalo Beach (45 minutes)
There are many secluded beaches in the area, with Matapalo being the most hospitable. This beach has several small hotels and restaurants, and is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets on the planet! Rafiki Beach Camp is Rafiki's new Bed and Breakfast on the beach. It offers four safari tents rignt on the beach with a swimming pool and a laid back atmosphere. Getting there by sea kayak is the an unforgetttable experienc! See the website at www.rafikibeach.com for further information.

Manuel Antonio (1 hour)
The Quepos/ Manuel Antonio area, is one of the most visited places in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio National Park offers great wildlife on pristine beaches. While here you can choose from a variety of tourist attractions ranging from deep sea fishing to visiting Manuel Antonio National Park with a Naturalist. The area also features zipline (canopy) tours, snorkeling trips, and hosts some of the areas best night life opportunities.

Contact us at rafikisafari@gmail.com for specific information and pricing. We will gladly get you information on any other aspect of the country that you might be interested in. Please feel free to ask!

List of reccomended and associated links to Rafiki Safari Lodge

Rafiki Beach Camp
El Santuario Canopy Tour