Making the most of Curu
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The Curú Wildlife Refuge is a Costa Rican wildlife refuge within the Tempisque Conservation Area, near Tambor on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Though a wildlife refuge, it is private property forming part of a 12.14 square kilometers ranch; two-thirds is forest and the remainder is used for cattle breeding.
Passengers tender to shore.
Getting around
Excursions normally offered include:
Wildlife viewing; Hiking; Kayaking in the Bay of Curu; Snorkeling; and Day trips to the Tortuga Islands.
For travel outside towns, protection from mosquito bites is very important. The CDC recommends lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and insect repellents with high concentrations of DEET.
Nearby places
Costa Rica means rich coast in Spanish, and the country can feel like an ideal tropical paradise. A native song says the Virgin Mary came down to Costa Rica and never returned to Heaven.
Costa Rica is frequently described as the Switzerland of Central America.
Costa Rica's biodiversity reflects both its role as a land bridge between North and South America and its varied terrain and weather patterns from the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean. Volcanoes, mountains, rivers, lakes and beaches are found across the country. Many beautiful beaches are on the Pacific side, although the Caribbean also has many excellent ones.
Food and shopping
Eating out is easy in Costa Rica and kitchen hygiene is generally good, so food poisoning is unlikely. Expensive restaurants do not necessarily serve the best food; visitors are encouraged to try smaller venues called sodas, favoured by locals, where food is as authentic as it gets and often equal to or better than expensive places.
Money
The local currency is Colón(es), at about 575 Colones to 1 US Dollar. ATMs are widely available and normally dispense both US Dollars and Colones.
Staying connected
Spanish is Costa Rica's main language, with English widely used in areas frequented by international tourists.
Costa Rica's emergency number is 911.
Cafes offering free WiFi to customers are fairly easy to find in tourist areas.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are Mon-Sat 0900-1800/1900, with variations between areas.
Costa Rica is a Catholic country, so most holidays relate to the church and most businesses, including banks, close on official holidays. During Easter Holy Week the country closes entirely on Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday; some services may return by Holy Sunday, but do not count on them in remote areas.
Most Ticos now treat the full Christmas holiday week through New Year as unofficial.