Planning Your Stay

What to Bring
All yoga props are provided on-site, including mats, blocks, blankets, and straps.

• Camera/film/batteries
• Flashlight
• Insect repellant
• Sunscreen
• Pants or shorts
• Several light shirts
• A more dressy outfit (for the Thursday evening celebration)
• Bathing suit
• Raincoat or poncho
• Hat (for sun protection)
• Walking/Hiking shoes (for muddy trails)
• Wet/water shoes (if you participate in the white-water rafting trip or swim in the cascades)
• Alarm clock (battery operated)
• Back pack
• Jeans for horseback riding

Travel Documents Required
Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Panama may enter Costa Rica with a passport that remains valid at least six months after your travel date. Identification such as a driver's license or birth certificate are no longer valid for travel in Costa Rica. A valid passport allows Canadian, American, as well as most Latin American and European citizens to stay for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries may require a visa to enter Costa Rica. Before you go to Costa Rica please make a copy of your passport which you will need to carry with you at all times. You should leave your original passport at Sueño Azul if/when you leave the resort.

Climate
December through April is Costa Rica's dry (and high) season. Be sure to book your flight in plenty of time to get the best deals (see our Getting There section). Temperatures in and around Sueño Azul during January through April average in the 75-80 range with moderate to high humidity.

Immunizations and Health Concerns
You are unlikely to encounter any serious diseases in Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are high and the health system is excellent. No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica as epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country. The water at Sueño Azul is very clean and drinkable, however outside of the resort one should drink bottled water. It is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids due to the intense sun. You can get the latest information on health-related issues in Costa Rica from the Center for Disease Control at cdc.gov/travel/

Money
It is recommended that you bring $300-$500 (U.S.) for any extra trips or activities, and for shopping. It is best to bring new, untorn bills in denominations of $5, $10, and $20. Please make sure you have at least $100 in smaller bills (especially $1 & $5 bills). Sueño Azul is not equipped to change US currency to smaller denominations. It is not necessary to pre-exchange U.S. dollars for colones (Costa Rican currency); gift shops and hotels either exchange money or accept dollars. There are gift boutiques at the airport, the Sarapiquí boat tour, and at Sueño Azul. Most places in Costa Rica do not accept credit cards. Sueño Azul does not accept traveler's checks, but they do accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Exit Fee
There is a charge of $26 U.S. dollars at the airport upon departure; this is best paid in cash.

Gratuities
The Costa Rican locals whose efforts help make your stay at Sueño Azul such a pleasure are responsible for room cleaning services, grounds, maintenance, and the kitchen. There is a suggested gratuity of $75 U.S. dollars per guest per week for these services, which is placed in the tip box upon checkout. If you feel your specific guide or taxi driver has done an excellent job, please feel free to tip them additionally as the staff collection will not benefit them.

Sueño Azul Facilities
At Sueño Azul you can enjoy the great-tasting food in the open-air dining pavilion or have drinks on the terrace overlooking the Sardinal and San Rafael rivers. You can also take advantage of the swimming pool and the Jacuzzi, which have spectacular views of the rivers. There are horses to go horseback riding along the trails that take you to the butterfly garden or to the waterfalls, all inside the Sueño Azul property. The resort also has more than 700 acres of primary and secondary forests, through which you can take guided walks on the trails.

Laundry
Laundry service is available for a fee.

Meals
Meals at Sueño Azul are served buffet style at the open-air dining pavilion, surrounded by a view of the grounds, the scent of the ginger flowers, and the sounds of the rivers. Three delicious meals are available every day, with vegetarian or non-vegetarian options, and include coffee, tea, and juices. A cash bar is available for wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and cocktails.

Wellness Services
A variety of health and wellness services are available, including various types of massage, facials, and body wraps. Appointments can be scheduled upon arrival. Cash is preferred; Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Services reflect the practitioners available that week; all services may not be available at all times.

Telephone
The Costa Rican phone and power system is government-owned and has not yet attained the standards of service and technology you may be used to at home. Sueño Azul has public phones you can use with an international calling card. When purchasing an international calling card in the United States for use in Costa Rica, be sure to get the access number for use in Costa Rica.
* The card will not work without this access code. MCI and AT&T international calling cards are recommended. You may also purchase prepaid calling cards at the San José airport before you depart to Sueño Azul. Cell phones from anywhere outside of Costa Rica-even those with an international chip-will not work well in Costa Rica. In the event of an emergency, your family and friends may call Sueño Azul's reception office at 011.506.764.1000 and leave a message for you, which will be delivered to your room.

Internet Access
Sueño Azul has wireless internet access in the lobby. A computer is available for based on availability in the lobby.
Costa Rica Additional Internet Resources
Costa Rica Link is an independently owned website with helpful information about travel, tours, car rentals, nightlife, hotels, activities, and more. 1costaricalink.com
Costa Rica Map offers maps and travel information on the many different regions in Costa Rica. Sueño Azul is in the northern region (Heredia) close to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí and just outside the village of Horquetas. costaricamap.com
Guias Costa Rica has information on and links to nearly everything you would ever want to know about Costa Rica. guiascostarica.com
Lanic provides links to many organizations in Costa Rica. Offered by the University of Texas, most of the information here is in Spanish. lanic.utexas.edu/la/ca/cr/