Help! Innocent Questions & Useful Answers
Because sometimes booking a surf vacation can be a bit intimidating, we have put together some useful info on the following:
How to Book & Payment Proceedure
Days & Dates the Camp is Available
Non-Availability of the Resort
The Small Print – Terms & Conditions of your stay
A Lesson Cancellation By Innocent
Wildlife
Q: Is there any wildlife, I need to watch out for?
Q: Is it easy to spot Monkeys in the trees?
Q: Should I schedule tours and activities ahead of time or wait??
Money & Electrical Goods
Q: What do people do in Nosara, do I need to bring entertainment?
Q: Where can you get cell phone signal?
Q: Do you have internet at the Resort?
Q: Do I need to bring any type of electrical adapter for the plug outlets in Costa Rica?
Q: Do you accept credit cards or traveler’s checks?
Health & Safety
Q: Do I need any vaccinations?
Q: Is traveling with children safe in Costa Rica?
Q: What about crime in Costa Rica?
Q: Is there a place to buy toiletries and other goods?
Specifically Costa Rica
Q: What is the culture like in Costa Rica?
Q: Do people speak English or only Spanish?
Q: What is the better season for visiting Costa Rica: summer or winter?
Q: What is ‘Pura Vida!’ & what does it mean?
Q: What is the night life like in Nosara?
Q: How long is the drive from San Jose or Liberia to Nosara?
Q: Can I contribute to local schools or the local community?
Specifically Surf
Q: What selection of board do you have available?
Q: Are there any other surf spots nearby?
How to Book & Payment Procedure
* Days & Dates. The camp is available Saturday to Saturday starting 6th March 2010. We will be closed from 11th September 2010 until 20th November 2010 for the rainy season.
* Our Prices vary, please click here
* Payment Proceedures We accept all major credit & debit cards except American Express. If you’d like to pay by credit card, you can call us by phone (+506 2682 1397) or by Skype (search Innocent Surf School), and give us your card details that way. Alternatively, you can send your details over email, in which case it is advisable to send them over two emails. To pay by credit card, we will require the 16 digit number from the front, the expiry date, and the 3 digit security code from the back.
NB: (You will see the amount on your statement in GBP (Great British Pounds), but it will be a straight conversion based on that day’s conversion rates from xe.com).
* How to Secure your Booking. The booking will not be considered confirmed until an email receipt has been issued for the necessary deposit of 50% of total payment due. If a booking is made less than one month before arrival, the full rent is due at the time of booking. Please contact info@innocentsurfschool.com or call (506) 2682 13 97 or find us on Skype: innocent surf school to make a booking.
* Your Final Payment. The balance is payable one calendar month in advance of your arrival date.
* Non-Availability of the Resort. If, due to reasons beyond the control of the owner and Agents, the accommodation is not available, the owner will refund your deposit but will be under no further liability towards you.
* Cancellation Policy. The 50% deposit is non-refundable. If you feel it necessary to cancel your vacation at either of the following times we will retain:
More than 30 days before 50% deposit
Less than 30 days before 100% payment*
(*We shall endeavor to secure another participant(s) of the resort for the same term and the same charges in which case 50% of your payment will be returned, less an administration fee of $50 plus the cost of necessary advertising used in the attempt to re-let your space).
You are strongly advised to insure against cancellation.
The Small Print – Terms & Conditions of your stay
* General Info. This property is hired on the understanding that the accommodation is for vacation use only and that no right to remain in the accommodation exists for the Resort Guest or anyone in the their party.
* Number of Occupants. The Resort owner & Resort Guest agree that each chalet will not be occupied by more than 4 people.
* Resort Guest’s Obligations. Care must be taken of the property & it’s contents. The surf chalet must be left in a clean and tidy state and all furniture returned to the place in which it was found on entry. Regrettably, dogs or other pets are not permitted and please be reminded that no smoking is permitted in the chalets. The owners and their Agents reserve the right to reasonable access to the property during your stay.
* Duration & Times of Letting. Unless otherwise stated, occupation cannot be taken until 3.00 pm on the first day of the tenancy and departure must be by 10.00 am on the final day.
* A Lesson Cancellation By Innocent.. Should Innocent need to cancel a lesson, on account of poor conditions or staff illness (or similar), we will try our utmost to reschedule the session to fit in with client diaries. Should this prove impossible within the client’s length of stay, Innocent will refund in full any lessons that were not held.
*Lesson Re-scheduling. Should severe illness (or similar) mean you do need to reschedule, we will be happy to accommodate you in any lessons for which there are spaces available.
It is your responsibility to inform your Resort Hosts 10 minutes prior to desired outgoing lessons, to find out whether there are spaces available for you.
Your Coach will advise you as to which lessons might be able to accommodate you, providing there are spaces available.
*Attending Lessons. Please met at the board store 10 minutes before the start time of your lesson, dressed in the clothes you intend to surf in (bikini / board shorts, plus rash guard or tight-fitting t-shirt), flip flops in which to walk down to the beach, and with plenty of sunscreen.
Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after your surf lesson.
You will be required to sign a waiver prior to attending any lessons with us.
* Breakages & Damages. Resort Guests are responsible for any breakages or damage. Please advise owner so that repairs and replacements can be carried out as soon as possible.
* Linen & Towels. All linen and bed sheets, plus bath, beach & swimming pool towels are provided.
Wildlife
Q: Are there sharks?
A: The ocean in the Tropics is teaming with life and as surfers we must learn to be respectful of them and their habits. Playa Guiones is a sand bottom beach, so any sharks will stay out on the reefs where the food supply for them is abundant. We have not seen a shark since we have been here!
Q: What about bugs?
A: This area of Costa Rica is not too bad with bugs. We see an increase in bugs in the transitions of seasons: from the wet to the dry season (November) or the dry to the wet season (April/May). There will be insect repellant in your Chalet but you may like to bring long sleeved tops and long pants to wear in the evenings, if you are especially prone to getting bitten.
Q: Is there any wildlife, I need to watch out for?
A: In the jungle we quite regularly see monkeys, pizotes, raccoons, squirrels, armadillos, skunks, jaguars and other cute and furry creatures. None are deadly. In fact, they will probably be more scared of you than you are of them!
Just a quick check inside your shoes and a shake of your clothes for any bugs looking for a hiding place and you’ll have nothing to fear!
Q: Is it easy to spot Monkeys in the trees?
A: Yes, pretty much year round. We have a family of Howler monkeys that has a little circuit in the jungle between our Resort and the beach. They move from tree to tree eating the fruit and hanging out in the shade. The males are loud… you’ll probably hear them before you see them!
Q: and what about Turtles?
A: The Olive Ridley Turtle arrivadas (arrivals) are consistently seen from April through November. You will be more likely to see this incredible event if you are here about 10 days past a full moon. Sometimes you see individual turtles, but an arrivada is a large group of nesting turtles that is really a spectacle to see. Then approximately 50 days later, if you can get to the beach at about 3am you will see 1000’s of baby turtles hatching & making a run for the sea.
Q: Should I schedule tours and activities ahead of time or wait??
A: If you are coming in the busier times (Christmas & New Years, Easter week and Spring & Summer breaks) we recommend scheduling ahead. A tour is included in your package so be sure to ask Becky or Gem to get you booked on your favorite one eg: boat tours, horseback riding, renting quads, etc. * Fishing charters (half or full day) must be booked prior to you arrival in resort.
Money & Electrical Goods
Q: What do people do in Nosara, do I need to bring entertainment?
A: We have cards, books and board games. Most people surf, swim, lounge, read, chat, and enjoy the outdoors and activities available here. We have at your fingertips over 100 surf movies to watch in our rancho lounge. There are also a few restaurants in town which have live music, karaoke, pool tables and ping pong. In Nosara town there is a disco / salsa club that get’s hopping on the weekends called the Tropicana and La Banana has a reggae night every Thursday.
Q: Where can you get cell phone signal?
A: Because of the thick jungle canopy, the only place you can consistently get cell phone signal is at the beach.
Q: Do you have internet at the Resort?
A: We have a comfy sofa area in our Rancho where you can chill and check your emails etc using our Wifi. There are also internet service at Cafe Paris & The Frog Pad. There are a couple of “internet cafes” in town within walking distance and Two more cafes in Guiones have free Wifi and free calls to the US and Canada.
Q: Do I need to bring any type of electrical adapter for the plug outlets in Costa Rica?
A: The outlets in Costa Rica are the same as the US and do not require an adapter. From other places in the world, an American adapter will do!
Q: Is there an ATM locally?
A: Yes, there is a bank open Mon to Fri , 9:30am – 3pm and Sat 9:30am – 12pm and a 24 hour ATM on the main beach road in Guiones. The only card that will work for cash withdrawal either from the ATM or bank must have a Visa logo on it. Mastercard is not accepted at the bank or ATM.
Q:> Do you accept credit cards or traveler’s checks?
A: Most businesses in Nosara will accept Visa. MasterCard, American Express and Diner’s cards are rarely accepted, if ever. Traveler’s checks are hard to cash and really aren’t worth the hassle most places.
Health & Safety
Do I need any vaccinations?
A: We think it is always sensible to have your Hep A and B up to date but there has not been an incident here in Nosara ,so it is not essential. The W.H.O recommends Malaria immunizations for Costa Rica, but there has never been a case of Malaria ever reported in this area.
Q: Is traveling with children safe in Costa Rica?
A: Given that no place anywhere is 100% safe: traveling with children in Costa Rica is a great way to take a family trip. Costa Rica has very sanitary conditions, safe water, great healthcare!
Q: What about crime in Costa Rica?
A: There is petty crime anywhere you choose to travel in the world. Costa Rica is no exception. We would recommend that you not wear flashy jewelry, do not flash large amounts of money, keep valuables locked up and don’t leave them unattended, even in a locked car. If you do these things, your chances will be greatly reduced. As for violent crime, the incidences are much lower here than in many developed countries.
Q: Is there a place to buy toiletries and other goods?
A: In your chalet you will have in your bathroom, Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Rubbing Alcohol, Aftersun, Sunscreen, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Mouthwash, Insect Repellent and Cotton Wool. If you have any particular brand name products you like, then we advise you bring them with you. 3 meals per day with refreshments are provided, but if you need anything in addition to this, there is a general store within walking distance.
Specifically Costa Rica
Q: What is the culture like in Costa Rica?
A: Costa Ricans are friendly, helpful and, can tolerate mucho bad Spanglish.
“Tico Time” is an expression you may hear whilst you are here. It basically means that no one will be in a rush to do anything. The Nicoya Peninsula has a great number of Centenarians (people 100 and over), and this “Tico time” might be why! Reduced stress and a healthy physical out door job will do the trick. Also, it is not uncommon to find 3 generations of the same family living under one roof, and it is this close support network and real sense of purpose in the community that keeps people going strong! One of our aims at Innocent Surf Resort is to make sure you can enjoy your own “Tico Time” by taking care of every detail of your stay for you!
Q: Do people speak English or only Spanish?
A: Because of the recent boom in the tourist industry here, many Costa Ricans speak English. However, not all! Any attempts, no matter how bad, will be greatly appreciated.
Q: What is the better season for visiting Costa Rica: summer or winter?
A: The 3 Seasons: A Note About The Weather in Costa Rica
Costa Rica basically has three meteorological seasons. Mid November to May is the dry season, everyday is sunny and the offshore winds blow in the morning like clockwork. This is Costa Rica’s summer time and sees the most visitors.
May to mid September is a little less predictable so and you’ll often see an hour or two of rain in the afternoon. You’ll also see dramatic electrical storms dancing over the ocean at night. A lot of people prefer this time of year as it is a little cooler and less busy. The offshore winds are inconsistent but glassy surf is still common.
Mid September to mid November is the wet season. Sometimes it can rain for days at a time and you won’t see many foreigners around. If you like solitude, stormy surf and speaking Spanish then this is the time for you. Innocent Surf School is closed during this 8 week period.
Q: What is ‘Pura Vida!’ & what does it mean?
A: It means “pure life”; “good life”; “all is well”; “all should be well, life here is so good”; “of course life is good; “Good bye from Costa Rica”; “Hello/Hi!”…. basically it has lots of meanings. You’ll hear it as an answer to questions like: “How are you?”, “how’s life?”, “how’s work?” …. Costa Ricans are very proud of their country and the blend of being a developing country yet keeping much of the environment from urbanization or over development. Life here is considered to be a very good life.
Q: What is the night life like in Nosara?
A: In Guiones it is very easy to be early to bed and early to rise. Throughout the year the sun sets between 5:30pm and 6:30pm depending on the time of year and you can be on the cool soft sand at 5am when the first rays of light hit the ocean. There are many restaurants (a few of which we shall dine in), bars, clubs, dancing, live music, pool, karaoke, It is not a bustling city, but there is a night life here.
Q: How long is the drive from San Jose or Liberia to Nosara?
A: The drive from Liberia to Nosara is 2 1/2 -3 hours and is a very easy drive. The drive to/from San Jose to/from Nosara is about 5/6 hours, but as there is only one lane or Highway 1 in either direction when you get to the mountains, if you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle, you could experience delays.
Q: Can I contribute to local schools or the local community?
A: Every Wednesday, the Surfing Nosara crew and the Innocent Crew, with the help of a few others, all meet and brainstorm on how to help make Nosara a better place, especially for the local kids and schools. Let us know if you would like to get involved during your visit. Or if you have room in your suitcase, our schools lack many basic supplies, including: notebooks, white paper, construction paper, pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue, crayons, colored pencils, geometry sets, chalk, whiteboard markers, etc. When you see a sale, stock up! Help enrich our classrooms by bringing puzzles, counting sets, blocks, simple bilingual picture books, clay/playdough, art and craft supplies, calculators….get creative! All new or gently used materials will be accepted with open arms
Surf Pass Collectibles 2010 (Surfing Nosara Surf Pass in the form of a board sticker) are available beginning November 15, 2009. 100% of your $10+ donation will help fund an ongoing SNF project.
Specifically Surf
Q: What selection of board do you have available?
A: We have a store room full of boards ranging form 5’10” to 9’6”. We have something for everyone with thrusters, fishes, malls & longboards. We use all light weight epoxy boards.
Q: Are there any other surf spots nearby?
A: Yes. Loads! Guiones is the tamest wave of them all too. We have access to Ostional – a fun, fast barreling black sand beach break
Garza Reef – accessible by board or a short hike
Pelada – a fickle wave, which only starts to work when Guiones is maxed out.
Camaronal – facing more South, this beach break is usually 2-4ft bigger than Guiones on a Southerly swell.
& Marbella – another beach break with bite.
all within an hour drive in either direction.
