NOTE – this can vary a tiny bit and things can change sometimes, however, the below is a typical experience If it does divert from this, it’s only by a minor bit there and there (like, sometimes the guy waiting for you may not have on a yellow short, that sort of thing).
This time around, I want to take you step by step through the process of getting from the airport to the resort and back again. So, we’ll start with landing in San Jose (SJO).
When you depart from the plane (I hate that they call it de-planing), you’ll end up in the customs/immigration area (nowhere else to accidentally go).
Note that sometimes this is a long wait, other times you breeze right though. It can vary considerably. Either way, just expect that it might take awhile.
The customs officers speak English (some better than others) and will ask you a few questions. As with any situation involving customs/immigration, just stick to short answers and don’t try to start a conversation. It’s quick and painless.
From there, the next area will be luggage – again, no need to worry about getting lost. It’s off to the left and it’s the only way you can go.
Once you’ve collected your luggage, you’ll pass through another checkpoint for customs/immigration where they will x-ray your baggage. This step goes really quick, and I wouldn’t expect any significant wait.
From there, just follow the corridor – it’ll take you where you need to go. After a few turns, you’ll emerge at an outside “pick up” area that will likely be swarming with people holding signs. Look for the one with your name on it and Crocodile Bay – the gentleman usually has a yellow shirt.
The gentleman with the sign will help you with your luggage and escort you to the van and driver. You’ll probably want a tip at the ready for him after he loads your luggage into the van.
From the airport, the driver will take you to the Hilton Garden Inn hotel – It’s usually just a 15~20-minute drive. When your driver drops you off, he’ll let you know what time to be in the lobby for your flight the next morning. I’d recommend getting there at least 5-10 minutes before the time he tells you. Also, this is probably a good time to tip the driver.
Once you’re at the Hilton, a porter will meet you and take your luggage as you check in. The hotel staff speaks English, so no worries there. Check-in is easy, and once you’re in, you can finally relax for the night. The staff will deliver your luggage to your room, so again, you’ll probably need another tip on hand.
The next morning, you’ll probably want to try to grab breakfast (included in your package) at the hotel restaurant if you have time. Just make sure you and your luggage are in the lobby at the time the driver told you the night before.
When your driver picks you up, you’ll head back to the airport to the Air Terminal. When he drops you off, you’ll probably want another tip handy.
You’ll check in and they will weigh your bags. As mentioned in another article, they may or may not charge you if the bags are over the specified weight. We normally don’t pay any additional charges, despite our heavy camera backpacks, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen to you – or to us next time. For more info, see the “getting your gear to the resort” article.
Once you have your boarding pass, you’ll sit and wait for a short time. It’s a small terminal so no worries about getting lost. If you have to hit the bathroom, now’s the time.
You’ll walk out onto the tarmac to board the plane and you’ll probably even see them loading your luggage. The aircraft is small, so there’s not an abundance of room. If you have a camera backpack, I’d suggest leaving it in the back of the passenger cabin (you’ll see the area). However, you may want to get your camera out before boarding so you can snap some pics as you go. It’s a very scenic flight.
It takes less than an hour to get to the resort, so enjoy the flight 🙂
What’s really cool is that the airstrip is right outside the resort, so once you land, you’re basically there. Someone from the resort will be waiting for you with a van. They’ll load your luggage and a few minutes later, you’ll be at the resort.
The driver will drop you off at the reception and check-in area where you’ll get your keys. Also, note that you will need to sign a liability release for both the resort and for Backcountry Gallery at that time.
Next, you’ll be given your room keys and taken to your room for the week. Congrats – you made it!
<Insert your incredible workshop experience here!>
Workshop complete, it’s time to head home.
On the departure day, you’ll head to reception and check-out. At this time, you can add any gratuities you would like for the resort personnel. You can also add tips for specific staff members you worked closely with if you like – just ask for the individual tip sheet. Note that you can use your credit card for the gratuities if you decide to tip.
Once check-out is complete, they will load your luggage and you’ll have a quick trip back to the airport outside of the resort. From there, you’ll be dropped off, check-in (easy – and the resort personal help facilitate the process) and wait for the plane. Once it arrives, they’ll load everything and it’s back to the main airport (San Jose).
When you arrive back at the terminal, you’ll collect your luggage from the airline and you’ll need to get to the international airport terminal next door. next door. You literally walk out, go straight for about a block, turn right, and it’s there! (You really can’t miss it.)
(Note – If you happen to be staying at the Hilton for one more night, there will be someone at the terminal to take you to the hotel.)
Enter the main terminal and get in line for your airline. You’ll need to fill out one last immigration/customs form, and you’ll be all set.
NOTES
Gratuities
As you may have noticed, there are more than a few mentions about tipping in this article. Many of the people you’ll encounter are accustomed to receiving tips for their assistance. We failed to consider this on our first trip, and it ended up being a bit of a scramble (and almost embarrassing at one point). I wanted to make sure I mentioned it here in this article so you’re more prepared than we were. Don’t worry; they love any currency.
We are frequently asked about the amount you should expect to pay for tipping and I’ve listed some guidelines below. Please note that you are not required to tip, however it is recommended if you can afford it. The guides, hotel staff, and service providers do rely on tips as part of their income.
For the guides, we recommend at least $25 per day for your primary guide. Most of the time you will be with one primary guide (also your driver), but since we’re all together, many of our participants find they wish to tip one of the other guides for that day as well (they all pitch in and are amazingly helpful). We usually have multiple guides each day, most people tip their primary guide / driver $25, and then give smaller amounts to the others ($10~15). It’s up to you.
The hotel staff / restaurant staff tip is included in the workshop fee (the hotel mandates it, not us). If you wish to add an additional tip, you can at the end of the workshop.
PLEASE NOTE – The guides receive ZERO of the hotel / staff tip – the only tips the guides receive are tips specifically for them.
You can also tip individual staff members if someone has given you extraordinary service and you wish to give them a little extra.
In addition to our guides and the hotel staff, we also have several places where we typically give out tips and those recommended numbers are below. Note that the people helping us at these locations are always amazing, so most people do leave them a tip.
For the reptile & amphibian guy (the snake wrangler), we usually recommend a tip of at least $20-$25 (keep in mind the gentleman there is out in the muck several nights before our group arrives finding subjects for us and he relies on tipping as a big part of his income).
For the last day on the river, we tip the boat captain at least $10 and the boat guide (if there is one, sometimes it’s the guide from the resort) at least $10.
As for Dennis he neither requires or expects a tip – that’s why you paid the workshop fee.
San Jose International Airport
Another note I wanted to toss in was the airport itself. The San Jose airport is an international airport, but it’s about the size of a large regional US airport. So, don’t be intimidated about getting around on your flight days. It’s small and easy.
Resort Contact
If you have any questions before your trip or during the process described above, you can contact Kerem at 011-506-8825-3195 (take that number with you when you travel).
Kerem is really the best person to answer any logistical questions, the limit of what I know is in this article 🙂
See you there!