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COSTA RICA | FEBRUARY 5-10, 2026

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Hotel Riu Palace | COSTA RICA | FEBRUARY 5-10, 2026

  • Although meals and drinks are included, you may also want to enjoy optional on-site purchases in the gift shop or off-site tours and purchases. You should bring a major credit card for these purchases. Major credit cards (VISA®, MasterCard® and American Express®) are widely accepted in hotels, better restaurants, and major stores. 

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    PRO TIP: Before you travel, call the 800 number on the back of your credit card and tell them where you are going and the dates you will be gone. This will protect you from card declines due to suspected fraud.

  • The official currency in circulation and medium of exchange in Costa Rica is the Colon. Currently, 1 US Dollar is equal to approximately 504.84 Colon*. US dollars are widely excepted in hotels, better restaurants, and major stores; however, consider taking small bills, as it may be difficult to "break a $20". 

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    *subject to change at anytime without notice

  • Electricity in the Hotel runs on the same 60-cycle, 120 volt electrical system in the US, so an adapter will not be needed. All rooms furnish a hair blow dryer for your convenience.​

  • Plan to partake in the different types of activities in Costa Rica? Here's an idea of some of the things to pack:

    • T-shirts and shorts are acceptable in most places

    • Loose fitting long-sleeve shirts and pants are recommended to protect your skin from exposure if hiking

    • Bring a hat to block the sun from your fact and neck

    • Pack a light sweater or jacket for trips to higher elevations and any rainforest excursions

    • Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are recommended for sightseeing and hiking

    • Other items to bring (depending on your preferred activities) bathing suits, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent

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    ​PRO TIP: Pack lightly; one suitcase with a carry-on is ideal.

  • Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time Zone (UTC -6) and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. In February, when it's 12:00pm EST in New York it will be 11:00am CST in Costa Rica.​

  • The climate in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica during the month of February is dry, warm, and sunny. Temperatures typically reach highs in the upper 80's(°F) during the day with lows in the 70's (°F) at night.

IN COSTA RICA

  • Check in time is 3:00pm. Every effort will be made to have your rooms ready upon your arrival, however, it cannot be guaranteed. The hotel will set up and maintain an incidental account for any miscellaneous charges you authorize that are not part of your included trip package. To open your account, please present  a major credit card at check-in. Pre-tipped bellmen will deliver your baggage directly to your rooms when they are ready. 

  • All Garden View guest rooms include:

    • Turndown service

    • Bathroom with hydromassage bathtub and shower cabin, double wash basin

    • Special make-up mirror

    • Hairdryer

    • 110 V

    • Free Wi-Fi

    • Central air conditioning

    • Ceiling fan

    • Minibar

    • Liquor dispenser

    • Coffee maker

    • Satellite TV

    • Electronic in-room safe

    • Iron and ironing board

    • Balcony or terrace

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    Also included at the hotel: 

    • 24-hour all-inclusive meals and beverages

    • Room Service & Snacks available 24 hours/day

    • Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel

    • Directly on Matapalo beach, next to Riu Guanacaste

    • 4 swimming pools, one with a swim up bar

    • 5 Restaurants

    • 6 Bars

    • Patisserie and ice cream parlor

    • Sports & Activities, including volleyball, tennis, windsurfing, snorkeling, and kayaking, and more

    • Daily Entertainment, day & night

    • Access to Pacha Discoteque (drinks not included)

    • Golf (not included in the all-Inclusive package)

    • Spa services (not included in the all-Inclusive package)

  • Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel property and in your hotel room.

  • The hotel has a gift shop with souvenirs and sundries available for purchase. 

  • Tipping is included on each item mentioned in your trip inclusions. Additional gratuities are at the discretion of the individual. For those instances which you've requested personal services, a customary gesture of a gratuity is always appreciated. 

HOTEL INFO

  • Your trip package includes: round-trip airfare between various cities and destination airport, airport meet & greet, round-trip transfers between destination airport and hotel (group arrival/departure days only), hotel accommodations for five (5) nights with Garden View room, bellmen & housekeeping gratuities, all-inclusive food & beverage package, and an arrival evening cocktail reception.

  • Items such as airline baggage fees, pay-for airline seats, meals & drinks outside the hotel all-inclusive food & beverage package, optional tours, telephone calls, gift shop purchases, spa services, golf, laundry & dry cleaning services, and any other items not specifically mentioned as included as part of your trip package will be at your own expense.

  • Travel insurance is not included with your trip. If you are interested in travel/medical insurance, please contact Cornerstone Travel Group for assistance at 800-876-1187. Travel insurance can be purchased up to 7 days prior to your trip departure. 

  • Round-trip transfers between the destination airport and Hotel are included with your trip package. Please refer to the Welcome Booklet included in your travel documents for further details on locating your transfers once you've arrived at your destination airport. 

TRIP DETAILS

  • Select REGISTER FOR TRIP at the top of page. As questions on the form are specific to you and your guest (if applicable), we ask that you sign up for the trip through this group website. We cannot accept emails as a form of registering. 

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    **SPECIAL NOTE**  Please provide your full name (suffix or title IS NOT necessary), date of birth, and gender as it appears on your passport. This legal information will be used to book your flights and MUST MATCH the information on your passport exactly or you may be denied boarding your flight. 

  • Your flights will be booked using the legal information provided on your registration form. A flight itinerary will then be sent to you approximately 30 days prior to departure in your travel documents and will include your airline reservation confirmation #. With your confirmation # you can look up your airline reservation online or on the app, and do things like - review your flights, enter traveler #s (if applicable), or check in for your flight up to 24 hours prior to departure. Also available on certain flights (and at at your own expense) you may be able to upgrade for more leg room and/or pay for checked baggage*. 

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    PRO TIP: Now you have multiple options to check in for your flights; online, on the app*, or at the airport. If for any reason you're not able to check-in online or on the app, please know you can always check-in at the airport. No matter how you check-in for your flight always arrive at least 2 hours early.

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    * not available on all flights

    • A VALID PASSPORT IS REQUIRED when traveling to Costa Rica, along with one (1) blank page for entry stamp. 

    • All passports must be valid throughout the duration of your stay*.

    • A Visa is NOT required for US citizens on this trip

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    * As indicated on your passport, if your passport expires within six (6) months of your date of departure you may be denied entry into some countries. Each country comprises their own entry requirements which can change at anytime without notice. Therefore, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND renewing your passport if set to expire within 6 months past the trip dates. It is the responsibility of every guest to understand the entry requirements of each country they visit. For the most up-to-date information on entry & passport validity requirements for your destination, please go to www.travel.state.gov.

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    PRO TRIP: Check your passport’s expiration date as soon as you start planning. Passports for anyone 17 years of age and older are valid for 10 years, 16 years of age and younger are valid for only 5 years. Need a new passport or to renew one? Apply early to avoid risk of delays.

  • A trip emailer will be sent to the address provided on your registration form at approximately 45, 30, and 7 days prior to departure. These emails are designed to provide you with the most up-to-date information about the trip and contain helpful reminders, useful links, and general trip information needed to know before you go. 

  • Travel documents will be sent to the mailing address provided on your registration form approximately 30 days prior to departure.  Included in your travel documents are:

    • A flight itinerary

    • Your airline reservation confirmation # (to look up your airline reservation)

    • Custom bag tags

    • Name badge and lanyard

    • Welcome Booklet (detailing the entire trip including a daily itinerary)

    • Any additional pertinent trip information needed before you go

     

    BRING ALL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WITH YOU ON THE TRIP ALONG WITH YOUR PASSPORT. 

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    PRO TIP: Make 2 copies of all travel documents, including your passport photo page. These copies will help you replace your originals if they are stolen or lost while traveling. 

    • Give a set of copies to a trusted friend or family member.

    • Keep the other set of copies with you, but separate from your originals.

    • Take photos of your travel documents using your mobile phone. 

BEFORE YOU GO
Image by Zdeněk Macháček
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