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Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica  |  JANUARY 12-16, 2026

  • Major credit cards (Visa, Master Card and American Express) are widely accepted in hotels, better restaurants, and major stores. 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 Costa Rica 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.

    • 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

    • Resort casual is acceptable at events

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

  • Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time Zone (UTC -6) and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. In January, when it's 12:00pm CST in Chicago it will be 12:00pm CST in Costa Rica.

  • The climate in Costa Rica during the month of January is dry, warm, and sunny. Temperatures will typically reach highs in the 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. 

  • Jr. Suite Ocean View rooms include: Hydromassage bathtub & shower, hairdryer, A/C, ceiling fan, in-room safe, mini bar, liquor dispenser, coffee maker, sofa, balcony or terrace, and an iron. 

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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

    - 6 swimming pools, one with a swim up bar

    - 5 Restaurants

    - 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-Includsive 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 Kansas City, Madison, or Grand Rapids  and destination airport, airport meet & greet, round-trip transfers between destination airport and hotel (group arrival/departure days only), hotel accommodations for four (4) nights with Jr. Suite Ocean View room, bellmen & housekeeping gratuities, all-inclusive food & beverage package, arrival evening cocktail reception, hospitality desk manned daily, and post-departure travel insurance.

  • 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.

  • TRAVELEX TRAVEL INSURANCE

    For your convenience, Wick Buildings has purchased 360° Group POST DEPARTURE travel protection plan, provided by Travelex Insurance Services, on your behalf. This plan includes coverage for trip interruption (Return Air Only coverage up to $1,000), travel delay, baggage & personal effects, baggage delay, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and accidental death & dismemberment.

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    Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company, a New York-domiciled company with its principal place of business at 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196 (NAIC # 16535). The terms and conditions of the policy described in this brief summary are governed by the individual policy document that contains the complete terms. In the event of any discrepancy between the information in this brief summary and the policy, the policy document shall govern. This is intended as a general description of certain types of insurance available to qualified customers, provided solely for informational purposes. Policy Form Series #U-TIIV-100-A CW, #U-TIIN-100/110-A CW, #U-TIGV-100-A CW, #U-TIGV-100-A CW; in DC #U-TIIV-100-A DC & #U-TIGV-100-A DC; in IN #U-TIIN-100/110-A IN & U-TIGV-100-A IN; in KS U-TIIN-110-A KS; in MN #U-TIIV-100-B MN & #U-TIGV 100-B MN; in MO U-TIIN-110-A MO; in MT #U-TIIN-100/110 MT & U-TIGV-100-A CW; in NH # U-TIIV-100-A NH; #U-TIIV-101-B NY, #U-TIIN-100 NY; in OR #U-TIIV-100-A OR; in VA #U-TIIV100-A VA and #U-TIGV-100-A VA; in VT #U-TIIN-100/110-A VT. GRPBRO4 SR 051624 V2.  https://policy.travelexinsurance.com/GCZ-1023

  • Please refer to the Welcome Booklet included in your travel documents for further details on locating your transfers once in Costa Rica. 

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, 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. 

  • Flights will be booked on your behalf using the information provided on your registration form. Approximately 30 days prior to departure, you will will receive your flight itinerary (in your travel documents) with your airline reservation confirmation # highlighted in yellow. You can then look up your reservation to see your seat assignments, upgrade to paid seats for more leg room (when available & at your own expense), enter any traveler #s, or check in for your flights up to 24 hours prior to departure.

     

    Please know that you have multiple options to check in for your flights; online, through an app (not always available), or at the airport. 

     

    **SPECIAL NOTE**  On the registration page, please provide your full name, 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 or you may be denied boarding your flight. 

    • All guests are REQUIRED to have a valid passport 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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    * Some countries - especially Europe - require your passport to be valid for at least 6 more months after your travel dates. Each country comprises their own entry & exit 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 each guest to understand the entry requirements of each country they visit. Please visit www.travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date information on passport validity requirements for your destination.

  • Emailers are sent to the email address provided on your registration form approximately 45, 30, and 7 days prior to departure (subject to change). They will provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding the trip, and contain helpful reminders, links, and trip information.

  • Travel documents will be shipped to the mailing address provided on your registration form approximately 30 days prior to departure.  Included in your travel documents are your flight itinerary with airline reservation confirmation #, custom bag tags, Welcome Booklet, and may contain additional pertinent trip information as needed before you go. 

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    Please bring all travel documents with you on the trip, along with your valid passport. 

BEFORE YOU GO
Image by Dennis Michel
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