Costa Rica & Nicaragua Expedition 13H Recommended Flights
**Important: Please read the following before booking your flights**
Venturers have to arrange their own travel to Costa Rica. Once you have booked your flights
please fill out your flight form in the welcome pack, and send it to your support co-ordinator
(David Winterflood) at head office via post or email ([email protected])
so we know when to expect you.
You are welcome to look around and buy any flight you wish, providing you are at the airport
in San José to meet the recommended flight by 22:00 local time on the date specified below.
The recommended flights, depending on your Expedition, are operated by American Airlines,
however Continental, British Airways, Delta and Iberia offer some great deals if you are
flexible on maybe arriving a day or two earlier, but no later. Be sure to check out price
comparison sites such as Kayak and Skyscanner too.
Raleigh will do 2 picks ups; 1 late afternoon and 1 late evening on your arrival date. The
times will be roughly 16:00 and 22:00, but we will be flexible based on your arrival times –
most arrivals fall into these times. Can you please ensure that when you book your flights
they are arriving at San Jose Airport – Costa Rica (SJO, Juan Santamaria) by 22:00 at the
latest on your arrival date.
We strongly recommend that you book your flights with an agent that is ATOL bonded to
ensure additional levels of cover above that supplied by the insurance that we provide to you
(e.g. the flight agent goes in to liquidation).
Return Flights: For your return flight we need to transport you to the airport from field base
in Turrialba which is a 2.5 hour drive. All Raleigh staff operates a policy of no night driving.
This means that the earliest the bus can leave field base is 05:30am. You will need to be at
the airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight, so the earliest time you should book a return
flight would be 11:30am for an 8:30am check in.
For flights via the United States:
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You need to make sure you comply with the Visa Waiver Scheme regulations when
travelling through the US.
Please check that you meet this criteria before flying – if you don’t I would
recommend you fly with Iberia Airlines with a connecting flight in Spain rather than
the US.
You also need to complete an ESTA Visa before flying through the US. This costs
$14 / £9
http://www.visitusa.org.uk/visitors/esta.aspx
You are welcome to look around and buy any flight you wish, providing you are at the airport
in San Jose to meet the pick-up times on the start date of the expedition. The in-country staff
team will contact you in the months running up to the expedition to arrange how and where
they will be meeting you, to do this it is vital to have your flight details as soon as possible.
Passports and Visas
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after expedition. Holders of UK and EU
passports do NOT require visas for Costa Rica. Venturers who do not hold British
passports should contact their embassy for information about visa requirements.
During your flight, or upon arrival into Costa Rica, you will be asked to complete an
immigration form. If you are in any doubt as to how to answer any of the questions,
please speak to either the cabin crew or an official at the airport.
Baggage weight
Please check your airline’s baggage weight limit before you go. You will incur substantial
charges for overweight luggage.
Something to consider...travelling before/after your Expedition
Having flown such a great distance, many people look to explore Central America prior to, or
after the culmination of their Expedition. With good, reasonably priced buses operating
throughout Costa Rica, Nicaragua and beyond, accessing other countries is very easy, and
enables you to experience an array of cultures and sights.
If you have been travelling in Costa Rica before the expedition arrival date... you can
either meet us at the airport at one of the advised times, or meet us at the British School (we
stay in the gym here overnight on your arrival date and drive to field base in Turrialba early
the next day). No one should arrive at the British School before 7.30pm. Again, please
let us know what you plan on doing. The address is at the bottom of this letter.
If you plan on travelling in Costa Rica at the end of Expedition... we require notification
that parents and guardians are aware that venturers are planning to travel on after
expedition and that you have travel insurance for this period.
*Remember, Raleigh is not responsible for supporting you once the expedition
has ended!*
5 week venturers: 7th July – 10th August
Outward – 7th July
Flight Number
Depart London
Heathrow
AA51/AA2155
09:30
Arrive at
Dallas Fort
Worth
13:15
Depart Dallas
Fort Worth
16:20
Arrive San
José Juan
Santamaria
19:20
If you are going on a different flight to the above then you MUST be at San José Juan
Santamaria (SJO), by 22:00 on 7th July. It is imperative that we pick everyone up together at
this time.
Inbound – 10th August
Flight Number
AA972/AA38
Depart San
José Juan
Santamaria
12:55
Arrive at
Miami
International
17:50
Depart Miami
International
Arrive London
Heathrow
21:30
11:15 (+1)
If you are not returning on the recommended inbound flight, then please ensure you get a
flight that leaves after 11:30am, because the earliest we can get you to the airport is 8.30am
to check-in.
Useful Information
Getting to the British School (Escuela Britanica) from central San Jose
Get a taxi to: del Final del Boulevard de Rohrmoser, 125m Norte, Santa Catalina, Pavas,
San José
This should be around $10 / 5000 colones
Numbers to note:
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Please don't give these numbers out to people – they are not for non-business use.
If you do we will not be able to give these numbers out in future to people who may
need them.
Next of Kin should still use the London numbers if they need anything and Head
Office will communicate with the staff in Costa Rica & Nicaragua. These numbers
are only in case you need help or assistance upon arrival.
Field Base: 00 506 2556 4109
Pedro’s Mobile: 00 506 8888 8306
How to make a Reverse Charge phone call (It’s in Spanish - doesn't matter, just do the
following)
 Dial 1110
 Press 1 to continue when the woman stops talking
 Enter number you want to call when the woman stops talking
 Say your name after the tone
 Wait
If you have any questions regarding flights, please contact your support co-ordinator at Head
Office on 020 7183 1274.