Find out what's happening!

We want to keep our customers informed about the most important recent news to make your trip safer and more enjoyable.

Take a look to our updated news as follows:

Health update Costa Rica

16.04.2024

Information about health risks in Costa Rica is currently appearing in some media and we would like to inform you objectively about the background to this so that you can reassure any worried customers:

New World screwworm flies

This is a species of blowfly that lays its eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals such as cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and dogs and, in rare cases, humans. These then hatch into maggots (screwworms), which feed on the host's tissue, which in turn leads to infection. If left untreated, an infestation can lead to death.

New World screwworm flies had been considered extinct in Costa Rica since 2000. However, the fly reappeared in July 2023 and 200 cases in animals and 3 cases in humans (0.00006% of the population in 9 months) have been detected to date. All human patients have recovered thanks to medical treatment.

Despite the low number of cases, the health authorities declared a public health emergency at the beginning of February to ensure that they have immediate access to financial resources to eradicate the fly at an early stage. This includes the weekly release of 15 million sterile male flies, strict monitoring of livestock and the immediate treatment of infected animals.

The risk to tourists is extremely low. In the unlikely event of an infection, medical assistance must be sought immediately and the maggots surgically removed. In healthy people, a full recovery is highly likely. In diabetics, it could lead to complications.

There are no restrictions for tourists.

Dengue fever

Dengue fever occurs everywhere in Latin America. An above-average number of cases have been reported in the first 4 months of 2024, including in Costa Rica. Dengue fever is transmitted by the tiger mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and there are 4 types of virus. A first infection leads to flu-like symptoms and severe aching limbs. Re-infection with a different type of dengue virus can lead to severe complications and in some cases even death. There is still no vaccination against dengue.

The health authorities have launched a major campaign to eradicate the tiger mosquito. This includes fumigation and the removal of possible reproduction sites, especially stagnant water. These campaigns lead to a sharp decline in cases every year.

People can protect themselves from mosquitoes by wearing light-coloured clothing (long sleeves and trouser legs) and using mosquito repellent.

Again, there is currently no reason to cancel a trip to Costa Rica.

If you require assistance, our team is at your disposal as follows:

Whatsapp Assistence

Number: +506-8893-3863
Monday - Friday: 06:00 - 18:00.
Weekends: 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone assistance

Number: +506-2232-0400
Monday - Friday: 07:00 - 18:00.
Saturday and Sunday: 08:00 - 16:00

Emergency cell phone:

Number: +506-8946-8222
Monday - Friday: 18:00 - 06:00
Weekends: 16:00 - 08:00

We publish updated information on our Website www.aratours.com and through our Telegram group.

We wish you a safe trip and a unique experience in Costa Rica!

Best regards,

Your ARA Tours Team

If you have any inquiry or require our assistance, please direct your message to Telegram, WhatsApp, Messenger or our website chat, so that one of our Customer Experience staff can assist you.

Update: Closure of the bridge over the Tempisque River since April 1, 2024

08.04.2024

Due to maintenance work aimed at strengthening the structure of the La Amistad Bridge, the bridge over the Tempisque River will be closed from April 1st until at least July 25th of this year.

For this reason, we ask all our customers traveling to or from locations on the Nicoya Peninsula to choose alternative routes and allow extra time for the journey.

We recommend the following alternative routes:

a) Through Liberia:

From San José, you can initially follow the normal route along National Route No. 1 (Pan American Highway) or Route No. 27 to Liberia and then take National Route No. 21 until you reach your respective destination. In the opposite direction you can take the same route. There are several daily ferry crossings in both directions.

b) Via Puntarenas by ferry:

From San José, take route 27, which passes through Orotina and Caldera, towards Puntarenas, where you can take the ferry to Naranjo and from there take the national route number 21 until you connect with the corresponding routes to your destination.There are several daily ferry crossings in both directions.

Trips with transfer services

Regional Shuttle transfers:

Due to high traffic on the way between beach destinations on the Northern Pacific Coast and San José, because of constructions work and the closed La Amistad bridge, some schedules of shuttle transfers will suffer a change of operation time. With an earlier pick up time, it is possible to operate the route via Nicoya and crossing the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry, so all clients arrive at their destination safely during the day. The cost of the ferry is included in your service fee.

In case your transfer schedule was changed from the original schedule noted in our Voucher list to a new one, our Service Team will get in touch with you, or leave a message at the hotel reception. Affected routes include connections between San José, Fortuna, Monteverde and the following destinations, in both directions:

Area Liberia, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Potrero, Conchal
Area Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste), Matapalo
Area Samara, Nosara
Area Santa Teresa, Malpais, Montezuma, Tambor

Also private transfers can suffer changes in the operation time, especially if your transfer connects directly with the international airport San José. In this case, our Service Team will also guarantee that you are informed in time.

If you require assistance, our team is at your disposal as follows: