WEATHER
Our Dry Season, referred to as Summer-runs approximately December through April. Tropical sun and warm balmy breezes, with an average daytime temperature of 84 degrees, is the norm in our Southern Coastal Zone. The nights are cooler.

The Green Season, usually May through November, brings more rain, with October and November as the rainiest months of the year. Even in the rainy season, the showers usually are intermittent and mostly occur in the afternoon and evening, with warm clear mornings.

Sometimes it rains all night-we are in the rain forest after all! Enjoy the soothing sound of the rain drops on your roof and rest, relax, read or watch a movie. However, with our global climate changes who knows what to expect? Be prepared for rain at anytime of the year and plan for anything- except for cold temperatures!

WHAT TO BRING/WHAT TO WEAR
We recommend the following dresscode:
Daytime attire- We call it “flip flop fashion”- shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, bathing suits, sarongs, flip-flops, sneaks, rubber boots when raining, hats, sunglasses.

Evening attire: Same as above, minus the sunglasses…maybe just a bit dressier for fun, but still casual, if you are going to one of our nicer restaurants for dinner.

A light plastic rain poncho and small travel umbrella is recommended in case of an unexpected downpour. A long sleeve cotton shirt and light breezy long pants help with the sun during the hottest part of the day, and sometimes with the bugs in the evening.

Absolutely no suits, jackets, ties, or panty hose allowed! Ladies, dressy and very high heels are not recommended because of our natural terrain with sparse pavement, although you will see the local and talented Ticas sporting 5 inch heels-even on the most pot holey dirt road you’ve ever seen!

Note on flip flop fashion and cottage attire:
Your hostess, the Sarong Goddess, will provide each guest with a colorful sarong to wear during your stay here at TreeTop Cottages. Yes, gentlemen, it is a custom here at TreeTop Cottages to wrap a sarong on at least once, say, after a shower, to experience the eazy-breezy, loosey-goosey convenience and comfort.

You just may get hooked and want to purchase yours to take it home with you- kinda like the standard terry cloth bath robe you get in hotels- only more comfy, more colorful and way more fun!

A CHECKLIST - WHAT TO BRING:
___ passport (and copies of your passport)
___ drivers license
___ credit and debit cards, and your pin numbers for using ATMs
___ a few hundred US dollars per person, or more, if you are paying your bill in cash
___ some smaller US bills for paying for Taxi and bus rides, and at least 25- $1 bills for
tipping, until you make change in Colones, the local currency.
___ sunscreen, shampoo, lotion
___ insect repellent (Remember we are in a tropical rainforest - the birds, bees, insects
and animals were here before us, and we are sharing their habitat)
___ small first aid kit
___ sunglasses and extra prescription glasses or contacts
___ hats
___ a long sleeved, lightweight shirt, for protection from the sun and evening gnats
___ a light weight plastic poncho
___ t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, 1 pair of jeans, several bathing suits
___ lightweight, casual but “a- little- nicer-than-daytime” outfits for evening
___ camera and batteries
___ binoculars
___ sturdy shoes for walking/hiking/horseback riding- walking/running shoes will be fine
___ several pairs of inexpensive rubber flip-flops
___ a battery operated travel alarm and small flashlight in case the electricity goes out
___ prescription medications, anti itch cream, your normal over the counter medicines
___ ziploc plastic bags of various sizes
___ Photo copies of your passport, credit card numbers, airline ticket, driver’s license
(keep these copies separate from the originals to facilitate easier replacement if they
are lost)
___ A few favorite DVDs to entertain the kids if it is raining, or if you if you simply want to hang out in your cottage in the evening after a full day
PACK AS LIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE! You do not need much here in the way of fancy attire, and you do not want to be lugging a bunch of bags around. We have local laundry services, so you do not need to pack an out fit for every day you are here.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
We do not even want to mention this, but let’s face reality. While you are safer here in Costa Rica than in most places in the US or abroad, petty theft happens. This is not meant to scare you, but just to increase your awareness. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life in our world today that there are unsavory characters everywhere in the world just waiting to take advantage of an unsuspecting visitor.

May we make the following suggestions to reduce the likelihood of your being a victim.

• Keep your cash and credit cards in a variety of locations-pockets, backpack, purse, shoes, socks, hidden security belts, etc. This way, if one stash gets ripped off, you will have the others
• As a visitor, you are an easy target because, quite simply, you look different and are out of your normal element. Try to blend in with the local scene by dressing down. Do not wear expensive jewelry and do not have expensive cameras or other electronics visible. The more lo-key your appearance, the better.
• Be conscious, be aware, especially if you have consumed alcohol and have a tendency to let your guard down.
• In crowded places, such as bus stations and in downtown areas, keep an eye on all luggage, purses or bags. If traveling by bus, keep your bag at your feet, not in the overhead luggage area.
• Do not leave bags or valuables in your car when parking at a restaurant, store, or the beach.
• Lock your cottage or hotel room when leaving. If there is a safe, use it for valuables and passports. Make and carry a copy of your passport with you while out and about.

RESTAURANTS –
Here are some of our favorite cafes and restaurants in the area:

LA PARCELA at Punto Dominical - great for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Covered outside dining with a spectacular view of the rocky pacific coast.
SOLO BUENO - in Dominical, on the right, just as you turn off the main paved highway onto the town dirt road. Great sub sandwiches and burritos made to order. Also coffee and delicious sweet and savory pastries.

SAN CLEMENTE BAR AND GRILL –  in Dominical, right on the main drag. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Good American, Tex-Mex, and seafood. Very casual atmosphere with outside dining, which turns into a popular disco on Friday nights.

ROCA VERDE BAR AND RESTAURANT –  on the main paved highway on the ocean side of the road, just 1 kilometer south of Dominical. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers American, Tico, and Tex-Mex. On Saturday nights, this is the place to gather, meet new friends and watch the locals dance.

RIO LINDO HOTEL AND RUM BAR – again, just as you enter the dirt road of Dominical, next to Solo Bueno. Wonderful freshly prepared New York style pizza, wings and other delicious food. Great meeting spot for happy hour. Bar, TV, music and pool table inside. Outside patio bar right on the Baru River.

CONFUSIONE – Upscale Italian restaurant in Dominical with a wonderful candlelight atmosphere in the evening. Good pasta.

EXO-TICA – in Ojochal - about a 30 minute drive south. One of our favorites for a special occasion or romantic dinner. Charming garden setting and creatively prepared courses with a French flair. The desserts are to die for! Please meet Lucy, your lovely and charming French Canadian hostess and owner. She will make sure your dining experience is special. Reservations required. Open for Lunch and Dinner 786.5050

LA CHOZA DE ALEJO - On the road to/from San Isidro, about 20 minutes from Dominical. We always stop here on our trip home from shopping in San Isidro. The best Mexican food outside of Mexico! Delightful atmosphere in a cool mountain climate, with a natural waterfall right beside the outside dining area. Try the fish (pescado) or shrimp (camarone) tacos. Wonderful margaritas and ice cold beer. Say hello to Alejo-the owner and his lovely wife and chef, Julia.

Or explore and find your own favorite restaurant-there are plenty in the area. You will find that even the smallest local places have delicious Tico style cuisine. Warning: There are no fast food joints here (thank goodness) - you have to drive 40 minutes into San Isidro to Super-Size yourself at McDonalds!

NOTE: Visit www.dominical.biz for more information on local happenings, things to do, restaurants and other businesses.