Where the bad road ends and the good life begins … if well prepared!
It is important to know what to expect – within reason - in order to prevent surprises in spite of good preparation!
We start at the end of that bad road … in the south of Costa Rica on the Pacific Ocean. After about 2 hours driving (3 hours by bus) from the inhabited world (Golfito) lays, the not too complex, Rancho Burica complex. What can you expect here and what not? First, there is no public phone, tv, fax, computer, air conditioning, bathtub, swimming pool, room service, disco or golf court!!! So, if you are really attached to these un-necessities we have to disappoint you, at the Rancho Burica. We would, however, encourage you to put aside the desire for those conveniences and enjoy what we do offer.  So, what do we offer? One of the most beautiful places in the world! We offer rest, nature, adventure, good food, good sleep, sports and good company (that’s us). Sounds good, right? Think you can enjoy yourself with a nice siesta in one of the hammocks, a hike through the jungle, a good book from the Rancho library, a horseback ride into the jungle, a snorkel session over the reef, a day of fishing at sea, a firm sun roasting on the beach or a soccer match with the locals? Okay!  Then the Rancho Burica IS the place to be!  ‘Tranquilo’ - very tranquil, that’s the key and that’s the way it is.
Let’s have a look at when to go: Anytime!   But, for your information, in Costa Rica we know 2 seasons. The first, is called Summer (dry season), it runs from December through April and is typically sunny & about 30 °C (85 °F) with, now and then, a cloud (with which you are really happy at that moment). The second season, Winter (green season), runs from May through November and can have partly cloudy skies with temperatures running about 27 °C (80 °F) with, now and then, some refreshing tropical rain.  Because we are so close to the equator our daylight hours are roughly from 5 in the morning till 6 at night all year long (there’s only a small fluctuation between the two seasons in this regard).

Ideas of what to bring to the Rancho?
· Valid passport and driving-license (valid for 6 months)
· Some U.S. dollars for when you arrive
· A first aid kit
· Insect repellent
· Sun lotion/block (different degrees of protection)
· After- sun lotion
· Spanish dictionary
· A pair of sunglasses and a hat
· A well functioning flashlight or headlamp (important!)
· A mosquito net to sleep under
· Enclosed shoes for walking in the jungle
· A lightweight shirt and pants (nights can feel cool if you’ve had a chance to acclimatize)
· Soap to wash your clothes with
Optional:
· Snorkel and/or surfing gear
· Reef shoes
· Survival knife (for jungle hikes)
· Binoculars

Where can you be reached?
By phone (+506) 27762223 – emergencies only, please. Through our mailbox in Golfito (checked weekly): Rancho Burica, Apartado 131, CP 8201 Golfito, Costa Rica. Fax at the post office: (+506) 27750573, mention the above address (will be placed in our mailbox). And of course e-mail: info@ranchoburica.com

Arrival
To be assured of a good night sleep on your first night in Costa Rica, we recommend reserving a hotel before you leave for your first night. A good and affordable hotel in San José is Dos Palmas Airport or Dos Palmas La Garita. How to get there from the airport? Just jump in a taxi. Because San José is not the safest city, a taxi is a good choice, especially at night, if you want to go about the city. Although you can pay with dollars almost everywhere in San José, you will need colones (Costa Rican $) for the rest of your trip. Outside of San José ATMs are rare, so be prepared and load up with some cash.

Rent-a-car
If you want to rent a car be prepared to pay between US$ 400 and US$ 500 a week for a good 4×4 car. Telephone numbers are listed in the ‘paginas amarillos’ (yellow pages) in the hotel and, at the front desk, they can even arrange a car for you. Car in front of the hotel? Okay, get in and go!