Frequently Asked Questions
about Latitude 10, vacations in Costa Rica and more

Latitude 10 is a high quality beach and nature resort that seeks to combine the highest levels of service and comfort with business practices that are both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Breakfast and pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres are included in your rate as well as your private in room mini bar. For lunch and dinner, Santa Teresa provides probably some of the best cuisine in Costa Rica and we will be happy to suggest a restaurant to your liking just a few minutes from the resort. If you enjoy being surrounded by nature and participating in outdoor activities, but also enjoy returning to a comfortable and well appointed room and relaxing with a glass of wine, then this is for you.

Latitude 10 is a small resort with only 5 suites, reason why rooms tend to fill up very quickly. We recommend that you investigate space availability now if you think you would like to come and stay with us; make a reservation now to guarantee the dates that you want. We must advise you that we do not recommend that you stay less than three nights if you are leaving or arriving by plane. From our experience, a minimum of three nights is needed to experience all there is to do and see when staying at Latitude 10.

The resort’s dress code is informal. Guests are encouraged to bring lightweight, casual clothing, sunscreen, bathing suit, sturdy shoes or hiking boots for activities and nature hikes. National airline flights have a 25 lb. baggage limit per person. Additional luggage can usually be accommodated for an extra charge. And don’t worry about bringing extra clothing, since the resort offers laundry service.

Check in time begins at 1:00 pm. If you should arrive earlier, we will do everything possible to have your room ready. However, if you should have to wait for your room to be ready don’t waste any time! Go ahead and take a refreshing swim in our pool.

The resort’s check out time is at 11:00 am. If you would like to leave later in the day, please consult to make appropriate arrangements, and if possible, we will be happy to accommodate you.

Absolutely! Latitude 10 is an ideal location for a family vacation.

Costa Rica’s currency is called the Colon. One US dollar is approximately 585 Costa Rica Colones (July 2009). However, while staying at Latitude 10 cash will not be necessary. All your expenses can be charged to your room and when you check out, we will accept US dollars, Colones and/or all major credit cards (as of October 1st 2009).

When going on tours or visiting the town of Santa Teresa, carrying one, five and ten US dollar bills would definitely be recommended as well as some local currency. Most businesses and restaurants accept US dollars. Euros and other currencies are not commonly accepted in Costa Rica.

The beach directly in front of Latitude 10 is very rocky and we recommend you wade in the tide pools that are formed in low tide. For surfing and swimming we recommend you take a 5-minute walk on the white sand beach to the beach break.

Breakfast is included in your rate and served everyday in our clubhouse. For lunch, Santa Teresa provides some of the best cuisine in Costa Rica and we will be happy to suggest a restaurant to your liking just a few minutes from the resort (we will lend you our bikes for the short ride) or we are happy to assist you to “order in”. We serve sodas, wine, beer and tropical cocktails at the clubhouse everyday and if you don’t feel like leaving Latitude 10 at dinner time, you can place your order for our local French chef Sebastien to come and cook a gourmet three course meal for you.

Latitude 10 casitas are tucked amongst the native vegetation, the wooden structures have shades but no windows and there are no locks on the doors and no a/c. The bathrooms are completely open-air with large hot water showers and gardens. It is more than a lovely room, it is a structure enabling you to sleep and reside completely in harmony with nature.

No. We aim to provide a break free from television and the everyday routine.

No but there is a direct dial phone for local and international calls at the office if needed.

Yes, showers in the bathrooms have hot water.

All rooms, the restaurant and bar are no smoking. Smoking is allowed in the open-air areas.

Yes, we have WiFi access at the Clubhouse & Lounge area, but it might somewhat unreliable due to our remoteness.

Latitude 10 is located on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in Santa Teresa. Playa Santa Teresa is located in the south of the Peninsula de Nicoya. It is known worldwide for being one of the best surfing spots in Costa Rica with a variety of world-class breaks offering ideal surf conditions throughout the year. Here you can experience the diverse wildlife while you share with people from different cultures and countries. Even though Santa Teresa is a small town, it has so many things to offer from a great variety of restaurants, bars, shops, activities, pristine beaches and spectacular sunsets.

Most visitors to Costa Rica arrive in San José, which is located about 6 hours by car or a short 40 minute flight to Tambor. Some guests also fly in from abroad to Liberia from where it is a 5 hour drive or two short domestic flights of about 45 and 40 minutes each.

Driving to Santa Teresa: please find driving directions here. Four by four vehicle preferred, but regular cars should have no problem.

Domestic Flights: the easiest and fastest way to get to Latitude 10 is with a domestic flight. There are two options for regularly scheduled local flights: Nature Air or Sansa. Domestic flights arrive at the small airport of Tambor, just a 50 minute drive to Santa Teresa and Latitude 10. Please note that all domestic flights in Costa Rica are certified as being Carbon Neutral and will compensate all carbon emissions emitted by your flight.

For specific arrival and departure times, contact us. We would also be happy to arrange a private charter flight from any destination in Costa Rica to Tambor.

No shots are necessary to travel to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a tropical country located between 8 and 11 degrees north of the equator. It has twelve bio–climates, three different rainfall regimes and many microclimates, so researching its climatic conditions can be an almost never–ending task.

Although Costa Rica is considered to have a stable climate, it is important to note that different temperature and weather conditions may be experienced within the same day, or within short distances, due mostly to the rugged terrain of this mountainous country. There are two well defined seasons: the green season (invierno), and the dryer summer season (verano), with one main difference between them: rainfall averages. Dry season runs from December to April, and the green season from May to November. Rainfall averages for the country may reach the highest point during the months of September and October.

Seasonal changes don't bring significant changes in temperatures, although nights may be cooler in some areas during the rainy season. Mornings will most commonly be sunny all year round.

There is an emergency clinic about 30 minutes from the hotel, in Cobano. It is small, very basic clinic. We have one doctor on call in Santa Teresa for minor health related problems. San José is 5 hours on car or a 40 minute flight and offers excellent state of the art hospitals and treatments by well educated doctors.

We are fortunate to be located in the middle of a beautiful tropical jungle. With this in mind, you may be lucky enough to encounter all sorts of wildlife and insects. They are harmless, but if you happen to be allergic to ants, bees, spiders or mosquito stings, we have anti allergic in our reception office. Insect repellents are provided in your suite, free of charge.

Costa Rica is located in Central America, nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, and bordered on the east by the Caribbean Sea and the west by the Pacific Ocean. This small country represents only 0,01 % of the planet's surface and it shelters almost 4% of the existing world's biodiversity. It has given priority to the conservation of its natural resources, protecting 25% of the national territory in National Parks or other natural areas.

The country offers world-class eco-tourism and adventure travel. The options are unlimited for any discriminating traveler: horseback riding on a secluded beach; hiking through the lush whispering greenery of a rainforest; having an exhilarating experience on a white-water rafting trip, observing the tropical forests from a canopy tour; surfing the blue waves of either coast; experiencing a quite, close encounter with different species of birds and wildlife; and enjoying the diverse culture and hospitality of the Ticos.

• The capital of Costa Rica is San José located in the Central Valley.
• The currency used is the Colón.
• Costa Rica borders Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north.
• The population is about 4 million inhabitants.
• There are 7 provinces, 81 counties and 463 districts.
• Costa Rica covers about 51,000 km2.
• 38% of the country is in protected areas or National Parks.
• Costa Rica has no army, choosing to use these funds for education and culture.
• The national flower is an orchid called Guaria Morada (Guarianthe skinneri).
• The national tree is the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum).
• The national bird is the Yigüirro (Turdus grayi).

Pura Vida (POO-rah VEE-dah), used by Costa Ricans since 1956, literally translated means "Pure Life." Contextually, it means "full of life," "purified life," "this is living!" "going great" It is used as a greeting, a farewell, and to express satisfaction.

The phrase has become widely known in the United States and Europe. Some foreigners view the phrase as an expression of a leisurely lifestyle, of disregard for time and wanton friendliness. However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, good spirits, enjoying life slowly, celebrating good fortune, whether small or large.

Pura Vida also means "I am doing alright", "I am doing perfect" and "thank you".
Expats who adopt the expression properly get a big smile in return. It is an acknowledgment of the Costa Rican attitude towards life.

Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in America. In 1869, a compulsory state-paid system of education was established. Today Costa Rica's literacy rate averages around 96%, which is one of the highest in Central America.

Peace is also one of the country's most honored virtues. The army itself was abolished in 1948. And to further their acclaim, President Arias won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1987 for devising a Central American peace plan that was signed by the leaders of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

There are many popular destinations that are worth a visit. Depending on your budget and time available for travel, we recommend you visit some of the country’s active volcanoes (Arenal, Poás, Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja) and the world famous cloud forest reserve at Monteverde. For a very natural, but more rustic experience, a trip down south to the Osa Peninsula is recommendable. Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast also offers a great variety of sights from the giant turtle nesting beaches in Tortuguero in the north to the laid back beach environment further south. If you have any questions on where to go and what to do, please e-mail us

Pre-Payment
A credit card is required as a guarantee for the total amount of the reservation. The total will be charged 30 days before the arrival date.

Cancellations
If there is a “no-show” 100% of the total of the reservation will be charged. If a reservation is cancelled 30 days or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the reservation will be charged.

**In the case that we are able to sell the rooms, an 80% reimbursement will be made.
Children: Children under 6 years old are free of charge, sharing the room with an adult.
Children 6 years and older pay full rate for room and meals.

Many international flights arrive to San José in the evening and you might want to spend a night in or around San José. There is a great variety of hotels to choose from. We highly recommend that you stay at our sister hotel Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn easily located 15 minutes from Juan Santamaria International Airport.  Surrounded by coffee plantations, volcanoes and lush gardens, Finca Rosa Blanca is a renowned hideaway, famous for its organic gourmet cuisine, superior comfort and service to their guests.

The company that manages Latitude 10 operates three other high end resorts that all share the same focus on service quality and sustainability:

Harmony Hotel (Playa Guiones, Nosara)
The Harmony Hotel is the perfect combination of low-key luxury, nature, wellness and sustainability. Situated on the Guiones beach in Nosara, Costa Rica (a spot well renowned for its beautiful surroundings and impressive surf), Harmony Hotel is an excellent place to unwind, relax and get in tune with your natural rhythm. For more info and reservations please contact them here.

Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort (Manuel Antonio)
Arenas Del Mar is a beach and nature resort located next to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This Manuel Antonio resort caters to tourists that are looking for more than just another high end resort experience. Arenas Del Mar Hotel offers a luxurious lodging experience in harmony with Costa Rica's nature in a spectacular beach and rainforest setting. Guest rooms and suites offer spectacular ocean views, upscale dining in two hotel restaurants with a focus on fresh local products and personalized service that exceeds guest expectations. For more info and reservations please contact them here.

Lapa Rios Ecolodge (Osa Península)
A luxurious 16-bungalow ecolodge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and protecting over 1,000 acres of preserved rain forest, hosting 2.5% of the World’s Biodiversity, soon to be named World Heritage Site. Here, environmental education is fundamental to the employees and international guests’ experiences. This model ecolodge has been consistently voted as one of Latin American’s top resorts by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure and Andrew Harper. For more info and reservations please contact them here.

Jicaro Island Ecolodge (Lake Nicaragua)
Developed in harmony with the surrounding nature and local community, Jicaro Island Ecolodge is Nicaragua´s most upscale nature resort located on a private island in Lake Nicaragua. Nine private two story casitas serve as the perfect setting for romantic escapes and wellness retreats on this secluded island getaway. The open kitchen serves Nicaraguan fusion cuisine using local and organic ingredients in an open air setting overlooking Mombacho volcano. Immerse yourself into a magical island experience filled with peace and tranquility and access to a wide variety of activities ranging from hiking or zip lining on volcanoes, bathing in hot springs and exploring the colonial treasures of Nicaragua. A visit to Jicaro Lodge and Nicaragua can be easily combined with a stay at any of the mentioned hotels in Costa Rica. For more info and reservations please contact them here.

The amazing beaches and natural scenarios, plus the warmth of the local people and the friendly weather are just a handful of distinctive features that make Costa Rica one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Visit us here and let us plan the honeymoon of your dreams.

Planning a Wellness Retreat?
Wellness is all around in Costa Rica: weather on deserted beaches, with the song of invisible creatures of the night or on dark-green jungles. Visit us here and let us take you on that journey.

Who is Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality?
Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality is a Costa Rica based hospitality management company that develops and manages ecolodges, sustainable resorts and green hotels in Latin American and the Caribbean. All Cayuga properties are certified or in the process of being certified for their sustainable practices, nature conservation and the improvement of the local communities where they are located. To learn more about what we do, why we are unique and how we can help you please click here.

The owners are the developers Bob Florsheim and Rick Hughes. They built the property as a private Vacation Tropical Paradise/Residence and turned it to a resort since they wanted to share the experience with more people.

Their goal was to build an eco-friendly destination for friends, family and guests. “The low impact in nature and being surrounded by animals is one of the best experiences we can have”. The eco concept was always the target, and the casitas were placed on the property thinking about not cutting any trees.

The CST is a national certification program designed by the Tourist Board (ICT) to classify hotels and resorts in Costa Rica based on their sustainable practices, policies and actions that protect the environment and benefit the local culture, history and local communities. Please visit our Sustainability section to learn more about Sustainable Tourism, our practices and the CST.