Trip Services
The "Plan Your Stay" page in your guest portal lets you browse and request activities, transfers, and experiences for your trip -- from airport pickups and private chef dinners to zip-lining adventures and spa treatments. Submit a request and your concierge team handles the rest.
Overview
You do not need to search the internet for local tour operators or coordinate logistics over email. Your host's concierge team has vetted local providers and can arrange everything for you. Browse what is available, submit a request with your preferred date, and the concierge will confirm details and pricing -- usually within a few hours.
The Plan Your Stay Page
Open Services from your dashboard or bottom navigation bar to reach the Plan Your Stay page. Here you will find:
- Available services -- a curated list of activities and experiences offered for your property and area.
- Your requests -- a timeline view of services you have already requested, organized by date.
- Service status -- each request shows whether it is pending, confirmed, or cancelled.
[Screenshot: Plan Your Stay page showing available service categories and a guest's service timeline]
Service Categories
Services are organized into categories to make browsing easy:
| Category | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Tours & Activities | Zip-lining, surfing lessons, volcano hikes, horseback riding, snorkeling, fishing charters, wildlife tours, ATV adventures |
| Transfers | Airport pickup from SJO or LIR, airport drop-off, shuttle between properties or towns |
| Dining | Private chef dinner, breakfast service, meal prep, BBQ packages, cooking classes |
| Wellness | In-villa massage, yoga sessions, spa treatments, personal training |
| Other | Grocery pre-stocking, babysitting, equipment rental (surfboards, kayaks, bikes), photography sessions |
Not every service is available at every property -- the list is tailored to what is offered in your villa's area. If you have something specific in mind that is not listed, you can always submit a custom request or message your concierge directly.
Requesting a Service
To request a service:
- Open the Plan Your Stay page.
- Browse the available services or select a category to filter.
- Tap the service you are interested in to see details -- description, typical pricing, and any notes from the concierge team.
- Select Request This Service.
- Fill in the request form:
- Preferred date -- when you would like the service to take place.
- Preferred time (if applicable) -- morning, afternoon, or a specific hour.
- Number of guests -- how many people will participate.
- Notes -- any preferences, dietary restrictions, skill levels, or special requests.
- Tap Submit Request.
[Screenshot: Service request form with date picker, guest count, and notes field]
Your request is sent to the concierge team immediately. You do not need to choose a specific tour operator or vendor -- the concierge selects the best provider based on availability, quality, and your preferences.
Tracking Your Requests
After submitting a request, it appears in your service timeline with one of three statuses:
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Pending | Your request has been received. The concierge team is coordinating with a local provider to confirm availability and pricing. |
| Confirmed | Everything is set. The date, time, and pricing are locked in. You will see the confirmed details in your portal. |
| Cancelled | The service was cancelled -- either by you or by the concierge if the service was unavailable. |
Most requests move from Pending to Confirmed within a few hours during business hours. For last-minute requests (same day or next day), response times depend on provider availability.
Service Details After Confirmation
Once a service is confirmed, the detail view shows:
- Confirmed date and time
- Price -- the final cost for the service
- Meeting point or pickup location (for tours and transfers)
- What to bring -- sunscreen, swimsuit, hiking shoes, etc.
- Any special instructions from the provider
[Screenshot: Confirmed service showing date, time, price, and pickup instructions]
Cancelling a Request
You can cancel a service request at any time before the service takes place:
- Open the service from your timeline on the Plan Your Stay page.
- Tap Cancel Request.
- Confirm the cancellation.
For services still in Pending status, cancellation is immediate and free. For Confirmed services, cancellation policies vary by provider:
- Tours and activities -- most allow free cancellation up to 24--48 hours before the scheduled time.
- Private chef -- ingredients may have been purchased; cancellation within 24 hours may incur a fee.
- Transfers -- typically free cancellation up to 12 hours before pickup.
If a cancellation fee applies, your concierge will let you know through the Messages section before processing the cancellation.
Pricing and Payment
Service pricing works differently from your accommodation payment:
- Prices shown in the portal are approximate or typical ranges. Your concierge confirms the exact price when the service moves to Confirmed.
- Payment method varies by service. Some services are paid directly to the provider on the day of the activity (cash or card). Others are charged to your card on file through the portal. The confirmed service detail will specify how payment is handled.
- Currency -- service prices are typically shown in USD. Some local providers may also accept Costa Rican colones.
Your concierge will always confirm pricing before a service is finalized -- you will never be surprised by an unexpected charge.
Tips for Planning Your Stay
- Request early. Popular activities like sunset sailing, private chefs, and volcano tours book up during peak season (December through April). Submitting requests a few weeks before arrival gives the concierge team the best chance of securing your preferred dates.
- Bundle transfers. If you need both an airport pickup and drop-off, request both at once. The concierge can often arrange a better rate with the same driver.
- Share dietary needs. For private chef or dining services, include dietary restrictions and preferences in the notes field -- vegetarian, gluten-free, seafood allergies, etc.
- Ask your concierge. If you are unsure what to do during your stay, send a message through the portal. The concierge team knows the area and can recommend experiences based on your interests.
Key Concepts
- Plan Your Stay -- The section of your guest portal where you browse and request trip services.
- Service request -- A request you submit for an activity, transfer, or experience. Your concierge coordinates the details.
- Concierge -- Your dedicated support contact who arranges services, confirms pricing, and handles logistics with local providers.
- Service status -- Pending (being coordinated), Confirmed (all set), or Cancelled.
Common Questions
How soon will my request be confirmed? Most requests are confirmed within a few hours during business hours (8:00 AM -- 6:00 PM Costa Rica time, GMT-6). Complex or last-minute requests may take longer.
Can I request a service that is not listed? Yes. Use the Custom Request option or message your concierge directly. If they can arrange it with a local provider, they will.
Is there a limit to how many services I can request? No. Request as many activities, transfers, and experiences as you like for your stay.
What if a service I requested is not available on my preferred date? Your concierge will reach out through Messages to suggest alternative dates or similar experiences.
Do I tip the service providers? Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Costa Rica. A 10--15% tip for tour guides, drivers, and private chefs is customary if you enjoyed the experience.
Can other guests in my group see the service requests? Service requests are tied to the primary booking holder's portal. To share details with your group, you can screenshot the confirmed service information.
Related
- Guest Portal Guide -- Full overview of your guest portal and how to access it.
- Payments & Billing -- How payments work for your booking and services.
- Guest Messaging -- How to communicate with your host and concierge.