A haven of biodiversity and adventure, Costa Rica entices travellers with its stunning landscapes and rich natural wonders. Explore the lush rainforests teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Experience the enchantment of Monteverde's cloud forests or immerse yourself in the wildlife-rich Tortuguero National Park. Witness the awe-inspiring Arenal Volcano and rejuvenate in its soothing hot springs. Costa Rica's pristine beaches, such as Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo, offer opportunities for surfing, sunbathing, and encountering marine life. With a strong focus on sustainability and eco-tourism, Costa Rica provides a unique travel experience that fosters a deep connection with nature.
One of the highlights of visiting Costa Rica is the abundance of thrilling outdoor activities. Soar through the treetops on exhilarating zip lines, navigate exciting white-water rafting routes, or hike to hidden waterfalls. Embark on a wildlife safari and marvel at the sloths, monkeys, and vibrant bird species that call Costa Rica home. Engage in the local culture by taking part in traditional cooking classes or immersing yourself in indigenous communities. The warm hospitality of the Costa Rican people, known as Ticos, will make you feel welcomed and cherished. Whether you seek heart-pounding adventures or tranquil moments in nature, Costa Rica promises an unforgettable travel experience that celebrates its natural treasures.
San Jose is a fantastic base for all your Costa Rica travel plans. Explore everything from the cosmopolitan restaurants to the museums where you can learn all about Costa Ricaâs pre-Columbian history. Donât forget about the Spirogyra Butterly Garden for a taster of Costa Ricaâs amazing wildlife, including the chance to spot a Blue Morpho Butterfly!
The Monteverde Cloud Forest showcases Costa Ricaâs breathtaking biodiversity, with vibrant nature thatâs richer than a rainforest! Cross jungle canopies thousands of feet in the air and speed from one side of the reserve to the next on a zipline. As you trek through the mist, listen and keep your eyes peeled for birds, howley monkeys and more!
Arenal National Park is a haven for adventure sports and all things wildlife. When youâre not climbing through caves, hiking the nature trails, journeying around Arenal Volcano or searching for waterfalls, you can get to know all the gorgeous animals inside the sanctuaries - including birds, butterflies, frogs and sloths, just to name a few!
La Fortuna is the glamorous gateway to Arenal National Park. Imagine bright blue waterfalls hidden in the heart of the jungle, steamy hot springs, luxurious shades of green everywhere you turn⌠Doesnât it all just make you want to sink into the water and soak up the heavenly scenery? Thereâs no rush, so kick back and enjoy the views.
Embrace the "pura vida" in Santa Teresa, a sandy paradise of palm trees, glistening beaches and ocean waves. You could spend all day in one spot without getting bored, especially since Costa Rica is world-class for surfing. Donât skip out on Santa Teresaâs food, as this culinary hotspot has a little bit of everything: from smoothie bowls to sushi!
Puerto Viejo is just irresistible - from the spoiled-for-choice selection of beaches, the big cat rescue centre and the variety of nature paths, to the vibrant nightlife, endless palm trees and the charming Caribbean coast. When you snap out of the dream state this stunning landscape puts you in, dive into the water and go snorkelling!
You think youâve seen it all as a traveller, and then you explore Manuel Antonio. Home to stunning wildlife, secret beaches, coral reef and hiking trails that curve along the coast, Manuel Antonio embodies everything to love about Costa Rica. Whether youâre snorkelling in the ocean or zip-lining in the sky, leave the world behind in Manuel Antonio.
Costa Ricaâs beaches and rainforests are equally magical, and in Montezuma, you donât have to choose between the two! This beautiful beach town is home to adventurous hiking trails that lead you to plunging waterfalls which travellers can swim in. At the end of your hike, discover an unspoiled beach that you can enjoy almost entirely to yourself.
Off the coast of Costa Rica, hop between two tiny islands to discover even more natural beauty. La Isla Tortuga is one of the best places in the country for water activities, whether you want to go snorkelling and swim with a breathtaking variety of fish (maybe youâll even see a sea turtle!) or encounter dolphins in the wild on a boat tour.
Costa Rican food is a hybrid of tropical foods and Latin-American foods. Fresh fruit, such as mangoes, are popular but so are beans, rice, sweet corn and many more types of food. Most dishes will be served with rice and beans and meat and seafood are widely available. Other often-used ingredients include cheese and tortillas. And don’t forget to try some of the famous local coffee!
Costa Rica lies just 10° north of the Equator and thus has a tropical climate, meaning that it’s warm year-round. The temperature is usually between 21 and 27°C, except at night up on the mountains where it is cooler.
There are lots of influences on the weather here, notably the two coastal winds and the high mountains that rise up from the sea. This means that there are regional “micro” climates, where the weather can be quite different from that of an area relatively nearby
Costa Rica’s seasons are defined by rainfall, rather than temperature or just simply by being called summer or winter. Basically, there are two seasons: the dry season from December to April, which is seen as summer by the locals, and the wet season, or ‘green season’ as the Tourism Ministry calls it, which is essentially Costa Rica’s winter, running from May to November. The ‘green season’ could be the perfect opportunity to travel to Costa Rica if you want to keep your budget low and beat the rush, although muddy tracks can hinder transportation at times. June and July can get very busy.
Costa Rica is also sometimes affected by the Atlantic hurricane season from August to November, becoming windy and rainy.
Although the weather is varied, any time of year can provide you with the perfect opportunity to up your levels of adventure in this fascinating country.
Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.
This information is for people travelling on a full âBritish citizenâ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK governmentâs understanding of Costa Ricaâs current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Costa Rica set and enforce entry rules. If youâre not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK.Â
Your passport must have an âexpiry dateâ at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.Â
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. Â
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.Â
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver. The exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
For more information on requirements or if you plan to work, or stay for a longer period, check with the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK.
If you overstay, the immigration authorities can fine you 100 US dollars for each month and refuse future applications to enter Costa Rica.
When leaving the country by air, you may need to pay a departure tax of 29 US dollars. Most airlines include this in ticket prices. If you need to pay it, you can use cash or card.Â
To enter Costa Rica, you must have a certificate to prove youâve had a yellow fever vaccination if youâre coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthProâs Costa Rica guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Costa Rica (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. If you try to remove wildlife from the country, including seashells, you could be fined.
Declare cash, travellers cheques or goods if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money or goods could be seized when you leave.  Â
The minimum sentence for drug trafficking in Costa Rica is 8 years imprisonment, so do not get involved in drugs of any kind during your stay.
We have selected what we believe to be the key points that you should be aware of when travelling in Costa Rica.
Gap 360 follows advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and we recommend that you frequently check the FCDO for updated travel advice. You can find the website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office
Crime in Costa Rica has been on the rise, with petty theft of passports and personal items the main problem. There have also been reported incidents of armed robberies or gang-related muggings. Do not carry or wear cash or valuables and if possible lock valuables in a hotel safe. Be vigilant, especially on beaches and buses.
Only exchange money in reputable or commercial outlets, don’t use street money-changers. Be vigilant around ATMs.
Avoid poorly lit or remote areas and only use official taxis, which are red with a triangular sticker and a plastic box on the roof which displays the name and number of the taxi company, or radio-dispatched taxis. Make sure you can see the driver’s ID clearly displayed and that your driver uses the meter. Unofficial taxis, known as ‘taxi piratas’ have been involved in violent incidents and theft so do not use them.
When travelling on buses, keep watch on your bags, particularly if using overhead compartments. Do not leave valuables in hire cares and only park in secure, well-lit busy areas. Some thieves have been known to slash tyres, offer to help change them and then steal from the car.
There have been a few reports of rape and other sexual offences. Never accept lifts from strangers and don’t leave drinks unattended in bars in case of ‘spiking’.
Conditions on main roads in Costa Rica are generally good, but heavy rains in the rainy season can cause landslides which block roads, especially between San José and Guapiles on the way to Limón and on the new San Jose/Caldera Highway. Road accidents are common and police strictly enforce speed limits. Criminals may cause deliberate collisions in order to steal or commit other crimes. We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.
If visiting the jungle, go with an experienced local guide.
White water rafting should only be done with an established company. Rip tides are common in Costa Rica, so take care when swimming from all beaches, especially as they are usually not protected by lifeguards.
Crocodiles have been regularly spotted along the Pacific Coast close to beaches which are popular with surfers (from Playa Azul down to Playa Esterillos) and there have been reports of attacks.
You may be refused entry into Costa Rica if you cannot produce evidence of return or onward travel. There is a departure tax of USD29 when leaving the country by air, payable by either cash or credit/debit card in dollars or local colones.
Costa Rica’s rainy season runs from May to November and heavy rains or hurricanes can cause landslides and flooding. Costa Rica is an earthquake zone and experiences regular tremors. The last major earthquake in the country was in September 2012 near the Pacific coastal area of Nicoya Peninsula and measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.
Costa Rica has 16 volcanoes, with some active (including Arenal and Turrialba), meaning there is always a possibility of volcanic eruptions. Volcanic areas have entry restrictions and when at risk of an eruption national parks will be closed to visitors.
You should be in touch with your GP around 8 weeks before you travel for vaccination or health advice.
Diarrhoea can be caused by contaminated food or water so we advise you drink bottled water.
Costa Rica has reported a sharp increase in cases of dengue since 2013.
A Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers who have passed through or visited countries with a yellow fever risk.
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