Nature at its most vivid
Smoking volcanoes, misty cloud forests, sloths, toucans and two coastlines of surf-washed beaches — Costa Rica packs extraordinary nature into a small, easy-to-tour country. It suits adventurous couples, honeymooners and families, and we plan the whole trip: flights, eco-lodges, beach hotels, transfers and guided tours, with one team you can message.
Where to go
A perfect volcano cone, hot springs, hanging bridges and waterfalls.
Misty forest canopy, ziplines and rare birds, including the quetzal.
Sunny beaches and relaxed resorts in the dry north-west, close to Liberia airport.
Beaches fringed by rainforest, with monkeys and sloths in the national park.
Remote, wildlife-rich rainforest for true nature lovers, best with a local guide.
Culture and customs
Costa Ricans (Ticos) are relaxed and friendly — “pura vida” is used as a greeting, a thank-you and a way of life.
Pura vida. You'll hear it everywhere. A friendly “buenos días” and a smile go a long way.
Carry ID. Foreigners must carry identification. Police usually accept a printed copy of your passport, but keep the original safe in case it is requested.
Drugs. Do not get involved with drugs of any kind — the minimum sentence for drug offences is 8 years in prison.
Official taxis. Use official taxis, which are red (orange at the airport), ideally booked through a radio-dispatch service. Check the driver's ID is on display and the meter is running.
Protected areas. Unauthorised entry into restricted conservation areas can lead to fines. Explore jungle areas with an experienced local guide.
Driving in San José. Private cars face weekday restrictions in central San José based on the last digit of the number plate, so check before you drive. A UK photocard licence is valid for the length of the stay you are granted, up to 180 days.
How far is Costa Rica from you?
Distances are great-circle estimates and flying times are typical, not timetabled. Message us for live fares and routes.
Costa Rica, month by month
Hover overTap a month for average day and night temperatures, sunshine and rainy days.
Long-term averages from national weather services (Limón International Airport, San José). Actual weather varies year to year.
Ready-made holidays, coming soon
We’re adding Costa Rica packages you can browse and filter by trip type, length and budget. Until then, tell us what you’d like and we’ll send ideas and prices — usually the same day.
Tell us about your Costa Rica trip
Holiday, flights only or just a hotel — send us the details and our team will come back with options and prices, usually the same day during opening hours.
- Flights issued by our own IATA-accredited team
- Internal flights, transfers and tours arranged
- Visa and passport help from our documents team
- One team to message before, during and after
Read the full official entry requirements
See the official GOV.UK entry requirements for Costa Rica.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Updated automatically from GOV.UK travel advice.
Travelling to Costa Rica — quick answers
Can’t see your question? Send us a message or WhatsApp us.
Do I need a visa for Costa Rica with a British passport?
No. You can visit without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver; the immigration officer decides the exact period on arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave. If you are arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate. A departure tax of 29 US dollars may apply when you fly out, though most airlines include it in the ticket price.
How long is the flight from the UK to Costa Rica?
British Airways flies nonstop from London Heathrow to San José in about 11 hours. Liberia, for the Guanacaste beaches, is usually reached with one connection, often via a US hub.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
December to April is the dry season and the most popular time to go. May to November is the green season, with lush scenery and afternoon rain; June to November is also the Caribbean hurricane season, and heavy rain can close roads.
What should I know about safety on holiday?
Rip currents are very common and many beaches have no lifeguards, so only swim where it is safe. Several volcanoes are active and eruptions are always possible. Keep valuables out of sight on beaches and buses, and check the latest GOV.UK travel advice before you go.
Can Travel Style book my whole Costa Rica trip?
Yes. We're IATA accredited, so we issue flights ourselves and can add eco-lodges, hotels, transfers, car hire and guided tours in one booking — with one team to message before, during and after your trip.
Please note: the information on this page is a general guide, checked when it was published. Entry rules, health advice, weather, seasons, flight routes and local conditions can change at any time and vary from person to person, so we can’t accept responsibility for changes or for decisions based on this page alone. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and official travel health advice before you travel. It is your responsibility to check the entry, health and travel requirements that apply to you before you travel. See our terms and conditions.