Costa Rica is a small country home to huge variety, and holidays to Costa Rica could see you exploring its paradise beaches, grumbling volcanoes and steamy cloud forests all on one trip.
The country is best known for its commitment to ecotourism and promoting sustainability and the preservation of its beautiful landscapes and enormous diversity of wildlife. Costa Rica is a fantastic choice for eco and adventure holidays; from trekking through the jungle at night, zip lining across canyons and rainforest canopies to bathing under tumbling waterfalls, Costa Rica is full of exhilarating experiences.
Holidays to Costa Rica offer not only incredible experiences but also some of the best places in Central America to enjoy your downtime. The country’s lodges are set in splendid isolation so you can relax and unwind in peace but benefit from fantastic luxury additions like infinity pools that seem to plunge into the trees, rustic treehouses and locally sourced food with field-fresh ingredients.
On your holiday to Costa Rica, you’ll often hear Ticos – that is, the people of Costa Rica – exclaim “¡Pura Vida!” The Spanish saying simply translates to ‘pure life’, but its meaning is rather more than that: it expresses the country’s eternal optimism, and encompasses just what Costa Rica holidays are all about.
Cheryl
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Costa Rica
Costa Rica travel information
- Time zone: -6 GMT
- Flight time: 13-16 hours
- Recommended airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United
- Currency: Costa Rican Colon, US Dollar
- Tipping guideline: 10% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in Limon Province (but not in the city of Limon). There is a very low risk of malaria in the rest of the country, including the city of Limon. There is no risk of yellow fever in Costa Rica, however, yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Capital: San Jose
- Population: 5,246,714
- National languages: Spanish
- Electricity and plugs: Type A and Type B, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Mobile phone coverage: Good
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Costa Rica if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 180 days
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
