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Weather & climate
Weather in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
28°
Overcast
Thu
19°
28°
Fri
19°
29°
Sat
18°
28°
Sun
17°
30°
Mon
18°
31°
Tue
18°
30°
Wed
17°
29°
SPF level in Costa Rica
Recommended: SPF 50+ (extreme)
Spring
SPF 50+
Summer
SPF 50+ (extreme)
Autumn
SPF 50+
Winter
SPF 50+
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Costa Rica
What British travellers need to know
Your passport must be valid for at least 1 day after you plan to leave Costa Rica.
You can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver.
When leaving by air, you may need to pay a departure tax of 29 US dollars.
You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.
If you overstay your permitted visit, you can be fined 100 US dollars for each month and face a future entry ban.
Good to know:
Declare cash or travellers cheques if their total value is 10,000 US dollars or more when you enter.
There are strict rules about goods you can take in or out, and you must declare anything that may be prohibited or taxable.
Safety in Costa Rica
Tips when travelling
Costa Rica is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Watch your wallets and valuables carefully when you are on the beach.
Avoid leaving drinks unattended in bars due to reports of spiked drinks leading to assault and theft.
Be cautious when buying cheap local spirits like vodka or 'guaro' as there have been deaths from methanol poisoning.
Carry your passport or a printed copy as you must have ID on you as a foreigner.
Be aware of strong rip currents when swimming as there are often no lifeguards and drownings are common.
Bonus tips:
Do not stop your hire car for strangers signalling for help as they could be carjackers.
Only use official red or orange taxis with a visible company sticker and driver ID, and make sure they use the meter.
More information
Driving in Costa Rica
A UK driving license is valid for tourists. An International Driving Permit is recommended.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Urban speed limit
60 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Costa Rica drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Costa Rica
Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including repatriation. Check that your policy covers adventure activities if you plan to participate in them, such as zip-lining or white-water rafting. You will need to prove you have sufficient insurance to cover your stay if requested by immigration. The GHIC/EHIC card is not valid in Costa Rica.
Consult your doctor or a travel clinic well in advance of your trip to discuss necessary vaccinations and health precautions. Dengue fever, Zika virus, and malaria are present in Costa Rica. Use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers, and sleep under a mosquito net if possible, especially during dawn and dusk. Drink bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks to prevent stomach upsets.
Cards & payments
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and larger restaurants. However, smaller establishments may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +14105819994
Tipping in Costa Rica
Tipping is customary in Costa Rica for good service. While not mandatory, it's a common way to show appreciation in the service industry.
Restaurant
10% is typically added to the bill automatically. Check your bill; if it's not added, you can tip 10-15% for good service.
Bar/Café
Small change or up to 10% for exceptional service is appreciated.
Taxi
Tipping taxi drivers is not customary, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Hotel Porter
1000-2000 CRC per bag is customary.
Hotel Housekeeper
1000-2000 CRC per night is a kind gesture, especially for longer stays or exceptional service.
Tour Guide
5-10% of the tour price is a reasonable tip, depending on the length and quality of the tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, EU roaming agreements no longer apply to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in Costa Rica, as they can be significant. It's often cheaper to purchase a local SIM card if you plan to use your phone extensively.
Local SIM
5 GB for 8000 CRC (~£10)
Network coverage
4G, 5G, LTE
Electrical in Costa Rica
Voltage
120V / 60Hz
Plug types
Type A, Type B
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and cafes, especially in tourist areas. However, the quality and speed can vary.
Average speed
25 Mbps
While WiFi is accessible, relying solely on it may be limiting in more remote regions. Consider a local SIM card or portable WiFi device for more reliable connectivity, particularly if you need consistent access to internet services.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
911
Save 911 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Costa Rica
Country code
+506
To call the British Embassy in San José from the UK, you would dial 00 506 2258 2025.
The country code for Costa Rica is 506. When calling Costa Rican numbers from abroad, remember to include the country code. Local numbers are typically eight digits long.
UK Embassy
British Embassy San José
Edificio Centro Colón, Piso 11, Paseo Colón, San José, Costa Rica
Phone
Website
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.