No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Costa Rica’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Costa Rica set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou 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.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou 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.
\n\nFor 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.
\n\nIf you overstay, the immigration authorities can fine you 100 US dollars for each month and refuse future applications to enter Costa Rica.
\n\nWhen 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.
\n\nTo enter Costa Rica, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Costa Rica guide.
\n\nThere 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.
\n\nDeclare 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.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no history of terrorism in Costa Rica, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nMuggings and theft are significant problems, particularly on the Atlantic coast. You should:
\n\nbe aware of who is around you when using ATMs
\nThere have been incidents where thieves slash a tyre and then offer to help change it, while an accomplice steals from the car.
\n\nAvoid walking alone in poorly lit or remote areas at night. Gangs occasionally carry out muggings and armed robberies. Gang-related violence, including shootings, has become more frequent in urban areas, including some locations popular with visitors. A number of foreign nationals including one British national have gone missing in recent years, with some incidents related to criminal activity.
\n\nIf you’re using a hire car, do not stop your car for strangers signalling for help – they could be carjackers.
\n\nCriminals sometimes cause deliberate collisions to stop vehicles and commit robberies or other crimes. If you think a collision was a deliberate act by another driver to make you stop, drive on until you reach a safe place like a police station or garage. You will need to be able to explain your actions to the traffic police.
\n\nRapes and sexual assaults have increased, some of which appear targeted toward tourists. Avoid leaving drinks unattended in bars as there have been reports of ‘spiked’ drinks resulting in assault and theft.
\n\nWomen travelling alone have reported having to pay extra attention to their personal safety.
\n\nSee advice for women travelling abroad.
\n\nThere have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Costa Rica.
\n\nCriminal gangs have apparently used methanol in the manufacture of cheap brands of local spirits, including vodka and ‘guaro’ (cane liquor). Take care when buying spirit-based drinks.
\n\nEven small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Drink Spiking and Methanol Poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
\n\nSeek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
\n\nAs a foreigner, you must carry ID such as a passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy. Make sure you have the original available somewhere safe in case they ask to see it.
\n\nDo not get involved with drugs of any kind. The Costa Rican authorities treat the possession of drugs and drug trafficking severely. The minimum sentence is 8 years imprisonment.
\n\nCosta Rica is generally welcoming of LGBT+ travellers. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nWhile swimming on any beach in Costa Rica, bear in mind that rip currents are very common and there are often no lifeguards. Seek reliable local advice. Drownings are the second most common cause of accidental death and in recent years have averaged 50 to 60 per year, a third of whom were tourists.
\n\nTake extra care if participating in tours involving snorkelling or similar activities. There have been recent fatalities.
\n\nThere are regular sightings of crocodiles along the Pacific coast near beaches popular with surfers, from Playa Azul down to Playa Esterillos, and there have been attacks in recent years.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nSafety standards for adventure activities and on small boats are variable. There have been several incidents involving small boats in the Tortuguero area, including a fatality due to a falling tree. If you plan to take part any of these activities, use an established company with experienced staff.
\n\nSee watersports safety advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).
\n\nIf you are visiting jungle areas, go with an experienced local guide. There are fines for unauthorised entry into restricted conservation areas. Make sure you get appropriate insurance that covers you for all the activities you want to do. This includes activities such as quad biking, surfing, rock-climbing and zip-lining which can be hazardous but are frequently excluded from general travel insurance policies.
\n\nIf you’re planning to drive in Costa Rica, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nPrivate cars are only allowed to enter the capital of San José on certain weekdays, allocated using the last digit of the licence plate number. Your hire car company can give you more details.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Costa Rica for up to 180 days, depending on the length of stay you have been granted as a Tourist.
\n\nIf you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get an international driving permit. Border authorities may refuse entry to right-hand drive vehicles as they’re illegal and do not qualify for local insurance.
\n\nThe standard of driving is lower than in the UK. Drivers cause accidents by speeding, overtaking irresponsibly or ignoring traffic lights. Take care when approaching bridges over the road as these often narrow the road to a single lane.
\n\nRoad conditions are generally good on main routes. However, in the rainy season, heavy rains can cause potholes and landslides that block the roads.
\n\nIf you have an accident where somebody has been injured or where the other driver does not accept blame, you must not move your vehicle until the traffic police have arrived. Contact the traffic police (‘transito’ – telephone: 2222 9330 or 2222 9245) and the insurance investigator (INS – telephone: 800 800 8000) immediately.
\n\nAvoid using unofficial taxis (‘taxi piratas’). Official taxis are red (or orange at the airport) with a triangular sticker and plastic box on the roof with the name and number of the taxi company. It’s best to use radio-dispatched taxis. Make sure the driver’s ID is clearly visible on the dashboard and that the driver uses the meter.
\n\nServices at the Liberia Airport (LIR – Daniel Oduber International) in Guanacaste have been subject to interruptions. You should monitor carefully information from your travel provider when travelling to and from this airport.
\n\nSee extreme weather and natural hazards for information about how to prepare, and how to react if there is a warning.
\n\nThe hurricane season usually runs from June to November – the same as the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Monitor the National Hurricane Center forecasts and the World Meteorological Organization warnings. Follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. Keep up to date with FCDO travel advice and social media. Plan any local travel carefully.
\n\nThe June-November period is also the peak rainy season. Flooding and landslides may occur, resulting in road closures and driving hazards.
\n\nThere is a risk of earthquakes: small tremors are frequent and movements greater than magnitude 6 occur periodically. Local infrastructure is well-prepared, and earthquakes seldom have widespread effects. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or a tsunami.
\n\nCosta Rica has 16 volcanoes, several of which are considered active. The risk of eruptions is always present. There has recently been an increasing and significant series of eruptions at Poas Volcano.
\n\nCheck news reports and follow local advice before travelling to any areas around volcanoes. Avoid volcanic areas during and immediately after heavy rainfall when there’s increased risk of lava flows.
\n\nAsh plumes can affect air quality and have an impact on health. If you have any pre-existing respiratory conditions, you might be at increased risk of triggering or worsening your symptoms. A properly fitted face mask may provide some protection.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 911 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nTo enter Costa Rica, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Costa Rica guide.
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Costa Rica, including:
\n\nPrescriptions from the UK cannot be used locally. To find a pharmacy (‘farmacia’) look for one of the big national chains such as Farmacia Fischel, Farmacia Sucre, FarmaValue, Farmacia Saba, or Farmacia Santa Lucia, among others; a quick search online should help you to identify the nearest one open.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nMedical care in Costa Rica is of a generally high standard. Ambulance services in remote areas may vary. Only initial emergency medical treatment is available without charge for visitors. Subsequent treatment will be charged. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Costa Rica where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Costa Rica on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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