ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
**Requirements due to COVID-19 are constantly changing. Please check your own country's international travel advice as well as the airline requirements before travel.**
UK guests please see the UK Government Foreign Office Travel website for latest entry and exit advice; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
US guests please see Travel State website; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html
Visas:
U.S., Canadian, Australian and most European citizens may enter Costa Rica for up to 180 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.
British nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You may stay as a visitor for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
All other nationalities must check the visa entry requirements before your departure. You need sufficient funds and a proof of an onward or return airline ticket in order to be allowed into the country.
Passports:
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of stay. It is advised to have 1 blank page in your passport. Please be sure to fill out the "Emergency Next of Kin" section in your passport
Travel Insurance
All passengers must have valid travel insurance before traveling, including health and cancellation insurance. Please ensure you have a copy of your insurer’s 24-hour emergency telephone number and your policy number.
Medical Conditions and Personal Medication
Please advise us prior to travel if you have any medical conditions requiring special attention during your trip. If you have a specific medical condition, it is wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you.
Important:
- Pack a sufficient supply of any medications you are taking, copies of the prescriptions and the telephone/fax numbers of your doctor.
- Please note, some countries require that prescription drugs be carried in their original container, with the label clearly visible. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement.
Travelling with CPAP or other Medical Machines
Please inform The Big Journey Company that you are travelling with such a device as early as possible, and well before you travel. Please note, if you require distilled or ionised water, you must inform The Big Journey Company of this at the time of booking, so we are able to make preparations with our ground agents. There may be an additional charge for this.
LUGGAGE
What to Pack and Wear
We would recommend comfortable clothes and shoes for this tour. Feel free to include a smart-casual outfit for dinner if you wish, however there is no pressure to follow a dress code. (blouse/shirt for dinner - something a little smarter but not formal wear.)The atmosphere in Costa Rica is hot and humid, so please consider this when packing. We would suggest including the following items:
- Light breathable layers - t-shirts, long sleeve, shorts, trousers; Swimming costume/shorts; Rain jacket/windbreaker; Sun hat; Sunglasses
- Footwear: waterproof, light-weight hiking boots, river sandals (Teva-type sandals), tennis shoes/running shoes. If you do not bring hiking boots, make sure you bring TWO pairs of tennis shoes.
- Extra prescription glasses and medication (if applicable).
- Small day pack or fanny pack for walks and Zip-lock plastic bags to protect personal belongings in case of rain.
- Insect repellent and sun cream – it is expensive in Costa Rica! - are also essential items. Don't forget your camera, with charger/spare batteries and memory cards, as well as travel adaptor.
Luggage Allowances
International airlines are often strict about the size and weight of checked in baggage and carry-on luggage. Prior to your departure, please contact your airline or visit their website for specific luggage requirements, as size and weight limitations may vary according to the airline and destination.
LANGUAGE
The main language of Costa Rica is Spanish. A number of indigenous languages are also spoken by the locals. English is spoken widely across the country in the hospitality sector.
WEATHER
Though it generally has a tropical climate – hot and humid, the weather can change. The dry season runs from December to April. During these months, the western and central regions of Costa Rica have nearly no rain and mostly sunny weather. What little rain falls usually comes as afternoon or evening showers and most people are surprised to find that Nicoya and Guanacaste are more reminiscent of the Arizona desert than a jungle.
March and April are the hottest time of year, especially in the western half of Costa Rica, with day temperatures around 86-96°F (30-37°C) dropping overnight to 78-86°F (26-30°C). The rainy season lasts August to October. September is one of the rainiest months on the west side and in the mountains of Costa Rica, but one of the driest months on the east side.
The Pacific beaches and central region get significant rain most days; sunny mornings are often followed by afternoon or evening showers. Daytime temperatures are usually around 75-85°F (24-29°C), cooling off at night.
ELECTRICITY
In Costa Rica, the standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. You will need an American style plug adapter, used in North and Central America, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you.
MOBILES & INTERNET COMMUNICATION
Moblie coverage is widely avaliable across Costa Rica, be sure to check with your mobile provider for coverage and rates, as data roaming can be extremely expensive.
MONEY
• Currency
Costa Rica's official currency is the colón (CRC), but US dollars are widely accepted. Use colones for local meals, drinks, taxis, and small purchases, and US dollars for higher-end meals and attractions. It's a good idea to carry some colones for smaller towns.
Credit cards (mainly Visa and Mastercard) are generally accepted in cities, but not everywhere, especially in smaller areas. ATMs are common in cities but scarce in rural areas. Contact your bank before traveling to avoid card issues. Traveler’s cheques are increasingly difficult to exchange outside major cities.
After feedback from previous guests, we offer a group tipping package for this tour, more information on this will be shared in the 'Pre-Tour Emails'.
WATER
The tap water in Costa Rica is generally of good quality in urban areas, but it is wise to stick to bottled water in rural areas. In addition, for those with sensitive stomachs, bottled water is better when at the coast. Bottled water can be bought at supermarkets, kiosks and many shops.
SAFETY & SECURITY
As visitors, tourists may be more vulnerable to petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams, so we recommend staying aware and taking simple precautions.
RELIGION
Costa Rica is mostly Christian, with Catholicism forming the majority of this.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Costa Rica offers photo opportunities one after another. You will return with many photos that can never be repeated. Remember to pack your camera, along with the charger, spare batteries and a spare memory card!
ARRIVAL IN COSTA RICA
Please note, standard hotel check-in is around 3pm, so should you arrive earlier than this, your room may not be available upon arrival. For those arriving early morning, we will do everything we can to work with the hotel to get you an earlier check-in subject to availability.
If you have any other questions that we have not covered here; then please send us an e-mail to: info@thebigjourneycompany.com
Disclaimer: The above information is provided as a guideline only. The Big Journey Company assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in this document.
Updated November 2024