馃Ε Costa Rica

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 59% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

The official site below explains the visa rules that apply to each passport. Anyone who needs a visa should apply well in advance through a Costa Rican consulate or embassy. Reports say the visa requirement is waived for those holding a residence permit or valid visa for countries such as Canada or the United States. Before booking, ask an embassy or the Costa Rican immigration authority which countries count and on what conditions. Also bring a return ticket, hotel details, proof of funds and a passport with 6 months of validity. Arrivals from a risk country need a yellow fever certificate.

Culture and practical - take note

The national phrase is 'Pura vida' (pure life), used as a greeting and as an attitude, and it stands for a relaxed, polite and friendly manner. The rainy season lasts roughly from May to November, and December to April has the driest weather. Tickets for national parks are limited and usually have to be booked online beforehand; some parks, Corcovado among them, require a licensed guide. Strong rip currents are frequent on Pacific beaches, so swim where lifeguards are present and heed the flags. Never leave anything in view inside a parked car; the most common problem is theft from rental cars. Stick to official taxis or apps. Wild animals should be kept at a safe distance and never fed. Penalties for drugs are severe. Tipping is normally included; reward good service with a little extra. Outside San Jose, halal food is limited.

Emergency

911 for all emergencies.

Good to know

Cards, dollars and ATMs

The currency is the Costa Rican col贸n. Canadian advice says credit cards are generally accepted and that cash withdrawals work only with a four-digit PIN. It warns that card and cash machine fraud occurs and suggests using machines in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business, and covering the keypad when entering a PIN.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, ID and political activity

UK advice says drug possession and trafficking are treated severely in Costa Rica, with a minimum prison sentence of eight years. Canadian advice adds that foreigners are barred from political activity and may be detained or deported for joining demonstrations, and that photographing official buildings is illegal. Foreigners must carry ID; UK advice says police usually accept a printed copy of the passport, while Canadian advice says officials may ask to see ID at any time.

Taxis and scams

Official red taxis

Unofficial "taxi piratas" should be avoided, says UK advice. Official taxis are red, or orange at the airport, and have a triangular sticker and a plastic box on the roof showing the company's name and number. The advice prefers radio-dispatched taxis and says to check that the driver's ID is clearly visible on the dashboard and that the meter is being used.

Roadside tyre helpers

Thieves in Costa Rica have been reported to slash a tyre and then offer to help change it while an accomplice steals from the car, according to UK advice. Be careful with unexpected offers of roadside help, and keep watch on your belongings.

Who can help

local government

Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT)

Helps with: Costa Rica's national tourism institute. Its site links to complaint channels, including a form for complaints against tourism companies. The page gives the main office number but no tourist helpline.

Who qualifies: Visitors and others dealing with Costa Rica's tourism sector.

Phone: +506 2299-5800

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Costa Rica

Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in Costa Rica since 1954. It works on migration management and crisis response, including support for migrants seeking to regularise their status.

Who qualifies: Migrants in Costa Rica and government or other partners. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: (506) 4052 3500

Address: Sigma Business Center, Costado Oeste del Mall San Pedro, Torre C, Piso 1, San Pedro, San Jos茅, Costa Rica

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)

Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in Costa Rica. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 911

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano La Fortuna and Arenal VolcanoNear a cone-shaped volcano, visitors find white-water rafting, zip-lines, waterfalls, hanging bridges and hot springs.Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 San Jos茅 San Jos茅Museums here hold pre-Columbian gold and jade, and the capital and main point of entry also has busy markets and a grand national theatre.Photo: Xlionheartx, CC BY 3.0 Manuel Antonio Manuel AntonioSloths, monkeys, coastal walking trails and a meeting of rainforest and white-sand beaches define this small national park.Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0 Guanacaste (Tamarindo and Pacific beaches) Guanacaste (Tamarindo and Pacific beaches)Liberia international airport gives direct access to this sunny Pacific province, which has surf towns and resort beaches.Photo: Tizianok, Public domain Monteverde MonteverdeBirdwatching in this misty cloud forest may turn up the resplendent quetzal, and there are also hanging bridges and zip-lines.Photo: Fran Devinney, CC BY 2.0 Tortuguero TortugueroBoats are the way into this canal-laced Caribbean park, famous for rainforest wildlife and nesting sea turtles.Photo: John Menard from Phoenix, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

City selection based on: Major Costa Rica travel guides and tour operators; ICT official site not reached

Festivals and events

nature

Turtle nesting season

around Jul-Oct 2027 路 Tortuguero

Tortuguero's beaches are where green turtles nest.

culture

Independence Day (15 September)

14-15 Sep 2027 路 San Jose

Parades with lanterns take place, along with the freedom torch.