伊人直播

Before you travel听

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:听

• 蝉别别听general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• 蝉别别听general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about听safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance听

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get听appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

础产辞耻迟听FCDO听travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out听more about听FCDO听travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to鈥�get email notifications鈥痺hen this travel advice is updated.鈥�

Follow FCDO:鈥�舛寞听

This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of Costa Rica鈥檚 current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Costa Rica set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .听

Passport validity requirements听听

Your passport must have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.听

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.听听

You 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.听

Visa requirements听

You 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.

For more information on requirements or if you plan to work, or stay for a longer period,听check with the听.

If you overstay, the immigration authorities can fine you 100 US dollars for each month and refuse future applications to enter Costa Rica.

Airport tax听

When 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.听

Vaccine requirements听听

To enter Costa Rica, you must have a certificate to prove you鈥檝e had a yellow fever vaccination if you鈥檙e coming from a .

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Customs rules听

There are strict rules about (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.听听

Taking money into Costa Rica听听

Declare 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.听听听

罢别谤谤辞谤颈蝉尘听听

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.听

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.听

Terrorism in Costa Rica听

Although there鈥檚 no history of terrorism in Costa Rica, attacks cannot be ruled out.听听

颁谤颈尘别听

Protecting your belongings听

Muggings and theft are significant problems, particularly on the Atlantic coast. You should:听

• be aware of who is around you when using ATMs听

• be vigilant on buses and keep your luggage in view if possible 鈥� thieves are likely to try and distract you听
• watch wallets and valuables when on the beach听
• avoid leaving luggage in a parked car, either in view or in the boot听

There have been incidents where thieves slash a tyre and then offer to help change it, while an accomplice steals from the car.听听

Violent crime听听

Avoid walking alone in poorly lit or remote areas at night. Gangs occasionally carry out muggings and armed robberies. A number of foreign nationals including one British national have gone missing in recent years, with some incidents related to criminal activity.听

If you鈥檙e using a hire car, do not stop your car for strangers signalling for help 鈥� they could be carjackers.听听

Criminals 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.

Spiked drinks and sexual assault听

Rapes and sexual assaults have increased, some of which appear targeted toward tourists. Avoid leaving drinks unattended in bars as there have been reports of 鈥榮piked鈥� drinks resulting in assault and theft.听

Women travelling alone have reported having to pay extra attention to their personal safety.听

See advice for women travelling abroad.

Methanol poisoning听

People, including British nationals, have died or 听suffered serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol. Criminal gangs have apparently used methanol in the manufacture of cheap brands of local spirits, including vodka and 鈥榞uaro鈥� (cane liquor). Take care when buying spirit-based drinks.听

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) says that methanol can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, seriously damage the optic nerve, and can cause respiratory or cardiac failure. If you, or someone you are travelling with, shows signs of methanol poisoning, seek immediate medical attention.

To protect yourself from methanol poisoning:

• buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores
• buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels
• avoid home-made alcoholic drinks
• check bottle seals are intact
• check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling

Methanol is tasteless and odourless. TravelHealthPro lists the听. Seek听urgent medical attention听if you or someone you are travelling with show signs of methanol poisoning.

Laws and cultural differences听听

Personal ID听

As 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.听

Illegal drugs and prison sentences听

Do 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.听

LGBT+ travellers听

Costa Rica is generally welcoming of LGBT+ travellers. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism听听

Swimming safety听

While 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.听

Take extra care if participating in tours involving snorkelling or similar activities. There have been recent fatalities.听

There 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.

See from the Royal Life Saving Society.

Water sports听

Safety 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.

See 鈦� from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).

Rainforest tours听and Adventure Tourism.听

If you are visiting jungle areas, go with an experienced local guide.听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.

Transport risks 听

Road travel听听

If you鈥檙e planning to drive in Costa Rica, see information on driving abroad.听

Private cars are only allowed to enter the capital of San Jos茅 on certain weekdays, allocated using the last digit of the licence plate number. Your hire car company can give you more details.听

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Costa Rica for up to 180 days, 听depending on the length of stay you have been granted as a Tourist.

If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to听update it to a photocard licence听or get an听听international driving permit. Border authorities may refuse entry to right-hand drive vehicles as they鈥檙e illegal and do not qualify for local insurance.

The 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.听

Road conditions are generally good on main routes. However, in the rainy season, heavy rains can cause potholes and landslides that block the roads.听听

If 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 (鈥榯ransito鈥� 鈥� telephone: 2222 9330 or 2222 9245) and the insurance investigator (INS 鈥� telephone: 800 800 8000) immediately.

罢补虫颈蝉听

Avoid using unofficial taxis (鈥榯axi piratas鈥�). 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鈥檚 best to use radio-dispatched taxis. Make sure the driver鈥檚 ID is clearly visible on the dashboard and that the driver uses the meter.

Airport disruptions

Services at the Liberia Airport (LIR 鈥� 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.

Extreme weather and natural disasters听

See extreme weather and natural hazards for information about how to prepare, and how to react if there is a warning.听

贬耻谤谤颈肠补苍别蝉听听

The hurricane season usually runs from June to November 鈥� the same as the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Monitor the forecasts and the . 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.

贵濒辞辞诲颈苍驳听听

The June-November period is also the peak rainy season. Flooding and landslides may occur, resulting in road closures and driving hazards.

贰补谤迟丑辩耻补办别蝉听

There is a risk of earthquakes: 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鈥�鈥痮r a鈥�.听

Volcanic eruptions听

Costa Rica has 16 volcanoes, several of which are considered active. The risk of eruptions is always present. 听There is currently (April 2025) an increasing and significant series of eruptions at Poas Volcano.听 The national emergency commission has issued a red warning for the Poas National Park, which is closed to visitors.

Check news reports and follow local advice before travelling to any areas around volcanoes. Avoid volcanic areas during and immediately after heavy rainfall when there鈥檚 increased risk of lava flows.

Ash plumes can . 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.听听

Before you travel check that:听

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need听
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation听

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number听

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance.听

Contact your insurance company quickly if you鈥檙e referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks听

To enter Costa Rica, you must have a certificate to prove you鈥檝e had a yellow fever vaccination if you鈥檙e coming from a听.

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, 蝉别别听.

See what health risks you鈥檒l face in Costa Rica, including:

• malaria
• dengue
• Zika Virus

惭别诲颈肠补迟颈辞苍听

Prescriptions from the UK cannot be used locally. To find a pharmacy (鈥榝armacia鈥�) 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.听

Read .听

Healthcare in Costa Rica听听

Medical 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.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Costa Rica where some staff will speak English.

Travel and mental health听

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also .听

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.听

Emergency services in Costa Rica听听

Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer听

Contact 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.

Refunds and changes to travel听

For 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.听

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:听

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider听
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO听

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:听

• finding English-speaking , and in Costa Rica听
• dealing with a鈥�death in Costa Rica听
• 产别颈苍驳鈥�arrested or imprisoned in Costa Rica听
• getting help if you鈥檙e a鈥�victim of crime听听
• what to do if you鈥檙e鈥�in hospital听听
• if you鈥檙e affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack听

Contacting听FCDO听

Help abroad鈥�听

See听听including in an emergency.听

Help in the UK听听

You can call鈥�FCDO鈥痠n London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.鈥�听

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)鈥�听

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates鈥�听

Sign up to鈥�get email notifications鈥痺hen this travel advice is updated.鈥�听

Follow FCDO:鈥�

Risk information for British companies听听

The鈥疧verseas Business Risk service鈥痮ffers information and advice for British companies operating in Costa Rica on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.