Welcome to GO PAC's Costa Rica travel guide, what to do (the short answer is: everything), what to pack for a country with a rainforest, a volcanic zone, and a Pacific coast all within a few hours of each other, and what to expect from one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
Quick answers: Costa Rica for UK travellers
- Best time to visit: December to April (dry season, best for wildlife and beaches).
- Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC). £1 ≈ 650 CRC (May 2026). USD widely accepted.
- UK passport visa: Visa-free, 90 days.
- Flight time from London: 11 to 13 hours (one stop).
- Daily budget: £40 to £70/day mid-range; £120+ for upmarket eco-lodges.
- Power plug: Types A and B (US-style two/three-pin). UK plugs need an adaptor.
- Best travel kit for Costa Rica: See the GO PAC travel accessories guide.
Costa Rica, before you go.
Costa Rica's dry season runs from mid-December to late April and the green season from May to mid-December. The two coasts work differently: the Pacific side is driest from December to March, with a shorter dry spell called the veranillo in July and August, while the Caribbean side has no clear dry season and is often driest in February, March, September and October.
Getting in: UK passport holders can usually stay up to 180 days as tourists, at the immigration officer's discretion, and the passport must be valid for at least one day after you leave. The US$29 departure tax is usually included in the air fare.
From October 2026, British Airways flies London Heathrow to San José all year round.
On the beaches, rip currents are common and few have lifeguards.
Never stop moving.
Costa Rica rewards the adventurous. Zip-lines, whale watching, volcano hikes, surf lessons, start planning.
Zip-Lining, Monteverde
Twelve lines, three hanging bridges and a Tarzan swing through cloud forest canopy at 50mph. Monteverde Adventure Park offers the most comprehensive setup, book ahead in high season. Screaming is optional but encouraged.
Whale Watching, Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula hosts humpback whales from both hemispheres, one of only a handful of places on Earth where this happens. Boats go out at 6am from Drake Bay. Bring a waterproof layer; the Pacific swell is real.
Surf Lessons, Tamarindo
The Pacific coast's consistent beach break makes Tamarindo Costa Rica's surf capital. Lessons from ¢15,000 for two hours with a board. The dry season (December to April) brings the cleanest conditions. Beginners welcome.
La Fortuna Waterfall
500 steps down through cloud forest to a 70-metre waterfall crashing into a cold, clear pool. The hike back up takes about 25 minutes and is genuinely punishing. The beer at the top tastes accordingly good.
Wild and wonderful.
Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica's most active volcano last erupted in 2010 and is currently in a resting phase, though it still produces occasional plumes. At dawn, the cloud clears and you see the full perfect cone rising above the rainforest. Stay in La Fortuna and hike up at 6am.
Manuel Antonio Beach
White sand, warm Pacific water, howler monkeys in the canopy directly above your towel. The national park limits daily visitors, arrive early and buy tickets online. The white-faced capuchin monkeys have absolutely no interest in personal boundaries.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Walking through the cloud forest at dawn, when the mist sits low through the trees and quetzal birds call from somewhere invisible. The hanging bridges give you a canopy-level view across the forest, go at 6am before the organised tours arrive.
Caño Island Marine Reserve
Snorkelling here is all about the visibility, which can reach 30 metres. Reef sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays. Day trips from Drake Bay, boats leave at 8am and you need to book ahead. Reef-safe sun cream only.
The Costa Rica Kit.
Waterproof, lightweight, reef-safe. The jungle and the Pacific both make demands, here's what to bring.
What to pack for Costa Rica
- Cotton Beach Towel, Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa and Caño Island all need one
- Beach Towel Clips, Pacific winds take towels from loungers instantly
- Waterproof Phone Case, river crossings, surfing and rainforest waterfalls
- Collapsible Water Bottle, jungle humidity is serious, drink constantly
- Travel Plug Adapter, Costa Rica uses US-style Type A plugs
- Keycode Luggage Lock (another brand's item, not GO PAC: see our Amazon travel picks), eco-lodges often have open storage rooms
- Travel Packing Cubes (other brands' cubes, not GO PAC: see our packing cubes guide), jungle kit and beach kit are completely different
- Portable Phone Charger, power cuts in remote areas are common
- Reef-safe sun cream, mandatory at Caño Island Biological Reserve
- Light waterproof jacket, it rains every afternoon, pack something packable
For the flight, compare five travel pillows in our best travel pillow UK guide.
Stopping in Europe on the way? Read our guides to ETIAS for UK travellers and EES border checks at Dover, St Pancras and UK airports.
Travel Plug Adapter
Costa Rica runs US-style sockets, which the USA plug on ours fits. It also has two USB-A ports.
£14.99 View the adapter →Free UK shipping · 30-day returns