Costa Rica Escorted Tours & Holidays

We include so much

Every Distant Journeys tour to Costa Rica from the UK is meticulously planned and designed to offer great value by including many meals, activities and experiences in the price of the tour. As you would expect from a touring holiday, we include return international flights from the UK on an award-winning scheduled airline, with all your onboard meals and drinks included. Once you have arrived in Costa Rica, you will enjoy transportation in modern air-conditioned coaches, hotel porterage for your luggage, all pre-payable airport and resort taxes, and all the entrance fees to the many incredible places you will visit.

Breakfast and dinner are included each day, in addition to seven lunches and 10 dinners. What’s more, to help you make the most of your time, you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable Tour Manager throughout your journey; a friendly, helpful guide who will ensure you can enjoy every moment of your well-earned holiday.

Our escorted tour of Costa Rica includes:

• Return economy class flights with British Airways from London Gatwick, or Lufthansa from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or Edinburgh
• Airport transfers overseas
• Superior hotels, with great locations
• Daily breakfast and seven lunches and 10 dinners
• Experienced local Tour Managers
• Incredible excursions
• All pre-payable airport taxes
• All hotel porterage
• ATOL protection for your holiday
• Our Price Promise

Choose the holiday style that’s right for you

We all have our own individual requirements when it comes to how we travel. It’s your holiday, and at Distant Journeys you can choose the style of holiday that suits you best.

Classic Tours

Our Classic escorted tours are a great way to travel and experience Costa Rica. Enjoy the scenery, culture and sights with a group of like-minded people, guided by a friendly and knowledgeable local Tour Manager who will bring the destination to life. Our Very Best of Costa Rica tour covers all of the country’s many highlights and travels with no more than 18 people.

Private Tours

For those who like to travel as a couple or with a group of friends, our Private Tours offer an intimate, exclusive holiday experience that is surprisingly affordable. Enjoy the same expertly crafted itinerary and hand-picked hotels, but with the exclusivity and convenience of your own friendly and knowledgeable guides, your own private vehicle and a departure date to suit you.

Special Offer

Save £150 per person on Costa Rica tours departing from November 2025 when you book by 30th November 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is there a time difference?

  Costa Rica – 6hrs

• What is the currency?

  Currency, credit cards and currency cards

  Country / Currency / Additional information

  Costa Rica / Colon / US Dollars are widely accepted too

• What will the weather be like?

  Costa Rica is a tropical country so rain can fall at any time of year. Expect drier weather between December and April on the Pacific coast and between March and September on its Caribbean coast. It is important to note that climates may vary between different regions. Note: Weather patterns are generally becoming less predictable so the information we provide should be used as a guide only and is no guarantee of the weather at the time you travel. We also recommend checking up-to-date weather forecasts before you travel.

• What clothing should I take to Costa Rica?

  Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. Evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm.  It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions – and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof, good insect repellent, a high factor sunscreen lotion and a hat for protection from the sun.

• How much should I tip in Costa Rica?

  In Costa Rica, it is customary to offer gratuities, particularly in the hospitality industry, as a way of showing your appreciation for good service. Tips remain discretionary, however if you are happy with the service you have received, we would suggest the following amounts:

  • Tour Manager: US$ 5.00 per person per dayDriver: US$ 3.00 per person per day

  It is helpful to know that tipping in restaurants, for meals not included, is customary. Costa Rican law requires restaurants to include a 10% service charge (tip) and 13% sales tax in their prices, though practices vary.  Please note that some restaurants do not include these amounts in the menu price. In such circumstances, you should expect to see this added to the bill. Should your bill include state “taxes are not included” or “impuestos no incluidos”, please anticipate an additional 23% above the menu price to cover both the 10% tip and the 13% sales tax. Should your bill include the 13% sales tax, anticipate an additional 10% above the total cost to allow for a 10% tip. For those opting to leave a gratuity at restaurants, paying in local currency is advisable.

  A Cautionary Note: 

  Some establishments might present an additional bill featuring a section for tips, despite the inclusion of the 23% for service and sales tax on your initial bill.

  This practice mirrors the U.S. custom of tipping 15-20%, despite the service and sales tax already being covered by the initial payment.

  Receiving a bill in English with a designated section for tipping might lead some to believe they haven’t yet tipped, prompting them to leave an additional amount.

• What are the entry requirements for Costa Rica?

  The following information on entry requirements, passports and visas is for British Citizens only.

  Any visa information covers visa requirements for the duration our tour stays in any given country.

  If you intend to stay longer you should seek additional information before booking.

  Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in anyway should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.

  It is important to recognise that whilst the information below is correct at the time we go to print, all requirements may change, and all clients must check the up-to-date position in good time before departure with the Embassy or consulate of the country(ies) you are travelling through and to.

  We also suggest referring to the UK government’s Foreign Travel Advice website gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.

• Do I need to renew my passport?

  A valid ten-year British passport is required for all our holidays, valid for a minimum of six months after your return date to the UK. If you are not currently in possession of a valid passport, please make sure you leave plenty of time before your holiday to apply for this document.

  A full British passport presently takes approximately up to 10 weeks to obtain. If you are 16 or over and have not yet arranged a passport, you should apply for one at least 10 weeks before your departure from the UK. The UK Passport Service must confirm an applicant’s identity before issuing their first passport and will ask them to attend an interview to do this. Please note, if you need to apply for visas after you receive your new passport, you will need to factor in additional time for this.

  For more information on passport and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website or see our website for more details.

• Do I need any vaccinations for Costa Rica?

  Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and may change at any time. You should take health advice from your GP or local travel clinic about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective by the date of travel. In addition to the UK government’s own travel advice website, we also recommend visiting the NHS Travel Vaccinations website, nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations for more information any required vaccinations.