– COSTA RICA FAQs

Costa Rica – 6hrs

Currency, credit cards and currency cards

Country / Currency / Additional information

Costa Rica / Colon / US Dollars are widely accepted too

• ATMs are generally available in major cities, less so in rural areas.
• Credit cards are generally widely accepted in the majority of hotels, cruises, larger international restaurants and shops, although be aware credit card payments may incur an additional fee.
• If purchasing small items or purchasing from local shops, restaurants and markets, local currency is always recommended. Additionally, small stores will allow visitors to pay for goods in US Dollars and receive change in Colónes.
• Outside of major cities, with the exception of hotels, local currency is always recommended.
• Some hotels may also exchange currency.
• If you are planning to use your debit or credit card whilst travelling, advise your bank of your travel plans in advance so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to withdraw cash or make a payment.
• When you change money, ask for some small bills and keep these, along with coins separate from the larger ones, so that they’re readily accessible. Carrying small notes and coins separately is also handy for tipping.
• It is always worth carrying a small amount of UK Sterling or US Dollars as these can always be readily exchanged.
• Keep your exchange receipts as these may be needed if you want to exchange any remaining currency you have at the end of your trip.

Currency Cards

In addition to using Travel Credit cards and Debit cards, a currency card is also a popular way of buying currency for your holiday. You can preload these before leaving the UK and many also offer advantageous exchange rates. If travelling to multiple countries, different currencies can be loaded and used for card payments or ATM cash withdrawals. We recommend the Revolut card, which offers 150 currencies and enjoys favourable exchange rates, making it a perfect card to use for any card payments, such as hotels and restaurants. You can withdraw cash from ATMs whilst abroad, but there is a limit of £200 per month, before paying a 2% fee. For further benefits on using currency cards and more information on Revolut please visit distantjourneys.co.uk/revolut-currency-card

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.

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.

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 day
• Driver: 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.

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.

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.

British citizens are allowed 180 days stay with no visa required 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.

You are entitled to carry one suitcase per person. Total dimensions for each piece must not exceed 158cm (62in) and weight must not exceed 20kg (44lbs). Dimensions for luggage are calculated by adding together the length, height and depth of the piece of baggage. In most instances this will be less than the airlines permitted allowance and is restricted to accommodate for coach and, or train capacity, domestic flights and where applicable local health and safety laws. We are unable to accommodate more than one suitcase per person, or any oversized pieces of luggage. Personal and valuable items such as cameras, medication, money / credit cards etc. should be carried in a travel bag or on your person.