Costa Rica Holidays

Costa Rica is located towards the bottom of Central America, bordered to the north by Nicaragua and Panama to the south, Caribbean Sea to the east, the Pacific to the west.

Yes, Costa Rica is generally safe to visit. Stable and peaceful for well over a century, UK government advice states that most visits are trouble-free, and there are no restrictions or warnings on entering the country at the time of writing.

It is one of the most well-developed nations in Latin America, according to the United Nations, and its approach to conservation is widely regarded as a global success story.

That said, hurricane season lasts from June to November, and travellers should take care when swimming, due to the high number of riptides on the country’s coast. If you have any questions regarding safety during your trip, please get in touch and our experts will be happy to answer them.

Costa Rica uses Central Standard Time, or GMT-6.

Flights from the UK to Costa Rica typically take between 10 to 12 hours direct, depending on weather, flight path, and other factors. Get in touch with our team before you book to find out more about your likely journey time if you choose to have Exodus arrange flights for you as part of your package.

No, you will most likely not need a visa. According to government travel advice, as of December 2022, any British national touring Costa Rica for up to 90 days can do so without needing to arrange a visa.

Whenever you’d like! One of the many benefits of planning Costa Rica tours with Exodus is that we do most of the legwork for you, so you don’t always have to plan too far in advance.

We do recommend, however, that you let us know your interests and the types of places you’d like to explore, whether that’s beaches and mountains or rainforests and volcanoes, for example. That way, we can help you build the most perfect Costa Rica trip possible.

It’s also advisable to allow yourself enough time to organise passports, visas, and vaccinations when necessary. Be sure to check with our team on the most up-to-date travel advice.

Home to simmering volcanoes, exotic beaches, and dense rainforests, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. It covers only 0.03% of the Earth’s surface, yet is home to around 5% of its total flora and fauna.

On our tours, you’ll have the opportunity to get up close to magnificent creatures such as green turtles, scarlet macaws, two-toed sloths, and noisy howler monkeys swinging through the misty forests.

Our Costa Rica holidays not only introduce you to the diverse landscape’s colourful wildlife and extraordinary national parks, but you’ll also be immersed in local culture and experience adrenaline-fuelled activities too. Zip lining, hiking, boating – there’s so much to get involved in.

Owing to its tropical climate and warm temperatures, travelling to Costa Rica is enjoyable all year round. Although there are rainy seasons (also known as green seasons), rainfall generally only lasts for a couple of hours.

The best time to visit Costa Rica depends on your personal preference. Between December and April is a popular time for enjoying drier and sunnier tours of Costa Rica along the Pacific coast. For the Caribbean coast, the driest and hottest months are between March and September.

Also, you need to consider the wildlife that you’d like to see. For instance, between July and October is a good time to see green turtles nesting at Tortuguero National Park, while December to April is a good time for Orca whale watching.

Our tours in Costa Rica are packed with immersive trips, experiences and adventures that take you to the heart of the country.

From biodiverse jungles and dramatic volcanoes to tropical coastlines, our Costa Rica holidays aim to guide you through all the best places. Wildlife lovers should visit Monteverde Cloud Forest to see incredible species of birds; Tortuguero for its green, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles; and Tamarindo for its gorgeous beaches on the Pacific coast.

Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna are also well worth visiting. There, you can witness the imposing volcano, hot springs, and wildlife such as jaguars, tree frogs, and white-faced capuchin monkeys.

Our flight-inclusive Costa Rica tours fly direct from London using either British Airways or Air France scheduled services. We recommend that you speak with our sales team prior to your Costa Rica holiday to check flight timings and schedules as they can change regularly.

Being a tropical country, Costa Rican cuisine uses fresh, vibrant ingredients largely made up of fruits and vegetables, simple meats, stews, and soups.

There are several specialities to try while you’re travelling. Gallo pinto, a breakfast dish consisting of rice and black beans; casado, a combination of salad, beans, rice, fried plantains, and meat; and olla de carne, a flavoursome stew with carrots, taro root, plantains, corn, cassava, and cuts of beef.