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    • Africa
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    Costa Rica Group Tours & Trips

    Costa Rica Tours
    La Fortuna Hanging Bridge Rainforest in Costa Rica
    Download Costa Rica Key Facts

    Costa Rica is the dream gap year destination, and not just because you can go ziplining through a Cloud Forest (like a rainforest but greener!) or surf beginner-friendly waves. With around half a million species living inside Costa Rica, it’s one of the most biodiverse destinations on the planet. From the Three-toed sloth to the Red-eyed tree frog, and all kinds of bird species, Costa Rica’s wildlife is on another level!

    Whether you’re travelling exclusively to this destination or visiting as part of a longer journey around Central America, Costa Rica group tours are the ultimate adventure. If there’s one thing more addictive than the emerald wildlife and enchanting beaches, then it’s the “pura vida” spirit: which is all about embracing the little things… it isn’t hard to do over on this side of paradise!

    Read more in our Costa Rica Travel Guide.

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     Download Costa Rica Key Facts

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    Costa Rica Facts

    Capital City

    San Jose

    Currency

    Costa Rican ColĆ³n (CRC)

    Language

    Spanish

    Dialling Code

    +506

    Plug Type

    Types A & B
    Download Costa Rica Key Facts

    Costa Rica Highlights

    Tropical palm trees with rich green hills and town in the background with volcanoes on blue slightly cloudy day

    San Jose

    San Jose is a fantastic base for all your Costa Rica travel plans. Explore everything from the cosmopolitan restaurants to the museums where you can learn all about Costa Ricaā€™s pre-Columbian history. Donā€™t forget about the Spirogyra Butterly Garden for a taster of Costa Ricaā€™s amazing wildlife, including the chance to spot a Blue Morpho Butterfly!

    Dark forest with orange and blue sunset with bright gold sun in the centre

    Monteverde Cloud Forest

    The Monteverde Cloud Forest showcases Costa Ricaā€™s breathtaking biodiversity, with vibrant nature thatā€™s richer than a rainforest! Cross jungle canopies thousands of feet in the air and speed from one side of the reserve to the next on a zipline. As you trek through the mist, listen and keep your eyes peeled for birds, howley monkeys and more!

    Bright green trees with green volcano in the near distance, shrouded by white clouds in a blue sky

    Arenal National Park

    Arenal National Park is a haven for adventure sports and all things wildlife. When youā€™re not climbing through caves, hiking the nature trails, journeying around Arenal Volcano or searching for waterfalls, you can get to know all the gorgeous animals inside the sanctuaries - including birds, butterflies, frogs and sloths, just to name a few!

    Stunning tuquoise pool with small waterfall surrounded by rich green trees and mossy rocks

    La Fortuna

    La Fortuna is the glamorous gateway to Arenal National Park. Imagine bright blue waterfalls hidden in the heart of the jungle, steamy hot springs, luxurious shades of green everywhere you turnā€¦ Doesnā€™t it all just make you want to sink into the water and soak up the heavenly scenery? Thereā€™s no rush, so kick back and enjoy the views.

    Deserted beach with pale blue sunny sky, green forest to the left and dog running through the pale sand with the tide close

    Santa Teresa

    Embrace the "pura vida" in Santa Teresa, a sandy paradise of palm trees, glistening beaches and ocean waves. You could spend all day in one spot without getting bored, especially since Costa Rica is world-class for surfing. Donā€™t skip out on Santa Teresaā€™s food, as this culinary hotspot has a little bit of everything: from smoothie bowls to sushi!

    Close shot of green palm trees with golden sand below and bright blue ocean with rock in water and clear blue sky

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Puerto Viejo is just irresistible - from the spoiled-for-choice selection of beaches, the big cat rescue centre and the variety of nature paths, to the vibrant nightlife, endless palm trees and the charming Caribbean coast. When you snap out of the dream state this stunning landscape puts you in, dive into the water and go snorkelling!

    People enjoying secret beach surrounded by rich jungle forests with gentle blue sea to the right

    Manuel Antonio

    You think youā€™ve seen it all as a traveller, and then you explore Manuel Antonio. Home to stunning wildlife, secret beaches, coral reef and hiking trails that curve along the coast, Manuel Antonio embodies everything to love about Costa Rica. Whether youā€™re snorkelling in the ocean or zip-lining in the sky, leave the world behind in Manuel Antonio.

    Aerial shot of teal ocean with crashing waves against black sand and charcoal-coloured rocks, glimpse of jungle to the right

    Montezuma

    Costa Ricaā€™s beaches and rainforests are equally magical, and in Montezuma, you donā€™t have to choose between the two! This beautiful beach town is home to adventurous hiking trails that lead you to plunging waterfalls which travellers can swim in. At the end of your hike, discover an unspoiled beach that you can enjoy almost entirely to yourself.

    Deep turquoise ocean with some boats that curves around white sand beach and green jungle with a few houses, aerial shot

    La Isla Tortuga

    Off the coast of Costa Rica, hop between two tiny islands to discover even more natural beauty. La Isla Tortuga is one of the best places in the country for water activities, whether you want to go snorkelling and swim with a breathtaking variety of fish (maybe youā€™ll even see a sea turtle!) or encounter dolphins in the wild on a boat tour.

    Costa Rica Travel Advice

    stretch of black sand with bright blue ocean and crashing waves with lime green jungle to the right, one house can be spotted

    Climate & Weather

    Costa Rica has a tropical climate with its dry season lasting from January to April, with tropical showers only expected from the areas rich in rainforest. May to July marks the start of Costa Rica’s green season with more rainfall, so it’s fantastic for wildlife spotting and surfing.

    Average daily temperatures in Costa Rica do not change much throughout the year and travellers can expect temperatures anywhere between 27ā„ƒ to 35ā„ƒ depending on the area. Generally, the northwestern Guanacaste Province is the hottest near San Jose, while the highlands of Cordillera de Talamanca are the coolest.

    Cascading dark waterfall surrounded by lush tropical wildlife and mossy rocks

    Best Time to Visit

    Many travellers choose to visit Costa Rica in the high season of January to April as this is when the weather is driest and sees the most sun. But the quieter months of May to July are just as incredible. Rainfall becomes more frequent during this time of year, but the result is spectacular wildlife watching, rainforest scenery that becomes even more lush and higher swells for anyone looking to go surfing! Mid-November to December is also a great time to explore Costa Rica, as it’s just before the country enters its dry season and peak time for travel

    Rainbow scarlet macaw with green feathers, red and black eyes, and a red blue and yellow nuzzle

    Customs & Culture

    Costa Rica is a welcoming and multicultural country with the motto of “pura vida”: which is all about enjoying the simple things in life and sharing your happiness with others! Costa Rica can be described as a mix of Indigenous heritage, Spanish influences and other cultures like Chinese and Jamaican.

    A little Spanish goes a long way, even though many people speak English here. It’s best not to be direct in conversation and avoid haggling. Travellers are encouraged to go with the flow and embrace being on Tico time, which is a more laidback approach compared to UK culture.

    Red and blue british passports

    Passports & Visas

    British passport holders can visit Costa Rica for up to 180 days without needing a visa. To enter Costa Rica, your passport must have an expiration date of at least one day after the date you plan to leave.

    If your flight connects through the USA, you will also need a valid ESTA visa waiver or visa. We recommend staying up to date with FCDO advice before you go travelling, as entry requirements and visa rules can be subject to change.

    Four travellers jumping in the air at a burnt orange sunset on a beach when the tide is low, some more people in distance

    Health & Safety

    At Gap 360, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. From the moment your trip is confirmed until you arrive back home, you'll have access to a 24/7 emergency contact number for any urgent issues. For anything non-urgent, our friendly team is also available during office hours to help.

    We strongly recommend checking the FCDO travel advice for Costa Rica, as it's regularly updated with the latest safety and travel information and you can even sign up for email alerts to stay informed of any changes. In addition, you can check the FCDO general travel advice for British nationals abroad.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Costa Rica is part of the Mesoamerica Biodiversity Hotspot, with around half a million species confirmed to live here! From the gigantic population of three-toed sloths to hummingbirds, iguanas, toucans, howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, tree frogs and some of the worldā€™s biggest butterflies, Costa Rica is a haven for wildlife. The animals here make Costa Rica trips extra magical!

    Costa Ricaā€™s official language is Spanish, but Creole and English are also quite popular. CabĆ©car is the most widely spoken Indigenous language of Costa Rica.

    When packing for Costa Rica, prioritise lightweight clothing and some waterproof layers for visiting the rainforest. Costa Rica has some pretty incredible beaches, so donā€™t forget to bring a bathing suit! Most importantly, you will need comfortable shoes for walking and sandals for the more casual days on trips to Costa Rica. Bring sun-protective gear like sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat, as well as some insect-repellent spray. Finally donā€™t forget about your phone or even a professional camera so you can take pictures on your Costa Rica group tours and send them to us!

    Flights from London to San Jose, Costa Ricaā€™s capital, typically take 11 hours if you fly direct, and around 15 hours if you include a layover.

    Costa Rican cuisine is all about making the most out of what ingredients are available, and the results are inspiring and delicious. Rice and beans are a simple but effective combination in Costa Rica, whether youā€™re eating them fresh or enjoying them refried for breakfast (Gallo pinto, Costa Ricaā€™s national dish!). But it comes as no surprise that this rainforest destination is home to exotic fruit like guanabana, pejivalle and plantain, plus bags of mango and pineapple which are sold on the street. And then there are the must-try dishes like ceviche and mondogo!

    Gap 360 has partnered with Masta and Nomad Clinics, one of the UKā€™s largest networks of private travel clinics. Through Masta, you can arrange a Travel Telephone Consultation, an in-person Consultation, and book your vaccinations at your nearest clinic.

    A gap year in Costa Rica is a guaranteed adventure! Costa Rica is considered to be one of the safest countries in Central America, so itā€™s a fantastic place to start if youā€™re looking to explore more of this subcontinent. From the rich rainforest wildlife to the unspoiled white sand beaches and some of the best surfing waves on the planet, Costa Rica is a real-life paradise! Maybe youā€™re looking to learn some Spanish abroad, hoping to explore as much of Central and South America as possible, or are exclusively interested in Costa Rica group tours. British nationals can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days without needing a visa as a tourist, so itā€™s perfect for longer stays. Whatever your gap year looks like, weā€™ll help you plan it!

    Costa Rica Trip Reviews

    4.7
    Rating
    93
    Reviews

    Sarah Lowe

    I had an incredible time travelling through Central America. I can't believe I've seen so much in just one month. I've formed incredible friendships and had heaps of fun. I've learnt so much about the culture of different Central…

    Ellie Furby

    Our tour guide, Mike was great and very helpful throughout the whole tour.

    Scarlett Hayward

    Great intro to group tours and now I'm hooked!

    Lauren Miller

    Everything is organised for you and you can relax in the confidence that you'll have a great time. It was my first time travelling alone and I was so scared. But you're not travelling alone because everyone you go with are friends…

    Hannah Ley

    The best month of my entire life! Made lifelong friendships and memories that I will never forget, so sad that it has ended but I am so happy that I did it.

    Joseph Clay

    An excellent balance of free time and brilliant activities. The fact there was a huge range of activities and many were optional was a bonus for me.

    Claire Norris

    Made lots of new friends and improved my Spanish loads!

    Beatrice Piana

    Great tour to see and do so many things if you don't have much time. Learned a lot, great nature experiences and positive vibes.

    Fiona Mitchell

    Everyone that I spoke to was very helpful and friendly, and answered all of the questions I had!

    Leah Shearer

    Loved it - super fun!

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