Useful Information for Backpacking Costa Rica

We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.

We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.

Can’t convince your mates? No worries! Most of our travellers come solo, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a new destination.

You’ll join an instant crew, meet amazing people, and make new friends from day one. Plus, you can keep your travel plans flexible and fully your own.

Ready to roll solo? You won’t be alone for long.

Yes! Travel insurance is a must for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof (on your phone or printed) to your group leader when you arrive.

Need to grab a policy? Get a quote and buy travel insurance here.

We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.

Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Your group leader will email you around 1 day before the tour starts.

The best time to visit Costa Rica is from December to April, during the dry season. This period offers plenty of sunshine, perfect for exploring jungles and relaxing on beaches. If you do not mind a light morning shower, May to November are quieter months to visit. In June and July, the rain often eases, and the forests are at their greenest.

Yes, Costa Rica is safe to travel to. While some areas are known for crime, they are far from where our tours go. Costa Rica is a very popular tourist destination, and with basic commonsense precautions, it is a great place to visit. Our tours visit places that are not just beautiful and exciting, but also known to be safe. Travelling as part of a guided group adds an extra layer of comfort and security.

If you arrive early, we’ll still pick you up from the airport and book you into our San José accommodation from the day you arrive. Extra nights can be arranged in advance.

Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.

Tipping is not required but is appreciated. Restaurant bills in Costa Rica already include a 10% service charge by law (shown as servicio, alongside 13% tax), so there is no need to add more unless the service was exceptional. Small tips are common in bars. If you feel your guides or drivers provided great service, tipping is welcome.

Call your group leader using the number sent in your welcome email. They will assist you.

We suggest bringing £500-750 for your trip to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica's currency is the colón (CRC). US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas, although change often comes back in colones at a less generous rate, so it is worth paying in colones where you can.

Cards, including contactless, work in most hotels, restaurants and larger shops, and ATMs are easy to find in towns. Carry some small notes for sodas (local cafés), market stalls, tips and the odd rural stop where cards are not taken.

Tap water is treated in much of Costa Rica, and in San José and many towns locals drink it, but quality varies, particularly in rural and beach areas. The simple approach is to ask at each hotel and use filtered or bottled water when in doubt.

A refillable bottle with a built-in filter is worth packing, as many hotels have filtered water to top up from. Your group leader can tell you where the tap water is fine.

Most unlocked phones work in Costa Rica. Check your UK network's roaming charges first, as Costa Rica is outside most roaming bundles and pay-as-you-go rates can be steep.

A travel eSIM set up before you fly is the easiest option. Alternatively, buy a prepaid SIM from Kölbi, Claro or Liberty at the airport or a phone shop, taking your passport with you. Coverage is good in towns and along main roads, and patchier deep in the rainforest.

Speak to your GP or a travel clinic about 6–8 weeks before you travel, and check the Costa Rica advice on TravelHealthPro for current recommendations on vaccines and avoiding mosquito bites.

One entry rule is worth knowing: Costa Rica asks for a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Flying straight from the UK, this does not apply, but it can if you travel through parts of South America first.

Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken in hotels, by tour companies and in the popular tourist towns, and your guide speaks English, so you will get by fine without Spanish.

A few words go a long way, though: hola, gracias, por favor and the national catchphrase pura vida, which Costa Ricans use for hello, goodbye, thanks and all being well.