
Cocos Islands
- Covid Travel information
View entry requirements here Updated DEC 2024
Cocos Islands - the location, language, time difference
Costa Rica is around 12 hours direct flying time. Most liveaboards to Cocos depart from San Jose. Lying some 300 miles south west of the main land, this remote scuba diving destination is a haven for local wildlife, both above the water and beneath it. Hammerheads are the star attraction here and we don't mean the odd one or two. Great swarming schools of scalloped hammers visit Cocos many cleaning stations to keep in top shape. White tips pass by in giant clouds and Galapagos sharks patrol the plateaus. Manta rays, mobula and eagle rays can all be spotted here, along with the occasional whale shark to feast on the upwelling currents.
- GMT -6hrs
- Spanish, English widely spoken
Cocos Islands - weather and climate
Costa Rica itself has an average temperature of 21 to 28. Due to its proximity to the equator, it has no real summer or winter. It does however have a rainy season from May to November - Cocos Islands experiences rain usually between July and September. The Pacific coast around Guanacaste, on the other hand is hot and dry, perfect for the many world-class beaches.
Cocos Islands - Currency and Tax
Costa Rican colon, $USD widely accepted
A transaction fee is usually levied on all credit or debit card payments
How do I get there?
Our holidays to Cocos can be quoted with most major airlines. Many flights route via the USA. Depending on your trip dates, you may be able to take the direct BA flight. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to San Jose, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Most flight options will route with a stop via the USA. Please ask your consultant if you would like to add a stopover en route
Are there any extension options?
Costa Rica is an incredibly diverse country and there are superb extension options. Take a trip into the jungle, lounge on the beach or take a few days to discover San Jose.
Passports and Visas
Passports - Must be valid for 6 months from return date
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 90 day tourist visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Preparing to fly
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here for holiday extras
Current duty free allowances allowed into Costa Rica: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g tobacco, 3L of alcoholic beverages (travellers aged over 18 only), goods to the value of US$500. Allowances can change without notice - please reconfirm before travel.
What do I need to arrange before I go?
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 90 day tourist visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice for the required travel immunisations for your destination: click here to go to the NHS
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival to San Jose, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Depending on your first night arrangements, you will then either be met outside of arrivals by a representative (they will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it) or you will need to join the hotel airport shuttle. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers in San Jose are usually either provided by your liveaboard, a private transfer or airport shuttle.
What happens on departure day?
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. On leaving the Costa Rica there is an departure tax of approx $30 which must be paid in cash.
Plugs and Electricity
Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat type