Travel to Costa Rica

There are a number of airlines that offer flights to Costa Rica including British Airways, Iberia and Delta Airlines. Most flights are indirect and the journey time and price can vary considerably depending on the route taken. Most airlines will land in Juan Santamaría Airport which is 16 kilometres from San José City. While buses regularly run to the city centre, they can be difficult to negotiate and you must remember to tell the driver when you want to get off or they won't stop! The easiest option is to jump in a taxi. There are two types - orange and red. Orange are specifically airport taxis and offer a set price of US$15-20 to go to and from the airport; red taxis have metres which you should ask the driver to use. If they tell you it is broken, agree a price before you begin your journey or you could face a hefty bill.

If San José or its surrounding area is not your ultimate destination, Juan Santamaría Airport might not be the most convenient airport to land at. If visiting an area in the north of Costa Rica such as Playas del Coco, Liberia or Brasilito, Liberia International Airport is far better situated, so it's worth finding Costa Rica flights that stop there.

Costa Rica's a hugely popular tourist destination and while it might be cheaper than the UK, it might not be as cheap as you as expected. It's a good idea to plan well ahead to avoid spending a fortune during your Costa Rica holiday. Book accommodation in advance online to find cheap hotels in Costa Rica. Consider also looking at renting an apartment or Cabina, as these can be considerably less expensive.

For good value food head to one of the many small, family run restaurants called sodas where you can pick a tasty, authentic meal for less than US$3. Or try sampling a snack from one of the street-side stalls that sell traditional Costa Rican dishes.

If you plan to explore the country, most places are accessible by bus and it shouldn't cost more than around US$15 to get virtually anywhere. The cheapest time to enjoy a Costa Rica holiday is from May to October as this is low season and prices tend to be less.

• San Jose