Activities & latest news in Costa Rica

UK Entry Rules Changed ETA Needed : Pack Your Bags and Your ETA

Attention, globe-trotters! Starting January 8, 2025, if you're from one of 48 lucky non-European countries, including the US, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, you'll need a shiny new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before setting foot in the UK. Yes, even if you’ve been waltzing in visa-free for years, the party now requires a cover charge.

Think of the ETA as your virtual backstage pass to the UK. Without it? No tea, no crumpets, no Big Ben selfies—just a one-way ticket back to wherever you came from.

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The Rundown on the UK’s ETA

• Who needs it? As of January 8, you do if you're from one of those 48 countries. Come April 2, European visitors will join the ETA queue too.
• Who doesn’t? British and Irish citizens (because, duh) and anyone who already needs a visa.
• What does it cost? Just £10, which is basically two lattes in London. It covers multiple trips for up to six months and stays valid for two years.
• How to get it? Online or via a dedicated app, because in 2025, even immigration is going digital.

Which Countries Need to apply for an ETA?

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Belize
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Canada
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
• Israel
• Japan
• Kiribati
• Kuwait
• Macao Special Administrative Region
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Oman
• Palau
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Qatar
• Samoa
• Saudi Arabia
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tuvalu
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• Uruguay

Why the Fuss?

The UK says this is all about digitising borders, boosting security, and making sure they’re keeping out more than just the rain. The ETA will even run a quick background check to ensure you’re not secretly an international supervillain. (And if you are? Well, better start Googling “UK visa application” now.)

What Happens If You Forget?

Here’s the deal: no ETA, no entry. Not even if you're just passing through Heathrow to change planes. Oh, and don’t bother asking your airline for a refund if you're denied—they’ll be too busy sticking to the small print.

How Does It Compare?

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because countries like the US (ESTA), Australia (ETA), and Canada (eTA) have been running similar systems for years. The EU’s ETIAS is also on its way in late 2025, so soon we’ll all be playing a global game of digital hopscotch just to visit each other.

Industry Says "We Got This"

Experts claim the travel industry is ready for the ETA rollout, thanks to years of dealing with similar setups elsewhere. The advice? Plan ahead, apply early, and double-check your travel documents, because nobody wants to start their holiday by getting turned away at the border.

What’s the Big Picture?

The UK is simply hopping on the digital bandwagon, aligning its travel protocols with global standards while making sure its borders are as secure as they are rainy. So, get your ETA sorted, pack your umbrella, and remember: Big Brother is watching, but at least he’s keeping it affordable. £10 for two years of hassle-free trips? Not too shabby.

UK Entry Rules Changed ETA Needed

Welcome to the future of travel—just don’t forget your virtual permission slip!

Surf, Wipeouts, and Group Fun Awaits : The Ultimate Group Adventure

Want to feel like a pro surfer without actually being a pro? Then it’s time to hit Costa Rica’s Pacific coast for a surfing lesson that’s all about fun, friends, and … trying not to face plant within the ocean. Whether you're an expert surfer or they have simply ‘surfed’ a couch with one hand on the chips, this adventure has all the potential to leave your group sea sniping.

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Ride the Waves (or, You Know, Try to)

Costa Rica features some of the most stunning beaches worldwide and the greatest part is, you do not have to be a beach legend to enjoy things. From the golden sands of Tamarindo, stretching to the enchanting waves of Playa Hermosa, expert teachers will be available to help you learn how to stay on that board and not just fall off (no guarantees though). But let’s face the reality, the first class is not about being cool on a board, it is about managing to weather the wave. Oh yes, you will spend more time with your face buried in the water rather than during that class on the board but that’s the fun part right?

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work (and the Wipeout)

This isn’t just about you trying to stay on the board longer than your friend (though, let’s be real, that’s part of the fun). Surfing together is the ultimate team-building experience. You’ll cheer each other on as you paddle out, high-five each other after the rare successful ride, and laugh uncontrollably when someone ends up in the water for the fifth time in a row. “We got this!” will quickly turn into “We got wet,” but you’ll have a blast together, making memories that’ll last longer than your tan (because, let’s face it, that probably won’t last long).

Beachside Chill (with a Side of Coconut Water)

If you are not busy wiping out in the waves then living the GP would include lying in a hammock with a coconut drink and watching ‘friends’ trying to stand on the board (without them knowing that you actually enjoying it). You can simply relax, socialize, or act out the role of a tropical vacation commercial and do everything else that such beaches encourage doing. And your group’s Instagrams will certainly appreciate what they did.

Surf, Wipeouts, and Group Fun Awaits

By the end of the day would see every member of the group with impressive sunburn, salty wet hair, and sore muscles. But the best part is, you all will have plenty of funny memories. Who cares about perfect waves when you have perfect memories? So, have your sunscreen at ready with all your dignity – stripped, as you are heading for the funniest surfing experience.

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