British Embassy in San José
Embassy 
United Kingdom San José, Costa Rica
- Address
- Paseo Colón, San José
- Website
- gov.uk
Sources: OpenStreetMap · Wikidata · Foreign ministry of the United Kingdom: list of missions abroad · Record last updated on 5 September 2024
The British embassy in San José stands at Paseo Colón, San José, in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Costa Rican citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for the United Kingdom, obtained online before travel, for stays of up to 180 days. Its opening hours on record: Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00 with a midday break, closing earlier on Fridays.
Opening hours of the British embassy in San José
| Monday | 08:00–12:0012:30–16:00 break 12:00–12:30 By appointment only |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:00–12:0012:30–16:00 break 12:00–12:30 By appointment only |
| Wednesday | 08:00–12:0012:30–16:00 break 12:00–12:30 By appointment only |
| Thursday | 08:00–12:0012:30–16:00 break 12:00–12:30 By appointment only |
| Friday | 08:00–13:00 By appointment only |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Public holidays | Closed |
Upcoming closures
Public holidays in Costa Rica
-
Army Abolition Day
-
Christmas Day
Public holidays in the United Kingdom
-
Christmas Day
-
St. Stephen's Day
The British embassy in San José is listed as open Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00 with a midday break, closing earlier on Fridays.
United Kingdom visa for Costa Rican citizens
Costa RicaUnited Kingdom Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) United Kingdom visa for citizens of Costa Rica
United KingdomCosta Rica Visa-free, 180 days Costa Rica visa for citizens of the United Kingdom
Costa Rican citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for the United Kingdom, obtained online before travel, for stays of up to 180 days. The application is made online, not at the British embassy in San José.
Other missions nearby
-
Consulate of the Bahamas in San JoséPaseo Colón, San José
-
Embassy of Israel in San JoséPaseo Colón, San José
-
Embassy of Switzerland in San JoséPaseo Colón 10, San José
-
Consular Office of Austria in San JoséPaseo Colón, San José
-
Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in San JoséCalle 40, San José
-
Embassy of Spain in San JoséCalle 32 0041, San José
The United Kingdom’s other missions in Costa Rica
The British embassy in San José is the only mission of the United Kingdom in Costa Rica on record. Costa Rica in turn has an embassy in London.
Latest official news
-
UN Human Rights Council 63: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Nicaragua
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Nicaragua. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
-
UK support helps Costa Rica strengthen its fight against human trafficking
A UK-funded project with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) helps Costa Rica tackle human trafficking.
-
FCDO statement on democratic governance, civic space and human rights in Nicaragua
An FCDO statement on recent declarations by the Nicaraguan authorities about elections.
-
Costa Rican Chevening scholars return home after transformative year at UK universities
Ambassador Edward Stevens welcomed home 4 Chevening scholars who completed master's degrees at leading UK universities in 2024 to 2025.
Good to know
About the British embassy in San José
It appears in official lists as Embassy of the United Kingdom in San José.
Address and contact
Address: Paseo Colón, San José. The record for the British embassy in San José includes an official website.
British citizens travelling to Costa Rica
British citizens can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days.
When the British embassy in San José is closed
The next closures of the British embassy in San José for public holidays in Costa Rica are Army Abolition Day (Día de la Abolición del Ejército) on Tuesday 1 December 2026 and Christmas Day (Navidad) on Friday 25 December 2026; it may also close for Christmas Day on Friday 25 December 2026.
Before visiting the British embassy in San José
Current procedures for the British embassy in San José, including any appointment system, are on its official website, linked on this page.
Near the British embassy in San José
Within 1 km of the British embassy in San José there are 12 other foreign missions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the address of the British Embassy in San José?
The British embassy in San José is at Paseo Colón, San José.
What are the opening hours of the British Embassy in San José?
The British embassy in San José is listed as open Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00 with a midday break, closing earlier on Fridays.
Is the British Embassy in San José open on Saturday?
No. The hours on record for the British embassy in San José do not include Saturday.
When is the British Embassy in San José closed?
The British embassy in San José closes on Costa Rica’s public holidays, the next being Army Abolition Day (Día de la Abolición del Ejército) on Tuesday 1 December 2026, and usually on the national day of the United Kingdom.
Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Costa Rican citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for the United Kingdom, obtained online before travel, for stays of up to 180 days.
Report a change
This is an independent guide, not an official website of the United Kingdom.
Wrong info? Tell us Edit on OpenStreetMap Wikidata Data sources