1. Geocaching is the modern version of a treasure hunt. All you need to get started is to open an account at www.geocaching.com for free.

2. Once you have opened your free account you can download the free app from the Apple or Android store of your choice.

3. You are now ready to play! Look on the app (or map on the website) and find a geocache that is close to you and click on it. Then look at the description and then click "navigate". The map will show you where you are and which way the geocache is. Don't forget to take a pen!
 

4. When you get close to the geocache the app will beep and you start a hunt for the hidden container. It could be anywhere within 5m of the coordinates, so be prepared to make a good search.

5. Containers can be anything from 1cm in diameter to a large shipping container. Most are small clip-lock style boxes. When you find the container, open it and sign the log book inside with your geocaching name. Put it back exactly where you found it and you can then start to look for the next one.

6. Remember to write a log of your find. Many people do this on the app when they find the geocache or they wait until they get home and write it on the computer.

7. Remember to take at least 1 pen with you to sign the log. You may also find it useful to take a small pair of tweezers, a small torch and a pair of gloves (for grabbing/ moving stingy and scratchy plants).

8. Once you have found a few geocaches you may want to upload a different app to find geocaches with. The most popular apps are Cachely (iPhone only) and C:Geo (Android only).

Traditional

This is the original type of geocache and the most straightforward. These geocaches will be a container at the given coordinates. The size may vary, but at minimum, all of these geocaches will have a logbook. Larger containers may contain items for trade and trackables.  Letterbox Hybrid Letterboxing is another form of treasure hunting that uses clues instead of coordinates. In some cases, the letterbox owner has made their container both a letterbox and a geocache and posted its coordinates on Geocaching.com. These types of geocaches will contain a stamp that is meant to remain in the box and is used by letterboxers to record their visit. 

Multicache

These geocaches involve two or more locations, with the final location being a physical container with a logbook inside. There are many variations, but typically once you’re at the first stage, you will receive a clue to the whereabouts of the second stage. The second stage will have a clue for the third, and so on.

Mystery or Puzzle

The "catch-all" of geocache types, this type may involve complicated puzzles that you will first need to solve to determine the correct coordinates. Mystery/Puzzle Caches often become the staging ground for new and unique geocaches that do not fit in another category.

EarthCache

An EarthCache is a special geological location people can visit to learn about a unique feature of the Earth. EarthCache pages include a set of educational notes along with coordinates. Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage its resources and how scientists gather evidence. Typically, to log an EarthCache, you will have to provide answers to questions by observing the geological location. For more information about EarthCaches visit http://www.earthcache.org/.

Letterbox Hybrid

Letterboxing is another form of treasure hunting that uses clues instead of coordinates. In some cases, the letterbox owner has made their container both a letterbox and a geocache and posted its coordinates on Geocaching.com. These types of geocaches will contain a stamp that is meant to remain in the box and is used by letterboxers to record their visit. 

CITO (Cache In Trash Out)

Cache In Trash Out is the environmental initiative supported by the geocaching community. The main aim of this program is to clean up and preserve the natural areas that we enjoy while geocaching. These events are larger gatherings of geocachers that focus on litter clean-up, removal of invasive species, planting trees and vegetation and trail building. 

Event

An Event Cache is a gathering of local geocachers or geocaching organizations. The Event Cache page specifies a time for the event and provides coordinates to its location. After the event has ended, it is archived. 

Mega Event

A Mega-Event Cache is an Event Cache that is attended by 500+ people. Many Mega-Events offer geocachers a day of planned activities. There are often several days of additional activities surrounding a Mega-Event. These large events attract geocachers from all over the world and are often held annually. 

Giga-Event

This is one of the rarest geocache types available. A Giga-Event Cache is an event that is attended by 5000+ people. These events are similar to Mega-Events and may include activities, could last several days and are usually held annually. Since Giga-Events are so rare, they attract geocachers from all over the world.

Virtual Cache

A virtual cache is a type of geocache that involves gathering information at the cache site instead of finding a hidden container.

"A virtual cache is a cache that exists in a form of a location. Depending on the cache 'hider,' a virtual cache could be to answer a question about a location, an interesting spot, a task, etc. The reward for these caches is the location itself and sharing information about your visit.

Webcam Cache

The webcam cache is a type of grandfathered geocache that involved the use of public webcams. These are caches that use existing web cameras placed by individuals or agencies that monitor various areas like parks or road conditions. The idea is to get yourself in front of the camera to log your visit. The challenging part, however, it that you need to call a friend to look up the web site that displays the camera shot. You will need to have them to save the picture to log the cache.

Whereigo

Using a Wherigo-enabled GPS device, users can interact with story elements while moving through a real world location. Wherigo's are similar in design to multicaches. Instead of finding a physical container at each stage with coordinates leading to the next stage, a Wherigo will have some kind of action to perform when the user reaches each location. Correct completion of the action will grant the user the ability to move on to the next stage, eventually completing the Wherigo cartridge. All of this done virtually using a Wherigo-enabled GPS device or an app on a mobile phone.

Wherigos are known to be temperamental and are not advised for beginners. 

Maze Cache

This is a rare type of geocache and is similar to an event geocache.

The Maze is an interactive display that tells the story of geocaching and all about the game.
Due to the expense of hosting a Maze geocache there are normally only seen alongside Mega or Giga Events and are normally open for 2 or 3 days. There has only ever been 1 Maze Geocache held in the UK.

HQ

This geocache is only available at the offices of Groundspeak (a.k.a Geocaching HQ) in Seattle, USA. You can log this cache by visiting the HQ

Ape

Correctly called "Project A.P.E" Geocaches.
Ape caches were a series of geocaches that were placed around the world in 2001 to promote the release of the film Planet Of The Apes. Each APE cache contained genuine props and items from the film and so the first to each cache would get the best items.
There are now only 2 Ape caches left, one in Brazil and one in the U.S.A.