Costa Rica Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Costa Rica's visa policy varies by nationality. Citizens of many countries can enter visa-free for tourism, while others require a visa or may enter with certain conditions if they hold valid visas from specific countries.
Citizens of these countries can enter Costa Rica without a visa for tourism or business purposes
Passport must be valid for the duration of stay (officially one day past departure, but six months recommended). Proof of onward travel and sufficient funds may be required.
Citizens who can enter without a Costa Rican visa if they hold valid visas or residence permits from specific countries
Cost: No cost
The foreign visa or residence permit must be in a valid passport. Single-entry visas are not accepted. This is a common option for travelers from India, China, Russia, and other nations requiring visas.
Citizens of countries not covered by visa-free arrangements must obtain a visa prior to travel
This includes citizens of many African, Asian, and some Eastern European countries. Some nationalities may also apply for restricted visas (visas consulares restringidas) which require additional documentation and approval from Costa Rica's immigration authority.
Arrival Process
The entry process into Costa Rica is straightforward for most travelers. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll proceed through immigration, collect your luggage, and pass through customs. The entire process typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on flight arrivals and queue lengths.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Costa Rica's customs regulations are designed to prevent the import of prohibited items while allowing reasonable personal items and gifts. Travelers must complete a customs declaration form and may be subject to baggage inspection. The customs process uses a traffic light system at some airports - you press a button that randomly shows green (no inspection) or red (inspection required).
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - Costa Rica has strict drug laws with severe penalties
- Firearms and ammunition - unless proper permits obtained in advance from Costa Rican authorities
- Explosives and fireworks - strictly prohibited
- Pornographic material - subject to confiscation
- Certain fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant materials - to prevent agricultural pests
- Meat and dairy products from most countries - to prevent disease introduction
- Soil and biological samples - requires special permits
- Protected wildlife products - items made from endangered species (ivory, turtle shells, etc.)
- Counterfeit goods - subject to confiscation
- Drones without proper authorization - requires permit from aviation authority
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - must be in original containers with prescription or doctor's letter; limited to reasonable personal quantities
- Live animals and plants - require health certificates and CITES permits if applicable; advance approval from Costa Rican authorities required
- Professional equipment - cameras, video equipment, or other professional gear in commercial quantities may require temporary import permits or deposits
- Certain food products - packaged, commercially sealed food is generally acceptable; check specific restrictions on meat, dairy, and agricultural products
- Radio transmitters and communication equipment - may require authorization from telecommunications authority
- Fishing and diving equipment - generally allowed but may be inspected; spearfishing equipment is restricted in some areas
- Archaeological artifacts - cannot be exported from Costa Rica without special permits
Health Requirements
Costa Rica has minimal mandatory health requirements for most travelers, but several vaccinations are recommended for your protection. Health requirements can change based on global health situations and disease outbreaks.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - Required only for travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission or who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with yellow fever risk. This includes many countries in Africa and South America. Proof of vaccination (yellow card) must be shown at immigration.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations - Ensure you're up to date on routine vaccines including MMR, DPT, chickenpox, polio, and yearly flu shot
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for all travelers as you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for travelers who may have sexual contact, get tattoos or piercings, or require medical procedures
- Typhoid - Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas
- Rabies - Recommended for travelers involved in outdoor activities, working with animals, or in areas where medical care might be limited
- Malaria prophylaxis - Generally not needed for most tourist areas, but consult your doctor if visiting remote areas of Limón province
Health Insurance
While not mandatory for all visitors, travel health insurance is strongly recommended and may be required for certain visa categories or extended stays. Costa Rica's public healthcare system (CCSS) does not cover tourists, and private medical care can be expensive. Insurance should cover medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Some travelers may be asked to show proof of coverage at immigration, particularly those on longer stays or certain visa types.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Minors (under 18) traveling to Costa Rica should carry a passport and birth certificate. If traveling with only one parent, it's recommended to carry a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent. If traveling without parents (with grandparents, relatives, or school groups), a notarized authorization letter from both parents is strongly recommended. Costa Rica has strict laws about minors leaving the country - if your child was born in Costa Rica or has Costa Rican citizenship, different exit requirements apply and you may need special authorization from the non-traveling parent or both parents to leave the country. Divorced or separated parents should carry custody documents.
Pets (dogs and cats) can enter Costa Rica with proper documentation. Requirements include: a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (administered at least 30 days before travel but not more than 1 year prior), import permit from SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) which must be obtained in advance, and microchip identification is recommended. The pet must arrive as accompanied baggage (not cargo) on a commercial flight. Upon arrival, pets undergo inspection by SENASA officials at the airport. Additional requirements may apply for certain breeds or other animals. Contact SENASA (www.senasa.go.cr) or the Costa Rican embassy at least 30 days before travel to confirm current requirements and obtain necessary permits.
Tourist visas can sometimes be extended beyond the initial 90 days, but this is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of immigration authorities. To apply for an extension, visit the immigration office (Migración) in La Uruca, San José, before your authorized stay expires. You'll need your passport, proof of financial means, proof of onward travel, and the extension fee. Extensions are typically granted in 30-day increments up to a maximum total stay of 90 days. An alternative is the 'border run' - leaving Costa Rica briefly (traditionally to Nicaragua or Panama) and re-entering for a new 90-day stamp, though this practice is discouraged and immigration may deny re-entry if abused. For stays longer than 90 days, consider applying for temporary residency (rentista, pensionado, or other categories) which requires different documentation and a formal application process. Working in Costa Rica requires a work permit and appropriate visa category.
Business travelers entering for meetings, conferences, or negotiations can generally use the tourist visa (90 days for eligible nationalities). You cannot work or receive payment from Costa Rican sources on a tourist visa. If conducting business activities, carry an invitation letter from the Costa Rican company or organization, business cards, and documentation about the purpose of your visit. For longer-term business activities, establishing a business, or employment in Costa Rica, you'll need appropriate work permits and potentially different visa categories. Bringing professional equipment may require temporary import documentation or deposits to ensure the items leave with you.
Students enrolled in Costa Rican educational institutions or long-term volunteers need specific visa categories. Tourist visas do not permit formal study or volunteer work that would otherwise be paid employment. For study programs longer than 90 days, apply for a student visa through a Costa Rican consulate before travel. Requirements include acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, background check, and health certificate. Volunteer programs may require special permits depending on the nature and duration of work. Short-term language courses (under 90 days) can typically be done on a tourist visa. Contact the Costa Rican consulate in your country for specific requirements based on your program.
Overstaying your authorized period in Costa Rica is a serious violation that can result in fines, detention, deportation, and bans on future entry. If you realize you've overstayed, contact immigration authorities immediately to regularize your situation. Fines for overstaying are approximately $100 USD per month or fraction thereof. You may be required to leave the country immediately and could face a ban on re-entry ranging from 3 months to several years depending on the length of overstay. When departing after an overstay, you must pay the fine at the immigration office before being allowed to leave. Overstays are recorded and will appear on future entry attempts to Costa Rica and may affect visa applications to other countries.