Entry Requirements
Costa Rica has a relatively open visa policy, granting visa-free entry to citizens of roughly 100+ countries. Most visitors from North America, Europe, Australia, and many Latin American and Asian nations can enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Some nationalities are granted only 30 days. Visitors who require a visa must apply at a Costa Rican consulate before travel.
Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
Most likely no. Citizens of over 100+ countries can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days. This includes the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, and many Latin American countries. Some nationalities receive 30 days. Check the table below or verify with your nearest Costa Rican consulate.
Visa Categories
Visa-Free (90 days)
Citizens of these countries may enter Costa Rica for tourism or business without a visa for up to 90 days. No extensions are granted at immigration on arrival; the 90-day clock starts on the date of entry. This list is not exhaustive -- most EU/EEA/Schengen countries qualify.
Maximum stay: 90 days
Visa-Free (30 days)
Citizens of these countries may enter visa-free but are limited to 30 days. Some of these countries may have shifted categories; always verify with the nearest Costa Rican consulate or migracion.go.cr before travel. Holders of valid US, Canada, EU, or Schengen visas may also qualify for visa-free entry.
Maximum stay: 30 days
Visa Required
Citizens of these and some other countries must obtain a visa (Visa Consular) before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate. Processing times vary. This list is not exhaustive.
Conditional Visa-Free Entry
Citizens of restricted-visa countries who hold a valid visa (with at least 3 months remaining) or permanent residency from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or any EU/Schengen member state may enter Costa Rica without a visa for up to 30 days. This is a common path for citizens of China, India, and other visa-required countries.
Maximum stay: 30 days
Required Documents
Valid Passport
A valid passport is required for all foreign nationals entering Costa Rica.
Your passport must be valid for at least one day beyond your intended stay according to official Costa Rican policy. However, many airlines enforce a stricter 6-month validity rule, and some immigration officers may apply this standard as well. It is strongly recommended to have at least 6 months of validity remaining to avoid issues. The passport must be in good condition with no significant damage.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of a confirmed return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica is required.
Airlines will typically check for a return/onward ticket at check-in, and Costa Rican immigration may ask for proof upon arrival. The ticket must show departure from Costa Rica within your authorized stay (90 or 30 days). A bus ticket to Panama or Nicaragua also qualifies. Some travelers purchase a refundable airline ticket or a cheap bus ticket for this purpose.
- Buy a refundable ticket and cancel after entry if your plans are flexible.
- Services like BestOnwardTicket or OnewayFly provide temporary ticket confirmations for around $10-15 USD.
- A confirmed bus ticket with Tica Bus or Transnica to Nicaragua or Panama is accepted.
Proof of Sufficient Funds
Travelers must be able to demonstrate sufficient financial means for their stay.
The official requirement is approximately $100 USD per month of intended stay. In practice, immigration officers rarely ask for proof, but they can request it. Acceptable proof includes credit cards, bank statements, cash, or a letter from your bank. Having at least one credit card in your name is usually sufficient.
Customs Declaration Form
All travelers must complete a customs declaration upon arrival.
A customs declaration form is provided on the aircraft or at the airport. You must declare any items of value, large amounts of cash ($10,000 USD or more), food products, plant materials, and animals. Costa Rica has strict agricultural import rules. Failure to declare required items can result in fines or confiscation. Some airports now offer digital kiosks for customs declarations.
Entry Stamp
All visitors receive an entry stamp in their passport upon arrival.
The immigration officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry and authorized length of stay. Verify the stamp shows the correct number of days (usually 90 or 30). Keep this stamp visible and do not let pages get damaged. You will need to show this stamp when departing. If you do not receive a stamp, ask the officer immediately -- entering without a stamp can cause major problems when departing.
- Double-check the stamp immediately after receiving it.
- If the number of days shown is less than expected, politely ask the officer about it.
- Take a photo of your entry stamp as a backup.
- The stamp is your proof of legal entry; without it, departure can be complicated and may require a visit to the Migracion office in La Uruca, San Jose.
Recommended (Not Mandatory)
COVID-19 Requirements
As of early 2025, Costa Rica has removed all COVID-19 entry requirements.
No vaccination proof, negative test, or health pass is required for entry. The HEALTH PASS digital form that was previously mandatory has been discontinued. No quarantine requirements are in effect. These requirements were lifted in April 2023. However, policies can change; check the Costa Rica Ministry of Health (ministeriodesalud.go.cr) and your airline's requirements before travel.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not mandatory for tourists but is strongly recommended.
While not legally required for tourist entry, travel insurance is highly recommended due to the cost of medical care. Costa Rica has both public (CAJA/CCSS) and private hospitals. Private hospital emergency visits can cost $500-$2,000+ USD. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is especially important if you plan to do adventure activities (zip-lining, surfing, hiking). Note: Travel insurance IS required for certain residency applications.
Digital Nomad Visa (optional)
Costa Rica offers a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers wishing to stay longer than 90 days.
Introduced in 2022, the Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nomada Digital) allows remote workers to live in Costa Rica for up to one year (renewable for one additional year). Requirements include: proof of remote employment or freelance income of at least $3,000 USD/month (or $4,000/month for families), valid health insurance covering Costa Rica, a clean criminal background, and a valid passport. The visa does not permit local employment. Apply online through the DGME (Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria) portal.
Requirements
- Monthly income of at least $3,000 USD ($4,000 for families)
- Proof of remote work (employment letter or freelance contracts)
- Health insurance valid in Costa Rica
- Clean criminal record
- Valid passport
- Application fee approximately $100-$150 USD
Visa Extensions & Border Runs
No Extensions Available
Costa Rica does NOT offer tourist visa extensions at immigration offices. The authorized stay (typically 90 or 30 days) cannot be extended. To reset your allowed time, you must leave the country for at least 72 hours (this minimum is enforced as of recent policy changes; previously there was no minimum). Many people travel to Panama or Nicaragua for this purpose.
Border Runs
A 'border run' involves leaving Costa Rica and re-entering to reset your tourist visa clock. This is a common practice among long-term visitors and digital nomads.
Minimum time abroad: 72 hours (3 full calendar days). This is enforced as of recent policy; re-entry before 72 hours may be denied.
| Destination | Notes |
|---|---|
| Panama (Paso Canoas or Sixaola border) | Most popular option. Paso Canoas is on the Pacific side, Sixaola on the Caribbean side. Bocas del Toro is a popular place to spend the 72 hours. |
| Nicaragua (Penas Blancas border) | Northern border crossing. San Juan del Sur or Granada are popular short-stay destinations. Nicaragua charges entry/exit fees. |
| Fly to any country | Flights to Panama City, Managua, Bogota, or other destinations also reset the visa clock. |
Immigration Discretion
Immigration officers have discretion to deny re-entry if they suspect you are living in Costa Rica without proper residency. Frequent border runs may attract scrutiny. Always carry proof of onward travel and sufficient funds.
Overstay Penalties
Overstay Fines
Fine: Approximately $100 USD for each month (or partial month) of overstay, payable at the airport or migration office when departing.
Overstaying does not typically result in deportation for short overages, but you will be required to pay the fine before leaving. Significant overstays may result in an entry ban. There is no jail time for simple tourist visa overstays, but you will be flagged in the system.
How to pay: Fines can be paid at the Migracion office in San Jose (La Uruca) or at the airport immigration counter upon departure. Payment is typically in colones or USD.
Related Pages
Source: Costa Rica Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria; verify at migracion.go.cr