
Do I need a visa to enter Costa Rica?
US nationals do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days. (Either to return to your country or to go to another country). US passport must be valid for a minimum of one day from the day you enter Costa Rica.
Can a UK citizen live in Costa Rica?
UK citizens do not currently require a visa to enter Costa Rica and are legally entitled to stay up to 90 days. However, if you wish to move permanently to Costa Rica full-time, the process is slightly more complicated.
Is Costa Rica safe for Brits?
Around 91,000 British nationals visited Costa Rica in 2019. Most visits are trouble-free, but incidents of violent crime against tourists have increased. There have been incidents of robbery at gunpoint involving groups of British visitors, and 2 incidents in August 2018 that led to the deaths of tourists. See Crime.
What is required to enter Costa Rica?
U.S. tourists must also have a valid passport and proof of intent to exit Costa Rica within 90 days. (To prove intent to exit, U.S. citizens must possess a return ticket or a ticket as proof of when they intend to exit the country, commonly referred to as an outbound exit or onward ticket).
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Costa Rica?
Yellow Fever Vaccine You must be vaccinated at least one week prior to entering Costa Rica. Entry is also allowed if, after visiting Africa or South America you have spent at least one week in a country with no risk of yellow fever and you have a normal body temperature when you arrive in Costa Rica.
Do I need any vaccinations for Costa Rica?
The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Costa Rica: hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies and tetanus. Recommended for most travellers to the region, especially if unvaccinated.
Do tourists get kidnapped in Costa Rica?
The average value for Costa Rica during that period was 0.2 kidnappings per 100,000 people with a minimum of 0.1 kidnappings per 100,000 people in 2003 and a maximum of 0.3 kidnappings per 100,000 people in 2005. The latest value from 2017 is 0.2 kidnappings per 100,000 people.
Why you should not go to Costa Rica?
Country Summary: While petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica, violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, occurs in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas frequented by tourists.
What should I avoid in Costa Rica?
Things You Should Never Do While Visiting Costa RicaBuy drugs. Drugs are cheap and plentiful in Costa Rica, especially cocaine. ... Speed. ... Swim in front of a surf break. ... Take a dip in the river. ... Think you can get a base tan. ... Skip out on mosquito repellent. ... Fail to hydrate. ... Interfere with the wildlife.More items...•
What currency does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rican colónCosta Rica / CurrencyThe Costa Rican Colon (CRC) is the currency of Costa Rica. The symbol for the Colon is ₡; the currency is subdivided into 100 centimos. Many places in Costa Rica accept the US Dollar unofficially. The name of the Colon is derived from the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon in Spanish).
How long does it take to get Costa Rica visa?
about 30 calendar daysHow long does it take to get a Costa Rica visa? The Costa Rica visa processing time is about 30 calendar days.
How much does a house cost in Costa Rica?
Cost Comparison Chart:United States v/s Costa RicaUnited States Average ($)Costa Rica Average ($)Housing (comparable 3 bedroom, 2 bath)$1000-3000$500-1200Gasoline (per gallon of regular)$3.00$5.00ADSL Internet monthly (1024/512 kb/sec)$34.95$28.25Home Phone Service (basic monthly fee)$29.95$7.0010 more rows•Aug 4, 2022
How long can a Brit stay in Costa Rica?
90 daysVisas. British nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You may stay as a visitor for up to 90 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
Can I just move to Costa Rica?
Unless you're a first degree relative to a Costa Rican (through marriage or by having a baby in Costa Rica), you can't get permanent residency without first being a temporary resident for three years. After that period, you can apply to be a permanent resident and can work legally for Costa Rican companies.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Costa Rica?
Most single expats in Costa Rica can live comfortably on USD$1,500 to $2,000 per month. A family of four may be able to live comfortably on USD$3,000 to $3500. From the cost of housing to the price of healthcare, here's everything you need to know about the cost of living in Costa Rica.
Can UK citizens buy property in Costa Rica?
You can even buy a house or property as a non-resident, and when you do decide to apply for residency, the process is fairly straightforward. Alongside this, you can buy a property in Costa Rica outright – meaning you can own 100% of your home or land, which isn't the case in all countries when buying as a foreigner.
How to send a Costa Rica visa?
If the applicant resides in a country where there is not a Costa Rica consulate, it should be indicated in the request, and listing the closest Costa Rica consulate in the country where the person is at, or if it should be sent to the applicant’s representative. In the latter case, the representative will be responsible for delivering the notification to the applicant so that he has a copy before he enters Costa Rica.
How long do you have to stay in Costa Rica to get a tourist visa?
They must have a valid passport with at least one day left and arrive in Costa Rica with a return ticket proving they will leave the country within the tourist visa period, usually granted for 90 days upon arrival in Costa Rica. The length of the tourist visa granted is at the discretion of the immigration official at the point ...
How long do you have to stay in Costa Rica?
They must have a valid passport with at least three months left and arrive in Costa Rica with a return ticket proving they will leave the country within the provided length of time in the visa. The length of the tourist visa granted is at the discretion of the immigration official at the point of entry to Costa Rica, but is usually granted for a stay of 90 days.
What is a Costa Rican letter?
Signed and authenticated letter issued by the Costa Rican entity that requests the entry of the foreign person.
What is required to get a visa in the US?
Proof of legal status in the United States. Visas will be issued to individuals with a legal status in the United States. Individuals who do not meet these requirements should apply for a visa in their country of origin.
How long do you have to wait to apply for a visa again?
You will have to wait a minimum of six months to apply again if your visa application is denied.
Who must address a restricted visa request?
The request must be addressed to the Commission of Restricted Visas, by the applicant and his relative residing in Costa Rica or his attorney, stating their qualities and the relationship to the applicant, and include the following information and documentation authenticated by an attorney duly accredited for said purposes.
4. Residences and special categories
Foreigners who wish to stay in Costa Rica must apply for an immigration category and submit the requirements as required.
5. Yellow fever vaccine
The place of origin will determine if you require the International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever. If you are traveling from the United Kingdom and in the last six days you have not been in geographical areas considered at risk, you do not require the certificate.
6. Requirements for importing pets: Cats and Dogs
These requirements are applied to the dogs and cats which are imported as pets or for breeding purposes.
What if I Need to Apply for a Costa Rica Visa?
If you need to apply for a visa to Costa Rica, you can review the application steps and requirements here .
Where to apply for a visa in Costa Rica?
Enter Costa Rica as a tourist and apply after you arrive in the country at the Costa Rican Department of Immigration ( Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería ).
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Costa Rica?
If you are a US national, and you want to stay in Costa Rica for a period longer than 90 days, you will need a residence permit. You can get a Costa Rica residence permit in two ways:
How long is a passport valid in Costa Rica?
The passport must be valid for at least one more day from the date of entry into the country. The second group also includes visa-exempt nationals who are allowed to travel to Costa Rica with just their passport. However, in this case, the passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.
Do You Need a Costa Rica Visa if You Already Have a US/Schengen visa?
Visa-required foreign nationals may be exempt from holding a Costa Rica visa if they already have a valid entry visa for one of the following countries:
How long does a work visa last?
Work/student visa must be stamped in the passport and must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Permanent residents must have their residency card (or green card) and must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date. Length of the stay may not exceed 30 days.
Do you have to pay exit tax in Costa Rica?
Immigration officials sometimes insist on seeing a copy of the return tickets. All tourists must pay exit tax before leaving Costa Rica. Pay the exit tax before going into the security or check-in line. If you go to the airline counter or security first, you will be sent back to pay the exit tax.
Is Costa Rica a must visit country?
Costa Rica is a must visit country for everyone. Costa Rica visa requirements are fairly simple. Visa is EXEMPT for most nationalities. And those who need a visa are also EXEMPT if they hold a valid visa from the US, Canada or Schengen.
How much is the minimum coverage for a Costa Rican insurance policy?
IMPORTANT: The minimum coverage is set at $50,000 for international policies, while the minimum coverage for policies sold by Costa Rican insurers is set at $20,000 .
When will Costa Rica reactivate cruises?
Entry by sea - On Sept. 1, Costa Rica reactivated cruise tourism for the 2021-2022 season. As a requirement, vessels must guarantee complete vaccination schedules against the COVID-19 virus in all crew members and 95% of passengers who are of age to be vaccinated.
What is an onward ticket in Costa Rica?
Flying into Costa Rica and flying out of another country. By law, an onward ticket includes any of the following on approved, commercial transport: A pre-purchased bus ticket out of the country.
Do tourists have to abide by the sanitary protocols in Costa Rica?
Tourists visiting Costa Rica are requested to abide by the sanitary protocols in place when participating in tourist activities throughout the country.
Can tourists choose an insurance company?
Tourists can select any international insurance company that meets the following requirements:
Can international tourists travel to Costa Rica?
All international tourists are permitted to enter Costa Rica by air, land and sea.
Visa not required
UK is Moderate restrictions for travel. You are required to have mandatory quarantine. Find travel restrictions, quarantine and entry requirements to travel UK.
Jersey tourist visa
Instead of waiting to get answers, you can get visa advice for Costa Rica immediately.
How many countries require a visa for Costa Rica?
As there are over 160 countries that require visitors from Costa Rica to have an approved visa or travel authorization to enter their territory, it is important to check what the visa requirements for Costa Rican citizens are before planning to visit any new international destination.
How to get a Costa Rica visa?
To apply for an Electronic Travel Visa Authorization from Costa Rica, the traveler is simply required to complete an online form with basic personal, passport, and travel data. Any supporting documents requested can be uploaded in a digital format, and the processing fee can be paid using a debit or credit card through a secure electronic system.
What is a visa on arrival in Costa Rica?
Visas on arrival for Costa Rican passport holders are a type of entry permit, usually granted for a single entry to the destination, issued directly to travelers from Costa Rica at border checkpoints of around 25 countries and territories around the world.
How long can you stay in Costa Rica without a visa?
Visa exemption for Costa Ricans is granted for a stay that varies from 14 days up to 1 year depending on the country of destination. Visa-free visits are most often permitted for purposes of either tourism, transit, or business and trade activities.
How to apply for ETIAS in Costa Rica?
To apply for an ETIAS from Costa Rica, travelers can complete a simple online form that will only take a few minutes to fill out. They will also need to answer a few questions related to health and security matters and to pay a processing fee before they can submit their application.
How many pages are needed for a Costa Rican passport?
In some cases, it is necessary for the passport to contain between 1-2 blank pages to receive entry and exit stamps at the border.
Do you need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
At present, a visa is not required for citizens of Costa Rica to visit approximately 85 countries worldwide. These include a number of destinations in Central and South America, Europe, Southern Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Which countries require passports for 4 months?
Countries requiring passports valid for at least 4 months on arrival include Micronesia and Zambia. Countries requiring passports with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the date of intended departure include Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Nauru, Moldova and New Zealand.
How long can you travel without a visa to New Zealand?
New Zealand. Visa required. May transit without visa if transit is through Auckland Airport and for no longer than 24 hours, subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.
What are non-visa restrictions?
Non-visa restrictions. Many countries have entry restrictions on foreigners that go beyond the common requirement of having either a valid visa or a visa exemption. Such restrictions may be health related or impose additional documentation requirements on certain classes of people for diplomatic or political purposes.
How long do you have to have a passport to enter Bermuda?
Bermuda requires passports to be valid for at least 45 days upon entry.
Which countries do not allow Israeli passports?
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen do not allow entry to people with passport stamps from Israel or whose passports have either a used or an unused Israeli visa, or where there is evidence of previous travel to Israel such as entry or exit stamps from neighbouring border posts in transit countries such as Jordan and Egypt.
Can I travel to Saudi Arabia with an Israeli stamp?
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage claims that having an Israeli stamp does not disqualify someone from visiting Saudi Arabia.
Can a foreigner be declared a persona non grata?
The government of a country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, banning their entry into that country. In non-diplomatic use, the authorities of a country may also declare a foreigner persona non grata permanently or temporarily, usually because of unlawful activity.

The First Group
The Second Group
- Citizens of the second group of countries do not require a visa. They must have a valid passport with at least three months left and arrive in Costa Rica with a return ticket proving they will leave the country within the provided length of time in the visa. The length of the tourist visa granted is at the discretion of the immigration official at the point of entry to Costa Rica, but is usually gran…
The Third Group
- Citizens of the THIRD group of countries require a visa. The request for a restricted Costa Rica Visa must be addressed to the Commission of Restricted Visas. The application must be admitted by the applicant and their relative residing in Costa Rica or indeed their attorney. The relationship to the applicant as well as the qualifications have to be stated. The documentation has to be aut…
The Fourth Group
- Citizens of the fourth group of countries MUST obtain a visa from a Costa Rican consulate before traveling to Costa Rica. Visas will rarely be granted unless for a minor or major with a disability or spouse or parents for family reunification. The request for a restricted Visa must be addressed to the Commission of Restricted Visas, by the applicant and his relative residing in Costa Rica or hi…