Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?

Most likely not. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and most of Latin America's southern countries are Group 1 nationals and enter visa-free, with a stay of up to 180 days set by the immigration officer on arrival (per the DGME's late-2025 guidance). Other nationalities fall into Groups 2, 3 or 4, with shorter stays or a consular/restricted visa required before travel. Confirm your group on the official list at migracion.go.cr before you book.

Do I need a customs form for Costa Rica?

Not every traveler does, and it is not a universal online form. Arriving passengers may be asked to complete a customs declaration covering who they are, their trip and what they are carrying, depending on current procedures and whether they have declarable goods. If a form is handed to you, complete it before you reach the desk. There is a green channel (nothing to declare, within the allowances) and a red channel (goods to declare, or cash of US$10,000 or more). When in doubt, follow the instructions given at your airport and declare rather than risk a fine.

What happens if I overstay in Costa Rica?

Overstaying your authorized period can result in fines and may complicate your departure or affect future entries. Costa Rica has applied a per-month overstay fine in the past; rather than quote a figure that can change, confirm the current penalty and your exact authorized days with the DGME (migracion.go.cr) and check your passport stamp before your time runs out.

How much cash can I bring into Costa Rica?

There is no limit on how much you may carry, but you must declare cash or monetary instruments of US$10,000 or more (or the equivalent) at the immigration/customs checkpoint on arrival. Failing to declare can lead to seizure and penalties. Amounts below the threshold do not need to be declared.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Costa Rica?

Only if you are arriving from — or have recently transited — a country where yellow fever is a risk (parts of South America and sub-Saharan Africa). Travelers coming directly from the US, Canada, the UK or Europe are not asked for one. If your route includes a listed country, carry a valid International Certificate of Vaccination. Check the current country list with a travel-health clinic or the Costa Rican Ministry of Health before you fly.

What is the Costa Rica duty-free allowance?

Adults 18 and over may generally import 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco; up to 5 litres of alcoholic beverages; and other goods up to US$500 in value, plus a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. These figures are updated periodically, so verify with Costa Rican Customs before relying on them. Families cannot pool tobacco or alcohol allowances — the limits are per adult.

Can I bring prescription medication into Costa Rica?

Yes, in personal quantities and in their original packaging. For controlled substances or larger quantities, carry your prescription or a doctor's letter, and declare them if asked. Do not decant pills into unlabeled containers, and check any restricted ingredients with the airline or a Costa Rican consulate if you are unsure.

Can I bring food into Costa Rica?

Fresh fruit, vegetables, soil, seeds and unprocessed meat or plant products are subject to agricultural inspection and are frequently confiscated to protect Costa Rica's biodiversity. Eat or leave them before you land. Processed and commercially packaged food is generally fine; if in doubt, declare it on the customs form rather than risk confiscation and a fine.

Can I bring a drone into Costa Rica?

Generally yes, for personal use, but drones are regulated by the civil aviation authority (DGAC) and there are real limits: you may not fly over national parks, protected areas or crowds without permission, and heavier drones can require registration. Carry it in your hand luggage, and research the current DGAC rules and any no-fly zones for your destinations before you travel.

Can I bring vaping devices into Costa Rica?

You can bring e-cigarettes and vapes for personal use, but Costa Rica's anti-tobacco law treats them like cigarettes: using them is banned in enclosed public spaces, restaurants, bars and many outdoor public areas. Pack devices and spare batteries in your carry-on (airline rules), keep liquids reasonable, and be ready to declare large quantities.

Do I need a return or onward ticket to enter Costa Rica?

Yes. Costa Rica requires visitors to hold proof of onward travel out of the country — a return flight, an onward flight, a pre-purchased cross-border bus ticket, or cruise documentation. Airlines check this before boarding at your departure airport, and immigration officers can ask for it on arrival. Have it saved in your email before you leave home.

Can I drive in Costa Rica on my home country licence?

Yes, for up to 90 days as a tourist your valid home-country driver's licence is accepted without a separate Costa Rican permit; carry it together with your passport. After 90 days you need an international driving permit. Driving is on the right, roads outside the main highways are often unpaved, and a 4x4 is frequently necessary rather than a luxury, especially in the green season.

Costa Rica · Central America (between two oceans)

Costa Rica Entry Requirements, Customs & Travel Guide

Two coastlines, five active volcanoes, and more biodiversity per square kilometre than almost anywhere on earth. Costa Rica makes most of arrival straightforward — for the majority of visitors there is no online arrival system to wrestle with and no tourist card to buy — but straightforward is not the same as no rules. The country still expects a valid passport, proof that you intend to leave, and it protects its famous nature with strict agricultural checks. A customs declaration is not demanded of every passenger, but you may be asked for one. Here is exactly what you need for 2026, whether you land at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), and what you can safely ignore.

Capital: San José
Main airports: San José (SJO) · Liberia (LIR)
Currency: Costa Rican Colón (USD widely accepted)
Language: Spanish
Time zone: Central (UTC-6, no DST)
Best time: Dec to Apr (dry season)
Power: 110V · Type A & B (US-style)
Entry form: No universal form · declare cash US$10k+

Planning your Costa Rica trip?Lock in your SJO or LIR airport pickup and the country's best experiences before you fly.

Costa Rica Airport Transfers Request a Quote

A note on accuracy. Costa Rica sets its own entry and customs rules, and figures such as visa-group stays, duty-free allowances and overstay penalties can change. Everything here was checked against the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (migracion.go.cr) and the Dirección General de Aduanas (hacienda.go.cr), but confirm current requirements through the official links below before you fly. Customs procedures in particular vary — follow the instructions given at your airport.

Do I need a customs or immigration form for Costa Rica?

This is the question most travelers arrive with, and the honest answer is: not a single universal one. There is no mandatory online immigration arrival form for most visitors, and no tourist card to buy. You clear immigration with your passport. At customs, you may be asked to complete a declaration — it is not demanded of every passenger every time, and procedures vary, so follow the channel and instructions at your airport.

1
Immigration: a passport stamp, not an online form
Present your passport to an immigration officer at SJO or LIR. They confirm your visa group, may ask about onward travel, and record your authorized stay. There is nothing to file online in advance for most visitors.
2
Customs: a declaration only if asked or required
You may be handed a customs declaration, or asked about goods you carry. Use the green channel with nothing to declare and within the allowances, or the red channel for declarable goods or cash of US$10,000 or more. Follow the signage and officer instructions.
3
Visa-required nationalities: sort it out first
If your nationality is in Group 3 or 4, apply for a consular or restricted visa before you travel. Check your group on the official DGME list — do not rely on sorting anything out at the airport.

Entry requirements: what to have ready at immigration

Have these ready before you reach immigration at SJO or LIR:

A valid passportGroup 1 nationals need a passport valid for the duration of their stay; other groups need 90+ or 180+ days of validity. Airlines often require six months, so carry six-plus months when you can.
Proof of onward travelA return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica — a flight, a dated cross-border bus ticket, or cruise documentation. Airlines check this at check-in; it is the most common reason travelers are delayed.
Funds for your stayOfficers can ask for evidence you can support yourself. A card and a recent statement are enough in practice; it is rarely demanded of visitors from North America or Europe.

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica? Visa groups & length of stay

Costa Rica sorts nationalities into four visa groups. Most travelers from North America, Europe and the southern cone of Latin America are Group 1 and enter visa-free. Admission and the exact stay are the immigration officer's decision, recorded in your passport.

Group	Includes (examples)	Visa status & stay
Group 1	US, Canada, UK, EU states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay & others	Visa-free · up to 180 days · passport valid for stay
Group 2	Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Philippines, Malaysia, Russia, Taiwan, Turkey & others	Visa-free · up to 30 days (extendable to 90) · passport 90+ days
Group 3	Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, China, Vietnam, Venezuela & others	Consular visa required · up to 30 days (extendable to 90) · passport 180+ days
Group 4	Any nationality not in Groups 1, 2 or 3	Restricted visa, approved by commission before arrival · up to 30 days · passport 180+ days

How long can I stay in Costa Rica?

For Group 1 nationals the legal maximum is 180 days, but the officer decides the actual number and writes it in your passport — it varies by officer, onward ticket and travel history, so do not assume the full 180. Read the date granted before you leave the desk. Overstaying can mean fines and may affect future entry; confirm the current penalty with the DGME.

The customs declaration: what it covers and when you need it

Costa Rica does not require a customs declaration from every arriving traveler as a matter of course, and there is no single online form to file in advance. You may be asked to complete one — covering your identity, travel details and what you are carrying — depending on current procedures and whether you have declarable goods. If a form is distributed (on the plane or in the hall), fill it in before you reach the desk.

At the customs exit you choose a channel: the green channel if you have nothing to declare and are within the duty-free allowances, or the red channel if you carry goods to declare or cash of US$10,000 or more. Bags may be X-rayed either way. When you are unsure, declare and ask — it is free and avoids fines.

Customs & duty-free allowances

For personal, non-commercial use, per adult. Figures are updated periodically — verify with Costa Rican Customs before you rely on them. When in doubt, declare.

Category	What to know
Tobacco	400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco (adults 18+). Figures change periodically — verify with Costa Rican Customs before travel
Alcohol	Up to 5 litres of alcoholic beverages (adults 18+)
Other goods	Up to US$500 in value; the exemption is stamped in your passport when used, and amounts over US$500 are dutiable
Perfume	A reasonable quantity for personal use
Prescription medicine	Personal quantities in original packaging; prescription or doctor's letter for controlled substances
Cash	Declare US$10,000 or more (or equivalent) at the immigration/customs checkpoint

Allowances are per person and not transferable — families cannot pool tobacco or alcohol limits. Confirm exact figures with the Dirección General de Aduanas before relying on them.

Prohibited & restricted items

Costa Rica guards its biodiversity hard. Violations can mean seizure, fines or prosecution. When in doubt, declare.

ProhibitedIllegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia, counterfeit goods, and obscene material. Drug laws are enforced strictly.
Agriculture & food (the big one)Fresh fruit, vegetables, soil, seeds and unprocessed meat or plant products face agricultural inspection and are frequently confiscated. Declare anything organic; eat or leave perishables before you land.
Permit or permission requiredFirearms and ammunition, and CITES-listed items (certain animals, plants and their products, including some marine and wildlife souvenirs) need permits. Never buy turtle-shell, coral or hardwood curios.

Yellow fever & health requirements

Costa Rica requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you are arriving from, or have recently transited, a country where yellow fever is a risk (parts of South America and sub-Saharan Africa). Travelers coming directly from the US, Canada, the UK or Europe are not asked for one. If your route touches a listed country, carry a valid International Certificate of Vaccination. No other vaccinations are mandatory for entry, but a travel-health consultation is wise — and travel insurance, while not legally required, is strongly recommended for a country built on rafting, zip-lines and remote rainforest.

Arriving at SJO and LIR: what actually happens

Most international visitors land at Juan Santamaría International (SJO), about 20 km northwest of San José, or Daniel Oduber Quirós International (LIR) in Liberia for Guanacaste. The arrival flow is the same at both:

1 · ImmigrationPresent your passport. Answer brief questions on your stay; have onward travel ready. The officer records your authorized days — check them before you move on.
2 · Baggage claimCollect your checked luggage.
3 · CustomsChoose the green channel (nothing to declare, within allowances) or the red channel (declarable goods or cash US$10,000+). Complete a declaration if you are handed one. Bags may be X-rayed.

Get a local driver waiting

Land, walk out, and find your name on a sign. Book a local Costa Rica driver from SJO or LIR to Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio or the Guanacaste beaches — fixed prices, no airport haggling.

Costa Rica Airport Transfers Request a Quote

Money in Costa Rica

The official currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Cards are common in cities; carry some colones for rural areas, small sodas (local eateries) and tips.

Practical item	Details
Currency	Costa Rican Colón (CRC); USD accepted widely in tourist areas
Cards	Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; Amex more limited; contactless common in cities
ATMs	Plentiful in San José and tourist hubs; fewer in rural areas; prefer bank ATMs
Tipping	A 10% service charge is added to restaurant bills by law; extra tipping is at your discretion
Driving	On the right; home licence valid 90 days; carry passport and licence together; fines can exceed US$500
Electricity	110V, 60Hz; Type A & B plugs (US-style); no adaptor needed for US/Canada
Cash declaration	Declare US$10,000 or more on arrival and departure
Digital nomad visa	Available for remote workers with US$3,000/month income; valid up to two years

Best time to visit Costa Rica

Tropical and warm year-round. The big variable is rain, and the two coasts run on different rhythms.

Season	Months	What to expect
Dry / high season	Dec to Apr	Sunny, low humidity on the Pacific; most popular and most expensive; book well ahead
Green season	May to Nov	Afternoon rain, lush vegetation, lower prices, fewer crowds; mornings often clear; great value
Caribbean coast	Sep to Oct	Drier on the Caribbean when the Pacific is wettest; excellent for wildlife and surfing

What to do in Costa Rica

Volcanoes, cloud forest, two coastlines and some of the most accessible wildlife on earth — most of it within a few hours of SJO or LIR.

Experience

Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna

A near-perfect cone above hot springs, hanging bridges and waterfalls. The country's adventure hub — rafting, canyoning and volcano hikes from a relaxed base town.

Experience

Manuel Antonio

Rainforest meeting white-sand Pacific beaches, with sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkeys in an easy-to-walk national park. Costa Rica's most popular park for good reason.

A sample day in Costa Rica

Built around La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano — the classic first base after landing at SJO.

6:30 am
Sunrise & coffeeClear volcano views are best early; fuel up with Costa Rican coffee and gallo pinto.
8:00 am
Hanging bridgesWalk the canopy bridges of the Arenal rainforest for birds, sloths and volcano vistas.
11:00 am
La Fortuna WaterfallA steep stair down to a 70-metre fall and a cool swim in the pool below.
1:30 pm
Lunch in townCasado (rice, beans, plantain and protein) at a local soda in La Fortuna.
3:30 pm
Adventure slot

Where to stay: the best bases in Costa Rica

Most itineraries chain two or three bases. Choose by what you want to do:

Volcano

La Fortuna & Arenal

Hot springs, waterfalls and adventure tours under a textbook volcano. Best for first-timers, families and adventure.

Beaches

Guanacaste & Tamarindo

Pacific-northwest beach towns and resorts served by LIR. Best for surfing, sun and the shortest transfer from LIR.

Official Costa Rica resources

This is an independent travel guide by CustomsBreeze. Confirm current requirements with the official sources below before you travel:

migracion.go.crDirección General de Migración y Extranjería (visa groups, length of stay)
hacienda.go.crMinisterio de Hacienda / Dirección General de Aduanas (customs & duty-free)

Costa Rica Entry Requirements, Customs & Travel Guide

Do I need a customs or immigration form for Costa Rica?

Entry requirements: what to have ready at immigration