What to Know About Going Through Customs and Immigration in San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste Airport

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If you’ve never visited Costa Rica before, this post will tell you exactly what to expect when going through customs and immigration in San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste Airport.

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What to Know About Going Through Customs and Immigration in San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste Airport

Costa Rica has 2 international airports: San Jose International Airport in Alajuela (near San Jose) and Guanacaste Airport (formerly named Liberia International Airport) in Liberia, Guanacaste.

It doesn’t matter which one you’re flying into, the process for immigration and customs in San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste Airport are exactly the same.

This post will tell you what it’s like to go through immigration and customs at both airports so you know what to expect.

Also remember that immigration is for people, customs is for luggage.

Flying Into Costa Rica

Things have gotten very easy when it comes to immigration and customs in Costa Rica. They no longer give out forms for customs and immigration.

After deplaning, you will first go through immigration and then customs.

Going Through Immigration in San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste Airport in Costa Rica

Once you get off the plane, follow the markers to immigration which you will go through first (foreign passports).

Just a side note, there is a bathroom in the immigration area with 4 stalls and immigration has air conditioning. There are also bathrooms in baggage claim and in the main terminal of the airports on either end.

Families go through immigration together. Spouses go together and if you’re traveling with friends, normally they will ask each adult to go separately.

When your turn is called, go up to the desk to go through immigration.

What the Officer Will Ask You

First, hand your passport to the immigration officer. They will scan it and look at your picture.

Then they will ask you for the following:

Your passport. Must be valid, original and not expiring during your time in Costa Rica.
Your lodging information. Usually they want to know your first destination and your first hotel you’re staying at. If you’re staying at an Airbnb, tell them the location and that it’s an Airbnb.
Your return itinerary out of Costa Rica. You must present proof of exit within 180 days if you are in Group 1 (and if you want a 180 day tourist visa). Immigration is getting more strict so have this ready to show. This is your airplane ticket (best proof) out of Costa Rica. You can print it out or show it to them on your phone.

If you do not show a plane ticket out of Costa Rica in 180 days, the officer may give you 90 days or even for the number of days until your flight out. Even though the tourist visa for Group 1 countries is valid for up to 180 days, it is at the discretion of the officer for how many days they want to give you.

customs and immigration in sjo and lir airport
immigration requirements

You can answer in English. All officers speak basic English and are very used to tourists.

Tourist Visas

***Some officers do not stamp passports anymore…but if you are renting a car, you will need the stamp to show as a tourist visa and for how many days you are valid to be in the country. If the officer doesn’t stamp your passport for some reason, ask them to and make sure they also write how many days your tourist stamp is valid for. Foreigners can only legally drive for however many days their tourist visa is valid for (how many days written in your passport).****

After they’ve asked you all the questions, the officer will stamp your passport. In the stamp, they will write how many days your tourist visa is valid for.

This is equal to how many days you can legally stay in Costa Rica. They’ll hand your passport back to you and you’re clear with immigration.

Costa Rica tourist visa stamp
Costa Rica tourist visa stamp

Tip: I like to check my immigration stamp when I’m waiting for my luggage. One time, my immigration officer forgot to write in how many days my visa was valid for because she was on the phone and I had to go back to immigration in order for her to fill it in. Luckily I checked it while I was in baggage claim.

Now you need to pick up your luggage if you have any checked luggage and clear customs.

Baggage Claim and Customs

After you finish immigration, you will go to baggage claim which are through the double doors. There aren’t that many carousels so you’ll easily be able to find yours.

Pick up all your luggage (they have free carts if you need them) and take them to the luggage scanners which is the customs.

Now you will go through customs. Go to any line and put ALL your luggage, backpacks, bags, purses and carry ons to be scanned.

Everything you are carrying needs to be put in the scanner except for duty free bags if you just purchased anything in the Costa Rican duty free store after immigration.

Go around the other side, pick up your luggage and then you’re free! If you happen to get stopped by the custom officer, pick up your luggage and bring it over to the side where they can examine it.

If you’re moving here or if you live here: I’ve brought down a ton of stuff to Costa Rica including Roombas, dog treats, dog toys, cameras, drones, faucets, shower heads, laptops, car side view mirrors, and all sorts of stuff. Make sure you pack them without tags and wrap them carefully with clothes or else they could stop you and check your items.

Exit

You’ll exit through a pair of swinging doors (the ones that say, no going back beyond this point) and be out in the airport.

At San Jose International Airport, you will exit to the exit hall where you’ll see car rental company booths and hotel booths. Exit the hall and you’ll be outside, where the rest of the drivers and taxis are.

At Guanacaste Airport, you will exit into the actual airport terminal. Mostly everyone is waiting outside straight ahead.

How Long Does it Take to Go Through Customs and Immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia Airport?

How long it takes for you to go through customs and immigration in San Jose Airport and Guanacaste Airport depends on when you are flying into Costa Rica and the time you land.

San Jose International Airport takes much longer than Guanacaste Airport, especially if you are landing during the day on Friday-Monday during high season (December through April. July is also very busy).

Pack your patience because it may take at least an hour or so to get through the lines, could be even more in February and March.

Noon to mid afternoon is the busiest time at the airports as multiple flights land at the same time.

For Guanacaste Airport, it’s always been faster because there aren’t as many flights. However, it can still take 30 minutes to an hour if you are landing during the high tourism months anytime from 11 AM to 2 PM as many flights arrive between those hours.

Pack your patience if you are landing at either airports during Christmas, New Years, Spring Break, Holy Week or North American summer vacation months.

To see what it’s like to go through customs and immigration in San Jose and Guanacaste Airport, you can watch the following Youtube videos. These videos are for our Costa Rica car rental discount so you’ll see where to meet the Adobe Car rental agent.

San Jose International Airport

Liberia International Airport

Money Exchange, Duty Free, Car Rentals, Etc.

You can find money exchanges and duty free at both airports after immigration. Below is the money exchange and duty free at Guanacaste Airport. Still open at 730 PM.

Hint: we do not recommend exchanging money at the airport. They give an extremely poor rate. You can use your credit card and USD until you can go to a bank to exchange money which will give the best rates.

If you really want to get some local currency right away, just exchange a little amount like $20 USD or so first until you can go to the bank. You can also get local currency at supermarkets if you pay in USD – they will give change back in CRC.

Read more about handling money in Costa Rica here.

Liberia Airport money exchange and duty free
Liberia Airport money exchange and duty free. This is right after you go through immigration.

The money exchange, SIM card stand and duty free are in baggage claim at San Jose International Airport. SIM card stand by baggage claim 5 at SJO Airport.

You will also see car rental companies at baggage claim at both airports. This is where you check in, if you already have a reservation with them.

Learn about car rentals at Guanacaste Airport.

And that’s it! See, isn’t that easy? Nothing to worry about! That is all you need to know about going through customs and immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia Airport for a stress free arrival.

Read more Costa Rica travel tips below!

What to know about grocery shopping in Costa Rica

15 things to know about Costa Rica before you visit

10 mistakes to avoid in Costa Rica

Common scams and how to avoid them in Costa Rica

Costa Rica travel insurance

Costa Rica Vacation Checklist

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167 responses

  1. AK

    Hello
    I wanted to ask about leaving from the Liberia Airport. Do they scan your checked baggage? I know they scan carryons at security but before checking in your big baggage do they scan those ones? I wanted to take some local snacks, food items and house plants. Would that be a problem?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      I am pretty sure you can’t bring house plants out and into another country. Snacks are fine and food items that are dried, and sealed and packaged but not like fresh fruit or food.

      Reply
  2. George

    Waht about leaving CR for the US?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      You don’t go through customs or immigration in Costa Rica when you are leaving. You will when you land in the USA.

      Reply
  3. SJ

    Thanks for this information! Very useful. I’m traveling there tomorrow and would like to know if there is a link to their customs and immigration form.

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      The form is no longer required, you’ll answer the questions at the window when you pass through immigration

      Reply
  4. Mary

    Can I take meat into the country?

    Reply
    1. yeison

      Hello Mary,
      As far as I know, you can’t simply bring raw meat into the country in your checked luggage. However, if you are planning to import meats into the country, I would recommend getting in touch with a cargo company. They will be able to provide you with a list of all the necessary permits and certifications you need.

      We even had a bag of rice confiscated at customs once when we bought it from a supermarket in Thailand.

      If the meat has been processed like dried, like beef jerky, it is OK to bring in your checked luggage but as far as we know, not raw meat. I’ve heard of some people “sneaking” raw meat in their luggage by freezing it and putting it in a cooler, but customs can perfectly confiscate it, one of our friends saw someone getting a whole raw chicken confiscated at customs.

      Reply
    2. Jc

      We are visiting over Thanksgiving. Can we bring. Precooked/frozen Ham with us?

      Reply
      1. Sammi

        There are many restaurants that do Thanksgiving here in the touristic destinations and you can buy ham here.

        Reply
  5. Daniela Braun

    Thank you so much for your wonderful blog! We now use it a lot to get infos about our upcoming Costa Rica trip ! – My question: What time should I write in the form for the Adobe car rental (airport pick up)? Maybe about one hour after arrival time, or the exact arrival time? Thank you and warm regards

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      Hi Daniela, we’re happy the blog is helpful. We ask to put in the time of your flight arrival time and also include your flight information. Your contact won’t start until you pick up the car and sign the paperwork but Adobe needs to know your flight information including arrival time.

      Reply
  6. Jenn

    Thank you for all of this wonderful information!

    My in-laws are arriving 20 minutes before us. Is there space for them to wait for us before or right after immigration?

    Gracias!

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      Yes, they can wait for you in baggage claim which is right after immigration.

      Reply
  7. Jen

    I would like to be able to bring some snacks from home for the flights and long car ride travel days between destinations. Am I able to bring packaged jerky, pepperoni sticks, dried fruit and/or nuts from the US into Costa Rica through customs?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      No fruit and usually no nuts but the nuts can depend on the officer because I’ve brought in granola bars with nuts but they’ve taken away my mixed nuts like trail mix before… I’ve never brought jerky or pepperoni sticks since I don’t eat those but I’ve brought lots of dog treats along that line and that passed fine.

      Reply
  8. Allison

    I will be traveling into CR for the first time this August. Because of the country I am traveling in from, I have to book a with a different airline from SJO to LIR (will probably use Sansa). Have you had the experience of transferring from one airline to another in SJO? If so, what does that look like? After customs and baggage claim, do I exit and re-enter after checking in or is there a different process?
    Thanks

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      There is a separate terminal for domestic flights (Sansa, Green, etc.) so you need to go through immigration and customs at SJO Airport, then go to the domestic terminal to check into your local flight. You can read our guide here: Domestic flights

      Reply
      1. Kimberly Kelly

        What about at the Liberia airport? Is Sansa airlines terminal near arrivals? Or do you have to go out and back in somewhere else? Thanks!

        Reply
        1. Sammi

          The local airlines like Sansa go into the same terminal at the Guanacaste Airport, they don’t have a separate terminal like they do in San Jose so international and domestic are at Guanacaste Airport

          Reply
  9. Lora Premo

    How much money do we need to present at immigration? Embassy says $100 a week (we are staying 8 days) but a CR law website claims $2000 apiece!!! Can you tell us? No one wants to carry thousands in cash. We have plenty of money in the bank I can show on an app. What is your advice?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      On the Visit Costa Rica tourism board website, they say Proof of economic means, with a minimum of US$100.00 (one hundred US dollars) per month or partial month of legal stay in the country.

      However…I have never been asked for proof of funds, not even during COVID and I don’t know anyone who has either. I guess the agents are technically allowed to ask the foreigners for proof of it but I have honestly never heard of anyone being asked.

      Reply
  10. Emily

    Greetings, So excited to be traveling to CR very soon for first time. I am curious about time returning to SJO. Our hotel said we needed to arrive two hours early for an international flight- but you seem to suggest more. Will two hours suffice or should I shift our shuttle time to give us more time? We are not returning a car or checking any bags.

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      It depends on what time of year you are traveling, but generally now the rule of thumb is 3 hours before an international flight during high season.

      Reply
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