Before you travel, you should always check the Costa Rica passport requirements. In this post, you will learn about Costa Rica entry requirements and Costa Rica passport requirements.
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Costa Rica Passport Requirements
First of all, you need to have your original passport to enter Costa Rica.
It has to be signed, must have enough pages for new stamps and cannot have rips, tears, smudges or holes.
If you have a passport in poor condition, they may reject it.
Costa Rica Passport Expiration Rules
Previously, passports needed to be valid at least 3 months within the expiration date to enter Costa Rica. And that is 3 months to the last day you are in Costa Rica.
However, the Costa Rica Immigration changed the rule so that Group 1 (USA, Canada, European Union and other countries) passports need to have at least one day minimum validity.
So your passport could expire in one week and you can still enter Costa Rica if you were going to be in the country for only 5 days. But if you stay for more than 7 days, then you will be in trouble.
You aren’t allowed to travel on an expired passport or a passport that will expire during their time in Costa Rica.
Many tourists tend to overlook the importance of the passport expiration date. They may not realize that if their passport expires while they’re abroad, they will need to apply for an emergency renewal at their embassy or consulate.
My Recommendation
Despite this new rule, my personal recommendation is if you can, renew your passport if it’s less than 3 months. Sometimes this kind of information is a bit hazy and not all officers may heed to it…so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you plan to travel to Panama or Nicaragua, your passport has to have more than 6 months validity. Those countries are much more strict.
Tip: Also make a color copy of your passport and bring it with you in case you lose it or it gets stolen. I like to take a photo of my ID page and entry stamp to have on my phone too.
How Long Can I Stay in Costa Rica and Do I Need a Visa?
*Important. Costa Rica has extended the tourist visa duration from 90 days to 180 days for Group 1 countries.*
How long you can stay in Costa Rica will depend on your passport country. Costa Rica separates countries into 4 different groups, each with their own requirements. Additionally, tourist visas range from 30 days to 180 depending on the group.
The maximum number of days for a tourist visa is 180 days for countries in Group 1.
USA and Canada passport holders
US and Canada passport holders do not need a consular visa to visit Costa Rica. Their tourist visa is a stamp from immigration, valid for 180 days.
Visitors will receive the stamp, which is the tourist visa, in their passport when going immigration at the airport from the agent. The agent will write the number of days they are allowed in the country.
Other Group 1 countries are Germany, UK, Chile, Japan, Iceland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Singapore, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Belgium, among many others. Check with your passport country’s Costa Rica embassy/consulate if you do not know what group your passport is.
Costa Rica Immigration
You can read this post on how to go through customs and immigration in Costa Rica (airport).
Costa Rica Embassy Website
To find out all the details for entry requirements to Costa Rica, make sure you check the Costa Rica embassy of your passport country for the most up to date information.
More Costa Rica travel tips below!
Pre paid sim card in Costa Rica
Mistakes to avoid in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Zulfiya says
My passport stamp says I can stay 30 days in Costa Rica but my return ticket is 5 days later, will have any problems? When we bought it originally we didn’t see it. Thank you,
Sammi says
Even though you are overstaying 5 days is not a huge deal and most immigration agents won’t care, but they do have the right to apply consequences since you are illegally over staying your visa, so it depends on what agent you get but for majority of what I’ve heard, if it’s just a few days and you aren’t a perpetual tourist, there hasn’t been a problem, but like I said the agent can give you a hard time if they want to because they legally can, some people will just do a one day border run just in case, especially if they are perpetual tourists since immigration has been getting tougher on those people lately
James Brittingham says
Hi. Mytanfeet, i have a question you might be able to help me with
My wifes u.s. green card expires 60 days after out trip is over. Her passport expires in 8 years so that is ok.
Will we be denied because the green card is not valid for 6 months? I called the costa rican embassy and they said it should be fine. Just wanted to get your input as well. Thank you!
Sammi says
Hi James, we don’t advise on this kind of stuff because first, we don’t know haha and second, this is a matter of immigration and the best and true source that can tell you what is what is the embassy.
Einomrah says
Since going from 90-180 days visa, I’ve read that border runs of a 1/2 day are sufficient. Even if I needed to leave the country, could I rent for 6 months and leave my “American” dogs in the country during my boarder run?
Sammi says
Yes you can cross the border and come back on the same day for a visa run
Sammi says
There is by land and air, but the exit fee is now included in the airline ticket price. The exit fee by land is $7.
Stacey says
Hola… Your blog has been a great resource thank you. Are there any exit fees when leaving Costa Rica?
Jo says
Hi there – love your blog! Stumbled on it as I’m preparing for a trip to CR in November. I’m a US Resident but a Peruvian citizen. I just checked the CR embassy website and it says for Peru no Visa is required and allowed stay for 90 days. This post says otherwise. Just wanted to let you know.
Sammi says
Hi Jo, thanks for the update. I do need to update the post as the information is from 2013 and it’s changed. Great to hear Peru now has 90 days instead of 30
Jessica Nelson says
hi, I am Filipino living in San Diego, USA. I have US green card and Philippine passport. do I need to apply for visa or I am good with m greencard?
yeison says
Hi Jessica!
You can find all the official information here http://www.costarica-embassy.org