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Costa Rica Passport and Entry Requirements

January 1, 2025 By Sammi 10 Comments

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.

This post has affiliate links which we may earn a small commission from if you choose to purchase, at no extra cost to you. Any prices listed may not reflect current pricing. It is the readers responsibility to research current pricing. Prices are quoted in USD. More info: Disclosure

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.

Costa Rica passport requirements and entry requirements
Costa Rica entry stamp

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!

Driving in Costa Rica

Renting a car in Costa Rica

Pre paid sim card in Costa Rica

Mistakes to avoid in Costa Rica

Common scams 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.

Join our mailing list and get our free Costa Rica eBook!

Filed Under: About Costa Rica

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. James Brittingham says

    January 24, 2025

    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!

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      January 25, 2025

      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.

      Reply
  2. Einomrah says

    May 16, 2024

    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?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      May 20, 2024

      Yes you can cross the border and come back on the same day for a visa run

      Reply
  3. Sammi says

    July 16, 2017

    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.

    Reply
  4. Stacey says

    July 15, 2017

    Hola… Your blog has been a great resource thank you. Are there any exit fees when leaving Costa Rica?

    Reply
  5. Jo says

    June 12, 2017

    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.

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      June 12, 2017

      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

      Reply
  6. Jessica Nelson says

    February 11, 2016

    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?

    Reply
    • yeison says

      February 12, 2016

      Hi Jessica!

      You can find all the official information here http://www.costarica-embassy.org

      Reply

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