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.
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.
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.
I have been stopped three times. Once when I brought down two computer towers, another time they confiscated some food (I had leftover dried fruit from the flight) and another time when I brought down some shower heads which they didn’t confiscate.
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.
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 outside. You will see all the drivers, taxis, tour companies and guides waiting to your right. You may need to walk down the sidewalk a bit to find your person.
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
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.
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 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.
Tania says
Hi I have a question I filled out the health pass for Costa Rica we leaving tomorrow and I noticed after I put the wrong arrival date I put the date on arrival the date I’m leaving but I arrive a day later or a view hours later at like 5 am do you think that’s going to be a issue ? would u know how I can change that I’m getting little stressed since we leave tomorrow night
Sammi says
Hi Tania, you can edit a health pass (you should be able to via the link they sent you in the health pass email)
Debbie Mckinnon says
I am planning on visiting and bringing my little dog. Do you know the process for arriving at the airport with a dog?
Sammi says
You will meet the SENASA agent at the baggage area, you’ll need to give him a copy of your paperwork to approve your dog to pass through.
Andy says
Looking at flying into Liberia on United with a connecting flight to Nosara on Sansa. There is an hour and ten minutes between the two flights. Is there any chance that is enough time or just too tight?
Sammi says
I would say too tight, you have to check into domestic flights at least 1 hour before then depending on what day and time you land at LIR airport, it been taking around 30-45 minutes to get through immigration and customs.
Paul says
Do you know if they allow you to bring in food. We wanted to stock up on some of our kid’s favorite snacks. I know in Mexico they confiscate food items. Is this the case with Costa Rica?
Thanks,
Sammi says
They don’t allow fresh foods but I’ve brought like instant noodles, chips, cookies and even cake in.
Shana says
Is there a list of foods that can and cannot be brought in? I tried searching the customs list but couldnt find it. Thanks
Sammi says
its pretty much the same as flying into the US like no fresh food, no raw seeds (they took away my bag of rice), etc.
Savannah says
Hi! Thanks for all the info, it really helps 🙂
I’m traveling to Costa Rica for the first time this year, and will be picked up by a friend at SJO. At what part of the airport will I meet them after I leave customs?
I’m sorry if it’s a silly question; I’ve never flown before, let alone internationally, so I’m nervous about everything, including not being able to find them after I land.
Sammi says
Hello Savannah, no worries. Basically once you exit the airport after finishing customs, there will be a waiting area outside, you’ll see lots of people there. Even though this is for car rentals, this video will show you exactly the same process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQR8yC3MtqY
Savannah says
Awesome thank you so much!!!!
jemmac says
Hi,
Thanks for the info!
One question – if we would like to bring personal effects in our luggage – and by that, I mean USED small appliances (juicer, record player, portable sewing machine, laptop, etc), should we list those items on the customs form? If so, with what value? As we don’t have receipts for most of our things…they are very used! LOL. OR – are used items free from customs taxes, and therefore no need to list on customs form? A little confused…
Sammi says
If they’re all used items and your own personal items, you don’t need to declare it. The customs cares about new items and more concerned about those for people selling them.
Teresa says
We recently bought a house in Costa Rica and will be flying there to set it up in a few weeks. We plan to bring various household items in suitcases and plastic crates. 12 checked pieces total for 3 people. Do you foresee that being an issue getting thru customs? Nothing is for resale, its all for our home. Kitchen stuff, linens, a few pieces of art etc.
Thank you
Sammi says
I would recommend that when you pack, take the tags off all new items and wrap it so it doesn’t look like all brand new things because with that much luggage and if they see a lot of new items and expensive stuff, customs may check you. It’s random and usually they are used to seeing foreigners bringing down tons of luggage since that’s common but 12 luggages for 3 people is quite a bit. We also recommend to put as much in suitcases, don’t pack things in boxes.
Paul Shafer says
Isn’t there a telecommunications company booth in the baggage area for getting a SIM card? (I’m bringing an unlocked phone)
Just haven’t found it on the airport map yet . . .
Thanks!
Sammi says
Unfortunately no, it has closed.
Carolyn W says
Thank you for your excellent information. This is a great blog! Since the SIM card booth at the SJO airport has closed, where do you recommend travellers go to purchase SIM cards? Thank you.
Sammi says
You can go to any of the cell phone stores to purchase a card, some supermarkets have them (not all supermarkets have every cell phone providers’ SIM cards or a variety of options but most markets have at least one type of SIM card) or the telecommunications company’s offices to buy a SIM card. You can read more about it here: Costa Rica pre-paid sim cards
Cody says
Great Advice on this page, it’s been very helpful. I’m traveling to Costa Rica for the first time in March. I will be Landing in Liberia and staying in Liberia city for one night. Would shuttle or taxi be better for airport transfer to the city? or is uber active in liberia? On my last day i will be in monteverde. Would you recommend taking a shuttle back the day of? or coming back to liberia a day early and taking a taxi just to be safe? I just want to make sure I can get back to the airport in time without the worry.
Thank you!
Sammi says
You can taxi, there is an official taxi stand at Liberia airport, Uber is not super common but you can check the app first to see if there are any.
Alan LaGow says
Hi Sammi,
1st time International traveler – thanks for tips. Just a couple of quick q’s. I will not be checking any luggage – just carry on. So I go through Immigration, get my passport stamped, then just go ahead to customs, put my luggage on scanners, go around and pick up luggage and give Custom Agent my Custom form? That’s it?
Question about time. I have a fight arriving on a Sunday @ 2:58pm. I also have a shared shuttle scheduled to pick me up at Cafe Britt at 3:30pm. Even if the plane is on time does that enough time to get through customs and meet the shuttle?
One last – how often are international flights inbound on time? Any idea?
Thanks,
Alan
Sammi says
Hi Alan, pretty much yes. You’ll exit the airport after customs.
Depending on when you are traveling and what airport, weekends are very busy now (high season is until end of April, and then it picks up again July and August). 30 minutes is going to be super crazy tight and to be honest if you’re traveling in the next couple months, I would say it’s highly possible to not make it because it’s really busy on weekends and at that time, there are usually multiple flights landing, especially in SJO Airport.