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.
Shannon says
Hi guys,
Really enjoy your website. I’m heading to Liberia airport and plan on bringing my almost new inflatable kayak since we will be there for 2 1/2 months. It will be in an oversized bag and weighs around 75 lbs. Cost over $1,000 and I have a receipt. I’m going to use it, not sell it. Should I expect to pay import taxes or other fees? Should I anticipate any problems getting it through customs?
Thanks,
Shannon
Sammi says
Hi Shannon, to be very honest, I do not know…this is something you’ll need to check with customs here but since people bring their own surfboards and customs don’t stop them, I’d assume a kayak is similar to a surfboard.
Aaron Jones says
Hi guys – nice of y’all to give out so many tips; we were asked to to wait for all of our group at Liberia AP so that our driver could just make the one hour drive in one trip; that leaves most of us waiting two hours with our bags after clearing immigration and customs for some others to arrive (hopefully on time); is there a bar or restaurant to hang out at to meet up with them and the driver or will we be on the wrong side of security? Any advice?
Sammi says
There is a cafe/restaurant that is on the outside of the airport (attached to airport but entrance is from the outside) and a mini market inside with chairs, you can meet the driver first and then walk to the cafe/restaurant because it’s in the same general area and all the drivers will be waiting outside the airport, they aren’t allowed inside. This airport is tiny so there isn’t really much else
Garrett says
Can you bring food to eat on the plane back to the US?
Sammi says
You can bring food but you must eat any type of fresh food before you deplane and go through security in the US (or you’ll have to throw it away)
James says
I think I left my comment/question on a different blog of yours so I will ask again here to keep it in the same thread. We will be traveling to Costa Rica in early Jan on 2021. Some of our party will arrive 2 hours before the rest of us. I know you mentioned that there was a “cafe” after you exit baggage claim and customs as well as a couple of chairs. But can you please elaborate on what they have at the “cafe” and if there is more than a couple of chairs for people to sit down? Is it inside the airport area where it is air conditioned? Does the cafe have meal type food or just snacks? Thanks in advance.
Sammi says
There are some chairs and sitting areas inside in the airport terminal (not air conditioned) and the cafe and small convenience store.
Katy says
Hi, you replied to another person back in Feb 2020 that the sim card/telecommunications stand is closed at SJO. Is that still true now, as of October 2021? I am trying to plan how much time I will need from landing, immigration, customs and setting up a sim card. Thank you!
Sammi says
There is now a Claro SIM card stand in SJO Airport by baggage claim #5
Maria says
Hi, can you explain what you mean by the QR code? Is it on your plane ticket?
Thanks!
Sammi says
They email you a QR code when you complete the health pass (they will email you a PDF document with the qr code), you need to screenshot it or print it
Li says
I’m holding a Chinese passport and also a US permanent resident. Is it true that I don’t need to apply for visa in advance to enter CR?
Other than the passport and green card, what are the other documentation needed to enter the country?
What is the health pass QR code? I booked my plane tickets, nobody sent me any email about the QR code.
Sammi says
I think that if you are a US permanent resident you won’t need a visa for Costa Rica but the best way to get the right information is to contact your embassy
No health pass required or QR code, that was during the peak pandemic times
Sammi says
The currency exchange should be able to exchange 100 but I am not 100% positive. Itll be better to bring 20s and you can also check your local bank at home to see if they have Colones too and exchange before you arrive since the airport currency exchanges don’t give the best rates.
Becky says
Hi Sammi and Yeison,
Love your blog, it was incredibly helpful 2 years ago for our first trip to CR and now we are headed back finally! We are flying into Liberia next month and will need to exchange some USD for colones at the airport. Do you know if the currency exchange office will accept large bills like $100? Or is it better to withdraw colones at an ATM at the airport (is there one?) Thank you so much!
Eileen says
Hi! Quick question for your guys. We’re coming for our honeymoon in July… when we leave, we are getting a flight out of SJO back to the US scheduled for 2:07 PM. We were hoping to take a domestic flight with Sansa from Tambor to SJO. The Sansa flight is scheduled to arrive at SJO at 11:50am. Is that early enough before our 2:07pm flight, or should we try to get an earlier flight with Sansa?
Thanks!
Sammi says
I would get an earlier flight with Sansa
Mike says
Sammi,
We love your blog!! just a question on SJO airport. Our flight leaves SJO to US at 2:20pm and our van is scheduled to leave Tulemar Resort at 8:30…Is that enough time to get thru security and all the other steps?? Departure date Feb 26
Sammi says
You need to get to the airport about 2-3 hours before and then it takes roughly 3.5 hours to the airport from Tulemar, so I’d schedule your departure time accordingly to give you plenty of time to allow for any traffic and delays and no rush
Jason says
Hey love the website and channel. Visiting CR for first time in Sept. Lots of helpful things on your site and videos. I have a similar question to another above… after going through passport and immigration is there a place to chill at the airport while I wait for the rest of my party on another flight to arrive 4 hours later?
Sammi says
If you are at San Jose AIrport, there is a small cafe right along the outside of the airport but I recommend to take an Uber or taxi instead to go to the Denny’s Restaurant down the street. There is also a casino in the same plaza. If you’re going to Liberia Airport, there are some chairs in the middle of the airport and a very small cafe but other than that, there is nothing else at the airport. Liberia city is about a 10 minute taxi ride away.