Travel Documents Required for Entry into Costa Rica
Amazing -- the whole trip was fascinating. I was impressed with the well trained horses, great horse guides, and beautiful countryside. The rafting was SOOO much fun -- expert guides who can cook! and laugh!
—Mary S., Toronto, Canada, February, 2008
American, Canadian and most European citizens do not need a visa or any pre-entry permission to come to enter Costa Rica as long as they have a current valid passport. With a passport visitors can stay up to three months, and during the three months your driver's license from your home country allows you to legally drive in Costa Rica. YOUR PASSPORT MUST NOT EXPIRE WITHIN 180 DAYS OF YOUR ARRIVAL or you will be refused entry into Costa Rica by Immigration.
Once you are in Costa Rica, you must keep a copy of your passport with you whenever you travel, even when traveling by horseback.
As of May 1, 2003 Americans and Canadians are no longer excepted from the requirement to have a passport — everyone from every country MUST have a passport, including children and infants.
Also, the U.S. NOW REQUIRES PASSPORTS for ALL arriving passengers, even U.S. citizens, and this includes people traveling to/from Mexico or Canada or Caribbean Islands. Remember this for ALL international travel! (see the U.S. Department of State Requirements for Travelers)
A full list of requirements for foreign visitors is available at Costa Rica Visa Requirements.
