Travel Documents Required for Entry into Costa Rica

U.S., Canadian, and most European citizens do not need a visa or any pre-entry permission to enter Costa Rica, as long as they have a current valid passport. With a passport, visitors receive a tourist visa in Costa Rica for 180 days and your driver’s license from your home country allows you to legally drive here. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date that you enter Costa Rica or you will be refused entry by immigration.

Since 2003, U.S. and Canadian citizens are no longer excepted from the requirement to have a passport — everyone from every country MUST have a passport, including children and infants.

More information for visitors traveling to Costa Rica is available at the U.S. Department of State – Costa Rica

If you are a citizen from another country, or if you have a residency card (i.e. green card) from the United States or Canada, special rules may apply for a tourist visa in Costa Rica and we recommend you read the following information: Visas, residences, permits.

What other requirements are there for a tourist visa in Costa Rica?

At immigration, you may also be asked for the following documentation or information:
– Proof of exit (this is a flight or bus ticket showing that you will be leaving Costa Rica within 180 days)
– The address of your first night’s stay (we recommend having this written down to show to the immigration officer)
– You may be asked your profession or purpose of visit