Arriving to Costa Rica

On arrival to Costa Rica, you will go through immigration, collect your bags, and then must pass through customs before you exit the terminal.

When you get off the plane, you will first be shuffled through the immigration area, where they will check your passport. Airlines no longer give out customs or immigration forms, so you may be required to answer questions when passing through immigration. This includes the address of your hotel, so have the first place you are staying saved on your phone or written down. Additionally, have a copy or screenshot of your return flight to show how long you are staying in Costa Rica (a tourist can visit for a maximum of 180 days at a time). For more information on requirements for entry to Costa Rica, visit our Tourist Visa page.

Once through passport control, continue to pick up your luggage. If you have more than two bags per person, you will go through customs inspection; if two or fewer, AND HAVE A U.S., CANADIAN, U.K. or EUROPEAN PASSPORT, they generally wave you past.

Even if you speak fluent Spanish, or speak only English or another language, make it clear you are not a resident. Customs are really only interested in inspecting returning Costa Ricans who may be bringing back things from their travels.

Once you’ve cleared customs, you exit the terminal and meet your Serendipity guide or driver!