- 1. What Documents do I Need to Visit Costa Rica?
- 2. Where are Costa Rica's Airports?
- 3. How Long Can I Stay in Costa Rica
- 4. Do I Have to Pay a Departure tax?
1. What Documents do I Need to Visit Costa Rica?
To visit Costa Rica you need the following documents: 1) a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the entry date to Costa Rica; 2) a prepaid airline ticket to leave Costa Rica within 90 days of your arrival. Citizens from the United States, Canada and most European countries don't need a visa to enter Costa Rica. To find specific visa requirements or restrictions on your home country, visit the Costa Rican embassy page at http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/visa/country-selection.htm
If you have visited any of the countries on the following list, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary: South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Sudan. For updated health information about travel to Costa Rica please visit the CDC website at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/costa-rica.aspx
↑ Table of Contents ↑
2. Where are Costa Rica's Airports?
There are two international airports in Costa Rica - the San José International Airport (SJO), which is in Alajuela, and the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), which is located in Liberia. Passing through customs at either of the international airports is relatively stress free. After collecting your luggage, you continue through a checkpoint where officials pass baggage through an X-ray machine. After this, you'll be able to leave the terminal and travel to your final destination. Usually travelers can expect it to take 45 minutes to exit the airport after they land.
↑ Table of Contents ↑
3. How Long Can I Stay in Costa Rica
Citizens from most countries can stay for up to 90 days in Costa Rica. Citizens from some countries are allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 days, although they have the option to apply for an extension once inside the country. Refer to the Costa Rican embassy page and find your country: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/visa/country-selection.htm
↑ Table of Contents ↑
4. Do I Have to Pay a Departure tax?
Yes. Everyone leaving Costa Rica through SJO or LIR must pay a $26 departure tax before checking in with their airline. This fee can be payed at the airport. Starting at 3:00am the departure tax counter will be open and can be collected in U.S. dollars, Costa Rican colónes, or Visa debit/credit cards. Some hotels will offer to pay the departure tax ahead of time, thus facilitating your travel process. Paying at either of the airports usually takes about 10 minutes.
↑ Table of Contents ↑