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Guide to travel to Costa Rica


Looking for a guide to travel to Costa Rica? If you still don’t know What is needed to travel to Costa Rica, we are going to explain everything you have to prepare for the entrance to Costa Rica and departure. general information and requirements to travel to Costa Rica with its customs, laws and limitations in the customs of Costa Rica. You have available this travel guide with the emergency telephone numbers, the best time to travel to Costa Rica and everything you need to know to travel safely.

COSTA RICAN DATA

Capital Costa Rica (See map)
Languages Spanish
Currency Costa Rican Colon
Visa? Nope
Voltage 120 volts

General information of Costa Rica

With the current situation you may have to fill out some kind of form to travel to Costa Rica or covid Costa Rica requirements, so we recommend you check What is needed to travel to Costa Rica or any destination in the country in this travel guide.

Guide to travel to Costa Rica entry requirements

These are the Costa Rica entry requirements:

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry and until the date your trip ends.
  • Have family, work or financial ties in the place of origin that will allow you to demonstrate your intention to return to your country of origin.
  • Have enough money to finance your stay.
  • Is required indispensable have the yellow fever vaccine to enter Costa Rica of any person from Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.

Guide to travel to Costa Rica requirements to leave

Once your stay is over, these are the departure requirements from Costa Rica:

  • Every foreign person must pay a tax when leaving Costa Rica of $29 US dollars. You must confirm with the airline if the cost of your ticket includes the departure tax, otherwise, you will have to pay it directly at the Juan Santamaría International Airport.
  • The General Directorate of Immigration and Immigration informed foreigners whose stay in the country has exceeded their authorized time, that as of April 20, 2018, they will be charged a fine of $100 US dollars for each month of irregular stay, applied in the time of departure, in accordance with article 33 paragraph 3 of the General Law of Immigration and Aliens No. 8764.
3d country map

Customs information Costa Rica

  • If you enter with more than $10,000 US dollars or its equivalent in another currency, you must report it to the immigration authorities at the time of your arrival or departure from that country.
  • If you have a medical prescription, it is possible to import medicine into Costa Rica for a period of up to 90 days.
  • This forbidden the entry of firearms, tear gas and pepper spray. Additionally, some fruits, vegetables, honey, eggs, meat, dairy products and plants from other countries cannot be brought into the country.

Local Currency of Costa Rica

  • The legal currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon («₡», CRC). In some commercial premises, restaurants and service stations, in addition to Costa Rican colones, US dollars are received, it is suggested to consult the specific site.
  • In most of the country there are ATMs that accept different types of cards; the most widely accepted are Visa and Mastercard. American Express cards are not among the most widely accepted.

For more information regarding the local currency or payment methods of the country, consult the section recommendations in money to travel abroad..

Customs of Costa Rica

Make sure you know the customs of the country so you can know what the best time to visit Costa Rica. Here are the most common.

  • In Costa Rica it dawns at 5:00 hrs. and it gets dark at 6:00 p.m., so the daily activity of the people usually occurs at this time.
  • Lunch time is generally between 12:00 and 13:00.
  • Banks open on Saturdays only at noon.
  • Tap water is considered drinkable.
  • Restaurant service is automatically included in the bill.

In Costa Rica there are 11 holidays:

  • 1 of January New Year.
  • Holy Thursday
  • Holy Friday
  • April 11: Battle of Rivas
  • May 1: Labor Day
  • July 25: Annexation of the Party of Nicoya
  • August 2: Day of the Virgin of the Angels
  • August 15: Mother’s Day
  • September 15: Independence Day
  • October 12: Day of the Meeting of Cultures
  • December 25: Christmas.

Is it safe to travel to Costa Rica?

  • In the most touristic Costa Rican points, it is recommended to be particularly careful with the personal belongings that are left in the vehicles, since robberies usually occur in the places with the greatest influx of visitors.
  • It is advisable to be careful with scammers, who may offer temporary employment without proper compensation or authorization, as well as any other type of promises with no real possibility of fulfillment.
  • If you want to bring your Mexican vehicle into Costa Rica, it is essential to have its documents in order, since the customs operation is particularly strict. Failure to comply with the time allowed for the vehicle to stay in the country can lead to it being seized and it being very difficult to recover it.

Laws of Costa Rica

  • It is recommended that you always carry a copy of your passport with a visa on hand during your stay in Costa Rica, as well as obtain a copy of them and keep it in a safe place.
  • Driving while intoxicated under the influence of drugs can get you arrested and jailed, depending on where you are.
  • The seat belt is mandatory when traveling by car.
  • Leaving a vehicle parked on yellow lines, on sidewalks or other prohibited areas can lead to the removal of license plates.
  • Visitors who want ride a rented car can be done with the presentation of your driver’s license ride valid or a driver’s license in international format.
  • The transport and trafficking of drugs is strictly prohibited, a crime whose penalties range from ten to twenty years in prison.

Other recommendations in a guide to travel to Costa Rica

  • Do not forget to notify your bank that you will travel to Costa Rica, so that they can inform you how to act in case of theft or loss of your credit cards in Costa Rica, or problems that you could have when withdrawing money with your cards abroad.
  • Recommendations and more advice by topic or type of traveler, visit the section of recommendations for your trip abroad of this guide to travel to Costa Rica.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the official tourism site in Costa Rica?

What are the emergency telephone numbers in Costa Rica?

Emergency services (fire, police and ambulance): 911
Telephone for consular assistance and protection emergencies: +50687082850.

What are the mandatory vaccines in Costa Rica?

Is required indispensable have the yellow fever vaccine for the entry to Costa Rica of any person from Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. It is recommended to check the official page to obtain updated information from the authorities of that country.

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