Costa Rica Travel Advice

Entry requirements differ by country. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office issues country specific travel advice including Health, Visa and Vaccination requirements.

You can access the FCDO advice for Costa Rica at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica

Entry requirements

General The authorities in Costa Rica set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity

To enter Costa Rica, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. If needed, you can renew your passport here.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Costa Rica.

Previous travel to Cuba

The US Government enforce a restriction on people who have travelled to Cuba since 12th January 2021. These travellers are no longer eligible to apply for the ESTA Visa Waiver programme and need to apply for a US visitor's visa (B1/B2) via their nearest US Embassy. This ban includes transit, where you’re flying on to another country. As some of our flights go via USA, if you have visited Cuba since 12th January 2021 and your flight is with United Airlines, then you will need to apply for a US visitor visa.

Visa requirements

General British nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You may stay as a visitor for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. If you plan to work, or stay for a longer period, you should check the requirements with the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK. Overstaying can result in a fine of 100 US dollars for each month and refusal of future entry applications.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Costa Rica guide. This may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Customs rules

There are strict rules around the goods you can take into or out of Costa Rica. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Read up on these goods and their regulations here.

Declare cash, travellers cheques or goods Declare cash, travellers cheques or goods if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money or goods could be seized when you leave.

Irish Passport Holders

Please note that this information is for British Passport holders only. If you hold an Irish passport then please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs for travel advice