Entry rules change, and they change per nationality. Nothing here replaces checking with the Costa Rican authorities or your airline before you travel — what follows is which questions to ask, because travellers usually get caught by a rule they did not know existed rather than one they got wrong.
The four things that get checked
Your passport. Validity requirements vary by nationality and are the most common reason someone is refused boarding at their departure airport rather than on arrival.
Proof of onward travel. This is the one that catches people. Airlines check it at check-in because they carry the cost if you are refused entry, so the question often arrives before you have left home.
Where you are staying, at least for the first night.
And what you are bringing in. Standard customs questions, with agriculture taken seriously — Costa Rica protects its biodiversity and asks about plants, seeds and animal products in a way some countries do not.
The onward ticket, specifically
If you are travelling on a one-way ticket, settle this before the airport rather than at it. Travellers with open plans are the ones who meet it unprepared, and the check-in desk is a bad place to be solving it.
Ask your airline what they accept as proof. The answer varies between carriers, which is exactly why it is worth asking rather than assuming.
Length of stay
The permitted stay varies by nationality and the stamp you receive is what counts, not what you expected to receive. Look at it before you leave the immigration hall.
What arrival actually looks like
Immigration, baggage, customs, and then the part that surprises people: the onward journey from the airport. San José to Guanacaste is 86.9 nautical miles and a long drive; San José to Drake Bay is 83.5 and most of a day.
If you land in the afternoon, plan to sleep near the airport rather than move. That is not a rule, it is the most common first-day mistake. We show a "from" price per route; the final fare depends on the date, the group and the baggage, and is confirmed in writing before booking.
Flying onward the same day
Possible, and it depends on two things people rarely check in advance: whether your arrival leaves enough margin, and whether the destination airfield is usable at that hour. Many regional strips are day-only.
A late international arrival and a day-only destination do not combine, and it is better to know that when booking than at the terminal. We do not advise on visas; we do tell you the formalities at each end of the flight.
Practical basics
Currency. Colones and US dollars both circulate. Cards are widely accepted; small places and remote areas are cash.
Driving. An international licence is not universally required but the rules vary by nationality and by rental company. Ask the rental company directly.
Health. Vaccination requirements can depend on where you have travelled before arriving, which is a rule many travellers do not realise applies to them.
Connectivity. Good in the valley and on the main coasts, patchy in the remote south and on parts of the Caribbean.
Frequently asked
Is this a definitive list of entry rules?
No. Rules change and vary by nationality; check with the Costa Rican authorities and your airline before travelling.
What catches travellers out most?
Proof of onward travel, usually checked by the airline at check-in rather than on arrival.
How long can I stay?
It varies by nationality, and the stamp you actually receive is what counts. Check it before leaving the hall.
Can I fly onward the same day I arrive?
Sometimes. It depends on your arrival margin and whether the destination airfield operates at that hour — many are day-only.
What is the most common first-day mistake?
Landing in the afternoon and trying to move. Sleeping near the airport is usually better.
Do I need an international driving licence?
It varies by nationality and by rental company. Ask the rental company directly.
Plan it with us
We do not advise on visas; we do tell you the formalities at each end of the flight.