Country
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
Return Ticket Required?
Passport valid for at least 6 months at date of entry
required by all, except 1. Canadian and US citizens
with proof of identity, eg a Certified Birth Certificate
and official ID containing a photograph. Tourist Cards
will be issued to these nationals either at a Costa Rican
Consulate or at any airline office at the airports of:
Amsterdam, Aruba, Barranquilla, Caracas, Cura�ao, Panama and
Port of Spain for approximately US$2.
Required by all except the following:
(a) 2.
nationals of the UK and its dependencies for stays of up to 90
days;
(c) 3. nationals of Argentina, Austria,
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong,
Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland,
Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
USA and Uruguay for a stay of up to 90 days;
(d) 4.
nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas,
Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia,
Czech Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, France, Grenada,
Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya,
Kuwait, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar,
Russian Federation, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent
& The Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,
Slovak Republic, South Africa*, Surinam, Taiwan (China),
Trinidad & Tobago, UAE, Vatican City and Venezuela for a
period of 30 days.
(e) transit passengers continuing their
journey to a third country by the same or first connecting
flight within 48 hours, provided holding confirmed onward
tickets and not leaving the airport (except nationals of China
(PR) who do need a transit visa authorised by the
Immigration Department in San Jos�).
(a) *Persons holding passports issued by the former
homelands of Transkei and Venda do need a visa
authorised by the Immigration Department in San Jos�. (b)
Nationals of countries listed above must obtain an exit visa
from the Immigration Department in San Jos� at least 3 days
before leaving Costa Rica. Those who stay for less than 30
days are exempt if in possession of a disembarkation card. (c)
All other nationals require a visa. In some cases an
authorisation from the Immigration Department in San Jos� is
also necessary. Temporary visitors must hold return or onward
tickets, except those holding a visa showing an exit ticket is
not required.
Tourist and Business. Visas cost
approximately $20. All passengers requiring a visa must hold
documents required for the next destination.
Visas are valid for 1 month or 90 days. Contact the
Immigration Department in Costa Rica for renewal or
information on the extension procedure.
Consulate (or Consular section of Embassy; see address
section).
(a) Completed application form. (b) 2 passport-size photos.
(c) Passport valid for 6 months at time of entry. (d) Proof of
sufficient funds to cover duration of stay. (e) Return or
onward ticket.
1 day to 2 weeks, depending on nationality of applicant.
Some visas need the authorisation of the Immigration
Department in Costa Rica (ask the Consulate or Consular
section of Embassy for details).
A signed contract with the prospective employer is needed.
For residence as a senior citizen, only those with a minimum
monthly income of US$600 will be considered.
(Costa Rica Tourist Board)
Street address:
Edificio Genaro Valverde, Calles 5 y 7, Avenida 4, San Jos�,
Costa Rica
Postal address: Apartado 777, 1000 San
Jos�, Costa Rica
Tel: 223 1733 or (800) 343 6332
(toll free USA and Canada only). Fax: 223 5452 or 255
4997.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.tourism-costarica.com/
Apartado 828, 1000 San Jos�, Costa Rica
Tel: 234 6222.
Fax: 253 8102.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.costarica.tourism.co.cr/
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera
vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry into
Costa Rica. However, cases of cholera were reported in 1996
and precautions should be considered. Up-to-date advice should
be sought before deciding whether these precautions should
include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its
effectiveness. Consult the Health appendix for further
information.
Malaria risk exists throughout the year, mostly in the
benign vivax form, in the rural areas below 700m,
especially in the cantons of Matina and Central de Lim�n, but
also in San Carlos, Los Chiles and Sarapiqu� cantons. Lower
transmission risk exists in 20 cantons in the provinces of
Guanacaste, Alajuela and Herida. There is negligible or no
risk of malaria in the other cantons of the country.
Mains water is normally heavily chlorinated, and whilst
relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Drinking
water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and
sterilisation is advisable. Bottled water is available and is
advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is
pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local
meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally
considered safe to eat.
Hepatitis A occurs. Paragonimiasis (oriental
lung fluke) and lymphatic filiariasis have been
reported in Costa Rica. Dengue fever occurs.
Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmanisis have
also been reported.
Rabies is widespread throughout
Central America. For those at high risk, vaccination before
arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical
advice without delay. For more information, consult the
Health appendix.
Health insurance is recommended. Reliable medical services
are available in Costa Rica. Standards of health and hygiene
are among the best in Latin America.
Jan 1 New Year’s Day. Mar 19 Feast of
San Jos� (St Joseph). Mar 28 Maundy Thursday. Mar
29 Good Friday. Apr 11 Anniversary of the Battle of
Rivas. May 1 Labour Day. May 30 Corpus
Christi. Jul 25 Guanacaste Annexation. Aug 2
Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica.
Aug 15 Mothers’ Day; Assumption. Sep 15
Independence Day. Oct 12 Columbus Day. Dec 8
Immaculate Conception. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan
1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 19 Feast of San Jos� (St
Joseph). Apr 11 Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas.
Apr 17 Maundy Thursday. Apr 18 Good Friday.
May 1 Labour Day. Jun 19 Corpus Christi. Jul
25 Guanacaste Annexation. Aug 2 Virgin of Los
Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica. Aug 15
Mothers’ Day; Assumption. Sep 15 Independence
Day. Oct 12 Columbus Day. Dec 8 Immaculate
Conception. Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Destination Guide – Costa Rica
Passport and Visa Application
Health
Holidays
Passports
Visas
Note
Types of visa and cost
Validity
Application to
Application requirements
Working days required
Temporary residence
Addresses
1
2
3
Other risks
Health care
Public Holidays
Note
| British | yes | 2 | yes |
| Australian | yes | 4 | yes |
| Canadian | 1 | 3 | yes |
| USA | 1 | 3 | yes |
| Other EU | yes | 3 | yes |
| Japanese | yes | 3 | yes |
| Instituto Costarricense de Turismo |
| C�mara Nacional de Turismo (CANATUR) |
|
|
|
|
| Health Precaution | Special Precaution | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | no | no |
| Cholera | 1 | no |
| Typhoid and Polio | yes | n/a |
| Malaria | 2 | n/a |
| Food and Drink | 3 | n/a |
|
Most businesses close for the whole of Holy Week and between Christmas and New Year. |