🇨🇷 Costa Rica visa requirements

Most tourists get 90 days in Costa Rica. If you're from the US, Canada, or most of Europe, that's you. Others might only get 30 days or need to apply beforehand.

Who Gets 90 Days (And Who Doesn't)

If you hold a passport from the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or most EU countries, you're usually granted an automatic 90-day tourist entry into Costa Rica. No visa application needed for this initial period. Just show up with a valid passport and proof of onward travel.

There's a longer list of countries that get 30 days on arrival. Think countries like Mexico, Brazil, or Argentina. Then there are a few nations that require a visa in advance. If you're unsure, check the official Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) website. It’s the only definitive source. Don't rely on outdated blogs.

Staying Longer Than You Planned: The Gotchas

So, you got your 90 days. Great. But what if you want to stay longer? This is where most people get burned. Costa Rica's rules on extending your stay aren't straightforward. You can't just walk into an immigration office and get more days. Officially, you need to leave the country and re-enter. This is often called a "border run" or "visa run."

The catch? You're only allowed a maximum of 180 days in a single calendar year on tourist stamps. So if you've already used your 90 days, left, and come back, you only get another 90 days. You can't just keep renewing indefinitely. Overstaying is a serious issue. Penalties can include fines, which are around $100 USD per month, and potential bans from re-entering the country for a set period. Getting an exit stamp is also critical. If you leave without one, your next entry might be shorter.

What's New with Costa Rica's Visas?

Costa Rica has been trying to formalize the digital nomad situation. They introduced the Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista Visa). This allows remote workers to stay for one year, renewable for another year. To qualify, you need to prove a monthly income of at least $3,000 USD from stable remote work or investments. The application process is done online through the DGME portal.

There have been mentions of an eVisa system for some nationalities, but it's not fully rolled out for all tourist entries. The primary focus remains on the dedicated Digital Nomad Visa. Fees for this visa are around $250 USD for the application and processing. It's designed to bring in more reliable income streams without taxing the local job market. If you plan to stay longer than 90-180 days and want to do so legally, this is the path to consider.