Entry Requirements for Costa Rica

All travelers arriving at Arenal Airport must meet Costa Rica's entry requirements, which are administered by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (Costa Rican Immigration Department). Requirements may vary based on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and your length of stay.

Important: Entry requirements may change without notice. Always check with your airline or the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your country before traveling.

General Requirements for All Visitors

Passport Requirements

  • Validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry
  • Condition: Passport must be in good condition with no damage to the cover or pages
  • Blank Pages: At least one blank page for entry stamps

Proof of Onward Travel

All visitors must demonstrate that they plan to leave Costa Rica within 90 days (or their visa validity period) by showing:

  • A return ticket to your country of origin
  • A ticket to another country where you are permitted to enter
  • Can be electronic or physical ticket

Economic Solvency

Visitors may be asked to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds for their stay in Costa Rica. This can be shown through:

  • Cash (recommended minimum US$100 per month of stay)
  • Credit cards
  • Bank statements
  • Traveler's checks

Health Requirements

Health requirements for entering Costa Rica may include:

  • Completed health pass form (if required)
  • Proof of specific vaccinations (depends on country of origin)
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever)

Check the Ministry of Health website for current requirements.

Visa Requirements by Nationality

Costa Rica's visa policy divides countries into different groups. Below is a summary of the requirements based on nationality:

Group Visa Requirement Maximum Stay Examples of Countries
Group 1 No Visa Required 90 days United States, Canada, EU countries, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand
Citizens can enter with just a valid passport and proof of onward travel
Group 2 No Visa Required 30 days Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay
Valid passport and proof of onward travel required
Group 3 Visa Required Varies China, India, Russia, most African countries
Must obtain visa before arrival at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate
Group 4 Consular Visa + Approval Varies Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen
Requires approval from Costa Rican authorities in addition to consular visa

Traveling with Minors

Children under 18 years of age traveling alone or with only one parent or guardian should carry:

  • A notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
  • Birth certificate showing the names of both parents
  • Death certificate if a parent is deceased
  • Court documents if one parent has sole custody

These documents should be translated into Spanish and authenticated.

Identity Card Information for Costa Rican Nationals

Costa Rican citizens traveling domestically within Costa Rica can use their national identity card (cédula de identidad) for identification purposes at Arenal Airport. For international travel, a valid passport is required.

Residency Permit Holders

Foreign residents of Costa Rica should carry their:

  • DIMEX (Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros) card
  • Valid passport from their country of citizenship

Immigration Contact Information

Arenal Airport Immigration Office

Phone: +506 2479 8060

Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily

Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería

Phone: +506 2299 8100

Website: www.migracion.go.cr