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Costa RicaVisit & tourismLast checked October 17, 2026

Visiting Costa Rica

Turismo: entry groups 1-4

Costa Rica sorts nationalities into four entry groups. Group 1 nationals enter without a visa for up to 180 days, and Group 2 nationals without a visa for up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Group 3 needs a consular visa and Group 4 a restricted visa, each allowing up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Group 3 and 4 nationals holding certain multiple-entry US, Canadian or Schengen visas, or residence in the US, Canada, UK, EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, can enter without a Costa Rican visa.

See requirements ↓

Visiting Costa Rica

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Life in Costa Rica

Money

3

Currency

Costa Rican Colón

CRC

Costa Rican Colón

Cost of living

62

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–25%

Income tax (national)

VAT (IVA) 13%

Salary scale 2026: monthly salary up to CRC 918,000 exempt; 25% on the excess over CRC 4,727,000 a month. Self-employed have a separate annual scale.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

7.4

#4 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Tourists and business visitors doing unpaid activities.

Eligibility

  • Entry requirements (all)

    You need a valid passport, a visa if required, proof of funds, a return or onward ticket, and no entry ban.

    USD 100

    Money to show · or part month of stay

    • Passport must be machine-readable or biometric
    • You must have no entry ban
    Official wording

    Valid machine-readable or biometric passport; visa where required; proof of funds of at least USD 100 per month or part month of stay; return or onward ticket; no entry ban (Ley 8764 art. 42; Decree 36769-G art. 30).

  • Passport validity

    Your passport must be valid for a minimum period that depends on your entry group.

    Minimum passport validity

    Group 1stay cannot exceed validity
    At least one day
    Group 2
    90 days
    Group 3
    180 days
    Group 4
    180 days
    Official wording

    Group 1: at least one day (stay cannot exceed passport validity). Group 2: 90 days. Groups 3 and 4: 180 days.

  • Consular visa (Group 3)

    Group 3 travellers need a single-entry consular visa that is stamped and used within set time limits.

    Visa time limits

    Stamp withinof authorisation
    three months
    Use withinof stamping
    60 working days
    Official wording

    Single entry; must be stamped within three months of authorisation and used within 60 working days of stamping.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementVisa exemptions for Groups 3-4
  • Document checklistPassport
  • FeesConsular visa fees

The full requirements are for members

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  • 2 more requirements
  • 4 documents
  • 1 fee
  • 4 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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