Visa requirements
The DGME requires a valid passport or travel document. Visa requirements and exemptions depend on nationality.
Source: migracion.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Information from official sources, checked on the dates shown. It may change; confirm each detail with its source before travelling.
Names and logos identify their owners and do not imply sponsorship.
Before arrival
Visa requirements
In 2024, the United States was the leading source market and Canada sent 257,395 air visitors. Both are in the first group, which enters visa-free.
Source: www.ict.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Visa requirements
For nationals in the first group, the maximum stay is 180 calendar days, non-extendable; Immigration sets the actual period on arrival.
Source: www.imprentanacional.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Departure and accommodation
Immigration requires at least 100 US dollars for each month or fraction of the authorized stay.
Source: migracion.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Departure and accommodation
You must have a ticket back to your country of origin or onward travel.
Source: migracion.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Customs and baggage
Customs rules allow travellers to bring in personal baggage without duties, subject to current regulations.
Source: www.hacienda.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Prepaid SIM and eSIM
Kölbi
SIM cardKölbi lists a Tourist SIM for 12,095 Costa Rican colones, with 100 domestic minutes, 5 GB for social networks and 30 SMS. SUTEL requires prepaid lines to be registered.
Source: www.kolbi.crwww.visitcostarica.comwww.sutel.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Claro
SIM cardClaro lists a prepaid package for 3,000 Costa Rican colones. SUTEL includes a passport among equivalent documents for foreign customers and requires line registration.
Source: www.claro.crwww.sutel.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Liberty
SIM cardLiberty lists its Prepaid Free Plan for 5,900 Costa Rican colones every 30 days. SUTEL includes a passport among equivalent documents for foreign customers; confirm the activation process.
Source: libertycr.comwww.sutel.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Kölbi
eSIMKölbi says eSIM is available for prepaid and postpaid service.
Source: www.kolbi.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Claro
eSIMClaro offers eSIM for prepaid and postpaid service in Costa Rica.
Source: www.claro.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Liberty
eSIMLiberty offers eSIM to customers with compatible phones; we couldn't find new prepaid activations by eSIM on the source page checked.
Source: libertycr.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Airports
Juan Santamaría International AirportSJO
Alajuela
Authorized taxi
750 Costa Rican colonesARESEP publishes the regulated per-kilometre rate for special-operation taxis; the trip total is calculated by taximeter.
Source: www.sjoairport.comaresep.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Bus service
The airport says public buses serve the airport. The fare depends on the route.
Source: www.sjoairport.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Guanacaste AirportLIR
Liberia
Bus service
1 US dollarThe airport site lists an approximate fare; the bus departs every 30 minutes.
Source: www.guanacasteairport.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Authorized taxi
The airport site lists taxis but does not state a published fare.
Source: www.guanacasteairport.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Money and exchange rates
Currency and cash
The currency is the Costa Rican colón. The BCCR lists banknotes of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 Costa Rican colones.
Source: www.bccr.fi.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Exchange rate
The BCCR publishes daily buying and selling rates for the US dollar; check the series before exchanging money.
Source: gee.bccr.fi.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
ATMs and fees
The tourism board says major credit cards are accepted and ATMs are available across the country.
Source: www.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Exchange rate
SUGEF maintains a list of supervised exchange houses. The file checked, dated 30 June 2025, lists five.
Source: www.sugef.fi.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Taxes
The tourism board says restaurant and hotel final prices include 13% VAT and a 10% service charge.
Source: www.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Taxes
The tourism board lists a departure tax of 29 US dollars when it is not included in the ticket.
Source: www.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Transport
San José
There is no single urban fare: ARESEP lists prices by route.
Liberia
Fares depend on the route; a single urban fare for Liberia was not found.
Source: aresep.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Emergencies and help
Single emergency number
Source: es.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
La Fortuna Tourist Police
Source: es.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Consumer Support Directorate (MEIC)
Source: www.meic.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Public Force (Police)
Source: www.seguridadpublica.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Costa Rican Red Cross ambulance service
Source: cruzroja.or.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Destinations
Tamarindo
From San José · 215 km
A direct bus from San José takes about five hours, according to the official tourism itinerary.
Source: es.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
La Fortuna
From San José · 136 km
The official itinerary lists a daily bus from San José; the route is 136 km and takes about four hours.
Source: www.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
From San José · 97 km
The tourism map lists a bus route from San José of 97 km and two hours.
Source: www.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Jacó
From San José · 108 km
The official tourism itinerary lists a bus from San José; the route is 108 km and takes two hours.
Source: www.ict.go.cr · Checked on 11 Nov
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
From San José · 215 km
Several direct buses run daily from San José, covering about 215 km.
Source: es.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Quepos (acceso a Manuel Antonio)
From San José
Visit Costa Rica lists direct buses from San José and ICT describes access via Routes 27 and 34; we couldn't find a total distance in one source checked.
Source: www.visitcostarica.com · Checked on 11 Nov