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Before you go to Costa Rica: what to know

Must know

  • Check the stay granted on arrival; the maximum for eligible first-group tourists is 180 days, not a guaranteed admission.
  • Rip currents and flooding are serious hazards. Use licensed guides and check road and park closures.

Entry and visas

Bring a valid machine-readable passport, visa if required, return/onward ticket and funds evidence. Required means are at least USD 100 per month or part month. Immigration determines the stay. Eligible first-group nationals can be granted up to 180 days; other groups have different limits. Yellow-fever certificate rules depend on travel history; check the official current list.

Passport validity: Depends on nationality group; check the official immigration guidelines and carrier requirements.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Check the permitted departure date on your entry stamp.

Customs

  • Do not remove wildlife or seashells; declare restricted goods and large cash amounts.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are widely accepted.

Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data

  • US dollars are widely accepted.
  • Use banks or authorised exchange offices; bank transactions require the original passport.
  • Keep cash for rural areas and small vendors.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗, visitcostarica.com ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Illegal drugs
  • Unauthorised entry into restricted conservation areas

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Carry identification; police usually accept a printed passport copy, with the original available.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: The pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Angels Basilica in Cartago is an important Catholic tradition.

Clothing: Bring suitable footwear and rain protection for rainforest visits; dress respectfully at religious sites.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: si.cultura.cr ↗, visitcostarica.com ↗

Climate

Pacific dry season is December-March, April transitional, rainy May-October and November transitional. The Caribbean coast has no clear dry season; February-March and September-October are relatively drier.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: Pacific dry; Caribbean wetter
  • February: Feb: Pacific dry; Caribbean relatively drier
  • March: Mar: Pacific dry; Caribbean relatively drier
  • April: Apr: Pacific transition
  • May: May: Pacific rainy season
  • June: Jun: Pacific rainy season
  • July: Jul: rainy; relative Pacific lull possible
  • August: Aug: rainy; relative Pacific lull possible
  • September: Sep: Pacific very wet; Caribbean relatively drier
  • October: Oct: Pacific very wet; Caribbean relatively drier
  • November: Nov: Pacific transition; Caribbean wetter
  • December: Dec: Pacific dry; Caribbean wetter

Best season: December-March for the Pacific; consider February-March or September-October for the Caribbean coast.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗

What to pack

  • Insect repellent
  • Hooded raincoat
  • Hiking footwear
  • Passport and onward ticket
  • Travel insurance covering planned activities

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Collecting wildlife, shells or plants as souvenirs

Practical

Plugs: Type A/B, 120 V

Water: Usually potable in towns and tourist areas; choose bottled water where local safety is uncertain.

Traffic: drives on the right

Insurance: Check explicit cover for surfing, rafting, zip-lining or other adventure activities.

Emergency: 911

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗, visitcostarica.com ↗, gov.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.