Planning on travelling to Costa Rica? Read this important Costa Rica visa and embassy advice before you go!
On entering Costa Rica it is necessary to display a valid passport and an onward or return ticket. US and Canadian citizens who were not required to show a passport will be required to do so as of 2007.
Visa Requirements in Costa Rica
The following countries do not require a visa for the first 90 days spent in Costa Rica:
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brasil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Uruguay.
The following countries do not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days in Costa Rica:
Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominica, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Russia, St Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela.
It is necessary to apply for a visa from the Costa Rican embassy or consulate if you are from: Ecuador, Peru or Nicaragua.
Visitors wishing to prolong their stay must apply to the Migration Office in San José. This can be a long, drawn out process which may take weeks. If you leave and re-enter after 72 hours, you can stay for another 90 or 30 days respectively.
Visa requirements are subject to change and it is always worth checking the Costa Rican embassy website at www.costarica-embassy.org
British Embassy in Costa Rica
www.britem@racsa.co.cr
PO BOX 815-1007, Centro Colón, San José Costa Rica
Mon-Thurs 8-12/ 12.30-4pm
+(506) 258 2025/ 24hr emergency pager (leave message) +(506) 225 4049
Costa Rican Embassy in Britain
Flat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LH
(+44) (0)207 706 8844
US Embassy in Costa Rica
www.sanjose.usembassy.gov
Calle 120, Avenida 0. Pavas, San José Costa Rica
Mon-Fri 8-4.30pm
+(506) 519 2000
Costa Rican Embassy in US
2114 S Street, NW, 280008 Washington, District of Colombia, USA
+1 202 234 2945
Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica
www.geo.international.gc.ca/latin-america/sanjose
La Sabana Executive Business Centre, Building 5, 3rd Floor
Apartado Postal 351-1007, Centro Colón, San José Costa Rica
Mon-Thurs 7.30-4pm, Fri 7.30-1pm
+(506) 242 4400
Costa Rican Embassy in Canada
325 Dalhouise Street, Suite 407, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7G2
(613) 562 2855
Australian Embassy in Costa Rica
The Canadian Embassy also provides consular advice to Australians
Costa Rican Embassy in Australia
11th Floor, De la Sala House, 30 Clarence Street, Sydney New South Wales 2000
PO BOX 2513, Sydney, NSW 2001.
02 9261 1177
South African Embassy in Costa Rica
Estación Ferrocarril al Pacífico, 150metres north of the main entrance, between Calle 16 and Calle 18, San José Costa Rica
PO BOX 28161000 San José
+(506) 222 1470
Costa Rican Embassy in South Africa
56 Dennis Road, Blandford Ridge, PO bOX 68140, Sandton, Johannesburg
+27 117 053 434
*** Please note that New Zealand and Ireland do not have Embassies in Costa Rica ***
