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Requirements

• Planning Your Trip
• Entry Requirements

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Requirements to enter the country.

Entry to Costa Rica has been opened to tourists from all countries.

All tourists must comply with the immigration processes established in the General Immigration and Aliens Act (Ley General de Migración y Extrangería).

During your visit in Costa Rica, you are required to comply with the health protocols put in place by private companies when participating in any tourism activities in the country.

In accordance with Article 42 of the General Law on Immigration and Aliens (No. 8764) and Article 30 of the Immigration Control Regulation (Executive Decree No. 36769-G), foreign nationals intending to enter Costa Rica must provide:

• A valid passport or travel document. Passports and travel documents will only be accepted if they can be read electronically in line with the guidelines established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and must be valid for the period set forth in these guidelines.
• Visa, if required under these guidelines.
• Proof of economic means, with a minimum of US$100.00 (one hundred US dollars) per month or partial month of legal stay in the country.
• Return ticket to the country of origin or plan of onward travel that includes the next destination.
• No impediment to entering Costa Rican territory.

MAXIMUM STAY:

The maximum legal stay for foreign nationals will be determined by the immigration agent upon their entry into the country.

Countries in the first group: UP TO 180 CALENDAR DAYS, NON-EXTENDABLE 

Countries in the second group: UP TO 30 CALENDAR DAYS

Countries in the third group: UP TO 30 CALENDAR DAYS, EXTENDABLE

Countries in the fourth group: UP TO 30 CALENDAR DAYS, EXTENDABLE

Please remember:

• In order to enter Costa Rica, you will need a ticket for a return flight, which the immigration official will ask to see when you arrive. It is recommended that you make a photocopy of your passport with the entry stamp, which you should carry with you at all times during your stay.
• The number of days you are permitted to stay in Costa Rica will depend on the group your country of origin belongs to.
• The immigration official may ask you to demonstrate that you have the funds needed for your stay in the country.
• The immigration official may indicate in your passport that your permitted stay will be for a different amount of time.
• Visitors to Costa Rica must have a valid passport and proof that they will be leaving the country before their visa or entry stamp expires.

All travelers must therefore have a ticket for return or onward travel.

Non-residents must have a ticket for return or onward travel if they:

Are arriving on a one-way ticket.

Are entering the country with a return ticket that is more than 90 days after their date of arrival.

Are flying to Costa Rica and flying out of a different country.

By law, a return or onward travel ticket may be on one of the following means of approved commercial transportation:

• A pre-purchased bus ticket out of the country.
• A pre-purchased flight out of the country.
• Proof of passage on a cruise ship.

Obligatory declarations when entering or leaving Costa Rica:

When entering or leaving a port of entry to Costa Rica, if you are carrying an amount equal to or greater than US$10,000 in cash or securities, or its equivalent in other currencies, you must request and complete the form designated for this purpose in the immigration checkpoint and present it to the Customs Authority for verification. The declaration must be made before finalizing the corresponding immigration procedures.

Failure to follow the provisions of Costa Rican law (No. 8204, Article 35) will result in the immediate forfeiture of the money.

What kind of vaccines do visitors to Costa Rica need?

As of July 30, 2007, Costa Rican authorities require all travelers from the following countries to have a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, as well as the Republic of Guyana.

If you need more information, please click here

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for a US Visa as a Costa Rican or Central American Citizen

• by CA Staff
• April 23, 2023
• Costa Rica , Travel

As the visa process for Costa Ricans (and other Central American citizens) entering the United States is about to become more expensive, here’s a rundown on how to apply for said visa in the first place.

Citizens of Costa Rica and non-citizen residents interested in visiting the United States for tourism, on business, or for medical treatment can apply for a 10-year multiple entry visit visa. This visa, known as the B1/B2 visa, allows for multiple visits to the US within the visa’s validity period.

An overview of the USA 10-Year multiple entry visa

The USA 10-Year Multiple Entry Visit Visa comprises the B1 Business Visitor Visa , which is for business-related purposes, and the B2 Tourist Visitor Visa , which covers tourism, visiting friends and relatives, and medical treatment. With this visa, you can enter the United States multiple times within the 10-year validity period, with each visit lasting a maximum of six months. It eliminates the need to apply for a visa each time you visit the United States.

B1/B2 Visa The B-1 Visa is for business purposes. The B-2 Visa is for tourism or other non-business purposes. These non-immigrant visas are issued by the US government to foreign citizens seeking entry for a temporary period. #quikTake qt-ni-visa-020 by #borderObserver pic.twitter.com/XIWe1OlLMh — The Border Observer (@borderObserver) April 21, 2023

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the 10-year multiple entry visa, applicants must:

• Be a Costa Rican citizen or non-citizen resident (this process does not apply to citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries).
• Intend to visit the US for business, tourism, or medical treatment purposes.
• Prove the intention to return to Costa Rica after their visit to the United States.
• Show evidence of sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay in the United States.
• Not have a criminal record or pose a security risk to the United States.

Documents required for applicants

Applicants will need to submit the following documents as part of their visa application:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended departure date from the United States.
• A recent passport-sized photograph that meets U.S, visa photo requirements.
• A completed Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, submitted online and a printed confirmation page.
• Proof of visa application fee payment.
• Evidence of ties to Costa Rica, such as employment or property ownership documents, to demonstrate the intent to return after the visit.
• Financial documents, such as bank statements, to prove the ability to cover expenses during the trip to the United States.
• If applicable, documents related to the purpose of the trip, such as a business invitation letter, conference registration, or medical treatment records.

Application process

Step 1: complete the ds-160 form.

Complete the DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, online. Provide accurate and complete information about yourself, your passport, travel plans, and other relevant details. After submitting the form, print the confirmation page, which you will need for the visa interview.

Step 2: Pay the visa application fee

The visa application fee for a B1/B2 visa is currently $160 USD ( this will increase to $185 from May 30th, 2023 ). Pay the fee according to the instructions provided on the US Embassy website in Costa Rica . Keep the receipt, as you’ll need to show it to them during the visa interview.

Step 3: Schedule a visa interview

Schedule a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica. To do this, visit the embassy website and follow the instructions provided. Schedule the interview as early as possible, as appointment wait times can vary depending on the time of year.

Step 4: Prepare for the visa interview

Gather all the required documents before the visa interview, including the DS-160 confirmation page, passport, photograph, visa application fee receipt, and any supporting documents related to the purpose of travel and financial situation. Review the information provided in the DS-160 form and prepare to answer questions about the purpose of the visit, plans while in the United States, and ties to Costa Rica.

Step 5: Attend the visa interview

Arrive at the embassy with all required documents on the day of the interview. During the interview, a consular officer will ask questions about your travel plans, background, and financial situation to determine eligibility for the B1/B2 visa. Answer all questions truthfully and provide any information or documents requested by the consular officer.

Step 6: Submit biometrics and additional documents

After the interview, you may be required to submit biometrics, such as fingerprints and a digital photograph, and any additional documents requested by the consular officer. These requirements will be explained during the visa interview.

Step 7: Visa processing and issuance

After the interview, the consular officer will determine whether you are eligible for a B1/B2 visa. If approved, the visa will be processed and issued within a few days to several weeks, depending on the specific circumstances. You will be notified when your passport and visa are ready for pick-up or delivery.

On May 30, 2023, the application fee for U.S. visitor visas and other non-petition based NIVs will increase from $160 to $185. Petition-based (H, L, O, P, Q, and R) visa fees will increase from $190 to $205. E visa application fees will increase from $205 to $315. Fees paid prior… pic.twitter.com/QycMB0mYD1 — U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa (@usembassyhn) April 22, 2023

Visa validity and duration of stay

The 10-year multiple entry visit visa allows holders to travel to the United States for multiple visits during the validity of the visa. Each visit can last up to six months, depending on the discretion of the U.S. immigration officer at the port of entry. Note that the 10-year visa validity does not guarantee entry to the US – you must still satisfy the immigration officer of your admissibility each time you seek entry.

Visa denials and ineligibilities

Some applicants may be denied a B1/B2 visa due to various reasons, such as insufficient documentation, failure to demonstrate non-immigrant intent, or ineligibility based on security or health grounds.

If denied, you can reapply for a visa by submitting a new application with additional supporting documents or addressing the issues that led to the denial. In some cases, you may be eligible for a waiver of ineligibility, which can be requested during the visa interview.

Please note that when you’re denied, you will not receive a refund on the money you’ve paid for your application. In many cases, you won’t receive a reason for them denying you either, which makes it hard to address any issues from the previous interview.

Tips for a successful visa application

To increase the chances of a successful B1/B2 visa application, you should:

• Ensure all the information provided in the DS-160 form is accurate and complete.
• Gather strong supporting documents to show the purpose of the visit, financial ability to cover expenses, and ties to Costa Rica.
• Prepare for the visa interview by reviewing the information provided in the DS-160 form and being ready to answer questions about the visit and your background.
• Follow the instructions provided by the embassy for scheduling the interview, paying the visa application fee, and submitting required documents.

The USA 10-Year Multiple Entry Visit Visa offers Costa Rican citizens and non-citizen residents the opportunity to visit the United States for business, tourism, or medical treatment purposes. By understanding the eligibility criteria, gathering the necessary documents, and following the application process steps, applicants can increase their chances of obtaining this valuable visa.

The process outlined above to get a B1/B2 Visa to enter the United States also apply throughout Central America. If you’re a Belizean, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran, Nicaraguan, or Panamanian in your own country, you will need to apply in the same way at the U.S. embassy in Belmopan, San Salvador, Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, Managua, or Panama City.

If you seek to enter Europe, however, most Central American citizens don’t need to apply for a visa. All Central Americans apart from citizens of Belize can enter Europe visa-free and can take advantage of the upcoming ETIAS visa waiver program .

A look at where Central Americans and expats living in Central America can travel to in Europe under the ETIAS visa waiver program set to start in November 2023. https://t.co/3OgvxnTt8e — Central America Living (@VidaAmerica) January 12, 2023

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Costa Rica Guide

Travel information and maps, passports & visas.

NOTE: As always tourist visas are issued to most visitors (see list of automatic visa countries ) upon arrival.  However, the length of stay indicated on the visa  may be less than  the previously automatic 90 days. 

Proper documentation is the sole responsibility of each traveler.  This information was accurate at the time of writing, but Costa Rican immigration is the only authoritative source for passport, visa and other entry requirements (their website migracion.go.cr has pdf documents with specifics for each country of origin and the requirements).

If entry is denied travelers normally do not receive any refund for airline tickets or missed vacations.  Most travel insurance is not valid if travelers do not have proper documentation.

visas | covid | passport validity | immunizations | kids | onward travel | xerox

The U.S. Department of State and the equivalent offices in other countries make the general  recommendation that if your passport expires within six months of your travel dates you should renew it.

Costa Rican Immigration Requirements

If you are traveling on a U.S., Canadian or European Union Passport you do not have to apply for a visa in advance (see list of other easy entry countries ).

When you arrive in Costa Rica the minimum requirements are

• a valid * passport in good condition
• an onward ticket (to leave Costa Rica at the end of your vacation)
• $300 U.S. (you don’t have to pay $300 just show that you have at least that much). A little known requirement is that you be able to show “proof of economic sufficiency”.  It’s not clear how you’re going to survive on $3.30 a day ($300 divided by 90 day visa) but that’s the number.  We’ve only heard of this coming up once and it seemed probable that the immigration official just didn’t like the attitude of the potential visitor.  Be polite.

The requirements for entry into Costa Rica are subject to change at any time and without notice and it is the sole responsibility of the traveler to ensure they are in compliance. Please check the Costa Rican government links or call the offices listed below for the current official requirements.

The Costa Rica Embassy in the U.S. maintains a list of requirements for individual countries in English.  The Ministerio de Gobernación y Policía Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería has the official version in Spanish – visa requirements for all countries

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores -Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be able to help if you’re not on the list of “easy entry” citizens. P.O. Box: 10027-1000 San José, Costa Rica Phone : (506) 2223-7555 / 2223-0522 Fax : (506) 2223-60-94

Visa Extensions

Ultimately it is up to the discretion of the immigration official on duty to determine whether you will be granted permission to enter Costa Rica and for how long.

Historically tourist visas have automatically been issued for 90 days.

The U.S. embassy states that it is impossible to obtain a visa extension from inside of Costa Rica and visitors wishing to stay longer must leave the country and return; thus obtaining a new visa.  Technically according to immigration it is possible to get an extension but like most bureaucracy in Costa Rica it is so convoluted and difficult it may as well be impossible.

Here are the online instructions to request a Costa Rica Visa extension   including where to deposit the $100 application fee.  They are only available in Spanish so google translate is helpful.

As usual however, there are “alternative” solutions.

First, there are no established penalties for overstaying a tourist visa.  The lawmakers have battled about it for years and scofflaws have always been punished by an unofficial policy of making things difficult and harassment when they tried to return.

Second, an immigration official informed us that if you make an appointment to apply for residency (at migracion.co.cr or by calling 1311) you will receive an e-mail confirmation of the appointment and that will automatically extend your tourist visa to 90 days no matter what is stamped in your passport.  Seriously.  We couldn’t make this stuff up if we tried.

Immunizations & Health Certificates

There are no Covid related requirements or restrictions of any kind for anyone to enter or travel around Costa Rica.

For 99% of visitors there are no health certificates or immunizations required to enter Costa Rica

The only vaccination requirement is for citizens of or travelers coming from a country in South America or Africa where yellow fever is present.  If you have stayed in (transit through an airport or port does not count) one of the countries where it is endemic you will need

• a certificate of immunization dated at least a week before your arrival in Costa Rica
• passport stamp(s) showing you have spent at least one week in a country with no yellow fever
• a normal (37 °C, 98.6 °F) body temperature

Your Airline Will Try to Help With Visa and Passport Questions

Typically if you are denied entry to Costa Rica the airline that you arrived on is held responsible by immigration, must pay a fine, and must fly you home within 24 hours.  Since this is expensive and inconvenient for the airline they typically try to be sure you will be permitted to enter.  Most airlines request your passport information at the time you purchase your tickets and if you need to renew or apply for a visa they will let you know.

Most airlines check again before they allow you to board the plane, but that’s not a very helpful time to find out that you should have renewed your passport.

The airlines use something called TIMATIC WEB 2 which costs €499 ($550) per year plus €0.15 per inquiry to access current information from the International Air Transport Association (IATA – airline trade association) .

Valid vs Invalid Passports

An unsigned passport is not valid and cannot be signed once presented to an immigration official.  A torn, smudged or otherwise damaged passport may not be valid.  A passport without sufficient space for new stamps is not valid.

¡Sign Your Passport!

If you’ve gotten a new passport for your Costa Rica travels please remember to sign it!  Your passport is not valid until you sign it and if you hand it to the immigration official unsigned they may declare you ineligible for entry and send you home.  You may not be allowed to sign it on the spot .  No kidding.

The argument is that the passport could be stolen and belong to someone else (who just happens to look identical to you).  Of course if they let you sign it then try to validate your signature by having you sign a piece of paper the two signatures will look the same because they are both “forged” by the same person who “stole” the passport of someone who looks identical to the person in the picture (you).

Once they’ve decided, you’re done for, and it won’t matter that you’ve also got a drivers license, library card and half a dozen credit cards that are already signed – you’ll be on your way home.

Age Doesn’t Matter

Everyone regardless of age and regardless of whether they are traveling with their parents or not must have their own passport and electronic health pass .

According to the Costa Rican Embassy in the U.S. “Minors who are not Costa Rican nationals nor legal residents in Costa Rica do not require a permit from the parents to enter/exit Costa Rica. However, we recommend a letter of consent duly notarized from the parent who is not accompanying the minor.”

We strongly recommend you follow that advice and make sure your kids under 18 are accompanied by a signed and notarized letter giving the parent or guardian who is traveling permission to cross the border with the minor.

Onward Tickets

You may read a lot of false information on the internet saying that an onward ticket is not really required.  Do not assume that this requirement will not be enforced or you may find yourself headed home instead of the beach.

We traveled from Costa Rica to Panama and back and were required to show onward tickets when crossing the border in both directions.  In addition we were actually required to show that we had tickets back to our passport issuing country. So when we crossed from Cost Rica to Panama we had to show tickets for the Nature Air flight to San José and tickets for the Southwest Airlines flight from San José to Denver.

For traveler’s that do not have an onward ticket the most common solution is to simply buy one and cancel it within 24 hours.  Nearly all airlines issue full refunds for at least one day.  Another option is to use one of the many onwardticket dot com services.  These are registered travel agencies who’s only function is to purchase fully refundable tickets and cancel them a couple of days later.  They charge $12-$20 per ticket to do it for you so you don’t have to remember to cancel.

visas | passport validity | immunizations | kids | onward travel | xerox

Green Cards, Residence Permits & Trans National Permissions

There are all sorts of special cases from special places but the most common one we get questions about is whether a U.S. Green Card (or European Union Residence Card etc.) can be used for travel to Costa Rica.  The answer is sometimes yes.  As this wikipedia page explains in some circumstances citizens of countries like India which would normally require a Costa Rican Visa may travel for up to 30 days if they also hold a Green Card valid for at least six months after arrival.

Sound complicated?  It is.  If you’re a special case please check with the official resources listed above to make sure you’ve got it figured out.

Immunization Records

Immunization records (such as a WHO card or doctor’s letter) are only required for travelers who have passports stamps indicating that they have recently traveled to an area where yellow fever is present.  If you’ve been to Asia, Africa or South America you may need evidence of a yellow fever immunization.

Driver’s License

U.S., Canadian and European driver’s licenses are valid to rent and drive a car in Costa Rica for the period of your Visa.  You do not need an international or Costa Rican driver’s license unless you stay longer than the Visa duration stamped in your passport.

If your driver’s license expires during your travels there is no grace period.  Renew it at least one month in advance of your travel or you may end up like I recently did with crossed fingers and a temporary license that probably wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on .

Make a Xerox Copy of Your Passport

After you arrive it’s a good idea to make a copy or take a photo of your passport ( both the picture & info page and  visa/entry stamp pages – you can’t do it at home because you won’t have the required visa/entry stamp until you enter).

Your passport is required for ID and must technically be on your person at all times.  However, you are allowed to leave your passport in the hotel safe and carry a copy of these two pages instead.  If you are driving you are technically required to carry your original.

Taking photos with your phone or digital camera may work (we’ve talked our way through immigration stops with a photo a couple of times), but technically a paper Xerox copy is required.   If you’re renting a car the agency makes copies for their records so you can ask them to make an extra for you.  If you’re not getting a car ask at your hotel or lodge if they have a copy machine.

Seems obvious but the automatic reflex to fold the copy and stick it in your passport is a very bad idea… put it somewhere else so if your passport is lost or stolen you have the information to start the replacement process.

NOTE: A paper copy is more helpful if your U.S. passport is lost or stolen – no cell phones, laptops or other electronics are allowed to be carried into the embassy.

List of Countries With Easy Entry into Costa Rica

Passport holders from all of the countries listed below are allowed entry into Costa Rica for a maximum of 90 days (non-renewable) without obtaining a consular Visa in advance.  In other words, just show up and they’ll let you in unless Interpol or the FBI is after you or there are other extenuating circumstances.

No Consular (in advance) Visa Required.  Just Show up with a Passport valid for at least ONE DAY .

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada , Croatia, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany , United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Qatar, Estonia , Finland, France , Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands , Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Monaco, San Marino, Peru, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Africa, Kingdom of Great Britain , Northern Ireland, Czech Republic, Republic of South Korea, Hellenic Republic (Greece), Romania, Holy See, Singapore, Sweden , Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America , Uruguay

No Consular (in advance) Visa Required.  Just Show up with a Passport valid for at least 90 DAYs .

Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Brunei State, Russian Federation, Philippines, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Naurupalaos, Kingdom of Tonga, Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Suriname, Taiwan, Tuvalu, Turkey, Ukraine, Vanuatu, Venezuela

Don’t Underestimate the Capacity of Bureaucrats for Pettiness

To be on the safe side we personally renew our passports at least three months before they are scheduled to expire.

Previously Costa Rica required passports be valid for at least three months.  This caused international tension and a nightmare for the tourism industry when immigration officials refused entry to families on vacation because their passports expired eight or ten weeks after their vacation was scheduled to end.

The policy was changed and in early 2016 the Costa Rican embassy website stated that passports from the U.S., Canada and E.U. only needed to be valid on the day of arrival.  As crazy as the previous requirement seemed, granting entry on a passport that expires the next day seems even crazier.  Foreign visitors are not allowed to travel around using an expired passport and won’t be allowed to return home using an expired passport.

Even if someone convinced an airline to fly them to Costa Rica a day before their passport expired their only legitimate options would be to return home the same day or head straight to their embassy for an emergency renewal.

As mentioned above we renew our passports at least three months before they are scheduled to expire just to avoid this sort of silliness.

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Costa Rica Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 17, 2023, costa rica - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to  crime .

Country Summary:  While petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica, violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, occurs in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas frequented by tourists.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Costa Rica.

If you decide to travel to Costa Rica:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• U.S. citizens should always exercise caution when traveling abroad.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook,   Twitter, and Instagram .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Costa Rica.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. 

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, costa rica map, search for travel advisories, external link.

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This Is Your Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List

Costa rica packing list – what to know.

P acking for any international trip can be overwhelming, but packing for your Costa Rica vacation can be especially difficult. Even though it’s a small country, there are a wide variety of climates, activities, places to go, and types of transportation to take into consideration.

You should consider your type of transportation when planning your Costa Rica packing list. For example, if you are planning to rent a car in Costa Rica , you may have a little bit more leeway in your packing as you can take suitcases that are a bit bigger. (Do keep in mind that cars, in general, are smaller in Costa Rica, and that includes the trunk space.)

If you are planning to take private transportation, you can pretty much plan to pack as much as you want. However, if you are taking the public bus, you can plan to pack extremely light, as your bags will either be on your lap while you travel or under the bus if you are comfortable.

You should also consider how many climate zones you are visiting in Costa Rica . For example, if you are only visiting the beach, you will not need as many clothes as you would if you are visiting La Fortuna or Monteverde, where the weather gets cooler at night. Make sure to do your own research about the weather in Costa Rica for your specific area when you think about packing.

Finally, you should consider local customs when visiting Costa Rica . Generally, people in the city dress nicely for every day. Think dresses, black or khaki pants, closed-toed shoes. If you are going to dinner or a local’s house in the city, you should not wear shorts. Going to a local’s house on the beach you might wear shorts, but they would be on the dressier side.

Depending on activities you may need closed-toed shoes, a dry bag, or even fancy clothes if you have a special event such as a wedding.

You may visit Costa Rica only for the beaches and not need some of the items on this list. You may only visit the rainforest and not need some of the items on this list. The most important thing to remember is to try to pack light and to do what you need to feel comfortable depending on your situation.

This is a comprehensive Costa Rica packing list, but by no means do you have to bring everything on this list. Tailor it to your specific situation.

When packing with kids, there are some additional packing tips, which I have included here as well. Let’s get started with the ultimate Costa Rica packing list! Pura vida!

RELATED POST: 7 Days in Costa Rica – With Kids!

Clothing For Costa Rica

Considerations- it is very hard to get clothing to dry in the tropical climate of Costa Rica, especially cotton. You can dry items on the airconditioners if your hotel room has them, but make sure to either take lightweight non-cotton fabric or enough clothing to have a change of clothes for your entire trip. Unlike other Latin American countries, laundry services are not widely available in Costa Rica.

• short sleeve shirts
• long sleeves (only need one, can protect from mosquitos better than mosquito repellent )
• light jacket (if visiting the Central Valley or higher elevations)
• long pants (especially for horseback riding or for hiking in the forest to protect your legs)
• bra/underwear
• cover-ups (I like to rash guards with SPF already built-in)
• shoes (read our complete guide to shoes in Costa Rica )
• rain jacket (in the rainy season)- you can also just buy $1 ponchos at the grocery store which is what I do
• contact lenses and glasses

RELATED POST: Costa Rica With Kids- The Complete Guide

Join the Costa Rica With Kids Facebook Group. Ask all the Costa Rica Travel questions you want- we will answer them!

Baby gear- costa rica with kids.

We all know that traveling with kids brings a new set of Costa Rica packing list issues. After having both lived in Costa Rica and traveled there with my kids for the past 10 years, I’ve got you covered. I started with my kids in Costa Rica at 3 months old!

Note- in the larger metropolitan areas of Costa Rica (such as San Jose and Liberia) there are Wal-Marts where you can buy many of the things we have in the US. Once you determine the specific area to which you are travelling, you can often get onto Facebook groups and find locals who are renting or lending baby equipment.

• Stroller (you may not need one if you are not going to an area that has decent sidewalks)
• Baby carrier – my preference for holding babies in Costa Rica as you tend to do a lot of walking on uneven surfaces. The Baby Bjorn is my all time favorite.
• Car seat or booster seat – these are not the same quality in Costa Rica and the heat can really break down the plastic so we always bring our own.
• Things to do – we like to bring these wildlife guides and use them as a scavenger hunt
• Diapers and wipes – you will need these for your trip there and away. Diapers and wipes are available extremely widely across Costa Rica for really cheap. I also like Costa Rican diapers better as they are made for the climate in Costa Rica and don’t get so hot for the kids. Diapers in Costa Rica are about the same price as the US.
• Closed-toe shoes – I think it best for kids to have closed-toe shoes so that they avoid bug bites and fire ants. I also take water shoes for the beach.
• Ziplock bags/plastic bags – all the ziplock bags. I use them for everything from waterproof bags to snacks to wet clothing
• Speaking of snacks , there are tons of delicious snacks available across Costa Rica so we pack just what we need for there and back. I do always take a whole box of granola bars though as the granola bars in Costa Rica aren’t really that filling. There is tons of good fruit in Costa Rica , and I bring a paring knife and cutting board so I can just cut up fruit that I buy on the side of the road.
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper (you can easily get rolls of this in grocery stores, but always have some with me)

RELATED POST: Guide to Planning a Trip To Costa Rica For Your Family

Medicines For Costa Rica

Pharmacies in Costa Rica generally do not require prescriptions for many of the meds that we need scripts for in the USA, but if your kid gets sick and pharmacies aren’t close by or open, it can be good to have a few of the meds you need in with you.

• First aid kit
• Insect repellent (dengue fever and malaria are minor concerns, you can read more about mosquitos in Costa Rica here)
• Any of your prescription medications
• Allergy medicine
• Anti-itch cream
• Ibuprofen- for some reason, it is really easy to get acetaminophen in Costa Rica, but I have trouble finding Ibuprofren
• Cough/cold medicine (if you forget make sure to buy Tusilexil in Costa Rica it is the BEST cold med- I bring it home when every trip!)
• Anti-diarrheal (if you are worried your child has gotten a bacterial infection you can ask for Diacort at the pharmacy and it will clear right up)
• COVID tests
• Antibiotics (I do not take antibiotics with me. I ask my pharmacists for the dosing for my kids and I write it down. If I need an antibiotic I take the dosing to the pharmacy there and ask for what I need)

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Gear For Costa Rica

These are the day-to-day essential items you will need as you go on excursions, to the beach, and walk throughout town.

• Diaper bag (if applicable)
• Reusable water bottle for each member of the family. You CAN drink the tap water in Costa Rica , so bringing a reusable water bottle is a great idea. We like the double-walled ones .
• Sunscreen (try for reef-friendly please.) Note that sunscreen in Costa Rica is extremely expensive so bring it from home, and bring the highest UV protection possible
• Bug spray – this is more widely available in Costa Rica in recent years, but it is usually the DEET. We use these natural repellent bracelets and love them.
• Security belt
• Travel umbrella
• Physical Costa Rica map (just in case you don’t have internet and need to find out where to go. Plus it’s fun for the kids to look at)
• Guidebook (see our guidebook recommendations in this post.)
• Earplugs (between the birds chirping, the muffler-less cars and the weed whackers, you will want some if you are a light sleeper)

RELATED POST: Top Family Activities in Costa Rica

Technology For Costa Rica

There are different levels of comfort with what technology you will need in Costa Rica, and I’ve written a complete guide to cell phones in Costa Rica here. Technology is more expensive in Costa Rica, so do take care of it so that it doesn’t get stolen.

• An unlocked cell phone (load Google Maps AND Waze)
• SIM card (if you want to buy one ahead of time)
• memory card

RELATED POST: Costa Rica Safety Guide For Families

Documents For Costa Rica

• Passports (please make sure your passport does not expire within 90 days of the return date)
• Debits cards and credit cards – if you want to know more about currency in Costa Rica read this post
• Travel insurance docs (if you choose to purchase)
• Boarding passes/flight information (you may be required to show return flight info at immigration, and I like to have mine printed just in case)

What Not To Pack

• Jewelry – you most likely won’t need it and if you don’t take it you don’t need to worry about it
• Lots of diapers – you can buy them there
• All the snacks you possibly can – you can get them there and you can explore new cuisine
• Tons of cash – you can get cash at the ATMs- see the Costa Rica currency post here

You might also like:

• San Jose Costa Rica Airport Guide
• Best San Jose Costa Rica Airport Hotel
• The Complete Guide To Costa Rican Slang

If you would like to talk to me about a customized itinerary or specific Costa Rica travel advice for your family, (zero sales- just advice!) check out my “ Ask Christa ” page for more information on custom Costa Rica trip planning geared towards families.

The post This Is Your Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List appeared first on Pura Vida Moms .