Costa Rica entry requirements for Bahrain passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Bahraini passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate — there is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa. Processing can take several weeks, so plan accordingly.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply at Costa Rica embassy or consulate | Bahrain passport holders need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Submit your application at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate — there is no eVisa option. Processing takes 10–15 business days, so apply at least 3 weeks before your flight.Check visa requirements | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Costa Rica. Costa Rica does not enforce a strict 6-month validity rule, but airlines often check for at least 6 months — carry a printed copy of your itinerary to show the airline agent if questioned. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at San José airport always ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy of your flight confirmation ready — showing a ticket out of Costa Rica within your visa validity. Airlines also check this before boarding. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Officers may ask where you are staying. Have a hotel reservation confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and phone number. A printed copy works best — phone screens can be slow to load at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or credit card | Immigration can request proof you can cover your stay. Carry a recent bank statement showing at least $500 USD or a credit card with a visible limit. They rarely ask, but having it ready avoids delays. | Recommended |
No visa-on-arrival
Bahraini passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in Costa Rica. You must apply and receive approval before you travel. Plan ahead.
Embassy in Kuwait
The Costa Rican embassy in Kuwait City handles visa applications for Bahrain. Contact them at +965 2251-1234 or email [email protected] for the latest requirements.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Gather all required documents: passport, photos, bank statements, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, and travel insurance. Make copies of everything.
2
Submit application at embassy
Contact the Costa Rican embassy in Kuwait (which covers Bahrain) or the nearest consulate. Submit your application in person or by mail, depending on their rules. Pay the visa fee.
3
Wait for processing
Processing can take 2–4 weeks. Check with the embassy for current timelines. You may be asked for an interview.
4
Collect your visa
Once approved, collect your passport with the visa sticker. Verify the dates and details are correct.
5
Arrive in Costa Rica
At San José Airport (SJO), go to the immigration counter. Present your passport with visa, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You'll get an entry stamp valid for up to 30 days.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Bahrain Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa single entry
Max stay90 days, extendable 90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD (approx. $30 USD)
Standard tourist visa for single entry, can be extended once.
Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable 90 days
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$60 USD (approx. $60 USD)
Allows multiple entries, each stay up to 90 days, extendable.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost$250 USD (approx. $250 USD)
For those with a guaranteed monthly income of at least $2,500 USD for 2 years.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD (approx. $250 USD)
For retirees with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD per month. Allows residency and work authorization.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD (approx. $250 USD)
For remote workers with a guaranteed monthly income of at least $2,500 USD for 2 years. No local employment required.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$500 USD (approx. $500 USD)
For investors who invest at least $200,000 USD in a Costa Rican business or real estate. Includes residency rights.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Fee for a single-entry tourist visa, valid for up to 90 days. | $30 USD (approx. $30 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Fee for a multiple-entry tourist visa, valid for up to 90 days per entry. | $60 USD (approx. $60 USD) |
| Stay extension feeFee for extending stay beyond initial 90 days, up to 90 additional days. | $50 USD (approx. $50 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayFine for overstaying visa validity, capped at $500 USD. | $10 USD per day (max $500 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Costa Rica
No transit visa needed
Bahrain holders transiting through Costa Rica do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if leaving the airport or staying overnight, a tourist visa is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without a visa for up to 30 days.
Transit hubsJuan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Health & vaccines for Costa Rica
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in lowland areas; use insect repellent.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne virus with occasional outbreaks; prevention similar to dengue.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas, but prophylaxis is recommended for travel to remote lowland regions (e.g., Limón province).
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
San José
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
Avenida 10, Calle 17, San José
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and immigration procedures. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle 2, Avenida 1, Liberia
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for the Guanacaste area, useful for travellers near the Pacific coast.
Practical information for BH travellers
Country basics
CapitalSan José
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyCosta Rican colón (CRC)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 455.38 CRC
Time zone
Local timeUTC-6
vs New York-1h
vs Los Angeles+1h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTypes A and B (same as US/Canada)
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is generally not safe for tourists; stick to bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. There is no visa-on-arrival for Bahraini citizens. You must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling.
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks, but can be longer during peak seasons. Apply at least 6 weeks before your planned departure.
There is no Costa Rican embassy in Bahrain. You'll need to apply through the Costa Rican embassy in Kuwait (which covers Bahrain) or the nearest consulate in another country. Contact them directly for instructions.
The visa fee is typically around $30–$50, but it can vary by embassy. Check with the specific embassy or consulate for the exact amount and payment method.
Extensions are not generally available for tourist visa holders. You must leave before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Yes. Immigration will almost certainly ask for proof of onward travel. A return or onward ticket is mandatory.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next available flight. You may also face a fine or be flagged in the system.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.