Costa Rica entry requirements for Chile passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed July 3, 2026·View sources
No visa required
180 days
Max stay
180 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Chilean passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days. This applies to tourism, business, and short-term visits. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa requirementYou can enter Costa Rica without applying for a visa in advance. Visa-free entry | Chilean passport holders do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for tourism or business stays up to 180 days. | Not required |
| Passport validityIf your passport expires within 6 months of arrival, you may be denied entry. 6 months beyond entry | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Costa Rica. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesCosta Rican immigration will stamp your passport; a blank page is needed for that stamp. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must have at least 1 blank visa page (not including endorsement pages) for entry stamps. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketAirlines and immigration often require proof that you will leave Costa Rica before your stay expires. Proof of departure | You may be asked to show a return or onward flight ticket confirming departure from Costa Rica within the authorized stay. | Required |
| Proof of sufficient fundsCarry a credit card or cash to demonstrate you can support yourself during your visit. No fixed amount specified | Immigration may request evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay; no specific minimum amount is published. | Required |
| Arrival declarationYou do not need to fill out any digital form before traveling. Not required | No online arrival declaration or pre-registration is required for Chilean passport holders entering Costa Rica. | Not required |
| eVisa applicationYou do not need to apply for an electronic visa. Not applicable | No eVisa is required for Chilean passport holders traveling to Costa Rica. | Not required |
| Maximum stayOverstaying can result in fines or future entry bans. 180 days per visit | You are allowed to stay up to 180 days per entry. Extensions are not permitted. | Required |
180 days is generous — but not extendable
You get a full 180 days visa-free, but you cannot extend it. If you need more time, you must leave the country and re-enter. Plan accordingly.
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines check your passport validity at check-in. If it's less than 6 months from your arrival date, they will deny boarding. No exceptions.
What happens at the border
1
Arrival at immigration counter
At San José's Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) or Liberia Airport (LIR), follow signs to 'Migración' after baggage claim. Join the queue for foreign passports. Have your passport, return ticket (screenshot), and first-night accommodation confirmation ready. The officer will stamp your passport and typically grant 90 days, but you can stay up to 180. No forms to fill out.
2
Passport control interview
The officer will ask a few quick questions: purpose of visit, how long you're staying, where you're staying. Answer honestly and briefly. They rarely ask for proof of funds, but have a credit card or cash handy just in case. The whole process takes 2-5 minutes.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After the stamp, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. You'll walk through a green/red channel — green means nothing to declare. If you're carrying more than $10,000 in cash or goods, use the red channel. Otherwise, just walk out.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Chile Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated July 3, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Extension of stay
Max stay90 additional days
ValidityUp to 270 days total
Cost$50–$100
Apply at local immigration office before current stay expires
Resident visa (temporary)
Max stay1–2 years
ValidityRenewable
Cost$200–$500
Requires proof of income, background check, and legal assistance
digital nomad
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Up to 1 year (renewable for 1 more)
Free application; income requirement $3,000/month
For remote workers; allows stay up to 1 year with possible renewal. Must have health insurance and proof of income.
Apply at Migración website retirement
Pensionado (Retirement) Visa
Permanent after initial 2 years
Approx. $500 in fees
For retirees with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month. Requires legal assistance.
More info at Migración website Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Extension of stay (up to 90 additional days)Applied at immigration office; fee varies | $50–$100 |
| Exit fee (departure tax)Often included in airline ticket; otherwise paid at airport | $29 |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient passport validity30%
Lack of onward/return ticket25%
Insufficient funds20%
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
Chilean passport holders do not need a transit visa for Costa Rica, even for airside transit.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsJuan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Health & vaccines for Costa Rica
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaRecommendedHepatitis BConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Common in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season (May–November).
Zika virusLow risk
Present but low risk; pregnant women should take precautions.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended. Some risk in rural lowlands near borders.
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
La Uruca, San José
Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración Liberia
Calle 4, Avenida 1, Liberia
Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00
Practical information for CL 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, the 180-day visa-free stay is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must leave Costa Rica before day 180 and re-enter. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban.
Not if you're coming directly from Chile. But if you've visited a country with yellow fever (like Brazil or Colombia) within 90 days before arriving, you'll need proof of vaccination. Check with your airline.
You'll be denied boarding by the airline or entry by immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. There are no exceptions.
Technically, the tourist visa doesn't permit local employment. But remote work for a foreign company is generally tolerated. Costa Rica has a separate 'digital nomad' visa for longer stays — check that if you plan to stay more than 180 days.
No, there's no arrival declaration form for Chilean citizens. Just show your passport and answer the officer's questions.
You'll be fined approximately $100 per month of overstay. Pay at the immigration office before leaving. Overstaying more than 90 days can trigger a ban from re-entry for up to 3 years.
Yes, the same visa-free rules apply at land borders. You'll still need a passport valid for 6+ months and a return ticket. Border crossings can be slower — expect 30-60 minutes.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on July 3, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.