Costa Rica entry requirements for Finland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 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
Finnish passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days. This has been the policy since at least 2024. Just show up with your passport and a return ticket — no application needed.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Finnish passport needs to be valid only for the time you plan to stay in Costa Rica — no 6-month rule here. Airlines at Helsinki or connecting hubs may still ask for 6 months validity, so check with Finnair or your carrier before departure. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Costa Rica | Immigration officers at San José (SJO) routinely ask for a return or onward ticket before stamping you in. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight out of Costa Rica ready — they check this at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers sometimes ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their contact details handy. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Costa Rica doesn't publish a fixed minimum, but carrying a credit card and some cash ($500+ equivalent) covers you if asked. ATMs are widely available in San José and tourist areas. | Recommended |
Overstaying is expensive
The 180-day stay is not extendable. If you overstay, you'll be fined around $100 per month and risk a 3-year re-entry ban. Set a calendar reminder to leave on time.
Border runs are possible but not guaranteed
If you want to reset your 180 days, you can leave Costa Rica for 72 hours (e.g., to Panama or Nicaragua) and re-enter. Immigration may grant another 90 or 180 days, but they can also refuse entry. Have a return ticket and proof of funds ready.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at San José Airport (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)
You'll land at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José, or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. Follow signs to 'Migración' — it's the same queue for all nationalities.
2
Present your passport and documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and hotel booking. Have them ready on your phone or printed. They'll stamp your passport — check the stamp says the number of days granted (usually 90 or 180).
3
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, grab your bags from the carousel, then walk through customs (green for nothing to declare, red if you have goods over $500). That's it — you're in.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Finland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 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:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$30 USD (estimated)
Apply at a Costa Rican embassy if you need a longer stay than visa-free allows.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~$60 USD (estimated)
Useful for frequent travelers; allows multiple entries within validity.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost~$250 USD (estimated)
For those with a guaranteed monthly income of at least $2,500 USD from abroad.
Digital nomad visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD (estimated)
For remote workers with proof of income; allows tax benefits.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee
For retirees with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Allows permanent residency after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Teletrabajo)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD application fee
For remote workers with proof of income of at least $3,000 USD/month. Exempt from income tax on foreign earnings.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD application fee + investment
For those investing at least $200,000 USD in real estate or a business. Leads to permanent residency.
work visa
Trabajador Visa (Work)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD application fee
Requires a job offer from a Costa Rican employer and approval from the Ministry of Labor. Employer must sponsor.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable; you must leave and re-enter if you wish to stay longer. | Not available |
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry covers tourist visits; no visa required. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry covers multiple visits within the 180-day limit per entry. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fineOverstay fines are assessed upon departure; avoid overstaying to prevent bans. | ~$100 USD per month (estimated) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
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
Finnish passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, as long as they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- If you need to leave the airport (e.g., to collect luggage or change terminals), you must clear immigration and may be subject to visa-free entry rules.
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 yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialInfluenzaRecommended
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; common in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks occur.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis is generally not recommended for standard itineraries.
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, Costa Rica
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency applications; arrive early to avoid long waits.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Useful for travelers in the Guanacaste region; handles extensions and permits.
Practical information for FI 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 = 454.93 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 period is not extendable. You must leave before it expires. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban from re-entry.
You can't extend. You'll need to leave Costa Rica for at least 72 hours (a 'border run') and then re-enter. Immigration may grant another 90 or 180 days at their discretion. This is not guaranteed — they can refuse entry.
No. Finnish citizens transiting through Costa Rica (staying airside) do not need a visa. But if you plan to leave the airport, you'll need to go through immigration under the visa-free rules above.
You'll be fined approximately $100 per month overstayed, payable at the immigration office in San José. Overstays can also lead to a 3-year ban from re-entering Costa Rica.
Technically, the visa-free entry is for tourism only. Remote work for a foreign employer is a grey area — many digital nomads do it, but officially you'd need a work permit or the new 'Rentista' visa for long-term stays. For short trips under 180 days, it's rarely enforced.
No. Costa Rica does not require an online arrival declaration for Finnish passport holders. You just show your passport at immigration.
The currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, but you'll get change in colóns. Bring some USD cash for taxis and small shops — ATMs are common in cities.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.