Costa Rica entry requirements for India passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 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
Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Costa Rica. Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa. Processing can take several weeks, so plan ahead.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply for a Costa Rica visa | You need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your country of residence — there is no eVisa system. Processing takes 10–15 business days. Submit your application at least 3 weeks before departure.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. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires before you leave, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure | Immigration officers at San José Airport (SJO) ask for a return or onward ticket before granting entry. Have a printed copy or a digital version on your phone ready. Airlines also check this at check-in. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Officers may ask for a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Have a printed copy or a digital version on your phone. A simple booking confirmation from Booking.com or Airbnb works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Immigration may ask for bank statements, credit cards, or cash to prove you have at least $100 per day of your stay. Have a recent bank statement or a credit card with a sufficient limit ready. | Recommended |
No visa on arrival
Indian passport holders cannot get a visa at the airport. You must have a visa issued by a Costa Rican embassy before you fly. Airlines will check this before boarding.
Embassy locations in India
Costa Rica has an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai. Contact them directly for appointment availability and document requirements.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at the embassy
Contact the Costa Rican embassy in New Delhi or consulate in Mumbai to schedule an appointment. Submit the application form, passport, photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements, and proof of employment or funds. Pay the visa fee. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
2
Wait for visa approval
The embassy will process your application and may request additional documents. Once approved, you'll receive a visa sticker in your passport. Check the validity dates carefully.
3
Travel to Costa Rica
Arrive at San José's Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) or Liberia's Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). Present your passport with the visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof. Immigration may ask about your plans — answer clearly.
4
Enter and enjoy your stay
You'll be stamped in for up to 30 days (or as specified on your visa). Keep your passport safe. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for an extension before your current stay expires.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · India Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$30 USD (approx. INR 2,500)
Standard single-entry visa for tourism. Must be used within 3 months.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost$60 USD (approx. INR 5,000)
Allows multiple entries; each stay up to 90 days.
Long-stay visa (temporary residence)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$250 USD (approx. INR 21,000) application fee
For those seeking longer stays; requires proof of income or investment.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
1 year, renewable
$250 USD application fee + $100 USD annual renewal
For retirees with a permanent pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of pension and background check. Allows permanent residency after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad/Income)
1 year, renewable
$250 USD application fee + $100 USD annual renewal
For individuals with a guaranteed monthly income of at least $2,500 USD from foreign sources. No work permit needed for remote work. Renewable annually.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
1 year, renewable
$500 USD application fee + $200 USD annual renewal
For investors who invest at least $200,000 USD in Costa Rican real estate or business. Leads to permanent residency after 3 years.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Fee for Indian passport holders applying for a single-entry tourist visa. | $30 USD (approx. INR 2,500) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Fee for multiple-entry tourist visa, valid for up to 90 days. | $60 USD (approx. INR 5,000) |
| Stay extension feeExtension of stay up to 90 days, subject to immigration approval. | $50 USD (approx. INR 4,200) per extension |
| Overstay fineOverstay fines are calculated monthly; maximum fine is $500 USD. | $100 USD per month (approx. INR 8,400) or part thereof |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%
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
Indian passport holders transiting through Costa Rica do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 12 hours. However, if you need to enter the country (e.g., to change airports or overnight), a tourist visa is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, UK, 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 yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Colombia). Must have certificate.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialInfluenzaRecommended
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; present in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks reported.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis is not routinely recommended but consider for remote jungle 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 6, Calle 14, San José
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main immigration office for extensions and visa applications. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle 4, Avenida 3, Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for the Guanacaste area; handles extensions and permits.
Practical information for IN 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
Yes. Indian passport holders must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling. There is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option.
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks after you submit your application. Apply well in advance of your planned travel date.
You'll need a valid passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, passport-sized photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements (last 3–6 months), proof of employment or income, and a cover letter explaining your travel purpose.
The visa fee is typically around $30–$50 USD, but it varies by embassy. Check with the specific consulate for the exact amount and payment method.
Yes, you can apply for an extension at the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in San José. You must apply before your current visa expires. Extensions are not guaranteed.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next available flight. There is no visa-on-arrival for Indian passport holders.
Costa Rica does not require yellow fever vaccination for travelers from India unless you have recently visited a country with yellow fever. Check current health requirements before travel.
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.