Costa Rica entry requirements for Morocco 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
Moroccan passport holders need a visa to enter Costa Rica in 2026. You must apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa option for Moroccan citizens.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Visa required | You need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Processing times vary, so start at least 4 weeks before your trip.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the entire 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 Required for entry | Immigration officers at San José airport always ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to your next destination ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Hotel bookings or an invitation letter from your host can speed up immigration. Officers rarely ask, but having it avoids delays. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Officers may ask how you plan to fund your trip. Carry a credit card or bank statement showing at least $500 USD for a short stay. | Recommended |
Visa required — apply early
Moroccan passport holders cannot enter Costa Rica without a pre-approved visa. There is no e-visa or visa on arrival. Start the application process at least 6 weeks before your trip.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at the embassy
Contact the Costa Rican embassy in Rabat or the consulate in Casablanca. Submit your application, passport, photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, and proof of funds. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
2
Wait for visa approval
Once approved, you'll receive a visa sticker in your passport. Check that the validity dates cover your entire trip.
3
Arrive at San José Airport (SJO)
At Juan Santamaría International Airport, join the 'Foreigners' queue. Present your passport with the visa sticker, return ticket, and accommodation proof. The officer will stamp you in.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, pick up your bags from the carousel and walk through customs. There's usually no customs declaration form for tourists.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Morocco 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 stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD (approx. 300 MAD)
Requires proof of funds, return ticket, and accommodation.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days total (max 30 days per entry)
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$60 USD (approx. 600 MAD)
Ideal for multiple visits; must show strong ties to home country.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$250 USD (approx. 2,500 MAD)
Requires proof of monthly income of at least $2,500 USD for 2 years.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD (approx. 2,500 MAD) application fee
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD per month. Requires proof of pension and background check. Allows residency and access to healthcare.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
1 year, renewable
$250 USD (approx. 2,500 MAD) application fee
For remote workers with monthly income of at least $2,500 USD for 2 years. Requires proof of income and health insurance. Allows stay and work for foreign employers.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$500 USD (approx. 5,000 MAD) application fee
For investors who invest at least $200,000 USD in Costa Rican real estate or business. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Fee for a single-entry tourist visa, valid for up to 30 days. | $30 USD (approx. 300 MAD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Fee for a multiple-entry tourist visa, valid for up to 90 days. | $60 USD (approx. 600 MAD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalty for exceeding visa-free or visa period. | $100 USD per day (max $500 USD) |
| Stay extension feeFee to extend stay by up to 30 days, subject to approval. | $50 USD (approx. 500 MAD) |
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
Morocco 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.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without visa for up to 24 hours.
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 present in lowland areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.
Zika virusLow risk
Low risk but pregnant women should take precautions against mosquito bites.
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Risk of traveler's diarrhea; drink bottled or boiled water and eat well-cooked food.
Malaria risk: low
Low risk in rural areas near borders; prophylaxis not routinely recommended for tourists.
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, Barrio La California
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 Central, Avenida 1, Frente al Parque
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Handles extensions for travellers in Guanacaste region.
Practical information for MA 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 Moroccan citizens. You must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, but can be longer during peak seasons. Apply at least 6 weeks before your planned departure.
The Costa Rican embassy in Rabat handles visa applications. There is also a consulate in Casablanca. Check their website for appointment requirements.
You'll need a valid passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, passport-size photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, proof of sufficient funds (bank statements), and travel insurance.
Visa fees vary by embassy and are subject to change. Expect to pay around 30–60 USD equivalent in Moroccan dirhams. Check with the embassy for the exact amount.
No. The visa is not extendable. You must leave before the visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines and future entry bans.
Costa Rica does not require yellow fever vaccination for travellers from Morocco. However, if you have recently visited a country with yellow fever, you may need proof of vaccination.
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.