Costa Rica entry requirements for Nepal 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
Nepali 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 option as of 2026. Processing can take several weeks, so start early.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Visa required — apply before travel | Costa Rica requires a visa for Nepalese passport holders. Apply at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate before departure — there is no eVisa system. Processing takes 10–15 working days; submit your application at least 3 weeks before your flight.Check visa requirements | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your passport must be valid for at least the full period you plan to stay in Costa Rica. Immigration officers at San José Airport check validity carefully — if your passport expires before you leave, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Costa Rica strictly enforces the requirement for a return or onward ticket. Immigration officers at Juan Santamaría International Airport will ask to see a confirmed flight out of the country before they stamp you in. Budget airlines check this before boarding. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Have a hotel booking or an invitation letter from your host ready. Immigration officers occasionally ask for proof of where you will stay, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Carry evidence of sufficient funds — a bank statement showing at least $500 USD or a credit card with a reasonable limit. Officers may ask how you plan to support yourself during your stay. | Recommended |
No visa on arrival
Nepali passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in Costa Rica. You must apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel. Plan ahead — processing can take weeks.
Embassy location
There is no Costa Rican embassy in Nepal. The nearest embassy is in New Delhi, India. You may need to apply there or at the consulate in your region. Contact them directly for the exact process.
What happens at the border
1
Contact the Costa Rican embassy
Find the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your region (e.g., New Delhi, India, or the nearest accredited office). Call or email to confirm the exact visa application process, required documents, and fees — requirements can vary by location.
2
Prepare your documents
Gather your passport (valid 6+ months), completed application form, passport-sized photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements, and any other documents the embassy requests. Make photocopies of everything.
3
Submit your application
Visit the embassy or consulate in person or send your application by mail if allowed. Pay the visa fee (typically $30–$50, but confirm with the embassy). Processing takes 2–4 weeks on average.
4
Wait for approval
Once submitted, wait for the embassy to process your visa. They may call you for an interview. Check the status by phone or email if you haven't heard back after 3 weeks.
5
Travel to Costa Rica
With your visa in hand, fly to any international airport in Costa Rica (San José is the main one). At immigration, present your passport with the visa, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. The officer may ask about your plans — answer clearly.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Nepal 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
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$30 USD (approx. NPR 4,000)
Standard visa for tourism. Must apply before travel.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost$60 USD (approx. NPR 8,000)
For frequent visitors. Allows multiple entries.
Long-stay visa (temporary residence)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$200 USD (approx. NPR 26,800)
Requires proof of income or investment. Apply at embassy.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
$200 USD application fee + $1,000 USD annual fee
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Allows permanent residency after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
1 year, renewable
$250 USD application fee + $1,500 USD annual fee
For remote workers with $2,500 USD/month income. Requires proof of employment and health insurance.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$500 USD application fee + $2,000 USD annual fee
For investors with $200,000 USD in real estate or business. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa required for Nepal passport holders. Apply at Costa Rican embassy. | $30 USD (approx. NPR 4,000) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $60 USD (approx. NPR 8,000) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are high; avoid exceeding authorized stay. | $100 USD per day (max $500 USD) |
| Stay extension feeExtension possible for up to 30 days, subject to approval. | $50 USD (approx. NPR 6,700) |
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
Transit visa required
Nepal passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, even if staying airside.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without a visa for up to 12 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 yellow fever risk (e.g., parts of South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; present in lowland areas. Use repellent.
Zika virusLow risk
Rare but present; pregnant women should take precautions.
Foodborne illnessModerate risk
Common from street food; ensure food is well-cooked.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural lowland areas near the Caribbean coast. Prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
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 permits. Bring passport, visa, and proof of funds.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions for travellers in the Guanacaste region.
Practical information for NP 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. Costa Rica does not offer visa on arrival for Nepali passport holders. You must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks, but can be longer depending on the embassy workload and your application. Apply at least 6–8 weeks before your planned departure.
The visa fee is usually around $30–$50, but confirm with the specific embassy or consulate where you apply. Fees are subject to change.
You'll need a passport valid for 6+ months, completed application form, passport photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements showing sufficient funds, and sometimes a letter of invitation. Check with the embassy for the exact list.
Extensions are not typically granted for tourist visas. You must leave before your visa expires. If you need to stay longer, contact the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in San José before your visa runs out.
Costa Rica does not require yellow fever vaccination for travelers from Nepal unless you have recently visited a country with yellow fever. Check current health requirements before travel.
Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and a ban on re-entry. The fine is approximately $100 per month of overstay. Always leave before your visa expires.
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.