Costa Rica entry requirements for Saudi Arabia 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
Saudi passport holders need a visa to enter Costa Rica. No visa-on-arrival or eVisa exists. Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling. Processing can take several weeks, so plan ahead.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply for a Costa Rican visa | Saudi Arabian passport holders need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate — there is no eVisa option. Processing takes 10–15 business days, and you must submit a completed application form, passport photos, and supporting documents.Check visa info | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Costa Rica. Immigration officers at San José Airport check this carefully — if your passport expires before you leave, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Costa Rican immigration requires proof of a return or onward flight out of the country. Airlines check this at check-in — without a ticket out, you will not be allowed to board. A printed or digital itinerary works. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Immigration officers may ask for hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from your host. Have a printed copy or a digital booking confirmation ready — it speeds up the process if questioned. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | You may be asked to show you have at least $100 per day for your stay. A recent bank statement or credit card with sufficient limit works. Officers rarely ask, but having it avoids delays. | Recommended |
Apply well in advance
Costa Rica visa processing can take 2–4 weeks or longer. Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until you have the visa in hand.
No eVisa available
Costa Rica does not offer an eVisa for Saudi nationals. You must apply in person at an embassy or consulate. Plan your visit accordingly.
What happens at the border
1
Contact the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate
Find the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your region (e.g., Riyadh, Jeddah, or the nearest one in a neighboring country). Call or email to confirm the exact application process and appointment requirements.
2
Prepare your documents
Gather all required documents: valid passport, completed application form, photos, hotel booking, return flight, bank statements, and any additional documents the embassy requests. Make photocopies of everything.
3
Submit your application in person
Visit the embassy or consulate with your documents. You may need to pay a visa fee (check with the embassy for the current amount). They will take your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
4
Wait for processing
Processing typically takes 10–15 business days, but can take longer. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa in hand.
5
Collect your visa and travel
Once approved, you will get a visa sticker in your passport. Check the validity dates. When you arrive at San José Airport (SJO), go to the immigration counter, show your passport with the visa, and you will be stamped in.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Saudi Arabia 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, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$30 USD (approx. 30 USD)
Standard tourist visa for single entry.
Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity1 year from issue
Cost$60 USD (approx. 60 USD)
Allows multiple entries within validity.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost$250 USD (approx. 250 USD)
Requires proof of steady income from abroad.
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 residency and work permit for spouse.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Nómadas Digitales)
1 year, renewable
$100 USD application fee
For remote workers earning at least $3,000 USD/month. Exempt from local income tax for first year.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$200 USD application fee
For investors putting at least $200,000 USD in real estate or business. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Fee for single-entry visa for Saudi passport holders. | $30 USD (approx. 30 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Fee for multiple-entry visa, valid for up to 1 year. | $60 USD (approx. 60 USD) |
| Overstay fineOverstay penalty for exceeding visa-free or visa period. | $100 USD per month (approx. 100 USD/month) |
| Stay extension feeFee for extending tourist stay by up to 30 days. | $50 USD (approx. 50 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete travel 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
Saudi Arabia holders transiting through Costa Rica do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without 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 risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)Essential
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in lowland areas; use repellent.
Zika virusLow risk
Rare but present; pregnant women should take precautions.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks; mosquito avoidance recommended.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk exists in lowland areas near borders (Nicaragua, Panama). Prophylaxis not routinely recommended for standard tourist 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 extensions and visa issues. Bring passport, visa, and proof of funds.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración Liberia
Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for northern Pacific area.
Practical information for SA 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 Saudi nationals. You must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing usually takes 10–15 business days, but can take longer depending on the embassy's workload. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your planned departure.
Visa fees vary by embassy. Check with the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your region for the exact amount. Expect to pay around $30–$50 USD plus any service fees.
Yes. You need to provide a confirmed return or onward flight booking as part of your visa application. A flight itinerary or booking confirmation is acceptable.
No. The visa is not extendable. You must leave before the visa expiry date. Overstaying can result in fines and future entry bans.
Yes. If you are staying with a friend or family member, they can write a signed letter of invitation with their address and contact details. Include a copy of their Costa Rican ID or passport.
It is not always required for the visa application, but it is strongly recommended. Some embassies may ask for proof of coverage. In any case, medical costs in Costa Rica can be high, so get insurance.
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.