Costa Rica entry requirements for Uruguay passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed July 3, 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
Uruguayan passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for tourism or business stays up to 180 days. As of 2026, you only need a valid passport and a return ticket. No visa application or fee is required.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entryYou do not need to apply for a visa before traveling; simply present your valid passport at the border. No visa required | Uruguayan passport holders can enter Costa Rica for tourism or business without a visa for up to 180 days per visit. | Required |
| Passport validityIf your passport expires within 6 months of arrival, you may be denied entry. Check your passport's expiration date now. Minimum 6 months | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry into Costa Rica. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesThe immigration officer needs a clean page to stamp your passport. Count your blank pages before you travel. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must contain at least 1 blank visa page for the entry stamp upon arrival. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketWhile not always enforced, having a booked onward ticket helps avoid delays or denial at immigration. Proof of departure | You may be asked to show a return or onward flight ticket confirming departure from Costa Rica within the authorized stay period. | Recommended |
| Proof of sufficient fundsCarry a credit card, bank statement, or cash to show you can support yourself during your visit. Financial means | You may be required to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your stay in Costa Rica. No specific minimum amount is set by law. | Recommended |
| Arrival declarationYou do not need to fill out any digital health or customs form before traveling. Not required | No pre-arrival online declaration or form is required for Uruguayan passport holders entering Costa Rica. | Not required |
| e-Visa applicationSince you enter visa-free, there is no e-Visa process to complete. Not applicable | No e-Visa is available or required for Uruguayan passport holders visiting Costa Rica. | Not required |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines check your passport validity before boarding. If your passport expires in less than 6 months from your entry date, you may be denied boarding even if Costa Rica would let you in. Renew early.
Entry stamp duration
You'll receive a 90-day entry stamp, not the full 180 days. To stay longer, visit the immigration office in San José before day 90. The extension costs about $100 and takes 2–5 business days.
What happens at the border
1
Arrival at San José Airport (SJO)
After landing at Juan Santamaría International Airport, follow signs to 'Migración' (Immigration). Join the line for foreign passports. Have your passport and return ticket ready. The officer will stamp your passport with a 90-day entry (renewable up to 180 days). The process usually takes 10–20 minutes.
2
Arrival at other airports or land borders
Same procedure at Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport (LIR) in Liberia, or at land borders like Peñas Blancas (from Nicaragua) or Paso Canoas (from Panama). Expect slightly longer waits at land crossings.
3
After immigration
Collect your luggage, then proceed to customs. You may be asked to declare goods. Green light means no inspection; red light means a bag check. Exit into the arrivals hall.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Uruguay Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated July 3, 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:
Business visa
Max stay90 days
Validity1 year multiple entry
Cost$30
For business activities not allowed on tourist entry; apply at Costa Rican embassy.
Work visa
Max stay1 year (renewable)
Validity1 year
Cost$200+
Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Ministry of Labor.
digital nomad
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Teletrabajo)
1 year (renewable for 1 more)
$100 application fee
For remote workers earning at least $3,000/month. Allows stay up to 2 years. No income tax on foreign income.
Apply at Immigration Office retirement
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years (renewable)
$250+
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month. Requires proof of pension and criminal record check.
Apply at Immigration Office rentista
Rentista Visa (Income)
2 years (renewable)
$250+
For individuals with a guaranteed monthly income of $2,500 for 2 years from investments or other sources.
Apply at Immigration Office Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Extension of stay (up to 90 additional days)Apply at Immigration Office before initial 180 days expire. | $100 approx. |
| Overstay finePaid at airport upon departure. | $100 + $10 per extra day |
| Exit fee (departure tax)Usually included in airline ticket; if not, pay at airport. | $29 |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
Missing return/onward ticket25%
Previous overstay in Costa Rica20%
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
Uruguayan passport holders do not need a transit visa for Costa Rica, even for airside transit.
Airside transitAllowed
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). Uruguay is not risk, but transit through risk area triggers requirement.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
DengueModerate risk
Present in urban and rural areas; use mosquito repellent.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks.
ZikaLow risk
Pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in some rural areas near the Caribbean coast (Limón province). 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, 200 m sur de la Contraloría General de la República
Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración Liberia
Calle 4, Avenida 3, frente al Parque Central
Mon-Fri 8:00-15:00
Practical information for UY 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
You get 90 days on arrival, which can be extended up to 180 days total. To extend, visit the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in San José before your 90 days expire. The extension costs around $100 and takes a few days to process.
No. Uruguayan passport holders do not need a visa for transit. You can stay in the international transit area without passing immigration. If you need to leave the airport, you'll need to enter the country under the visa-free rules (90 days).
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by Costa Rican immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. Some airlines are stricter than others, but it's not worth the risk.
Technically, tourist entry is for tourism and business meetings, not for remote work. However, Costa Rica has a 'Rentista' visa for digital nomads (income requirement ~$3,000/month). For short stays, most remote workers do it quietly, but it's a gray area. If you plan to work for a Costa Rican company, you need a work visa.
You'll be fined approximately $100 per month of overstay (capped at $500). Pay at the immigration office before leaving. Overstaying can also affect future entries. It's better to extend legally or leave on time.
It's not a standard requirement for Uruguayan passport holders, but immigration officers can ask. Having a credit card or a bank statement showing sufficient funds (around $500–$1,000) is a good backup. Most people are never asked.
Yes. The same visa-free rules apply at land borders. You'll need your passport and return ticket. Land crossings can be slower than airports — expect 30–60 minutes at Peñas Blancas or Paso Canoas. Have small bills for any exit fees (usually $1–$5).
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on July 3, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.