Starting on September 8th, 2023, tourists from a select group of countries can now relish an extended regular stay in Costa Rica of up to 180 days (almost 6 months), according to the Directorate General of Migration.
Before this extension, many foreign tourists had to plan trips to leave and re-enter the country after 90 days. This is great news for tourists from North America and Europe who wish to extend their stay under this tourist subcategory.
Which tourists will now have a 180-day stay in Costa Rica?
The Directorate General of Migration, guided by the General Guidelines for Entry and Stay Visas for Non-Residents, categorizes passport holders into four distinct groups.
The first and second groups enjoy visa-free entry, which applies to passport holders from countries that are visa-exempt, including the United States, Canada, and most European nations.
Which specific countries have Visa-Free Entry to Costa Rica?
According to Directive DG-55-03-2023, this group includes passport holders from the United States of America and Canada, as well as citizens of: Argentina, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Monaco, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Vatican City.
Is it an automatic process?
No. Immigration officers are responsible for entry control and retain the discretion to determine a shorter stay period based on individual circumstances.
For the entire duration of your stay, we recommend having a return ticket already purchased (before the 180 days expire), as well as any proof of reservations or activities while in Costa Rica.
We also recommend showing proof of health insurance that is valid in Costa Rica while visiting the country (find our preferred options here!)
Keep in mind that currently, there are no automated passport scanners in ports of entry to Costa Rica, which means you will have to talk to an immigration officer upon arrival.
Why is Costa Rica extending Visas?
Following the drastic decline in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, Costa Rica wishes to attract additional visitor contributions to reactivate the local economy.
Extending tourist stays to 180 days is a strategic move that not only bolsters the national economy, but also aligns with Costa Rican plans for further development in rural areas.
Can I now drive for six months?
Beginning May 7th, 2024, people who enter Costa Rica as tourists or temporarily, and who have a foreign driver’s license, may use said license for the same period authorized by the immigration authorities for the immigration status with which they enter.
For example, if a tourist is granted a period of stay of up to 180 days, they may use their foreign license for that entire period, instead of being limited to the previous three months.
On the other hand, people with a foreign driving license who have an approved immigration status, or even those who have only submitted an application to obtain an immigration status, as well as foreign diplomatic and consular officials and officials of international organizations accredited in the country, may homologate their foreign permit for the Costa Rican driving license, without the need for a minimum period of stay in the country. This means that they may begin the homologation process from the moment of filing the application, if they so wish.
The requirements for homologation of the foreign driving license include: i) that the license to be homologated is valid, ii) comply with the provisions of the law for the class and type of license to be homologated, except for the obligation to attend the basic driver’s education course and take the practical driving test, and iii) prove legal immigration status in the country or be in the process of doing so in accordance with current immigration legislation.
Final Considerations
When coming to Costa Rica, 180 days is plenty of time to explore different areas of the country and all it has to offer.Make sure to check out our recommendations for Lodging, Tours and Travel Packages while in the country, and if coming as a remote worker, take a look at our curated list of Workspaces throughout Costa Rica.
