How long can you stay in Costa Rica?
Visa-free stay limits for Costa Rica, by passport, with the counting rule explained.
For 11 of the 12 passports we cover. Check yours below.
By passport
| Passport | Visa-free stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | 180 days per entry | — |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Visa required | — |
How the days count
- Arrive in Costa Rica on 1 June — that's day 1 (entry and exit days both count).
- Your last legal day is 27 November (day 180).
- Each entry gets its own allowance, but repeated back-to-back entries ("border runs") can get you refused at the border.
Notes
180 days per entry (recently extended from 90).
If you overstay
Overstaying — even by a day or two — can mean fines, detention, deportation and a ban on coming back, and it can follow you on future visa applications. Penalties vary by country and by case, so confirm the current rules with the official source below.
Questions people ask
How long can Americans stay in Costa Rica?
Americans can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days per entry without a visa.
How long can British citizens stay in Costa Rica?
British citizens can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days per entry without a visa.
How long can Canadians stay in Costa Rica?
Canadians can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days per entry without a visa.
How long can Australians stay in Costa Rica?
Australians can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days per entry without a visa.
More in Americas
This entry has not yet been manually verified against an official source. Treat it as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
Official source: www.migracion.go.cr
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