Skip to content
VisaGuideline
Menu

Costa Rica

Costa Rica visa

Americas · Central America

Costa Rica's detailed tourist-visa procedure is published separately and points to visa rules, nationality and residence scope, documents, and steps. This general guide keeps the consular fee schedule as a reference, while fees and local arrangements should be confirmed with the competent post.

Updated on 18 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 15 October 2026

At a glance

Authority
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship and migration authorities, according to the sources cited by the tourist procedure
Submission channel
Competent consulate; filing arrangements may depend on the post
Electronic visa
The sources cited here do not describe an electronic-visa procedure
Languages of pages consulted
Spanish, with instructions specific to some posts

Do you need a visa?

El Salvador passport: no visa needed for up to 30 days for a short tourist stay.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

Second group: visa-free, 30 days at most (extendable up to 90); passport accepted until its expiry date, stay limited to its validity (2008 agreement). Directrices DGME AJ-484-11-2025 (La Gaceta, 17/11/2025).

Official source: DGME Costa Rica — General Guidelines on Entry and Stay Visas for Non-Residents AJ-484-11-2025 (La Gaceta, 17/11/2025)DGME Costa Rica — Directrices Generales de Visas de Ingreso y Permanencia para No Residentes AJ-484-11-2025 (La Gaceta, 17/11/2025) (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

Costa Rica visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 95

List of nationalities

Visa required 102

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

Consular visa
Name used in the consular fee schedule; the schedule alone does not establish eligibility or the application procedure. Official page (new tab)
Visa consultada y autorizada por Migración
Wording in the consular fee schedule. Check the applicable conditions and authority in the rules and with the consulate. Official page (new tab)
Multiple visas
Wording in the consular fee schedule where such visas are authorized; this does not mean they are available to every nationality. Official page (new tab)

Where and how to apply

The ministry's consular fee schedule says that some acts are performed at a consular office. For tourism, the detailed procedure linked from this guide presents the steps and conditions published in its cited sources.

The filing location and practical arrangements depend on the competent post. Confirm with the consulate serving your residence before preparing or sending an application.

Steps to check

  1. Select your nationality, residence, and travel purpose to find the relevant route.
  2. For a tourist application, open the detailed procedure linked from this guide and check the conditions and documents that match its scope.
  3. Ask the competent consulate about its filing method, appointment arrangements, and current local instructions.

Documents and conditions

Fees and processing times

The ministry's consular fee schedule names several services and amounts, while the Costa Rican post in Washington publishes a fee specific to that consulate. These amounts should not be presented as one price that applies to every applicant.

The general sources cited here do not set a universal processing time. Check the amount and timing with the post that will receive the application.

After applying

Notification, passport collection, and entry arrangements depend on the instructions that apply to your application. Follow the competent consulate's guidance and the information in the tourist procedure linked from this guide.

Practical guide

Start by checking your situation by nationality, residence, and travel purpose. For tourism, consult the detailed procedure linked from this guide: it distinguishes the covered routes and lists documents, steps, and conditions drawn from its cited sources. Practical arrangements and fees may depend on the consulate handling the application; ask the post serving your place of residence what applies to you.

Prepare your application

Frequently asked questions

Is a visa required for Costa Rica?

The rule depends on your nationality and circumstances. Use the nationality selector, then confirm the result with the competent authority.

Where can I find the steps for a tourist stay?

Consult the detailed tourist procedure linked from this guide. It presents conditions, documents, and steps from its cited sources; confirm local arrangements with the competent consulate.

How much does an application cost?

The consular fee schedule and a fee published by a specific post may differ. Ask the competent consulate for the amount that applies to your application.

How long does processing take?

The general sources cited here do not set a universal processing time. The competent post can give you its current estimate.

Points to check with the authority

Free, with or without an account

Without an account, get the document list for your situation. With a free account, tick off your documents, track your progress and come back to your case at any time.

Get my document list Create a free account I already have an account