frequently asked questions

Yes, a valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica.

Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. Citizens of the USA, Canada and most European countries enjoy this privilege.

The colón is Costa Rica’s currency. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.

All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are located throughout the country.

No, with a legal driver’s license you can drive for three months in Costa Rica.

Departure tax is US$29.00, which can be paid in U.S. dollars, colones or with a credit card.

Sales tax is 13%.

Outlets are 110 V, with standard U.S. two prong plugs.

We’d love it! Anyone getting married here must be 18 or older. Nonresidents need the following documents to get married here: original birth certificates, affidavit of single status, police record, valid passport and a divorce decree (if applicable). These documents must follow the authentication procedure before you bring them to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s digital nomad program invites international residents to work remotely from the land of pura vida. This program extends a 90-day tourist visa to a full year, with the option to renew for an additional year (conditions apply).

Costa Rica offers different ways to legalize your status: temporary resident, pensioner or foreign government mission. For more legal information, contact the Costa Rican consulate or the Association of Residents of Costa Rica at https://arcr.cr.

There is an American Legion in Costa Rica for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. You can also contact the Association of Residents of Costa Rica at https://arcr.cr.

Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by a veterinarian service. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to traveling to Costa Rica. The required vaccinations are: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies (for animals 4 months or older).

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Yes, the water is potable in most of the country. We would only recommend bottled water for a few rural areas. Bring your reusable water bottle to decrease your footprint while you’re here. When starting your adventure for the day, fill up your bottle before you leave because refill stations may be a long trek to locate.

Travelers from the following countries must have received a yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and the Republic of Guyana.

• Keep your belongings somewhere safe while enjoying the sea or leave them somewhere they can be watched.
• Always use reef-safe sunscreen to avoid sunburns.
• When possible, don’t swim on your own.
• Consult the authorities about the current beach conditions.
• Be aware of warning flags on the beach.
• Do not enter the ocean if you don’t know how to swim. If you’re surfing as a beginner, stay under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
   

The main difference is the amount of rain. It doesn’t rain as much in the cloud forest as it does in the rainforest. The species of flora and fauna may also differ.

Be sure to bring insect repellent, a raincoat with a hood and a comfortable pair of hiking boots.

You can practice at Pacuare, Reventazón, Corobici, Sarapiqui, Naranjo and Savegre rivers.

You can see sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast or Las Baulas National Marine Park on the Pacific coast.

Cahuita National Park, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Irazu Volcano National Park, Poás Volcano National Park, Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, and Caño Negro Mixed National Wildlife Refuge offer wheelchair access.

Il Viaggio offers special trips for visitors who need added consideration.

This elaborate rodeo happens at the end of December. Enjoy the accompanying carnival rides, street food and dancing.

Carnaval takes over the heart of the country’s Afro-Caribbean culture during the second full week of October, bringing with it the iconic costumes and parade of floats. This yearly event is a great opportunity to enjoy local culture, food and traditions.

You’ll want to make your way to Uvita in February to attend the healing ceremonies, dance parties and celebrations with other spiritual seekers.

If you want to see rodeos and parades of horses, head to Palmares in January. There will be plenty of beer flowing and exciting musical performances to enjoy.

Two Indigenous groups in Costa Rica celebrate the Little Devils Game. Both Boruca and Rey Curré celebrate their resistance against the Spanish conquistadors. Boruca commemorate their opposition in December and Rey Curré do the same in January. Staged battles between “the devils” and bulls begin the remembrance, and the last day caps off with a huge party.