Do American citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
The official link goes to migracion.go.cr. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.
Costa Rica entry rules for American citizens.
| Verdict | Visa-free |
|---|---|
| Document | None |
| Stay | Up to 180 days (the officer decides the actual period stamped) |
| Checked | Verified on an official page · 2026-10-11 |
The rest of the trip for an American passport, from the arrival form to customs and travelling with children: Costa Rica entry requirements.
The details for an American passport.
US State Dept: no visa for stays under 180 days. Up to 180 days can be granted but isn't guaranteed. The passport must be valid for the whole stay, and you need a return or onward ticket. Group 1: up to 180 days, not extendable; the officer stamps the actual period. You need a return/onward ticket, and officers can ask for USD 100 per month of stay.
How long it must be valid.
Under the DGME visa guidelines of Nov 2025 (as reported by El Financiero): Group 1 passports must be valid at least 1 day (FCDO: at least 1 day after you plan to leave; US State Dept: valid for the whole stay); Group 2 at least 90 days; Groups 3 and 4 at least 180 days. Visa applicants at the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK must show 7 months' validity. The passport must be machine-readable to ICAO standards (ICT). Damaged passports, or passports reported lost or stolen, are refused.
Recent changes in Costa Rica.
- 2026-05-19 — FCDO updated the customs rules on its Costa Rica entry page: declare USD 10,000 or more and keep the certified declaration.
- 2026-08-31 — Costa Rican citizens and residents travelling to yellow-fever risk destinations must now be vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and carry the certificate.
- 2025-11-17 — New DGME 'Directrices generales de visas de ingreso y permanencia para no residentes' published (La Gaceta Alcance 148). Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Turkey are in Group 2 (30 days); Russia is in Group 2 but gets 90 days by treaty; the UAE, Israel and South Africa are reported in Group 1 (180 days).
The short answers.
Do American citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
No. American citizens don’t need a visa for Costa Rica for stays of up to 180 days (the officer decides the actual period stamped).
How long can American citizens stay in Costa Rica?
Up to 180 days (the officer decides the actual period stamped). Longer stays need a different visa.
Where do American citizens apply?
On the official site, migracion.go.cr. NUM links it and never charges for the link.
Does NUM issue Costa Rica visas?
No. Only the government issues them. NUM explains the rule for your passport, links the official site, and can file the form for you where its desk covers it.