Costa Rica entry requirements for Brunei passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed July 3, 2026·View sources
No visa required
30 days
Max stay
30 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Brunei passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for stays up to 30 days. This policy has been in effect since 2025. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date and you have a return or onward ticket.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa requirementYou can enter Costa Rica without applying for a visa in advance. Visa-free entry | Brunei passport holders do not need a visa for Costa Rica for stays up to 30 days. | Not required |
| Passport validityEnsure your passport does not expire within 6 months of your arrival date. 6 months beyond stay | Your Brunei passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Costa Rica. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesThe immigration officer needs a clean page to stamp your passport. At least 1 page | Your passport must have at least 1 blank visa page for the entry stamp. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketAirlines and immigration often require evidence you will leave the country. Proof of departure | You may be asked to show a return or onward flight ticket confirming departure from Costa Rica within 30 days. | Recommended |
| Proof of sufficient fundsImmigration may ask for proof you can support yourself during your visit. Not specified | No specific amount is required by law, but you should carry enough funds for your stay (e.g., credit card, cash). | Recommended |
| Arrival declarationYou do not need to fill out any online or paper arrival form. Not required | No arrival declaration form is needed for Brunei passport holders entering Costa Rica. | Not required |
| E-visa applicationYou do not need to apply for an electronic visa. Not applicable | No e-visa is required for Brunei passport holders visiting Costa Rica. | Not required |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Costa Rica requires 6 months of passport validity from your entry date. Airlines check this before boarding. If your passport expires sooner, you won't be allowed to fly.
No visa, but have proof of onward travel
Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. A screenshot on your phone is fine. Don't rely on 'I'll buy one later' — they may deny entry.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration counter
At San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airport, follow signs to 'Extranjeros' (Foreigners). Join the queue. Have your passport and return ticket ready.
2
Present documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask: 'How long are you staying?' and 'Where are you staying?' Answer clearly. They might ask to see your return ticket — have it open on your phone.
3
Get stamped in
The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the maximum stay (30 days). Check the stamp before walking away. If it says less than 30 days, ask politely for correction.
4
Exit immigration area
After the stamp, you're officially in. Collect your bags from baggage claim and head to customs (green channel if nothing to declare).
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Brunei Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated July 3, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Consular visa (for longer stays)
Max stay90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost$30
Apply at Costa Rican embassy/consulate before travel; not commonly used by Brunei passport holders.
digital nomad
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Up to 1 year
Free (application fee ~$100)
For remote workers earning at least $3,000/month. Allows stay up to 1 year, renewable.
Apply via Costa Rican immigration retirement
Pensionado (Retirement) Visa
Permanent
Variable (legal fees ~$500)
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month. Requires local bank account and health insurance.
Apply via Costa Rican immigration Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Extension of stay (up to 90 days total)Apply at immigration office before current stay expires. | $100 |
| Exit fee (departure tax)Usually included in airline ticket; otherwise paid at airport. | $29 |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient passport validity30%
Lack of onward/return ticket25%
Insufficient funds for stay20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Costa Rica
No transit visa needed
Brunei passport holders do not need a transit visa for Costa Rica. However, you must have a valid onward ticket and meet entry requirements of your final destination.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Transit hubsJuan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Health & vaccines for Costa Rica
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Panama).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Present in urban and rural areas; use mosquito repellent.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks.
Zika virusLow risk
Pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural areas near borders (Nicaragua, Panama); prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
San José
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
La Uruca, San José
Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00
Practical information for BN travellers
Country basics
CapitalSan José
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyCosta Rican colón (CRC)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 455.38 CRC
Time zone
Local timeUTC-6
vs New York-1h
vs Los Angeles+1h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTypes A and B (same as US/Canada)
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is generally not safe for tourists; stick to bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must leave the country (to a neighboring country like Panama or Nicaragua) and re-enter. Each entry grants a fresh 30 days.
You will be denied boarding by the airline and denied entry by Costa Rican immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. No exceptions.
Not if you're arriving directly from Brunei or a non-endemic country. If you've been in a yellow fever endemic country (e.g., Brazil, Colombia) within 6 days before arrival, you need proof of vaccination.
Yes. The same visa-free rules apply at land borders. You'll still need a passport valid for 6 months and a return ticket. Border crossings can be slow — expect 1-2 hours.
You'll be fined approximately $100 USD per month of overstay, payable at the immigration office before departure. Overstays can also result in a ban from re-entering Costa Rica for a period.
No. Costa Rica does not require an online arrival declaration for Bruneian passport holders. Just show up with your passport and ticket.
The departure tax is usually included in your airline ticket. If not, it's about $29 USD, payable at the airport in cash (USD or local colones). Check with your airline before flying.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on July 3, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.