Costa Rica entry requirements for Indonesia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 22, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Indonesian passport holders need a visa to enter Costa Rica. Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel. This rule applies in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply for a Costa Rica visa | You need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate — there is no eVisa system. Processing takes 10–15 business days. Submit your application at least 3 weeks before departure.Visit Migration website | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay | Your passport needs at least 6 months of validity from your departure date from Costa Rica. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration officers ask for a return or onward ticket at the border. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight itinerary ready. Without it, you may be refused entry or forced to buy a ticket on the spot. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Officers may ask where you are staying. Have a hotel reservation, hostel booking, or a letter from your host ready. A printed copy works best, but a phone screenshot is usually accepted. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Immigration may ask for bank statements or cash to prove you have at least $100 per day of your stay. Carry a recent bank statement or credit card with a sufficient limit. | Recommended |
Visa required — apply well in advance
Indonesian passport holders cannot enter Costa Rica without a pre-approved visa. Start the application process at least 6 weeks before your trip. Processing times vary, and delays can happen.
No visa on arrival or e-visa available
Costa Rica does not offer a visa on arrival or an e-visa for Indonesian citizens. You must apply through a Costa Rican embassy or consulate. Plan accordingly.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at a Costa Rican embassy
Contact the Costa Rican embassy in Jakarta or the nearest consulate. Submit the application form, passport photos, and supporting documents. Pay the visa fee (around $30-$50, varies by embassy). Wait for processing, which typically takes 2-4 weeks.
2
Prepare your documents for travel
Once your visa is approved, gather your passport with the visa sticker, return ticket, hotel booking, and travel insurance. Make copies of everything and store them separately from the originals.
3
Arrive at a Costa Rican airport
At Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), proceed to immigration. Present your passport with visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof. The officer will stamp your passport and grant entry.
4
Exit Costa Rica before your visa expires
Your visa will specify the allowed stay (usually up to 30 days). Leave before that date to avoid overstay fines. If you need more time, apply for an extension at the immigration office in San José.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Indonesia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 22, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable 90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD (approx. IDR 450,000)
Standard option for tourism; must apply before travel.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$60 USD (approx. IDR 900,000)
Ideal for frequent visitors; allows multiple entries.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost$250 USD (approx. IDR 3,750,000)
Requires proof of monthly income of $2,500 USD for 2 years.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD application fee
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of pension and no criminal record. Allows permanent residency after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD application fee
For remote workers with monthly income of $2,500 USD for 2 years. Requires proof of income and health insurance. No local tax on foreign income.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$200,000 USD minimum investment
For investors in real estate, business, or government bonds. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Required for Indonesian passport holders; apply at Costa Rican embassy. | $30 USD (approx. IDR 450,000) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $60 USD (approx. IDR 900,000) |
| Stay extension feeExtensions up to 90 days possible; apply at immigration office. | $50 USD (approx. IDR 750,000) per month |
| Overstay fine per dayPay at airport or immigration office before departure. | $10 USD per day (max $500 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
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
Transit visa required
Indonesian passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, even if staying airside. Apply at Costa Rican embassy before travel.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without a visa for up to 12 hours.
Transit hubsJuan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Health & vaccines for Costa Rica
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubellaEssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; common in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks reported.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; risk to pregnant women; avoid if pregnant.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis recommended for travel to remote regions near borders (e.g., Limón province).
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, 200 m este de la Contraloría General de la República
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for extensions and visa issues; bring passport, visa, and proof of funds.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Avenida Central, Calle 2, Edificio Municipal
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Serves Guanacaste region; less crowded than San José.
Practical information for ID 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 = 453.08 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
Yes, Indonesian passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. There is no visa-on-arrival or visa waiver for Indonesian citizens. Apply at the Costa Rican embassy in Jakarta or the nearest consulate.
Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, but it can vary depending on the embassy workload and the completeness of your application. Apply at least 6 weeks before your planned departure to be safe.
The visa fee is usually between $30 and $50, but it varies by embassy. Check with the specific embassy or consulate where you apply. Additional fees may apply for courier or processing.
No, the visa is not extendable. You must leave before the visa expiration date. If you need to stay longer, you would need to apply for a different type of visa from outside the country.
You typically need: a completed application form, passport valid for 6+ months, passport photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, proof of funds (bank statements), and a cover letter explaining your travel purpose. Check with the embassy for the exact list.
Yes, immigration officers may ask to see your return or onward ticket even if you have a valid visa. Always carry a printed or digital copy.
Overstaying can result in fines and a ban on re-entering Costa Rica. The fine is typically around $100 per month overstayed. Leave before your visa expires to avoid issues.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 22, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.