Costa Rica entry requirements for Israel passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 24, 2026·View sources
No visa required
180 days
Max stay
180 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Israeli passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for tourism or business stays up to 180 days. As of 2026, you just show up at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airport and get a stamp. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Costa Rica. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by law, but airlines may enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Costa Rica | Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket at the border. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight booking ready — they will check the date matches your intended stay. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a copy of your hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Officers rarely ask for it, but having it ready avoids delays if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Have access to at least $100–$200 per day of your stay, either in cash, credit card, or bank statement. Immigration may ask for proof of sufficient funds, especially if you arrive without a return ticket. | Recommended |
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. Renew early if needed.
90-day entry is standard — extend to 180
You'll get 90 days on arrival. To stay the full 180 days, visit the immigration office in San José or Liberia before your 90 days are up. The extension costs around $100 and takes a few hours.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration counter
At San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), follow signs to 'Extranjeros' (Foreigners). Queue times range from 20 to 60 minutes during peak hours. Have your passport and return ticket ready.
2
Present documents and answer questions
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask: 'How long are you staying?', 'Where are you staying?', 'When is your flight out?'. Answer clearly. They rarely ask for hotel bookings or insurance, but keep them accessible.
3
Get stamped and collect luggage
The officer stamps your passport with a 90-day entry (extendable to 180 days). Then proceed to baggage claim and customs. Keep the stamped page safe — you'll need it when leaving.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Israel Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 24, 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:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable once for 90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$30 USD (application fee)
For those who need a visa or want a longer stay; apply at Costa Rican embassy abroad.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable once for 90 days
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~$60 USD (application fee)
Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost~$250 USD (application fee)
For those with guaranteed monthly income of at least $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 per month. Requires proof of pension and no criminal record. Allows permanent residency after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Teletrabajo)
1 year, renewable for 1 more year
~$100 USD application fee
For remote workers earning at least $3,000 USD per month ($4,000 for couples). Requires proof of income, health insurance, and clean criminal record. No local tax on foreign income.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD application fee
For investors who invest at least $200,000 USD in real estate, business, or government bonds. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Leads to permanent residency.
work visa
Work Visa (Trabajador)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD application fee
For those with a job offer from a Costa Rican company. Employer must obtain a work permit. Requires contract and proof of qualifications.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave after 180 days. | Not available |
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry already covers tourist visits. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry already covers multiple entries within 180 days. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are calculated per month; exact daily rate may vary. Avoid overstay to prevent fines and future entry issues. | ~$100 USD per month (estimated) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
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
Israel passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, as long as they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
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 AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
DengueModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease; risk in low-lying areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks reported.
ZikaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Low risk in rural areas near the Caribbean coast (e.g., Limón province). Prophylaxis not routinely recommended for most travellers.
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, Costa Rica
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for immigration matters; bring passport, photos, and proof of funds.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Serves the Guanacaste region; useful for travellers in the northwest.
Practical information for IL 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
You get 90 days on arrival, extendable to 180 days by visiting the immigration office (Dirección General de Migración) in San José or Liberia. The extension costs about $100 and takes a few hours. Overstaying results in fines of roughly $100 per month.
No. Costa Rica strictly requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. Airlines check this before boarding, so renew your passport if it's close to expiring.
Yes, but it doesn't have to be a flight. A bus ticket to Panama or Nicaragua, or a boat ticket, works as proof of onward travel. Just make sure it's a confirmed booking.
No, it's not required for entry. But it's strongly recommended — a simple hospital visit can cost $500+, and a serious issue can run into thousands. Many travellers buy a policy from SafetyWing or World Nomads.
Technically, the tourist visa doesn't permit local employment. But remote work for a foreign company is generally tolerated. If you plan to stay long-term, consider the 'Rentista' visa or digital nomad visa (available since 2022).
You'll be fined about $100 per month (or part thereof) when you leave. Pay at the immigration office before departure. Overstaying more than 30 days can also get you flagged and denied future entry.
No, not if you're flying directly from Israel. But if you've recently been in a country with yellow fever (e.g., Brazil, Colombia), you'll need the vaccine certificate. Check the CDC or WHO list before your trip.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 24, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.