Costa Rica entry requirements for Lebanon passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 27, 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
Lebanese passport holders need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You must apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling. As of 2026, there are no visa-on-arrival or e-visa options for Lebanese citizens.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Visa required | You need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your country of residence — there is no eVisa system. Processing takes 10–15 business days, so apply well ahead of your departure.Check visa requirements | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Costa Rica. Immigration officers at San José Airport check this carefully — if your passport expires before you leave, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Costa Rica strictly enforces the requirement for a return or onward ticket. Immigration officers at Juan Santamaría International Airport will ask to see your outbound flight — have a printed copy or a screenshot ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Immigration may ask for a hotel booking or an invitation letter from your host. Have a printed confirmation or a digital copy on your phone — it speeds up the process if questioned. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Officers may request proof you can support yourself during your stay. Carry a recent bank statement or credit card showing at least $100 per day of your trip — cash is less common but accepted. | Recommended |
No visa on arrival
Costa Rica does not offer visa-on-arrival or e-visa for Lebanese passport holders. You must get a visa from an embassy before you travel. Arriving without one means you'll be denied entry and sent back.
Embassy location matters
Since there's no Costa Rican embassy in Lebanon, you'll need to apply through an embassy in a neighboring country (e.g., Jordan or Egypt). Contact them first to confirm the process and whether you can apply by mail.
What happens at the border
1
Contact the Costa Rican embassy
Find the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate. In Lebanon, there is no Costa Rican embassy; you'll likely need to apply through the embassy in a neighboring country (e.g., Jordan or Egypt) or via a consulate in another region. Call or email to confirm the exact application process and required documents.
2
Prepare your documents
Gather your passport, completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, bank statements, and any other documents requested by the embassy. Make copies of everything.
3
Submit your application
Submit the application in person or by mail as instructed. Pay the visa fee (amount varies by embassy, typically around $30–$50 USD). Processing can take 2–4 weeks, so apply well before your travel date.
4
Wait for approval
Once approved, you'll receive a visa sticker in your passport. Check the validity dates and any conditions (e.g., single or multiple entry).
5
Arrive in Costa Rica
At the airport (usually San José Juan Santamaría International), go to the immigration counter. Present your passport with the visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof. The officer may ask about your plans. Answer clearly.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Lebanon Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 27, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD (approx. $30 USD)
Standard visa for tourism; must apply at embassy before travel.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, non-extendable
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$60 USD (approx. $60 USD)
For frequent travellers; allows multiple entries within validity.
Work visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$100 USD (approx. $100 USD)
Requires employer sponsorship and work permit approval.
Student visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$50 USD (approx. $50 USD)
Must be enrolled in accredited institution; proof of funds required.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD application fee + $100 USD annual renewal
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of pension and background check. Allows residency and work permit for spouse.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD application fee + $100 USD annual renewal
For individuals with a guaranteed monthly income of $2,500 USD from abroad. No work permit needed for remote work. Must show bank statements.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$500 USD application fee + $200 USD annual renewal
Requires investment of at least $200,000 USD in Costa Rican business or real estate. Includes family members. Path to permanent residency.
work visa
Trabajador Visa (Work)
1 year, renewable
$100 USD application fee + $50 USD annual renewal
For those with a job offer from a Costa Rican employer. Employer must obtain work permit. Valid for one year, renewable.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa required for Lebanon passport holders; apply at Costa Rican embassy. | $30 USD (approx. $30 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $60 USD (approx. $60 USD) |
| Stay extension feeExtension up to 90 days total; apply at immigration office. | $50 USD (approx. $50 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines accumulate daily; avoid to prevent future bans. | $10 USD per day (max $200 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete travel 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
No transit visa needed
Lebanon passport holders transiting through Costa Rica do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 12 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without visa for up to 24 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 risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; common in lowland areas during rainy season.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; symptoms include fever and joint pain.
Malaria risk: low
Low risk in rural lowland areas; prophylaxis recommended for extended stays in those regions.
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
Avenida 10, Calle 17, San José
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for extensions and visa issues; bring passport, visa, and fee.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle Central, Avenida 1, Liberia
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Serves Guanacaste region; less crowded than San José.
Practical information for LB 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, Lebanese passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. There is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option. You need to apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate.
Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, but can vary by embassy. Apply at least a month before your planned departure to be safe.
The visa fee is usually around $30 to $50 USD, but it varies by embassy. Check with the specific embassy for the exact amount and payment method.
No, the visa does not allow extensions. You must leave before the visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or future entry bans.
You must show a return or onward ticket to enter Costa Rica. Book a refundable ticket if you're unsure of your plans, or buy a cheap onward flight to a neighboring country.
Not always required for the visa application itself, but it's strongly recommended. Some embassies may ask for proof of insurance. In any case, it's wise to have coverage for medical emergencies.
There is no Costa Rican embassy in Lebanon. The closest options are the embassy in Amman, Jordan, or in Cairo, Egypt. You can also check if a consulate in another country handles applications for your region.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 27, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.