Costa Rica entry requirements for Sri Lanka passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 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
Sri Lankan passport holders need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You must apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa option for Sri Lankan citizens as of 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Visa required | Sri Lankan passport holders need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate — there is no online eVisa option. Processing takes 5–10 business days; submit your application at least 2 weeks before departure.Check visa info | Required |
| Valid passport Required | Your passport must be valid for at least the duration of your stay in Costa Rica. Airlines at Colombo (CMB) may ask for 6 months validity — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required | Immigration officers at San José (SJO) routinely ask for a confirmed onward or return flight. Have a printed or digital copy of your ticket ready — they check this before stamping entry. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Carry a hotel booking confirmation or an invitation letter from your host. Officers rarely ask for it, but having it avoids delays if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Have bank statements or a credit card showing at least $500 USD available. Immigration may ask to see you can cover your stay — cash or card works. | Recommended |
Visa required — apply well in advance
Sri Lankan passport holders cannot enter Costa Rica without a visa. There is no e-visa or visa on arrival. Start the application process at least 6–8 weeks before your trip to allow for processing delays.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Costa Rica, not from when you leave. If it expires sooner, renew it before applying for the visa.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at a Costa Rican embassy
Find the Costa Rican embassy or consulate nearest to you (e.g., in New Delhi, Tokyo, or London). Submit the visa application form, your passport, photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, and bank statements. Pay the visa fee (around $30–$50 depending on the embassy). Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
2
Wait for visa approval
Once submitted, the embassy will process your application. You may be called for an interview. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa in hand.
3
Prepare for arrival at San José Airport
When you land at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), go to the immigration queue for foreign visitors. Have your passport with visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof ready. The officer may ask your purpose of visit and how long you're staying. Answer clearly. You'll get a stamp allowing up to 90 days.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Sri Lanka Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa single entry
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$30 USD
Standard visa for tourism. Must apply at Costa Rican embassy.
Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue
Cost$60 USD
For multiple visits within validity.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost$250 USD
Requires proof of stable monthly income of at least $2,500 USD.
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. Allows residency and work permit after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista)
1 year, renewable
$200 USD application fee
For remote workers with income of at least $3,000 USD per month. No local tax on foreign income.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$500 USD application fee
Requires investment of at least $200,000 USD in real estate or business. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Required for Sri Lanka passport holders. Apply at Costa Rican embassy. | $30 USD (approx. 15,000 CRC) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $60 USD (approx. 30,000 CRC) |
| Stay extension feeFor extension of stay beyond initial 30 days, if granted. | $50 USD (approx. 25,000 CRC) |
| Overstay fine per dayCharged for each day overstayed beyond authorized period. | $10 USD per day (max $200 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
Sri Lanka passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, even if staying airside.
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 risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of South America or Africa).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)Essential
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
Zika virusLow risk
Present but low transmission; pregnant women should take precautions.
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Common; avoid tap water and undercooked food.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural areas near borders (Nicaragua, Panama). Prophylaxis not routinely recommended for standard tourist itineraries.
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 extensions and visa matters. Bring passport, visa, and proof of funds.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración Liberia
Calle 4, Avenida 3, Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Serves northern Pacific region. Less crowded than San José.
Practical information for LK 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
No. Costa Rica does not offer visa on arrival for Sri Lankan passport holders. You must get a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, but can be longer during peak seasons. Apply at least a month before your planned travel.
The visa fee varies by embassy but is usually around $30 to $50 USD. Check with the specific embassy where you apply.
You'll need a valid passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, passport-sized photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, bank statements (last 3–6 months), and sometimes a letter of employment or invitation. Requirements can vary by embassy — confirm with them directly.
Yes, you can apply for an extension at the Immigration Office in San José. Extensions are not guaranteed and cost around $100. Apply before your initial 90 days expire.
Costa Rica does not require yellow fever vaccination for travelers from Sri Lanka unless you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Check current health requirements before travel.
Overstaying can result in a fine of about $100 per month, and you may be barred from re-entering for a period. Always leave before your authorized stay expires.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.