Costa Rica entry requirements for Lithuania passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 19, 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
Lithuanian passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days. This rule applies to tourism, business, or transit. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Lithuanian passport needs to be valid only for the time you plan to stay in Costa Rica — no 6-month rule here. Airlines sometimes enforce a 6-month validity anyway, so check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Costa Rica | Immigration officers at San José airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket before letting you through. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight ready — they check this at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and phone number covers this. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Costa Rica doesn't publish a fixed minimum, but carrying a credit card and a bank statement showing a few hundred dollars is smart. I've seen officers ask for this at random — better to have it. | Recommended |
Check your passport validity now
The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before booking flights. Airlines check this before you board.
No visa needed for 180 days
Lithuanian passport holders get a full 180 days visa-free. That's one of the longest allowances in Central America — plenty of time for travel, remote work, or just relaxing.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration counter
At San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airport, join the 'Extranjeros' (Foreigners) queue. Have your passport and return ticket ready.
2
Present documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation. Answer clearly — they're just confirming you're a tourist.
3
Get stamped in
The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and writes the number of days granted (usually 90 or 180). Check the stamp before walking away.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, grab your bags from the carousel and walk through customs. Green light means no inspection; red means a quick bag check.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Lithuania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 19, 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 stay180 days
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~$30 USD (equivalent in colones)
Not needed for visa-free entry, but can be applied for if you want a formal visa stamp.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay180 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost~$60 USD
Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost~$250 USD (application fee)
Requires proof of monthly income of at least $2,500 USD for 2 years.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee + $1,000 USD annual renewal
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD per month. 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 or more. Requires proof of income and health insurance.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD application fee + investment of $200,000 USD minimum
For investors in real estate, business, or government bonds. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave after 180 days. | Not available |
| Overstay fineOverstay fines are assessed at immigration upon departure; exact amount varies. | ~$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
Lithuanian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, as long as they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa-free entry applies (up to 180 days).
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-rubella (MMR)EssentialCOVID-19Recommended
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks reported.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended. Risk is higher in remote regions near the Caribbean coast (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, San José, Costa Rica
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency applications. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración Liberia
Avenida Central, Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions and permits for travellers in the Guanacaste region.
Practical information for LT 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 = 453.61 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 180-day visa-free period is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must leave Costa Rica for at least 72 hours before re-entering. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Not if you're arriving directly from Europe. But if you've been in a country with yellow fever (like Brazil or Colombia) within 90 days before entering Costa Rica, you'll need proof of vaccination.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline. Costa Rica strictly enforces the 6-month validity rule. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yes, as a tourist you can work remotely for a foreign employer. But you cannot take a local job or provide services to a Costa Rican company without a work visa.
No, Costa Rica does not require an online arrival declaration for Lithuanian passport holders. You just fill out the standard immigration card on the plane or at the airport.
Overstaying even one day can result in a fine of about $100 USD, and you may be flagged for future entries. For longer overstays, you could be banned from re-entering for up to 5 years.
No, if you're transiting through Costa Rica and staying airside (not passing immigration), you don't need a visa. But if you leave the airport, you must go through immigration and follow the same rules as any visitor.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 19, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.