Costa Rica entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Verified May 14, 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
New Zealand passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for stays up to 180 days. This policy applies in 2026 for tourism, business, and short-term visits. No application or fee is needed before you travel.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your New Zealand passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Costa Rica. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Costa Rican law, but airlines may check for at least 6 months validity at check-in. | 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 check this at the counter before stamping you in. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. Have your first night's hotel confirmation or a letter from your host ready to show. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Costa Rica doesn't publish a fixed minimum amount, but carrying at least $500 USD in cash or having a credit card with available limit covers you. Immigration rarely asks, but it's smart to have bank statements or a card handy. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Immigration officers count 6 months from your entry date, not your departure. If your passport expires sooner, you'll be refused entry. Check your passport now.
Request 180 days at immigration
By default, officers may stamp 90 days. If you want the full 180, politely ask when you hand over your passport. They'll usually grant it without fuss.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration
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 your purpose of visit, length of stay, and where you're staying. Answer clearly and briefly.
3
Receive entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry and the maximum stay (usually 90 days, but you can request 180). Check the stamp before leaving the counter.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, collect your bags from the carousel and proceed through customs. Green lane = nothing to declare, red lane = goods to declare.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 14, 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
CostNot applicable (visa-free)
Visa-free entry already allows up to 180 days; no need for a separate tourist visa.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay180 days per entry
Validity1 year
CostNot applicable (visa-free)
Visa-free entry allows multiple entries; no separate visa required.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost~$250 USD (approx. 125,000 CRC)
Requires proof of steady income (e.g., $2,500/month) and no work permit.
Digital nomad visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 50,000 CRC)
For remote workers; must show income of at least $3,000/month and health insurance.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD (approx. 125,000 CRC)
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month. Allows residency and access to healthcare. Must apply from abroad.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Teletrabajo)
1 year, renewable once
~$100 USD (approx. 50,000 CRC)
For remote workers earning at least $3,000/month. No local tax on foreign income. Requires health insurance.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD (approx. 250,000 CRC)
For investors putting at least $200,000 in real estate or business. Includes family members. Must show source of funds.
work visa
Trabajador Visa (Work)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD (approx. 150,000 CRC)
Requires a local employer to sponsor. Must prove specialized skills not available locally. Limited to certain sectors.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extensionPossible at immigration offices, but not guaranteed; must apply before 180 days expire. | ~$50 USD (approx. 25,000 CRC) |
| Overstay fine per dayCapped at 1 month's fine; overstay may also result in deportation. | ~$10 USD per day (approx. 5,000 CRC) |
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry already covers up to 180 days; no separate tourist visa needed. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry already covers multiple entries within 180 days. | Not applicable |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
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
New Zealand 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). Must show certificate.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks, similar to dengue.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; risk for pregnant women; avoid if pregnant.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural areas near the Caribbean coast (e.g., Limón province). Prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
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 6, Calle 14, San José
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for extensions and permits; bring passport, TM.7 form, and proof of funds.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle 2, Avenida 3, Liberia
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Closer to Pacific beaches; handles extensions and re-entry permits.
Practical information for NZ 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 = 457.7 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
The standard visa-free stay is 180 days. Extensions are not available for tourists. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave the country (e.g., a border run to Panama or Nicaragua) and re-enter. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban.
No, Costa Rica does not require yellow fever vaccination for travellers from New Zealand. It's only required if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., parts of South America).
Yes, the 180-day visa-free entry allows digital nomads and remote work. There's no specific digital nomad visa needed for New Zealanders. Just don't take local employment.
You'll be denied entry. Renew your passport before travelling. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced.
No, Costa Rica does not require a pre-arrival declaration for New Zealand passport holders. You just show your passport at immigration.
Yes, the same visa-free rules apply at land borders. You'll need your passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Border crossings are straightforward but can have queues.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined approximately $100–200 USD and may be banned from re-entering for a period. Always leave before your stamp expires.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 14, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.