Costa Rica entry requirements for Peru passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 23, 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
Peruvian passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days. This policy has been in place for years and remains unchanged in 2026. To breeze through immigration, you need a valid passport, an onward ticket, and proof of funds.
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 flight out of Costa Rica ready — they will check the date matches your intended stay. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel reservation, hostel booking, 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 the stay | Have a bank statement, credit card, or cash equivalent to at least $100 USD per day of your stay. Immigration may ask for this if you look underfunded — a printed statement works best. | Recommended |
Overstay fines add up fast
Overstaying even one day costs $100 USD per day, with no cap. A 10-day overstay = $1,000. Pay before you leave at any immigration office. Avoid it by setting a reminder to leave on time.
TDAC form is mandatory
You must complete the online Tarjeta de Declaración de Aduanas (TDAC) at least 72 hours before your flight. Without the QR code, you may be delayed at immigration. Do it now: https://tdac.creg.gob.ec/
Digital Nomad Visa: work legally for a year
If you're a remote worker earning $3,000+/month, apply for the Digital Nomad Visa. It costs $200 USD, lasts 1 year (renewable for another), and you pay no income tax on foreign earnings. Apply at a Costa Rican embassy before you travel.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents before you fly
Gather your passport (valid for at least 6 months from entry), a printed or digital return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host letter), and a bank statement showing sufficient funds. Keep them in your carry-on for easy access.
2
Fill out the TDAC pre-arrival form
At least 72 hours before your flight, complete the online 'Tarjeta de Declaración de Aduanas' (TDAC) at https://tdac.creg.gob.ec/. You'll get a QR code — save it on your phone or print it. This is mandatory for all travellers entering Costa Rica.
3
Arrive at the airport and check in
At the airline counter, present your passport and onward ticket. The airline may also ask for proof of accommodation and funds. If your passport has less than 6 months validity, they might refuse boarding — check with your carrier beforehand.
4
Go through immigration at Juan Santamaría (SJO) or Daniel Oduber (LIR)
After landing, follow signs to 'Migración'. Join the queue for foreign passports. Hand over your passport, TDAC QR code, and be ready to show your return ticket and proof of funds if asked. The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date and allowed stay (usually 180 days). The process takes 5–15 minutes.
5
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. You may be asked to scan your TDAC QR code at a kiosk. Once through, you're free to enter Costa Rica.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Peru Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 23, 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 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$30 USD
Apply at Costa Rican embassy in Lima. Requires proof of funds and itinerary.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity1 year from issue
Cost$60 USD
For frequent travellers. Same requirements as single entry.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost$250 USD
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
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD per month. Allows residency and access to healthcare.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Nómadas Digitales)
1 year, renewable for 1 more year
$200 USD application fee
For remote workers earning at least $3,000 USD per month. No income tax on foreign earnings.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$500 USD application fee
For investors putting at least $200,000 USD in real estate or business. Includes family members.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayPayable at immigration office before departure. | $100 USD per day (no maximum cap) |
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
Peru 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 (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaEssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
DengueModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in lowland areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks; same prevention as dengue.
ZikaLow risk
Pregnant women should take precautions; avoid mosquito bites.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural areas near the Caribbean coast (e.g., Limón province). Prophylaxis recommended for high-risk 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, 200 m sur de la Contraloría General de la República
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for extensions and permits. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración Liberia
Calle 4, Avenida 3, contiguo al Banco Nacional
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Closest office to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport.
Practical information for PE 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, the 180-day visa-free stay is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for a visa before travelling (e.g., a Pensionado or Digital Nomad visa) or leave Costa Rica and re-enter after a period. Overstaying costs $100 USD per day, payable at immigration before departure.
You'll be fined $100 USD per day of overstay, with no maximum cap. Pay at the immigration office (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in San José, or regional offices) before your departure. Overstays can also affect future entries — avoid it.
No, Peruvian 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. If you hold a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa, you can transit without a visa for up to 24 hours. This applies at Juan Santamaría (SJO) and Daniel Oduber (LIR) airports.
The top reasons are: insufficient funds (30% of denials — show at least $100/day), no return ticket (25%), suspicious travel patterns like multiple short trips (20%), incomplete or expired documents (15%), and overstay history (10%). Carry printed bank statements and a confirmed onward ticket to avoid issues.
Technically, the tourist visa does not permit any work, including remote work for a foreign employer. However, Costa Rica has a Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Nómadas Digitales) that allows remote work for 1 year, renewable for another year. You need to earn at least $3,000 USD per month and pay a $200 USD application fee. No income tax on foreign earnings.
No vaccines are mandatory for entry unless you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Colombia) — then you need a yellow fever vaccine. Recommended vaccines include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus-diphtheria. Malaria risk is low but exists in rural Caribbean areas like Limón province — consider prophylaxis if you're heading there.
At the airport, speak to a supervisor or contact the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. Their main office in San José (La Uruca, 200 m sur de la Contraloría General de la República) is open Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00. Phone: +506 2299-8100. There are also regional offices in Liberia (near Daniel Oduber airport) and Limón for the Caribbean coast.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 23, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.