Costa Rica entry requirements for Romania passport holders
Checked daily · Updated June 1, 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
Romanian passport holders can visit Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days. This policy started in 2023 and covers tourism, business, and short-term stays. No visa application is needed before you travel.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Romanian passport must be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Costa Rica. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required, but airlines may ask for 6 months — 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 granting entry. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight booking 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 at least $500 USD in cash or having a credit card with a visible limit shows you're not arriving broke. ATM access is reliable in San José and tourist areas. | Recommended |
Check your entry stamp
Immigration officers sometimes stamp 90 days instead of 180. Always check the number written on the stamp before leaving the counter. If it's less than 180, politely ask for the full allowance.
Overstaying is expensive
Overstaying even by a day can trigger a fine and a record that may complicate future travel. Set a calendar reminder to leave a few days before your allowed stay ends.
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 boarding pass ready.
2
Present documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and first-night accommodation. Answer clearly — they speak some English at major airports.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the number of days granted (usually 90 or 180). Check the stamp before walking away.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. You'll likely walk through a green channel (nothing to declare) unless you have goods to declare.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Romania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 1, 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
CostFree (not required for visa-free entry)
Visa-free entry already covers 180 days; no need to apply.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay180 days per entry
Validity1 year
CostFree (not required for visa-free entry)
Visa-free entry allows multiple entries; no separate visa needed.
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. Allows longer stays.
Digital nomad visa
Max stay1 year, renewable once
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD application fee
For remote workers with income from outside Costa Rica. Requires proof of employment and health insurance.
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 permanent residency after 3 years. Must show proof of pension and health insurance.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Teletrabajo)
1 year, renewable once
~$200 USD application fee
For remote workers earning income from outside Costa Rica. Requires proof of employment, health insurance, and no local income. Tax-free on foreign income.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD application fee
For investors who invest at least $200,000 USD in real estate or a business. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Leads to permanent residency.
student visa
Estudiante Visa (Student)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD application fee
For students enrolled in a recognized Costa Rican institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension (not available)Visa-free stay is not extendable; must leave after 180 days. | N/A |
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry covers tourism; no separate tourist visa needed. | Free (not applicable) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry covers multiple entries within 180 days. | Free (not applicable) |
| Overstay fineOverstay fines are calculated per month; exact amount may vary. Avoid overstaying. | ~$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
Romanian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, as long as they stay airside and do not pass through immigration.
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 risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of South America and Africa).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in urban and rural areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; symptoms include fever and joint pain.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis is not routinely recommended but may be considered for remote regions near borders.
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 metros sur de la Contraloría General de la República
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
Calle 4, Avenida 1, contiguo al Banco Nacional
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Useful for travellers in Guanacaste region. Handles extensions and permits.
Practical information for RO 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 = 455.14 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. You must leave before it expires. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban on re-entry.
You will be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
Not if you're arriving directly from Europe. However, if you've recently been in a country with yellow fever (e.g., Brazil, Colombia), you'll need proof of vaccination.
Technically, tourism visas don't permit local employment. Remote work for a foreign employer is a gray area — many digital nomads do it, but there's no official permission. For long-term stays, consider the digital nomad visa (rentista category).
You'll be fined approximately $100–$200 depending on how long you overstay. You may also be flagged and denied entry on future visits. Always leave on time.
Yes, but it's usually included in your airline ticket. Check your ticket details — if not, you'll pay about $29 at the airport (cash or card).
Yes, with the same visa-free policy. At land borders, you'll go through immigration just like at an airport. Have your passport and return ticket ready.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 1, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.