Costa Rica entry requirements for Slovenia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 20, 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
Slovenian passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for stays up to 180 days. This policy has been in effect since 2024 and covers tourism, business, or short-term visits. 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 passport needs to be valid only for the time you plan to stay in Costa Rica. Airlines sometimes ask for 6 months validity — 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 booking ready — they may deny entry without one. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a letter from your host. Officers rarely ask for it, but having it avoids delays if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Have a bank statement or credit card ready showing you have enough money for your trip. There's no fixed minimum, but $100–$200 per day is a safe benchmark. | Recommended |
Passport validity counts from arrival, not departure
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you land in Costa Rica. If it expires sooner, you'll be turned away at the airport. Check your passport's expiry date before booking flights.
Keep a copy of your return ticket
Immigration officers at San José and Liberia airports routinely ask for proof of onward travel. A screenshot on your phone or a printed copy is fine. Don't rely on having internet access to pull it up.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the airport
You'll land at San José (Juan Santamaría International Airport) or Liberia. Follow signs to 'Migración' for passport control.
2
Queue at immigration
Join the line for 'All Passports' or 'Foreigners'. Have your passport, return ticket (screenshot or print), and accommodation confirmation ready.
3
Present documents to officer
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask your purpose of visit, length of stay, and where you're staying. Answer briefly and honestly.
4
Receive entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the date of entry and the allowed stay (usually 90 or 180 days). Check the stamp before leaving the counter.
5
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, pick up your bags from baggage claim, then proceed through customs (green channel if nothing to declare). You're in.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Slovenia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 20, 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
Validity3 months from issue
CostApproximately $30 USD (varies by embassy)
For those who prefer a visa in advance; not necessary for Slovenian passport holders.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
CostApproximately $50 USD (varies by embassy)
Allows multiple entries; not necessary for visa-free travel.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
CostApproximately $250 USD (application fee)
Requires proof of steady income from abroad (e.g., $2,500/month). Allows longer stay.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
Approximately $250 USD application fee
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month from abroad. Allows permanent residency after 3 years. Must maintain income proof.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad / Remote Worker)
2 years, renewable
Approximately $250 USD application fee
For remote workers with steady income of at least $2,500/month from abroad. No local tax on foreign income. Requires proof of income and health insurance.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
Approximately $500 USD application fee
For investors who invest at least $200,000 in Costa Rican real estate or business. Leads to permanent residency after 3 years.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable. Must leave after 180 days. | Not available |
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry covers tourist visits; no visa required. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry covers multiple visits within 180-day limit. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed upon departure; exact amount varies. Avoid overstaying. | Approximately $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
Slovenian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, as long as they remain 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., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in urban and rural areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.
Zika virusLow risk
Risk is low but present; pregnant women should take precautions against mosquito bites.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks; symptoms include fever and joint pain.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas, but present in some rural regions (e.g., Limón province). Prophylaxis is 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, 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
Avenida Central, Calle 2, frente al Parque Central
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions and permits for travellers in Guanacaste region.
Practical information for SI 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
You can stay up to 180 days per visit. Immigration officers typically grant 90 days initially, but you can request the full 180 days at the counter. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
No. The 180-day visa-free period cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave Costa Rica and re-enter after a short absence. Overstaying is not recommended.
Yes. You need a booked flight out of Costa Rica before your 180 days are up. A flexible ticket or one with a date change option works best if your plans aren't fixed.
You'll be denied entry at the airport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. If it's close to expiring, renew it before you travel.
It's not required by law for entry, but it's strongly recommended. Medical costs in Costa Rica are high — a simple hospital visit can cost hundreds of dollars. A basic policy covering medical evacuation is cheap peace of mind.
Yes, under the 'Rentista' or digital nomad visa you can work for a foreign employer. The visa-free entry doesn't explicitly allow remote work, but short-term digital nomads usually don't have issues. For longer stays, apply for the official digital nomad visa (up to 1 year).
Denial is rare for Slovenian passport holders with proper documents. Common reasons: expired passport, no return ticket, or suspicious travel history. If denied, you'll be put on the next flight back at your own expense. Always carry proof of onward travel and accommodation.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 20, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.