Costa Rica entry requirements for Slovakia 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
From 2026, Slovak passport holders can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days. You need a valid passport and proof of onward travel. No application or fee is required beforehand.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Costa Rica. No minimum validity beyond your stay is required by Costa Rican 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 check this before stamping you in. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed or digital hotel reservation for your first few nights. If staying with friends, have their address and phone number written down — officers sometimes ask for it. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Have a bank statement or credit card ready to show you have enough money for your trip. There's no fixed minimum, but around $100 per day is a safe benchmark if asked. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines often check your passport validity before boarding. If your passport expires within 6 months of your entry date, you may be denied boarding even if Costa Rica would let you in. Renew early.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended
Costa Rica has good public healthcare, but private hospitals can charge hundreds of dollars per day. A basic travel insurance policy covers this and is cheap peace of mind.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Before you leave, check your passport validity (6+ months from entry date), book your return/onward ticket, and save your first night's accommodation confirmation. Also arrange travel insurance and a local SIM or eSIM if you want.
2
Arrive at Costa Rica immigration
At the airport (San José or Liberia), join the 'Foreign Passports' queue. Have your passport and boarding pass ready. The officer will ask about your stay duration and may ask for proof of onward travel. They'll stamp your passport with up to 180 days.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. You may be asked to declare items. No visa or fee is collected at this point.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Slovakia 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
Cost~$30 USD (estimated)
For those who need a visa or want a longer stay; apply at Costa Rican embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost~$60 USD (estimated)
Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.
retirement visa
Pensionado (Retirement) Visa
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee
For retirees with a permanent pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of pension and background check. Allows residency and access to healthcare.
digital nomad visa
Rentista (Income) Visa
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee
For individuals with a guaranteed monthly income of at least $2,500 USD for 2 years. No work permit needed. Ideal for remote workers.
investor visa
Inversionista (Investor) Visa
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee + investment
Requires investment of at least $200,000 USD in real estate or business. Provides residency and potential citizenship path.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension (not available)Visa-free stay is not extendable; must leave after 180 days. | N/A |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at immigration discretion; 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
Slovak passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Costa Rica airports.
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.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
DengueModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; common in urban and rural areas.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks.
ZikaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; risk for pregnant women.
Malaria risk: low
Low risk in rural areas near borders; prophylaxis not routinely recommended for most tourists.
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 mts norte de la Contraloría General de la República
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and immigration procedures.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle 2, Avenida 1, Frente al Parque Central
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Serves the Guanacaste region, near popular tourist beaches.
Practical information for SK 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 entry. The exact number of days is granted by the immigration officer on arrival, but 180 is the maximum. Overstaying can result in fines or future entry bans.
No, the 180-day visa-free stay cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave Costa Rica and re-enter, but immigration may question frequent back-to-back visits. For long-term stays, consider applying for a residence permit.
Yes, any onward ticket out of Costa Rica works — it doesn't have to be a return to Slovakia. Immigration just needs proof you'll leave before your 180 days expire.
You may be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by Costa Rican immigration. Always renew your passport if it's close to expiring.
No, there is no arrival declaration or fee for Slovak passport holders. You simply present your passport and onward ticket at immigration.
No, the 180-day visa-free stay is for tourism or business visits only. Working or studying requires a separate visa or permit. If you're caught doing either, you risk deportation and a ban.
Contact the Slovak embassy in Mexico City (which covers Costa Rica) or the nearest EU consulate. They can issue an emergency travel document. Also file a police report locally.
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.