Costa Rica entry requirements for Turkey passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 21, 2026·View sources
No visa required
30 days
Max stay
30 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Turkish passport holders can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 30 days. Just show up at the airport with your passport and a return ticket. This policy is in effect for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for at least the 30 days you plan to stay in Costa Rica. Airlines at Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) will check this before boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Costa Rica | Immigration officers at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a digital version on your phone 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 entire stay. If staying with friends, have their full name, address, and phone number written down — immigration may ask for it. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Demonstrate you can support yourself | Have a bank statement or credit card showing you have at least $100–$200 per day of your stay. Immigration rarely asks, but budget airlines flying into Costa Rica sometimes check at check-in. | Recommended |
6-month passport rule strictly enforced
Costa Rica immigration checks passport validity from your entry date, not your departure. If your passport expires within 6 months of landing, you will be refused entry. Renew before you go.
No visa, no fee, no forms
Turkish passport holders get 30 days visa-free with no application fee and no online pre-registration. Just arrive with your passport and a return ticket.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at San José Airport (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)
After landing, follow signs to 'Migración' (Immigration). Join the queue for 'Extranjeros' (Foreigners). Have your passport and return ticket ready. The officer will stamp your passport for 30 days. No forms to fill in advance.
2
Present documents at the counter
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation. Answer clearly. If they ask how long you're staying, say the exact number of days (up to 30). The stamp is usually free.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, go to baggage claim, then customs. You may be asked to declare items. Green channel means nothing to declare. Red channel means random inspection.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Turkey Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 21, 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 (approx. 1,000 CRC)
Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before travel. Allows longer stay than visa-free.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~$60 USD (approx. 2,000 CRC)
For frequent travellers. Must apply in advance at a Costa Rican embassy.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost~$250 USD (approx. 8,500 CRC)
Requires proof of stable monthly income (at least $2,500 USD). Allows residency.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD (approx. 8,500 CRC)
For retirees with a permanent pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of pension and background check. Allows residency and work permit.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (approx. 6,800 CRC)
For remote workers with stable income of at least $2,500 USD/month. Requires proof of employment and health insurance. Allows stay and work for foreign employers.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD (approx. 17,000 CRC)
For investors who invest at least $200,000 USD in Costa Rica (real estate, business, or government bonds). Requires proof of investment and business plan.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension feeVisa-free stays are not extendable. Overstay is not permitted. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry already applies; no tourist visa required for short stays. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry already applies; no tourist visa required for short stays. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are not clearly published; avoid overstaying to prevent fines or deportation. | Unknown |
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
Turkish passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, provided they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or passing through immigration, visa-free entry rules apply (30 days).
- Transit without visa is allowed for up to 12 hours airside.
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 AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in lowland areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.
Zika virusLow risk
Risk is low but present; pregnant women should take precautions.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks; prevent mosquito bites.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended but consider for remote lowland regions.
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, San José, Costa Rica
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, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for travellers in the Guanacaste area. Limited services; call ahead.
Practical information for TR 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 = 452.63 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 visa-free entry is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must leave the country (e.g., to Panama or Nicaragua) and re-enter, or apply for a visa extension before your 30 days expire — but extensions are rarely granted and cost around $100. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Not officially required for Turkish passport holders. But if asked, having a credit card or a bank statement showing at least $500 is a safe bet. Most travellers are never asked.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline. Costa Rica strictly enforces the 6-month rule. Renew your passport before travel.
No. Only a valid passport is accepted. Turkish national ID cards are not recognised for international travel to Costa Rica.
No. Costa Rica does not require an online arrival declaration for Turkish passport holders. You just show up with your passport and ticket.
You'll be fined approximately $100 per month of overstay, payable at the immigration office before departure. Overstaying more than 90 days can lead to a ban from re-entering Costa Rica for up to 3 years.
No. The visa-free entry is for tourism only. Working or studying requires a specific visa obtained before travel. If caught, you risk deportation and a ban.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 21, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.