Embassy
Embassy of Canada in Costa Rica
Oficentro Ejecutivo La Sabana, Torre 5
Costa Rica visa requirements for Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for Costa Rica. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 180 days.
Passport
CAN
Canada
Going to
CRI
Costa Rica
No visa needed
People from Group 1 countries can visit without a visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 180 days (6 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Costa Rica.
Ways into Costa Rica
Check your passport country and foreign visas or residence papers.
Visa not required For your passportGroup 1 visa-free stayPeople from Group 1 countries can visit without a visa.
- Stay
- 180 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your passport country is in Group 1.
- Pack your passport, onward ticket and proof of money.
- Show your papers at the border.
Documents required
- Passport valid at least 1 day
- Return or onward ticket
- 100 USD per month or part-month
- Your stay cannot last beyond your passport's expiry date.
- A 180-day stay cannot be extended; stays below 90 days may reach 90.
Visa not requiredUS or Canadian visaSome visitors can skip a Costa Rican visa using a US or Canadian visa.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your visa allows multiple entries.
- Check it has started and has 1 day left.
- Check that its visa type is accepted.
- Show your visa and entry papers at the border.
Documents required
- Passport meeting your country's rules
- Accepted US or Canadian multiple-entry visa
- Onward ticket
- 100 USD per month or part-month
- Return ticket
- US C1, C2 and C3 visas do not qualify; D and C1/D qualify.
- Your stay depends on nationality and cannot outlast the foreign visa.
Visa not requiredUS or Canadian residenceSome visitors can skip a Costa Rican visa using US or Canadian residence papers.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your residence papers allow multiple entries.
- Check that they have at least 1 day left.
- Check the separate 90-day rule for refugee travel documents.
- Show your original papers at the border.
Documents required
- Passport or accepted travel document
- Accepted residence papers
- Onward ticket
- 100 USD per month or part-month
- Return ticket
- Refugees using the separate travel-document rule need status valid for 90 days from arrival.
- Your stay depends on nationality and cannot outlast your residence document.
Visa not requiredEuropean residence exemptionAccepted European residence papers may let you visit without a Costa Rican visa.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Ask the consulate whether your residence papers qualify.
- Check multiple-entry rights or at least 90 days remaining.
- Prepare your papers and any required translation.
- Show your papers at the border.
Documents required
- Passport meeting your country's rules
- Accepted residence papers
- Translation if required
- Onward ticket
- 100 USD per month or part-month
- Return ticket
- Refugee and asylum residence papers do not qualify for this route.
- Your nationality and the border officer decide your allowed stay.
Visa not requiredSchengen visa exemptionAn accepted multiple-entry Schengen visa may let you visit without a Costa Rican visa.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your visa is type C or D.
- Check multiple entries and a validity of 90 days maximum.
- Check that the issuing country is on the guide's list.
- Check it has started and has 1 day left.
- Show your visa and entry papers at the border.
Documents required
- Passport meeting your country's rules
- Accepted multiple-entry Schengen visa
- Onward ticket
- 100 USD per month or part-month
- Return ticket
- Your stay depends on nationality and cannot outlast the Schengen visa.
- A visa that starts after your arrival does not qualify.
Sources (16)Last updated 11 November 2026
- General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners: visas
- Immigration directive AJ-484-11-2025, official gazette text hosted by Costa Rica's sports institute
- Foreign Ministry: consular procedures manual
- Foreign Ministry: Costa Rican consular office in India; no separate verified India visa page located
- Costa Rican Embassy in the US: visas, residence and health information
- Costa Rican Embassy in the US: consular visa
- Costa Rican Embassy in the US: restricted visa
- Costa Rican Embassy in the UK: visa-exempt countries
- Costa Rican Embassy in the UK: tourist visas
- Costa Rican Embassy in the UK: frequently asked questions
- Costa Rican Embassy in the UK: residence categories
- Costa Rican Embassy in Kenya: visas and local processing
- Costa Rica Tourism Board: entry requirements
- Costa Rica Tourism Board: digital nomad programme
- Costa Rica Tourism Board: digital nomad requirements and official application-platform link
- Costa Rica Tourism Board: digital nomad application procedure
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from Canada
- Plugs A BNo adapter
- MoneyCRC ₡
- Time+2h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageSpanish
- Emergency911 police
Planning your Costa Rica trip
Best time to go: December to April is the dry season. May to November is the rainy season; September and October have the most rain and the fewest tourists.
- National parks and protected areasThese protect a rich variety of plants and wildlife across almost 28% of Costa Rica.
- Pacific and Caribbean beachesBoth coasts have well-known beaches, with relatively short travel distances between the two sides.
- Active volcanoesSeveral active volcanoes can be visited safely.
- Central Cordillera mountainsThe mountains offer a cooler climate than the coast, while their Caribbean slopes receive very heavy rainfall.
Scams to watch for in Costa Rica
- Flat-tire help used to stealA stranger offers help when you have a flat tire. Their friendly approach creates a chance to steal your belongings. The situation can also turn into a carjacking.
- Taxi meter left offThe driver leaves the meter off and makes up a higher fare at the end. Airport drivers may be unwilling to use the meter.
- Unlicensed taxis and airport luggage pressureAn unlicensed driver offers a ride and may charge far more than an official airport taxi. Some approach quickly, grab your luggage and start loading it into their car to pressure you into going with them.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a Central American republic between Nicaragua and Panama, with two coastlines.
- Capital
- San José
- Money
- Costa Rican colón (₡)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Time zone
- UTC-06:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +506
Other Americas passports
Going to Costa Rica
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Costa Rica with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do canadian citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for Costa Rica. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 180 days.
How long can canadian citizens stay in Costa Rica?
Up to 180 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do costa rican citizens need a visa for Canada?
Costa Rican citizens need a visa for Canada, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to Costa Rica?
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados Belize, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Costa Rica are easier for canadian citizens?
Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras Nicaragua, and 3 more let canadian citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Costa Rica?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rican colón (₡). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Costa Rica?
Spanish.
How strong is the Canada passport?
It ranks #10 and reaches 152 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck