Costa Rica visa requirements for Central African citizens
Central African citizens need a visa for Costa Rica, from its embassy or consulate.
CAF
Central African Republic
CRI
Costa Rica
Visa needed
Group 3 visitors need this visa unless they meet a visa-free rule.
- Visa
- Required
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Find Costa Rica's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
Get your Costa Rica visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Costa Rica
Check your passport country and foreign visas or residence papers.
Visa required For your passportVisitor visaGroup 3 visitors need this visa unless they meet a visa-free rule.
- Stay
- 30–90 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Contact the Costa Rican consulate handling your application.
- Ask for its form, document list and fee.
- Prepare your papers and any required translations.
- Attend your appointment and pay as told.
- Check the travel deadline on your approved visa.
Documents required
- Signed request with trip details
- Visa application form
- Passport valid at least 180 days
- Copy of every passport page
- Travel booking
- Proof of money
- Current police record
- Return ticket
- The guide gives 60 working days after stamping; confirm your visa's travel deadline.
- Venezuelan tourists must apply outside Venezuela; Chinese children need the restricted visa process.
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
Coming from Central African Republic
- Plugs A BAdapter needed
- MoneyCRC ₡
- Time−7h
- 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 Africa passports
Going to Costa Rica
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Costa Rica with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do central african citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
Central African citizens need a visa for Costa Rica, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a Costa Rica visa?
At Costa Rica's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help central african citizens enter Costa Rica?
We have no record of Costa Rica relaxing its rules for central african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do costa rican citizens need a visa for the Central African Republic?
Costa Rican citizens need a visa for the Central African Republic, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Costa Rica?
Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles and South Africa can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Costa Rica are easier for central african citizens?
Nicaragua, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador Haiti, and 3 more let central african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Costa Rica?
Find Costa Rica's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
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 Central African Republic passport?
It ranks #83 and reaches 48 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck