PassportGoing to

Costa Rica visa requirements for Kenyan citizens

Kenyan citizens need a visa for Costa Rica, from its embassy or consulate.

Passport

KEN

Kenya

Going to

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

Make your trip easier

Do you already have any of these?

Some countries make entry easier if you hold a valid visa or residence permit from another country.

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.

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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
1. Contact the Costa Rican consulate handling your application.
2. Ask for its form, document list and fee.
3. Prepare your papers and any required translations.
4. Attend your appointment and pay as told.
5. 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
- Published processing periods differ; ask the consulate.
- 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.
Official page
Visa not requiredUS or Canadian visaSome visitors can skip a Costa Rican visa using a US or Canadian visa.
Fee
Free
How to apply
1. Check that your visa allows multiple entries.
2. Check it has started and has 1 day left.
3. Check that its visa type is accepted.
4. 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.
Official page
Visa not requiredUS or Canadian residenceSome visitors can skip a Costa Rican visa using US or Canadian residence papers.
Fee
Free
How to apply
1. Check that your residence papers allow multiple entries.
2. Check that they have at least 1 day left.
3. Check the separate 90-day rule for refugee travel documents.
4. 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.
Official page
Visa not requiredEuropean residence exemptionAccepted European residence papers may let you visit without a Costa Rican visa.
Fee
Free
How to apply
1. Ask the consulate whether your residence papers qualify.
2. Check multiple-entry rights or at least 90 days remaining.
3. Prepare your papers and any required translation.
4. 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.
Official page
Visa not requiredSchengen visa exemptionAn accepted multiple-entry Schengen visa may let you visit without a Costa Rican visa.
Fee
Free
How to apply
1. Check that your visa is type C or D.
2. Check multiple entries and a validity of 90 days maximum.
3. Check that the issuing country is on the guide's list.
4. Check it has started and has 1 day left.
5. 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.
Official page

Sources (16)Last updated 11 November 2026

Embassies for this trip

Book an appointment before you go.

All embassies

Embassy
Embassy of Costa Rica in Kenya
Eaton Place Building, United Nations Crescent Road
costaricanembassy.co.ke

Coming from Kenya

Plugs A BAdapter needed
MoneyCRC ₡
Time−9h
DrivingOn the rightLook left first
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.

Read the full Costa Rica guide