Costa Rica visa requirements for Colombian citizens
Up-to-date entry requirements for Costa Rica for Colombia passport holders: Yes. You must apply for the visa in advance at the relevant consulate or embassy.
- Processing time
- 2-4 weeks, with an in-person consulate/embassy appointment.
- Estimated cost
- 60-160 USD (varies by consulate)
- Minimum passport validity
- 6 months
Why is this passport validity required? →
Last verified: 2026-09-08
How this visa is processed
Consulate General of Costa Rica in Bogotá (consular tourist visa), unless exempt via a US or Canadian visa
Colombians need a visa to enter Costa Rica, even for tourism (currently under Circular AJ-484-11-2025). There is a clear exemption: anyone holding a valid multiple-entry visa from the United States or Canada — with at least one day of validity on entry — does not need to obtain the Costa Rican visa; US transit visas (C1, C2, C3) do not count for this exemption. Without such a visa, the consular tourist visa is applied for at the Consulate General of Costa Rica in Bogotá: it is single-entry, allows up to 90 days, and the visa is valid for 60 business days from issuance. The Colombian passport needs 3 months' validity to enter, but 6 months for the visa to be stamped. The decision is given the same day at 15:00; if refused, you cannot reapply for 6 months.
Official application site →Application details verified on 2026-09-08. Sources: embajadadecostarica.org (Embassy and Consulate General of Costa Rica in Colombia — Visas: visa required under Circular AJ-484-11-2025; exemption with a multiple-entry US or Canadian visa, C1/C2/C3 excluded; single-entry tourist visa up to 90 days, valid 60 business days; passport 3 months to enter / 6 to stamp; 6-month block after a refusal). Checked 8 September 2026.
Verified practical details
You'll need to apply for a visa at a consulate or embassy before traveling. Here are the practical details we've verified:
Fee
Tourist entry has no pre-authorization fee for the passports we track (no paid ETA/eVisa-type system).
Required documents
- Return or onward travel ticket (pre-purchased bus, flight, or cruise passage) — Costa Rica requires it, though border enforcement is inconsistent.
- Proof of economic means: a minimum of US$100 per month or partial month of intended stay.
Vaccinations
- No mandatory vaccines for general entry. A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over 9 months of age arriving from —or having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of— a country with risk of transmission; Argentina, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago are exempt from that requirement.
Transit rules
The maximum stay is set by the immigration officer on arrival, up to 180 days depending on nationality and discretion — there's no single fixed limit for all nationalities.
Customs limits
- Cash
- Declare to Customs if entering or leaving Costa Rica with USD 10,000 or more in cash or securities (or the equivalent in another currency).
- Alcohol
- Up to 5 litres of wine, brandy or other spirits per adult traveller, duty-free; the excess is held by customs.
- Tobacco
- Up to 500 g of tobacco (about 5 cartons of cigarettes) per adult traveller, duty-free; the excess is held by customs.
Overstay penalties
Costa Rica charges for each month or part month of irregular stay. Payment may be made in US dollars or the equivalent in colones at the Banco Central de Costa Rica reference rate. The exact amount is set by the Reglamento de Extranjería and is not given here because the source consulted does not publish it.
Common reasons for denial
- Not carrying a purchased return/onward travel ticket (even though it isn't always checked, it's a legal ground for denial).
- Not being able to show the US$100/month proof of economic means if the immigration officer asks for it.
Official portal: https://migracion.go.cr. Data verified on 2026-08-18. Sources: visitcostarica.com/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements (official ICT — Costa Rican Tourism Board — portal: onward ticket, US$100/month proof of funds, no mandatory insurance mentioned); migracion.go.cr (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, stay up to 180 days at officer's discretion); pgrweb.go.cr/scij (Costa Rican Legal Information System, cash declaration rules, USD 10,000 threshold); hacienda.go.cr (Ministry of Finance / Customs Directorate) (checked 18/08/2026).
Things to see and do in Costa Rica
Tours, skip-the-line tickets and day trips, most with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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Frequently asked questions
Do Colombian citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
Yes. You must apply for the visa in advance at the relevant consulate or embassy.
How long does it take to get the entry permit?
2-4 weeks, with an in-person consulate/embassy appointment.
What minimum passport validity is required?
At least 6 months of validity from the date you enter Costa Rica.
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
The destination uses CRC. It's recommended to carry some local cash in addition to a card.
I have a valid US tourist visa — do I need a visa for Costa Rica?
No, if it's multiple-entry and has at least one day of validity left on entry. US transit visas (C1/C2/C3) don't count for the exemption.
Where is the consular visa applied for?
At the Consulate General of Costa Rica in Bogotá. It's single-entry, up to 90 days, and the decision is given the same day. A refusal blocks new applications for 6 months.
Related pages
See Costa Rica requirements for other passports →
Informational only. Always verify requirements with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.