Costa Rica Beach Holidays

You can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver, though the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.

Your passport must have an expiry date at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.

If you overstay, the immigration authorities can fine you 100 US dollars for each month and refuse future applications to enter Costa Rica.

When leaving the country by air, you may need to pay a departure tax of 29 US dollars, though most airlines include this in ticket prices.

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Costa Rica, and you must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you are carrying cash, travellers cheques, or goods with a total value of 10,000 US dollars or more, you must declare it on arrival to get a certified declaration to avoid seizure when leaving.

You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.

Keep a close eye on your wallet and valuables while on the beach.

Avoid leaving drinks unattended in bars due to risks of spiked drinks.

Always carry a form of ID, such as a passport copy.

Be extremely cautious when buying local spirits like vodka or 'guaro' due to methanol poisoning risks.

Be aware of strong rip currents when swimming, as many beaches lack lifeguards.

Use only official red or orange taxis with clear company identification and a meter.

Avoid walking alone in poorly lit or remote areas at night.