Do British passport holders need a visa for Costa Rica?
Covers 11 passports and 80 destinations. Rules older than 30 days are flagged for re-check.
How this tool works
We read the official notice for each pair and record the date. Nothing here is generated; a pair with no written check is not shown.
How we checkNo visa. British passport holders visit Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days.
The UK government says you can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver, with the exact period at the immigration officer's discretion. Your passport must have an expiry date at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave. Overstaying can bring a fine of 100 US dollars for each month and refusal of future entry.
Source: GOV.UK, Foreign travel advice (FCDO). Checked Oct 3, 2026See the source
- Maximum stay
- Up to 180 days
- Set by the immigration officer on arrival.
- Passport validity
- 1 day after you leave
- Expiry date at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave.
- Ticket and funds
- Onward ticket; US$100 a month
- Listed on Costa Rica's tourism board entry page, not on the UK page.
- Departure tax
- May apply: 29 US dollars
- Most airlines include it in the ticket price.
- Yellow fever
- Certificate from risk countries
- Required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk.