Lately, I’ve been receiving many questions about Costa Rica. While the internet is full of answers, they are often outdated, misleading, or even completely false. That’s why I decided to gradually respond to your questions so I can share accurate information with everyone considering a vacation, a longer stay, or even moving to my beloved homeland.
More and more people from different parts of the world are looking for a calmer place to live – and Costa Rica has become just such a safe haven.
Whether it’s because of the war in Ukraine, growing uncertainty in Europe, Donald Trump’s return to the political scene, or recently the new U.S. tariffs, more and more people are searching for a stable and welcoming country where they can find their “Plan B” – whether as digital nomads, families with children, expats, or investors. Costa Rica offers not only stunning nature, friendly people, and a deep respect for the environment but also options for long-term legal residency and attractive opportunities for investing in foreign real estate.
In this article, you’ll find all the important information you need about entry requirements, visa-free stays, visas, permitted lengths of stay, the rules for so-called “border runs,” and the current immigration conditions under Costa Rica’s General Migration and Foreigners Law.
As a tourist, you must meet the immigration requirements set by the Migration and Foreigners Law (Ley General de Migración y Extranjería). Citizens of the Czech Republic belong to the first category of countries, meaning they enjoy more favorable visa-free entry conditions.
What you need when entering Costa Rica:
A valid passport: For Czech citizens, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date.
Visa: Czech citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. This visa-free stay cannot be extended directly in the country. To get another 90-day period, you must leave Costa Rica for at least 72 hours and then re-enter. The total visa-free stay, however, cannot exceed 180 days within one calendar year.
Proof of financial means: Immigration officers may require you to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Return ticket or onward travel plan: You must have a return ticket (or another form of onward travel) to leave the country.
No entry ban: You must not be on the list of people prohibited from entering Costa Rica.
Entry stamp: Always make sure your passport is stamped when entering and leaving the country. Missing stamps can cause serious problems.
The immigration officer decides how many days you can legally stay in Costa Rica. Czech citizens (group 1) are entitled to:
A maximum of 180 calendar days of stay without the possibility of extending a tourist visa.
If you want to stay in Costa Rica longer than 90 days, there is an unofficial but common option known as a “border run.”
This means:
Leaving Costa Rica for at least 72 hours (for example, to Panama or Nicaragua) and then returning to get a new visa-free stay.
This option is popular among digital nomads and expats who don’t want to apply for a long-term visa.
In recent times, Costa Rican authorities have tightened immigration checks. If you break immigration rules, you risk:
Being detained by police
Deportation
High fines
It is essential to always have entry and exit stamps in your passport – even if the officer doesn’t want to stamp it. This is particularly important at land borders with Panama and Nicaragua, where police checks are frequent.
Costa Rica is very friendly and welcoming, but it strictly enforces its immigration laws – often more strictly than what you may be used to in Europe. Random checks are common throughout the country – police can stop you while driving, traveling by bus, or even at social events like weekends at the beach, nightclubs, or large public gatherings.
If, during such a check, you do not have a valid immigration status, you may be detained and deported. This is not unusual – it’s routine practice.
I recall the story of a Czech doctor friend who, while traveling with her husband to Panama, got into serious trouble. When they returned to Costa Rica via the Sixaola border crossing, Panamanian officials stamped their passports on exit, but on the Costa Rican side, the officer was distracted by a football match and waved everyone through without stamping their passports. Later, the police stopped their group, and because they lacked the required entry stamp, they were detained, held in deportation custody in San José, and deported after several days.
That’s why, if you plan repeated visits or extended stays in Costa Rica, you must take immigration rules very seriously. Always check your passport is properly stamped at every entry – even a small oversight can have serious consequences.
If you travel to Costa Rica on a one-way ticket, you must prove how you plan to leave the country. Accepted forms include:
A pre-purchased bus ticket out of Costa Rica (e.g., to Panama)
A flight ticket to another destination (e.g., the U.S., Europe, or South America)
Proof of departure by cruise ship
If you are planning to spend your vacation in Costa Rica, I wish you lots of fun, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. I hope you’ll enjoy your visit to my homeland – Pura vida, as we say in Costa Rica.
And if you fall in love with my beautiful country and are considering investing in real estate here, feel free to contact me. I will advise you in choosing the right investment property and guide you through the entire purchase process so that you can take the right step toward making your dream of a second home in this tropical paradise come true.
