Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
Official Requirement
Visa-free
for South Africa citizens travelling to Costa Rica
Passport holders from eligible countries may enter Costa Rica without a visa for tourist stays of up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver. The exact duration granted is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
Last checked 5 months ago (19 April 2026)
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
No visa needed for this trip
South Africa passport holders can enter Costa Rica for short visits without a visa. Check that your passport stays valid for the whole stay, carry proof of onward travel, and confirm the current entry conditions on the official source before you fly.
Official Costa Rica entry requirements →
Monteverde
The short answer
South African citizens do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for stays of up to 180 days. No visa is needed before travelling to Costa Rica for a short tourist or business visit. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. Entry rules change without notice, so the requirement is read again from the official source on a schedule and the date above is the last time that happened. The official source for this corridor is linked on this page and should be checked before booking. Where the destination government and the traveller's own government disagree, the destination government decides, because it is the one that writes the rule. This was last checked on 19 April 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting Costa Rica
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- Up to 180 days
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How South African citizens enter Costa Rica
Check your passport is valid for the whole trip. Many countries also want it valid for a period beyond your departure date, so confirm the exact rule on the official page below.
Plan a trip of 180 days or fewer. Beyond that, Costa Rica needs a different permission and this page does not cover it.
Carry proof of onward or return travel and of where you are staying. Border officers ask for both, and an airline can refuse boarding without them.
Check the requirement again close to your departure date. This route was last checked on 19 April 2026, and rules change without notice.
Wise
Your bank marks up every ZAR you spend in Costa Rica. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Saily eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Costa Rica.
Instant eSIM — from $3.99
Or unlimited data across 121 countries — from $59.99/mo
- eSIM delivered in minutes
- No SIM swapping or roaming fees
- Trusted by Nord Security
4.6 ★ App Store·4.5 ★ Google Play
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering Costa Rica
No. South African citizens can enter Costa Rica without a visa for a short tourist or business visit. This was last checked on 19 April 2026.
Up to 180 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Costa Rica uses CRC. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 19 April 2026.
Full change history for this route →