Costa Rica onward travel

Costa Rica requires every traveler to have a ticket for return or onward travel.

What travelers should expect

Costa Rica's tourism authority states that all travelers must have a ticket for return or onward travel. Make sure you have this booked before your trip.^[1]

• Your exit proof can be a flight out of Costa Rica, a pre-purchased bus ticket to another country, or proof of passage on a cruise.
• You may be asked to show funds of at least US$100 for each month (or part of a month) of your planned stay.
• A one-way ticket, or a return dated more than 90 days out, can draw extra questions at the border.

What documents usually count

Airlines normally want a return or onward flight reservation that matches the traveler name and can be checked before boarding. A verified reservation is useful because it includes an airline reservation code and a dated itinerary.

Common arrival planning

For Costa Rica, travelers often plan around SJO - San Jose. Enter your actual route and departure date when you book so the reservation matches the trip you need to document.

Sources

1. Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) — Entry requirements

   “All travelers must therefore have a ticket for return or onward travel.”