The Real Costa Rica

Visiting Costa Rica

Getting into the country and staying
You can fly into Costa Rica (San Jose, airport code SJO)…flight times to
San Jose are 3.5 hours from Houston (Continental/United) and 2.5 hours
from Miami (American). You can also drive in from Panama (Panama
City 18 hours, Bocas del Toro 6 hours, Panama/CR border 4.5 hours), Nicaragua is close to Costa Rica as well. Important travel times include: Nicaragua/CR border 4.5 hours, Managua 6.5 hours. Upon arrival into CR, you are able to enter the country with no problems, Assuming: 1) you have a valid U.S. passport, and 2) you have been out of Costa Rica at least 3 days. If you meet these requirements, you are able to stay in
the country for 90 days. This is called a “Tourist Visa.”

Passport
A valid U.S. passport gets you in, and you can stay in the country for 90 days. You can get a passport in 2 weeks (express – more expensive), or it can take up to 6 weeks (normal delivery time). Contact the U.S. Postal Service or go online. It is a good practice to make a copy of your passport (front and back – with entry date stamp). I would recommend making a copy before you go (color copies are better, but not required). It is less hectic. Once you arrive in the country, put your passport in a very safe place. You will only need your passport at border crossing points, and at banks (I don’t know why). Although I always carry a copy of my passport, I have never needed to show it, but I feel safer with a copy. It is said that a stolen U.S. passport is worth $10,000 on the “black market,” whatever that is. I don’t believe it because anyone could just sell the passport, report it stolen, and get a replacement. I have never heard of anyone who had their passport stolen, but it is possible. If you lose your passport, you can get a replacement at the U.S Embassy.

Registering with the US Embassy
I would recommend this. If you have any problems during your trip, the Embassy can help. You can go online, or stop by to let the Embassy know that you are in the country.