Travel requirements for Costa Rica
Everything a UK traveller needs to know before visiting Costa Rica — passport and visa rules, recommended vaccines with lead times, and whether you need an International Driving Permit.
Entry requirements for Costa Rica
Passport validity
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visas
British passport holders do not normally need a visa for short tourist stays.
Source: UK Foreign Travel Advice — Costa Rica. Always confirm the latest requirements before you travel.
Vaccines for travel to Costa Rica
Based on NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro guidance for UK travellers. Lead times assume protection is needed on the day you arrive.
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2 weeks before travelHepatitis A Recommended
Recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers.
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Tetanus / Diphtheria Recommended
Booster recommended if last dose was more than 10 years ago.
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2 weeks before travelChikungunya Consider
For ages 12+. Consider for outbreak areas, long-term or frequent travellers.
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Dengue Consider
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4 weeks before travelRabies (Pre-exposure) Consider
Pre-exposure for those with high-risk activities, limited medical access, or long stays (>1 month).
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2 weeks before travelTyphoid Consider
Consider for those visiting friends/relatives, long stays, or poor sanitation areas.
Source: NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro — Costa Rica.
Driving in Costa Rica
The UK government does not list Costa Rica as requiring a UK International Driving Permit (IDP). If you plan to drive, check with the embassy of Costa Rica and your car-hire company before you travel.
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