Country guide
Costa Rica
Visa
No visa needed
Vaccinations
Conditional
Currency
Costa Rican Colón (CRC). USD is widely accepted.
Time zones
UTC / GMT – 6 (8 hours behind South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 506
Best time to go
High season is late November to late April.
Drinking water
Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink.
Travel tips
It is forbidden under the CITES treaty (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) to remove orchids from Costa Rica, or indeed any wild flora and fauna.
Visa guide
Entry requirements
- A valid passport - must have a validity of at least 1 day on the day of arrival
- Proof of economic solvency of at least minimum of US$100 per month of legal permanence in the country
- A valid ticket or onward journey to exit Costa Rica within the maximum authorized period of 180 days
- Not having impediment to enter the country
- The guidelines as may be indicated by the Costa Rica Ministry of Health
Visa requirements
No visas are required by South African passport holders for a stay not exceeding 180 days.
Issuing authorities
Consulate of Costa Rica
47 Corlett Drive Illovo, Sandton
Tel: 011 885 6895
E-mail: conhcr-sa@rree.go.cr
Web: www.costarica
Mon-Fri 09:00-13:00. By appointment only.
SA representative
Representation accredited from Mexico City, Mexico
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1; Apr 2-3, 11; May 1; Jul 25; Aug 2, 15; Sep 15; Dec 1, 25