Onward Ticket for Costa Rica Visa (2026)
Requires onward ticketCosta Rica is one of the strictest countries in the Americas when it comes to enforcing the onward ticket requirement. Airlines will refuse to board passengers without a confirmed outbound ticket, and immigration officers at Juan Santamaria (SJO) and Daniel Oduber (LIR) airports check consistently. Travelers have reported being turned away at check-in counters in their home countries simply for not having proof of departure from Costa Rica within the allowed 90-day stay period.
Visa & Onward Ticket Requirements for Costa Rica
Costa Rica has one of the strictest onward ticket policies in the Americas. All visitors must present proof of departure from Costa Rica before being allowed entry. Airlines enforce this at check-in, and Costa Rican immigration officers verify it upon arrival. The outbound ticket must show a departure date within the permitted stay period, which is typically 90 days for most nationalities. Bus tickets to neighboring Panama or Nicaragua are sometimes accepted, but a flight reservation is the most reliable proof. Costa Rica actively denies entry to travelers who cannot produce valid onward travel documentation, regardless of nationality or financial means.
Key Facts
- Costa Rica is among the strictest countries in the Americas for onward ticket enforcement
- Airlines universally deny boarding without a confirmed outbound ticket
- Immigration at SJO and LIR airports verify departure tickets on arrival
- Bus tickets to Panama or Nicaragua may be accepted but flights are most reliable
- The outbound ticket must fall within the 90-day permitted stay period
Want to learn more about dummy tickets? Read our guide
At a Glance
- Onward ticket required?
- yes
- Typical stay duration
- 90 days for most visa-exempt nationals; 30 days for some nationalities
- Visa types
- Visa Exemption (90 days), Tourist Visa, Rentista Visa
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