All country guides
- Capital
- San José (SJO)
- Dialing Code
- + 506
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT – 6
- Language
- Spanish
- Best Time to Go
- Late November - late April (High Reason)
- Currency
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
Travel Tips
- USD is widely accepted
- Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink
- English is widely spoken
Last updated 29 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Consulate of Costa Rica
47 Corlett Drive Illovo, Sandton
Telephone: 011 885 6895
E-mail: conhcr-sa@rree.go.cr
Website: www.costarica
Monday - Friday, 09:00-13:00
By appointment only
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
April: 2 - 3, 11
May: 1
July: 25
August: 2, 15
September: 15
December: 1, 25
Visa Requirements
No visas are required by South African passport holders for a stay not exceeding 180 days
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
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio
South African Representative Abroad
Representation accredited from Mexico City, Mexico