Costa Rica FAQ

In Costa Rica, you have several options for finding lockers and courier services for international shipments.

Locker Services (for purchases abroad to be shipped to Costa Rica):

• Liberty Express: Offers lockers in the United States (Miami and China) and Italy. You can buy online, and they handle the shipping to Costa Rica.
• ACS Logística: Provides free lockers in Miami to receive your online purchases and ship them to Costa Rica. They offer package consolidation and home delivery.
• Box Correos (Correos de Costa Rica): Gives you a free address in Miami to receive your purchases and then ship them to Costa Rica.
• CR Box: Offers a free locker in Miami and an assisted shopping service. They have several branches and home delivery.
• JetBox: Provides a locker in Miami for you to receive your purchases and ship them to Costa Rica.
• Dual Servicios: Offers a locker service with the option of home delivery or branch pickup.
• RedLogistic: Gives you an address in Miami to receive packages and sends them to Costa Rica with home delivery.
• Aeropost: Offers an address in the United States for your online purchases and ships them to Costa Rica.

Courier Companies with International Services:

• DHL, FedEx, UPS: International express shipping services for documents and packages.
• Correos de Costa Rica: Through its EMS Courier Internacional and Envíos Premium services, you can send documents and packages worldwide.

No, it is not possible to apply for residency under the Pensionado (retiree) category before entering Costa Rica. The process generally requires the applicant to enter the country legally with a tourist visa and then begin the process with the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners (DGME).

The typical process is as follows:

• Entry into Costa Rica: You must enter as a tourist, respecting the authorized period of stay (usually 90 days).
• Required documentation includes: valid passport, birth and marriage certificates (apostilled), criminal background check, proof of lifetime pension income (minimum $1,000 USD/month), and medical certificate.
• Submitting the Application: Formally submitted to the DGME in Costa Rica.
• Approval and Residency Card: If approved, you will complete final procedures and obtain your DIMEX.

The allowed duration of stay depends on the visitor's country of origin. Immigration officials determine the legal length of stay, which generally does not exceed 90 days.

• First Group Countries: Up to 180 calendar days, non-renewable. Includes the United States, Canada, most European countries, and some Latin American countries.
• Second Group Countries: Up to 30 calendar days.
• Third and Fourth Group Countries: Up to 30 calendar days, renewable.

You must have an onward or return ticket and may be asked to demonstrate sufficient financial means. Extensions can be requested from the DGME before the current permit expires.

Yes. If you are entering or leaving Costa Rica carrying $10,000 USD or more in cash or securities (or the equivalent in any currency), you are legally required to declare it to customs authorities. This applies to everyone — tourists, residents, and nationals. You must complete the official declaration form available at immigration checkpoints before finishing your immigration process. Failure to declare is a serious offense under Costa Rican Law No. 8204, Article 35, and can result in immediate confiscation of the full amount. Note: this rule applies to physical cash at the border — it is separate from having money in a bank account, which has no declaration requirement.

• Tax Residency: Required if you have stayed in the country for more than 183 days during a fiscal year.
• Taxable Income: Income tax levies taxes on income, not the simple act of having money saved in the bank.
• Interest and Returns: If the money generates interest or financial returns in Costa Rica, this income could be subject to taxes.
• Anti-Money Laundering Laws: Financial institutions are obligated to report suspicious transactions or large cash deposits.

To obtain your digital signature as a foreigner in Costa Rica, you must work with an authorized certification entity regulated by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR).

Authorized Certification Entities:

• Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BN-Firma)
• Banco de Costa Rica (BCR-Firma)
• Correos de Costa Rica (Firma Digital CR)
• Asociación Cámara de Comercio de Costa Rica (Firma Digital ACAV)

General Requirements:

• Valid passport (original and copy). DIMEX if available.
• Phone number and email address.
• Physical presence at one of the entity's offices for identity verification.
• Payment of the corresponding fee.

As of 2026, MOPT has introduced key changes affecting how foreigners drive in Costa Rica.

Who Can Drive With a Foreign License:

• Tourists: May drive for their entire legal stay — up to 90 or 180 days. No homologation required.
• Residents and pending DIMEX: May drive legally with their foreign license. The previous 90-day waiting period has been eliminated (MOPT, 2026).

Homologation Requirements:

• Valid foreign driver's license (original, in good condition).
• Valid ID: DIMEX or passport with entry stamp.
• Digital medical certificate issued by a MOPT-authorized doctor.
• No theoretical exam for B-category licenses. Fee: ₡5,000 colones + bank commission at BCR.

For current requirements, visit educacionvial.go.cr or call 9000-626356.

Transporting dogs and cats to Costa Rica requires complying with health and documentation requirements to ensure the health of the animals and prevent the introduction of diseases.

General Health Requirements:

• International Health Certificate: Issued by an official veterinarian within two weeks prior to travel (SENASA update, December 2025). Must include microchip number, vaccine details, and antiparasitic treatments.
• Vaccinations: Rabies (mandatory, at least 21 days before travel if first dose). Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia.
• Microchip: ISO standards 11784 or ISO 11785. Number must be recorded on the Health Certificate.
• Antiparasitic Treatment: Must be administered and recorded within 15 days prior to travel.

Contact SENASA Costa Rica at +506 2587-1600 to confirm current requirements before traveling with your pet.

Yes, a foreigner can register a vehicle in their name in Costa Rica, even if they are not a resident. A valid passport with the entry stamp is sufficient identification.

Generally required documents:

• Valid passport with entry stamp (or DIMEX if available).
• Purchase invoice or sales contract.
• Up-to-date Vehicle Technical Inspection (RTV) for used vehicles.
• INS mandatory insurance (SOA).
• Public deed of transfer prepared and submitted by a Costa Rican notary.
• Transfer tax (2.5% of fiscal or sale value, whichever is higher).

Costa Rica's Immigration Authority (DGME) confirmed a backlog of over 20,000 DIMEX pending delivery, with applications from October 2025 still being processed. Wait times can exceed 4 months.

Through resolution DJUR-0045-02-2026 (in effect from Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 16, 2027), required documents were simplified and 2 new staff members were added to the printing and delivery process.

Key tip: If you received an email from Migración requesting additional documents not on the new official list, you can disregard that request.

For full details, visit our Resident Guide → DGME section.

If you own a vehicle in Costa Rica, there are two key annual obligations you must fulfill to drive legally.

El Marchamo (Circulation Right / Road Tax):

• Annual tax paid between November and December 31. From 2026, penalties apply from January 1 with no additional grace period.
• Pay online at marchamo.ins-cr.com or by WhatsApp to 2287-6100, option 4.
• Your RTV must be current before you can pay the Marchamo.

The Vehicle Technical Inspection (RTV):

• New vehicles (private use): exempt first 3 years, then biennial.
• Vehicles over 6 years old (private use): annual.
• Current operator: Dekra (German company), contract runs until July 27, 2026. A new permanent-operator selection process is underway — check COSEVI and MOPT for the latest updates.

Yes, Costa Rica requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers over 9 months old coming from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

At-risk countries in the Americas include:

• Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Important considerations:

• The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before travel.
• Exceptions apply for children under 9 months, adults over 60, and people in transit.
• Verify the most up-to-date information with the Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling.