Costa Rica Border | Customs and Immigration

Costa Rica

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Verified:
about 1 month ago
Altitude:
34.5 masl
Contributor:
Terradrifting

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Description

Procedure to enter Costa Rica:

1. As you exit Nicaragua, pass the line of trucks. It is very narrow so try to find your way carefully.

2. There is an office of immigration for trucks. They don't do tourists. You need to wait for the truck before you pass and you go through fumigation.

3. As you exit fumigation, keep to your right. Soon you will see the immigration offices. Park wherever you can.

4. Stamp your passport. This can be a 5-minute or a 45-minute process depending on if there were some buses of people before you. Super friendly immigration officers.

5. Right across the street there is where you get a form for TIP. You fill out the form, the officer signs it. You also get paper ticket with your vehicle registration number. With this form, you walk or drive 100 meters further.

6. There is a modern building with security in front of it where you can get insurance ($56 or the equivalent in colon, no credit card) and your TIP.

7. As you exit the border area, you need to give them a paper ticket with your vehicle registration number.

Notes:

1) You don't need copies of any documents. You don't need to pay any fees (apart from mandatory insurance).
2) Many travelers report that insurance purchased in Guatemala that should cover Costa Rica is not accepted.

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Fast and friendly, insurance is now $56.

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Saindo da Costa Rica e entrando na Nicarágua: nesse prédio você faz apenas a imigração. Primeiro, há 2 máquinas semelhantes a um caixa eletrônico. Ali, você paga seu imposto de saída da Costa Rica com cartão de crédito ($ 8 dólares por pessoa). Depois, entra na fila para ter seu passaporte carimbado. Pague o imposto primeiro, senão eles não carimbam o passaporte e você vai “trancar a fila” enquanto vai pagar. Vimos que do lado de fora há um Banco da Costa Rica. Não sei se tem como pagar em dinheiro, porque pagamos com nosso Visa. A aduana do veículo é feita em um prédio anterior, uns 200 metros atrás, antes da imigração. Se você não deu a saída do seu veículo, volte.

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Leaving Costa Rica and entering Nicaragua: in this building you only do immigration. First, there are 2 ATM-like machines. There, you pay your exit tax from Costa Rica with a credit card ($8 per person). Then, get in line to have your passport stamped. Pay the tax first, otherwise they won't stamp your passport and you'll be “locked in line” while you pay. We saw that outside there is a Bank of Costa Rica. I don't know if it's possible to pay in cash, because we paid with our Visa. Vehicle customs is done in a previous building, about 200 meters behind, before immigration. If you have not left your vehicle, return.

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As described below, except I didn't have to get my motorcycle fumigated. I also brought in all my bags into immigration to get it x-rayed, but I don't know if this is entirely necessary, as the inspector was on his phone the entire time and never signed anything or gave me any documentation. Then right across the street, get a form for the TIP, and have the officer sign it. Then, ride about 100 meter further and on the right, there is another aduana building where you have to finish the TIP. Go inside, go to the window on the right to get the insurance (cash, $US or colónes, no cards) then wait for the aduana officer to call you, and they complete the TIP process. Make sure you have your phone, they ask you to login to an official website to make sure your TIP is online. Then it's off to the final check, where they make sure you have your TIP, and welcome to Costa Rica! It took a little less than an hour for me.

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Entry Costa Rica: Procedures as explained below by miroandval. Lines at immigration were much worse here, not really sure why, given the line we went through exiting Nicaragua. Parking for big rigs is a bit tricky - we parked at a lot on the right side passed the immigration building. It took us 1.5h to get our immigration stamp - TIP and getting insurance was quick, there was no one else besides us at those counters.

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As described below only now insurance costs

56 usd (cash only - usd or colon).

Avoid crossing during lunch time as TIP staff was having lunch and we had to wait for an hour.

Two travellers trying to cross to Nicaragua with a drone and had to find a DHL nearby as it is not allowed.

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As miroandval stated below.

We arrived at 5pm and the bank was closed, so we paid the 8080 CRC for our dog outside of the area where you do the TIP and car insurance. Go down a pathway and it’s the first office on the left. They take care of the payment for a fee (1600 CRC). The only option if you arrive when the bank is closed.

Just ask any of the officials. Everyone was super helpful, which was great after passing through hell (aka the nicaraguan side of this border).

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Steps to enter Costa Rica:

1. As you exit Nicaragua, pass the line of trucks. It is very narrow so try to find your way.

2. There is an office of immigration for trucks. They don't do tourists. You need to wait for the truck before you pass and you go through fumigation.

3. As you exit fumigation, keep to your right. Soon you will see the immigration offices. Park wherever you can.

4. Stamp your passport. This can be a 5-minute or a 45-minute process depending on if there were some busses of people before you. Super friendly immigration officers.

5. Right across the street there is where you get a form for TIP. You fill out the form, the officer signs it. With this form, you walk or drive 100 meters further.

6. There is a modern building with security in front of it where you can get insurance ($51 or the equivalent in colon, no credit card) and your TIP.

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Easiest and friendliest border of our entire journey south. It took maybe 45 minutes. It was 2200 and everyone was cheery and happy to be helping us. The only thing we had to pay for was $51 for mandatory insurance. They didnt check our van or ask a single thing about our dog. We were prepared for a helpscape but it was the best welcome to CR.

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A few notes from our check in. We didn’t need copies of anything. We just presented originals of passport, vehicle registration, and drivers license. No one asked for copies of anything. We bought insurance at the border as we had read in previous posts that pre-arranged insurance was not accepted. Insurance cost $51 USD for 90 days. It took about 30 minutes for all of the Costa Rica entry process.

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Costa Rica entry
- Immigration office to get entry stamp
- Fill form for vehicle permit + vehicle inspection with officer
- Pay 8080colones (16$) for dog import at the bank. Keep receipt.
- Give receipt to SENASA desk + form from Nicaragua IPSA + vaccins copy
- They print the pet import certificate
- Pay 51$US for mandatory car insurance (seguro) need vehicle registration + passport
- Get the TIP with proof of seguro, passport and vehicle registration
- Final police check : TIP + seguro + original vehicle registration

Entrée au Costa Rica
- immigration tampon passeport
- formulaire véhicule + vérification
- senesa reçu pour banque
- banque 8080 colónes chien SENESA
- donner reçu à SENESA + formulaire IPSA + vaccins = certificat importation
- faire le seguro obligatoire (rego originale + passeport) 51$
- faire le TIP avec le seguro + rego + passeport
- dernier contrôle : TIP assurance rego originale

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Not much to add. Exactly as described here. As for immigration they asked the number of our flight and an address in Costa Rica, and we got stamp right away. As for customs, no inspections or questions asked.

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Just a note: the insurance office closes between 12-1 for lunch. We got there at 11:55 (didn’t know it closed) and had to wait until 1pm!

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For cars: we got our passports stamped then went to the Aduana across the street from the Migration office. There the person looked at our papers and we had to fill out a form. Then we had to drive about 100m further to the second Aduana office. There we got insurance now $50 USD for 90 days.

For pets: in the migration office there’s a second area where you talk to someone about pets. It costs 8080 colones (16USD) for a dog- it seems others were lucky and didn’t have to pay, but we did. Then we had to show the person we paid and go to the second Aduana office above. There we showed our receipt of payment plus our pet papers. They gave us a stamped form.

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It was the same here.
Everything as described, and they didn't charge for the import of the dog even the woman at the luggage control told us it costs 8080Colon. But we got the stamp and we asked if we don't have to pay and the officer said no...
For a Landcruiser we paid 40US$ for insurance and that was the only thing we had to pay on the Costa Rican side.

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everything described is correct, insurance is now 49usd, you can only pay with cash (dollars or colones) so make sure u have money (otherwise there's an ATM at the immigration office). we have a dog, but they didn't charge anything for it, they just stamp the export paper you get in nicaragua and doesn't even look at the dog. it was all pretty chill & straightforward. no need of any health thing or anything.

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Careful for anyone who has their van registered on an LLC or under another name!!!! They almost denied us entry a second time because our van is registered on our company’s name. They say it doesn’t work in their system. said we had to hire a lawyer that comes to the border and hands us a document that states that this van is ours! They didn’t even want to give us a number at the beginning. After minutes of annoying the Aduana lady she finally gave us a number of a layer who came after an hour and charged us 80 USD$… and then they let it slide but kept the original document! Very sketchy
By far the most frustrating border. They are very strickt! They have no problem denying you entry if you don’t have everything like they want it.

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Everything as described is correct.
We bought vehicle insurance from Todo Riesgo online some weeks ago which is valid in all countries of Central America except of Belize and Panama. So we thought that we don’t need to buy insurance for Costa Rica but the guy at the office said it’s mandatory and he didn’t accept our insurance. We had to buy a new one for 46$. It’s only possible to pay cash and we didn’t had enough US$, not sure if it can be paid in Colones but we still only had money from Nicaragua and there was no money changer around. Luckily we met a nice woman who could change our money, otherwise it could have been a problem because it was getting late and the bank (not sure where it is) might be closed already.

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They seem to be giving reduced Visas to American passports. My partner, who has a Mexican passport, got 90 days but I only got 30. Wouldn't let me back in to ask why, and the guard didn't seem to have any idea what the standard was.

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Entering Costa Rica
Started at 9 am on Monday and were finished at 10 am.
Take right in Y to yellow fumigation thing
Park in equipment review area and go inside
Had to provide address (they didn’t care what it was), got passport stamps with 90 days
Said we didn’t have bags
Went to aduana window outside and filled out TIP form with driver info
Drove to second aduana building
Got photocopies of entry stamp for drivers only (paid with USD, but they’d prefer colónes)
Inside building, fought (cordially) over insurance. Though we already had a liability policy we bought for Costa Rica, we were mandated to buy their vehicle insurance for $40 USD. Lady required title and driver’s passport for that. Signed form, got carbon copies.
Next window, gave insurance carbon copy, passports for all drivers, title, and the form we got at first aduana stop. Also gave photocopies for driver’s licenses, photo page of passports, entry stamps in passports, and title.
All in all, very straightforward. By the way, there was a money changer outside the building where you get your passports stamped. He charged a steep rate. We should’ve changed our money on the Nicaragua side, but we didn’t see anyone.

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my only additions would be that you need a copy of your Costa Rica entrance stamp at the first little aduana hut. we ran all over looking for a copias, only to find that 2 huts over to the right, tica bus, does this and you don't have to go all of the way to the second aduana station down the road. the second aduana station maybe 200 meters straight down the road, slight veer to the left is where you find the senasa for the import of your dogs. the gaurds will point you to the spot. took 2 minutes and didn't cost anything.

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NEW LAYOUT in Nicaragua.
They have all new facilities (very nice) ample parking very quiet (safe) so just follow the main road straight until you get to some officials on the side of the road to check your passport and give you the exit form to fill out.
Then, drive to the back side of the building and park there. Come back to the front (you can go through the building) and get through immigration (same $1 ticket and $3 for the stamp)
When that’s done find the light blue DGA agents to sign your exit paper, then head into the car park and find police in black… they need to stamp that exit paper (they never checked our motos)
Once stamped go into the ENTRY to Nicaragua side and go to the the tramistas window to finish your papers.
The whole operation took us about 40 minutes, lots of time wasted to figure out where to go. They are clearly not yet completely set up in the new building. I guess this info will need to be updated soon when things are fully up and running.
Nothing to pay for vehicles to exit Nica.
Ignore all the fixers that come running over… they all disappear once at the new building!
Good luck

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Remember to get your QR code by filling out and printing off a health questionnaire.
You will be pushed to buy 250usd health insurance, if you have travel insurance, don't buy the Costa Rica offering

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as described by Instagram.com/chumerika.
with additional info on crossing with a pet. need all stated paperwork plus the paperwork from Cetrex and IPSA. they also want to see your passport, and asked for a location you are traveling to, we just provided a random hostel in Liberia. the process was quite straightforward and relatively quick. no problems asking as you have the paperwork they want.

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Insurance now fourtyeight US$, they will give you Colon change.

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As described above. Insurance was $36 for each motorcycle. Lots of very pushy "handlers" wanting your business. The only thing that you should have to pay for on this side (as previously mentioned above) is the insurance policy.

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Terradrifting’s comments at the very beginning of this post are still accurate ( prices have changed of course - our insurance was $45 as of Nov 1/2019 ).
Just a caution - as we were about to enter CR, a helper ( who we did not use ) waved us over to fumigation ....off to the right down a dirt track. We went through it ( automatic system, no one there ). Instead of turning around and getting back on the paved road to Customs and Aduana we made the mistake of following the dirt road out of fumigation which took us all the way to the CR border exit. Border guys realized what had happened and arranged for us to go back and follow the right steps. So, be careful if you get directed to fumigation ( no one asked if we had been fumigated by the way).

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This is a relatively simple border. Many places close together. Except for the nightmare of importing your dog. There is a demon agent named Anna. She had a binder of government issued certificates and if you do not have the exact template in her binder and it is not stamped then she will not allow your dog entry into Costa Rica. Regardless of what other paperwork you can provide. I recommend entering Costa Rica on her day off or stopping in Rivas to acquire said form. Good Luck

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DOG OWNERS!

Costa Rica requires a government certified veterinary health certificate valid with-in 4 months!

If you do not have this they are available through IPSA, the same company you import your dog into Nicaragua with. The nearest office to this border crossing is in Rivas.

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ENTERING COSTA RICA + PET PAPERWORK
1. Park next to the migraciones building. Get passports stamped. They asked for return flight ticket. We did not have one as we are traveling by land. They asked us to show our vehicle title, very easy. FREE
2. Right in front of the migraciones building you will need to fill in the form for the car permit. They will check your VIN number (the one in your car). Make sure you have copies of your driver license and car permit. They will give you back a form (make sure its stamped) and a ticket that you’ll need to keep and hand in in the next building. FREE
3. If you have a pet look for the SENASA staff. They will provide the account number as you will need to pay 14 USD for entering with your pet. The bank is right next to the migraciones building, so you should do it here as the next steps will take place in a separate area. Note: the bank opens at 9am and closes at 12. It opens back again at 1pm and closes at 4pm. There is a copy shop here as well. Make copies of your passports with the Costa Rica entry stamp. You will need this for later. You will also need a copy of your pet certificate (done 2 weeks prior to crossing the border).
Once you finish this part, drive straight 200m until you see the ‘Aduana’ sign. Here, turn right and park. In this building you will do the following:
1) Present your dog papers (health certificate done within 2 weeks prior to travel date, vaccine records incl. rabies) and the receipt of the 14 USD you paid for importing your dog.
2) Aduana: You will need to show the papers they gave you in the other building. While you wait, first buy the insurance on the counter on the right. They charged us 46 USD for 3 months coverage. Then, finish the TIP process. Hand in the receipt of the insurance, the form you filled in before and the ticket they gave you at the other building, a copy of your car title, a copy of your license(s), a copy of your passports with the costa rica stamp (the entrance) and wait for your vehicle TIP. Once this is over, you will be good to go. Very easy process, border and lovely people!

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For humans, easy peasy. For our dog, it was a nightmare. The lady would not accept his health certificate made a few days ago in Nicaragua, she wanted a certificate made by an official government agency. In Nicaragua, it’s the IPSA that delivers them. Unfortunately, they can’t deliver them at the border, the closest office is in Rivas. Also, our dog is a rescue from Mexico, she wanted an official certificate from Mexico to prove where he is from. She was very strict and made us loose a lot of time. Since it was getting dark, she eventually let us pass, but she refused issuing any document and told us that if we get in trouble later because we don’t have a permit for our dog, it’s not her problem. Good thing our dog was sleeping at the last aduana checkpoint before entering the country, because I am not sure we would have been allowed in without the permit.

If you want to save time and problems at the border, stop in Rivas at the IPSA office to have them issue a health certificate for your dog.

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All below correct. Except. Dogs are not free. $14.00 Pay at the bank and bring receipt to sanasa. Located where bag x Ray is in migration.
Paperwork a must.

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Building for insurance is grey will large chain link fence surrounding it. You can park in front of it. Hard to see the small white building as previously mentioned due to the number of trucks on the road...

Now $43!!!

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Insurance is now $44. Also The offices tend to close for lunch 12-1pm FYI.

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Pretty simple.
There was a lot people from buses.
*if you have animals, make sure you ask to declare them at the Cuarentena! It is free!

Everything is free here except the insurance.
For the insurance, after the first step, you drive towards another white building on your right a couple 100m away.
Do the Seguro first, then wait in line to finalise your TIP. They don’t accept US dollar in coins, ONLY PAPER. i paid 40$ US and 2000 colones ans got changed in colones.. not sure how much i paid but not more then 41.

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As described. Notice: Bank and ATM is closed on Sundays

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as described but now they charge 41 dollars for insurance

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Auduana and Customs for entering Costa Rica

From Nicaragua, drive through the fumigation which is pretty much a waste of time. If you are on a moto, you can probably just bypass.

Part 1

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YfWyFDwzegWoZkaQ2

1. Park in the lot to the right just past the LARGE Aduana building.
2. Go to Aduana and get your passport stamped. They will also look at your vehicle title. (have no idea why)
3. Go across the street and fill out the form at the Customs window. They will want to see the original title. Once the form is complete, they will come and inspect your vin. Then drive 100 meters down the road for part 2.

Part 2.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HWNTSyZOS3WOOnZt1

1. Entrance is on the right, park in front of the small building on the left.
2. Enter the building and go to the insurance window in the right corner. Pay $35.00 for insurance
3. Go to the window on the left, they will complete the customs and give you all your papers.
Nothing else to do, no more inspections.

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