Up to 180 days as a tourist, with the exact period set by the immigration officer at arrival. It can be shorter at the officer's discretion.

Home/from/Israel/to/Costa Rica

🇮🇱Israel

🇨🇷Costa RicaIL-CR

Israel to Costa Rica visa requirements

Q: Is there a fee or an eVisa to arrange beforehand?

No visa fee and no eVisa for tourism. You simply present your documents on arrival. A departure tax of about USD 29 applies but is usually included in your airfare.

Q: Do I need a return ticket?

Yes, in practice. Costa Rican immigration and airlines frequently require proof of onward or return travel showing you will leave before your stay expires.

Q: How long must my passport be valid?

Costa Rica's legal minimum for Group One is one day of validity on arrival, but airlines and officers often expect validity for the full duration of your stay, so allow a comfortable margin.

Q: Does the Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS apply?

No. Costa Rica is in Central America and is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen short-stay rule and ETIAS do not apply to this trip.

Israeli passport holders do not need a visa for tourism in Costa Rica. Israel is in Costa Rica's Group One, allowing a visa-free tourist stay of up to 180 days on arrival. Costa Rica grants visa-free entry to ordinary Israeli passport holders for tourism and short visits. Israel sits in Costa Rica's most favorable tier (Group One), which permits a visa-free stay of up to 180 days per entry, with the exact period set by the immigration officer at the port of entry. There is no eVisa, no visa-on-arrival fee, and no advance application for tourism. Travelers arrive, present a passport valid for entry, and are admitted as tourists. Costa Rica's November 2025 immigration resolution (DGME) adjusted rules for visa-required nationalities and for travelers relying on US/Canada/Schengen visas, but it did not change Israel's visa-exempt status. Practical conditions still apply at the border: officers commonly ask for proof of onward or return travel and evidence of sufficient funds, and although the legal passport-validity minimum is one day, most airlines and officers expect the passport to be valid for the duration of stay. There is a Costa Rica exit airport departure tax that is normally bundled into the air ticket. Costa Rica is in Central America and is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply to this route.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (no visa required for tourism)

Maximum stay

Up to 180 days per entry (Group One; officer's discretion)

per entry

Entries

Multiple entries permitted (visa-free on each arrival)

from issue date

Visa fee

No visa fee (0)

consular fee only

Processing time

None - admission decided on arrival

standard track

Validity

Passport must be valid for entry (legal minimum 1 day; carrier/officer practice often expects validity for full stay)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your visa-free eligibility

As an ordinary Israeli passport holder you fall in Costa Rica's Group One and need no visa for a tourist visit of up to 180 days. No application or eVisa is required before travel.

· No visa· Group One

/02

Check your passport condition and validity

Carry your original, signed passport in good condition with blank pages for stamps. The legal minimum is one day of validity on arrival, but book on the safe side - many airlines expect validity covering your stay.

· Original passport· Blank pages

/03

Book a return or onward ticket

Costa Rican immigration and airlines frequently require proof you will leave before your authorized stay expires. Hold a confirmed onward or return ticket out of Costa Rica.

· Onward ticket

/04

Prepare proof of funds and accommodation

Have evidence of sufficient funds for your stay and details of where you will be staying (hotel booking or host address) in case the officer asks.

· Proof of funds· Accommodation

/05

Complete any required online entry form

Check whether a digital arrival/customs declaration is required at the time of travel; if so, complete it before arrival. Verify on official channels close to departure.

· Digital form (verify)

/06

Clear immigration on arrival

Present your passport, onward ticket and supporting documents. The officer stamps your entry and sets your authorized stay (up to 180 days).

· Entry stamp· Stay set on arrival

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Israel -> Costa Rica · Visa-free (no visa required for tourism)

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredIsraeli passport, original and signed, in good condition

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RecommendedPassport valid for entry (validity for full stay strongly recommended)

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredBlank passport page for the entry stamp

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed return or onward flight ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedAccommodation booking or host address

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedDigital arrival/customs declaration if required at travel time

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

ConditionalYellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesVisa policy of Costa Rica - Wikipedia Costa Rica: Resolution Adjusting Visa and Entry Rules (Nov 2025) - Fragomen Costa Rica visa requirements for Israeli citizens - Sherpa

Application link included: Visa policy of Costa Rica - Wikipedia

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa fee0No visa is required for Israeli passport holders

Visa-on-arrival fee0Not applicable - visa-free entry

Airport departure taxUSD 29Exit tax; normally already included in the air ticket price

Total estimate0 — USD 29incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Entry on arrival (visa-free)

At the border

No advance processing. Admission and length of stay are decided by the immigration officer when you land.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Group One visa-exempt nationality

Israel is on Costa Rica's first group of countries whose passport holders enter without a visa for tourism.

High

/02

Generous 180-day stay

Group One travelers may be admitted for up to 180 days, one of the longest tourist stays Costa Rica grants.

High

/03

Onward/return ticket expected

Officers and airlines commonly require proof of departure before the authorized stay ends.

Medium

/04

Proof of funds may be requested

Tourists can be asked to show they can support themselves during the visit.

Medium

/05

Stay length is at officer discretion

The exact number of days granted is decided on arrival and may be less than 180.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30 · major

Israel to Costa Rica route verified

Confirmed Israel remains in Costa Rica's Group One (visa-free, up to 180 days). Costa Rica's November 2025 DGME resolution did not change Israel's status.

/09 — The questions