Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit CR?

Australian ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in Costa Rica. You are admitted visa-free on arrival as a Group 1 nationality, with stays of up to 90 days routinely granted (the DGME framework permits up to 180 days for this group at the immigration officer's discretion). Australia is a "Group 1" nationality under Costa Rica's visa policy, meaning ordinary passport holders enter visa-free for tourism. No visa, eVisa, or pre-travel authorization is required. Following the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) directive published in November 2025, Group 1 travelers need a passport valid for at least one day on arrival, though airlines and prudent practice still favor 6 months' validity. The maximum permitted stay for Group 1 is up to 180 days, but the entry stamp granted is at the immigration officer's discretion and is commonly 90 days; Australia's own Smartraveller advisory cites "less than 90 days." At entry you must show proof of onward or return travel and may be asked for proof of sufficient funds (roughly US$100 per month of stay) and accommodation. Visa-free status covers tourism and short visits only, not paid work, study, or business employment. 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 entering Costa Rica (ETIAS only concerns Costa Ricans entering Europe).