If you’ve never visited Costa Rica before, this post will tell you exactly what to expect when going through customs and immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia International Airport.
*This post is updated to reflect theCosta Rica COVID entry requirements.*
What to Know About Going Through Customs and Immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia International Airport
Costa Rica has 2 international airports:San Jose International Airportin Alajuela (near San Jose) andGuanacaste Airport(formerly named Liberia International Airport) in利比里亚, Guanacaste. It doesn’t matter which one you’re flying into, the process for immigration and customs in San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste Airport are exactly the same.
This post will tell you what it’s like to go through immigration and customs at both airports so you know what to expect.
Also remember that immigration is for people, customs is for luggage.
Flying Into Costa Rica
Things have gotten very easy when it comes to immigration and customs in Costa Rica compared to several years ago. They no longer give out customs forms, but just in case your airline does give you a form, it’s super easy to fill out.
Costa Rica Customs Form
- Family name (your last name)
- Given name (your first name)
- Mother’s Maiden name (Costa Rica uses both mother and father’s last names which is why they ask for it but you don’t necessarily need to fill this out)
- Nationality
- Sex
- Birthday
- Country of residence
- Country of origin
This is the flight and passenger information
- Passport (check passport unless you’re flying on something else than an ordinary passport)
- Passport number
- Flight number
- Airline
Then it will ask you for your foreseen address. Write down the name of the first hotel and the name of the beach or town you are going to. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, write the address or name of your Airbnb and the town.
Family Members/Luggage/Etc.
Next, they will ask how many family members are traveling with you, that one is easy to answer. Then it will ask how many pieces of luggage you have. This is how many pieces of check in luggage you have.
Then, they will ask questions such as if you’ve been around livestock/food process plants or agricultural regions. Second if you are bringing live animals. Third, if you’re bringing any chemical agents. Fourth, if you’re bringing more than $10,000 USD (you need to declare this if you are).
The last section asks if you have had tax exemption the past 6 months and if you’re bringing merchandise other than your luggage (merchandise to sell).
Immigration Form
They no longer give out immigration forms. You will answer the questions when you go through immigration and talk to the officers.
Going Through Immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia Airport in Costa Rica
Once you get off the plane, follow the markers to immigration which you will go through first.
Just a side note, there is a bathroom in the immigration area with 4 stalls. The bathroom in the baggage claim only has 1. There are also toilets in the airport once you exit baggage claim.
家庭一起办理移民。配偶go together and if you’re traveling with friends, normally they will ask each adult to go separately.
When your turn is called, go up to the desk to go through immigration.
What the Officer Will Ask You
First, hand your passport to the immigration officer. They will scan it and look at your picture.
然后他们会问你以下:
Your passport.Must be valid, original and not expiring during your time in Costa Rica.
Your lodging information.Where is the first hotel you will be staying at?
Your return itinerary out of Costa Rica. You must present proof of exit within 180 days if you are in Group 1. Immigration is getting more strict so have this ready to show just in case. This can be your airplane ticket (best proof), you can print it out or show it to them on your phone.
They may also ask you how many days you are in Costa Rica for while they ask for your proof of exit.
*Important as of Sept 2023. Costa Rica has now extended the duration of a tourist visa for countries in Group 1 from 90 to 180 days. This is VERY new and immigration officers have started writing 180 days in stamps. They may ask you for your flight out of Costa Rica within 180 days instead of 90 now. Group 1 is countries like USA, Canada, Germany, UK, Australia, Chile. If you are not sure what group your passport is, please check with the Costa Rican embassy in your passport country.*
You can answer in English. All officers speak basic English and are very used to tourists.
Tourist Visas
After they’ve asked you all the questions and got the information they need, the officer will stamp your passport and write in how many days your tourist visa is valid for (how many days you can legally stay in Costa Rica). They’ll hand your passport back to you and you’re clear with immigration.
Tip: I like to check my immigration stamp when I’m waiting for my luggage. One time, my immigration officer forgot to write in how many days my visa was valid for because she was on the phone and I had to go back to immigration in order for her to fill it in. Luckily I checked it while I was in baggage claim.
Now you need to clear customs.
Baggage Claim and Customs
After you finish immigration, you will go to baggage claim which are through the double doors. There aren’t that many carousels so you’ll easily be able to find yours. Pick up all your luggage (they have free carts if you need them) and take them to the luggage scanners which is the customs.
Now you will go through customs. Go to any line and put ALL your luggage, backpacks, bags, purses and carry ons to be scanned.Everything you are carrying needs to be put in the scanner except for duty free bags (if you just purchased anything in the Costa Rican duty free store after immigration).
Go around the other side, pick up your luggage and then you’re free! If you happen to get stopped by the custom officer, pick up your luggage and bring it over to the side where they can examine it. I have been stopped three times. Once when I brought down two computer towers, another time they confiscated some food (I had leftover dried fruit from the flight).
If you’re moving here or if you live here: I’ve brought down aton of stuff to Costa Ricaincluding Roombas, dog treats, dog toys, cameras, drones, faucets, shower heads, laptops, and all sorts of stuff. Just make sure you pack them without tags and wrap them carefully with clothes.
Exit
你会通过一对摆动门(出口ones that say, no going back beyond this point) and be out in the airport. At San Jose International Airport, you will exit to the outside terminal and you will see all the drivers, taxis, tour companies and guides waiting to your right. You may need to walk down the sidewalk a bit to find your person. At Guanacaste Airport, you will exit into the actual airport and everyone is waiting outside straight ahead.
How Long Does it Take to Go Through Customs and Immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia Airport?
How long it takes for you to go through customs and immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia Airport depends on when you are flying into Costa Rica and the time you land.
San Jose Airport takes much longer than Guanacaste, especially if you are landing during the day on Friday-Monday. Pack your patience because it may take at least an hour or so to get through the lines if you are landing during the high tourism season months like December through April and July through August. Several flights land at the same time so there are hundreds of people who have to go through immigration at the same time. One time it took our friend 3hoursto get through immigration and customs at SJO Airport – she landed at noon on a Saturday in March.
For Liberia Airport, it’s always been faster because there aren’t as many flights. However, it can still take 30 minutes to an hour if you are landing during the high tourism months on the weekend around noon. At noon, there are several flights landing at the same time.
Pack your patience if you are landing at either airports duringChristmas, New Years, Spring Break, Holy Week or North American summer vacation months.
To see what it’s like to go through customs and immigration in San Jose and Guanacaste Airport, you can watch the following Youtube videos. These videos are for ourCosta Rica car rental discountso you’ll see where to meet the Adobe Car rental agent.
San Jose International Airport
Money Exchange, Duty Free, Car Rentals, Etc.
You can find money exchanges and duty free at both airports after immigration. Below is the money exchange and duty free at Guanacaste Airport. Still open at 730 PM.
The money exchange, SIM card stand and duty free are in baggage claim at San Jose International Airport. SIM card stand by baggage claim 5 at SJO Airport.
You will also see car rental companies at baggage claim at both airports. Learn aboutcar rentals at Liberia Airport.
And that’s it! See, isn’t that easy? Nothing to worry about! That is all you need to know about going through customs and immigration in San Jose Airport and Liberia Airport for a stress free arrival.
Read more Costa Rica travel tips below!
What to know about grocery shopping in Costa Rica
15 things to know about Costa Rica before you visit
10 mistakes to avoid in Costa Rica
Common scams and how to avoid them in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read ourFirst Time in Costa Ricaguide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read ourHow to Get Around Costa Ricaguide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailedCosta Rica Packing Listso you know what essential items to bring.
- Do not forget to purchaseTravel Insurancefor your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaidSIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money withMytanfeet Dealsfor tours and hotels. Save more money with ourCosta Rica Car Rental Discount.