Does Costa Rica require proof of onward travel?
Yes — commonly checked
Travellers to 🇨🇷 Costa Rica are typically asked at airline check-in and on arrival. Exit ticket within the permitted stay is required; regional bus tickets are usually accepted.
Safety advisory: Exercise caution · official advisory ↗
What to have ready
An onward flight, bus or train out of the country is usually accepted — dated inside your permitted stay, with a booking reference the airline can verify · official source ↗ · entry requirements (Gov. of Canada) ↗. Airlines carry the fines when a passenger is refused entry, so the strictest check usually happens at check-in, before you board.
Don't fabricate a booking — a fake or edited itinerary can be treated as document fraud. If you're travelling one-way, use a real, verifiable reservation.
Before you travel
Travelling one-way to Costa Rica? These sort it in minutes.
Planning a trip to Costa Rica?
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Who can enter Costa Rica visa-free → Open the trip planner