Costa Rica visa requirements for Ghanaians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Ghanaians visiting Costa Rica

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Costa Rican Visa.

  • A Ghanaian passport, valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into Costa Rica.
  • Duly completed and signed application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • A passport photograph taken in white background. Three (3) identical photographs must be submitted. They should be 3 x 3 cm in width and height.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial standing (recent bank statements). 
  • Documentation showing applicants ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • Medical Insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Some embassies/consulates may also request a criminal record certificate and medical report.

Costa Rica Visa for Ghanaians

Facts about Costa Rica

Tourists won’t believe the popular phrase "pura vida" (pure life) until they visit the country. It is a term you will hear everywhere and you will think it is a marketing term till you believe in and start saying it yourself. The pure life Costa Rican bug is sure to bite tourists with the flurry of amazing things to be done in the country. The country offers a plethora of outdoor activities in its various shapes and sizes. On the various beaches and rivers in Costa Rica, tourists can enjoy rafting, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing. The Central American nation is well-known for having an incredibly high level of biodiversity throughout its tropical forests which houses tropical mammals such as monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and wildcats. Tourists can visit one of the national parks and game reserves to enjoy amazing sites. Another spectacular activity that tourists in the country like to engage in is bird watching. Bird watching can be done in a variety of places in the country as there are over 800 species of birds for your pleasure.
 
Costa Rica is the most visited country in Central America. The country was visited by 2.9 million foreigners in 2016 which was up 10% from the previous year. The tourism industry was responsible for 5.8% of the country’s GDP, or $3.4 billion.
 
Foreigners in the country are expected to declare the sum of $10,000 on entry and exit from the country. If this sum is not declared, you will not be allowed entry into the country. The minimum sentence for drug possession and trafficking is 8 years imprisonment. Tourists should stay away from any drug-related crime.

Types of Costa Rica Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 3 - 5 working days 90 days
Business visa 3 - 5 working days 90 days

General Requirements for Costa Rica Visa

  • A Ghanaian passport, valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into Costa Rica.
  • Duly completed and signed application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • A passport photograph taken in white background. Three (3) identical photographs must be submitted. They should be 3 x 3 cm in width and height.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial standing (recent bank statements). 
  • Documentation showing applicants ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • Medical Insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Some embassies/consulates may also request a criminal record certificate and medical report.
Costa Rica Tourist visa Costa Rica Business visa

Costa Rica Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Though some nationals may not, but Ghanaians need a visa to travel to Costa Rica.
  • All visitors to Costa Rica must carry a valid passport which must be valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into Costa Rica.
  • Visa requirements are based on international agreements or treaties. However,  the visa does not guarantee entry to Costa Rica. Whether or not you will be allowed to enter Costa Rica depends on the immigration officer upon arrival.
  • Anybody travelling to Costa Rica from sub-Saharan Africa will need to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Ghana is one of the countries considered at risk.
  • Immigration officials may deny you entry if your passport is damaged so always take note of this.
  •  Be sure to leave Costa Rica at your expected date of departure. Immigration authorities may impose a fine on foreigners who overstay their visas. Even a short overstay may result in significant delays, deportation, and/or denial of entry to Costa Rica in the future.
  • All children born in Costa Rica acquire Costa Rican citizenship at birth. They must have an exit permit issued by immigration authorities in order to depart the country. Non-Costa Rican minors who are ordinarily resident in Costa Rica may also be subject to this requirement and this is strictly enforced.
  • It is not yet known if there are any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors coming to Costa Rica.
  • Intending visitors to Costa Rica need to be reminded that the country is in an active earthquake and volcanic zone. Following significant earthquakes, tsunamis may also occur.
  • Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Costa Rica Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Business travelers to Costa Rica must be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months beyond their expected stay and a round-trip or onward ticket.
  • The Costa Rica visa application form can be issued by the Costa Rica Consulate or downloaded online from their website at http://www.migracion.go.cr/.
  • Business travelers will enjoy the advanced telecommunications system, modern infrastructure and excellent array of hotels and restaurants while traveling in Costa Rica.
  • If your visa is denied, you will have to wait a minimum of six months to apply again.
  •  There is a departure tax for short-term visitors, which is typically included in the cost of a traveler’s airfare.
  • Tourists who stay beyond the designated exit date may experience a delay at the airport when departing and will have to pay a fine.  Individuals with prior overstays may further be denied entry to Costa Rica.
  • You may be asked details of the Costa Rican company you will be visiting and your relationship with them. You should also present documents that show they are expecting you.
  • Evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination is a MUST!
  • For a stay of more than 90 days a residence permit must be established.
  • This can be applied for and obtained at the General Directorate of Immigration and Immigration in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

20.00 (USD)

Business visa

20.00 (USD)

Costa Rica Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Ghana

Location

Address

Accra

Costa Rica currently does not maintain an embassy in Ghana. Visa applicants are advised to make use of consulates in neighboring countries for their applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What currency is used in Costa Rica??
Costa Rica's national currency is known as the colón, but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas and other places around the country.
Is there a Costa Rican embassy in Ghana??
No. Costa Rica currently does not maintain an embassy in Ghana. Visa applicants are advised to make use of consulates in neighboring countries for their applications.
Randy

2 years ago

Where do I get the visa we a staunch football fan and want to watch the tournament

Kwabena Owusu Atuah

2 years ago

Where can I costa rica visa

How safe is Costa Rica to travel to??
Costa Rica is considerably safe, but they do have their own share of security challenges.
Is Costa Rica a Schengen country??
No. Costa Rica is not one of the 26 Schengen countries.
Hi am visiting the USA on a tourist visa but would like to visit costa Rica with my family that lives in the USA do I need a visa and if I do how do I go about it??
How can I get Costa Rica Visa in Ghana?
Chet kyle

3 years ago

How

Randy

2 years ago

How can I get a visa

Alex M Williams

2 years ago

Where do I submit my application

Am a Ghanaian, where can i apply for my costa rica visa because we dont have costa rica embassy in Ghana?
Am Ghanaian currently lives in south Africa and I want to visit costa Rica what can I do to get Visa for costa rica?
Please, how does one acquired costa Rica Visa? Thank you?
How can I secure a tourist visa to Costa Rica for the ladies world cup tournament? EMAIL ME ON awalmansur22@gmail.com?
Larrison Kama junior

2 years ago

I want to go and watch the ladies world cup

How can I secure a tourist visa to Costa Rica for the ladies world cup tournament? EMAIL ME ON awalmansur22@gmail.com?
David Saide Otoo

2 years ago

I need visa to visit Costa Rica to watch the ladies World Cup.so please how can you help me to get the visa

Business visa?
Which is the closest country to Ghana for processing Costa Rica Visa??
Can I send my documents to the embassy at Kenya because I don't have embassy in Ghana??
I’m a Ghanaian and will want to visit costs rica for tourism mainly?
I am a Ghanaian citizen. Which embassy can i go to apply for a Costa rica tourist visa? My email is sadatlamin@yahoo.com?
Sir/madam pls i want tourist visa for cost Rica. Pls can you kindly help for tourist visa pls what are the requirement??
Can you please assist me with a tourist visa as a Ghanaian passport holder?
Michael Kofi John

1 year ago

Can you please assist me with a tourist visa as a Ghanaian passport holder?

How do I apply for a Costa Rica visit as a Ghanaian? Kindly help to indicate the nearest consulate to Ghana that gives the visa please.?
How can I get the costarica football visa from Ghana?
Dear Sir, Am a Ghanaian living in Ghana need to travel to Costa Rica and I want to make enquiries about visa acquisition. Thank you.?
am fromghana and I need Costa Rica visa how can I do please helpe?
I'm a ghanaian and need a tourist visa?
I'm a ghanaian and need a tourist visa. Is there anything i could do to secure the vica??
I'm a ghanaian and need a tourist visa to Costa Rica?
Can i submit my tourist visa application in Ghana??
Please I am in Ghana how will I get a tourist visa?
Afram Oheneba Stephen Kofi

1 year ago

Please I’m in Ghana and I want Costa Rica Tourists visa how can I get it?

How can i get my visa once an embassy is not in Ghana?
What are the travelling documents do I need before travelling to Costa Rica?
My name is Yunusa, from Ghana. Please I need a web site to fill the application form for my visa?
Where in west Africa can I get Costa Rica consulate or embassy?
Where do I submit my application in ghana?
Please am a Ghanaian and I need Costa Rica transit visa?
How to get costa visa?
Hello sir/madam I am a Ghanaian how can i apply costa Rica visa?
I’m in Ghana, and how would I get my Costa Rica Visa??
Please l need the tourist visa?