Costa Rica visa requirements for Rwandans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Rwandans visiting Costa Rica

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

  • A passport with 6 months validity and a photocopy of all the pages of the passport
  • The photocopy of the passport should be translated to Spanish
  • A completed visa application form 
  • Visa request letter addressed to the Costa Rica’s consul
  • Three recent passport-size photographs taken without wearing glasses or caps
  • Proof of legal status
  • Proof of reserved accommodation with a contact number attached
  • Copy of bank statement for the past three months
  • Proof of clean criminal record issued by the Police in your country not more than 6 months earlier
  • Temporary ticket reservation
  • Invitation letter
  • Letter from employer
  • Trip itinerary
  • Birth certificate
  • Visa application fees

Costa Rica Visa for Rwandans

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 6 working days 30-90 days

General Requirements for Costa Rica Visa

  • A passport with 6 months validity and a photocopy of all the pages of the passport
  • The photocopy of the passport should be translated to Spanish
  • A completed visa application form 
  • Visa request letter addressed to the Costa Rica’s consul
  • Three recent passport-size photographs taken without wearing glasses or caps
  • Proof of legal status
  • Proof of reserved accommodation with a contact number attached
  • Copy of bank statement for the past three months
  • Proof of clean criminal record issued by the Police in your country not more than 6 months earlier
  • Temporary ticket reservation
  • Invitation letter
  • Letter from employer
  • Trip itinerary
  • Birth certificate
  • Visa application fees
Costa Rica Tourist visa

Costa Rica Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Tourist visa is issued for relaxation and visitation purposes
  • Applicants are required to have an accommodation reservation for the trip before travelling
  • You are advised to not purchase any permanent ticket until the visa has been issued however, application fees should be paid in full and they are non-refundable
  • The Costa Rica tourist visa is valid for a period of 30-90 days. The Consular officer will determine the length of visa to be issued
  • It is possible to apply for an extension of visa if you were initially issued a 30 day stay visa,however, if you were issued a 90 day stay visa and you need to extend it then you have to leave Costa Rica and reapply as a new applicant
  • You can extend your 30 days stay visa for up to 90 days without leaving Costa Rica. 90 days is the maximum length of stay.
  • As this visa type is a restricted visa under Costa Rica law, the request letter must be addressed to the Commission of Restricted Visas, by the applicant and his relative residing in Costa Rica or his attorney, stating their qualities and the relationship to the applicant
  • If you are denied a visa, you have to wait for 6 months before applying for a new visa
  • Although it takes 6 business days to process the visa, you are advised to submit your application at least 30 days before your intend travel date
  • The visa request has to be signed in the presence of a certified notary public
  • A signed letter from the host in Costa Rica inviting the applicant may be required by the consul. The letter should contain personal details of the host and the intended entry and exit date of applicant
  • For individuals with no consulate in their country, the country they intend to apply through should be stated in the visa request. The applicant can also send the application via a representative
  • A contact information for the feedback of the visa processing is required
  • Proof that you will leave Costa rica by or before the expiration of your visa is necessary as the Consul will consider it before issuing a visa
  • The proof can be assets in home country, letter from your employer stating that you will return or details of immediate family members
  • If your visa is approved by the Consul, a fee of $32 is required and if it is approved by the directorate of migration, it costs $52. The directorate of migration fee is however widely used
  • In the case that you need to apply for a residential permit, a fee of $200 can be paid to change the individual’s from that of a tourist
  • Apart from tourist visa, Costa Rica issues temporary and permanent residential permit. The temporary residential permit is for students, researchers and volunteers and is valid for 2 years.
  • Holders of the temporary residential permit can travel in and out of Costa Rica freely like a permanent resident would do.
  • You will not be granted a visa to Costa Rica if you have any criminal records in your home country
  • Overstaying your visa is illegal and is punishable by deportation or fines of $100 for every month you overstay
  • The fines will be levied when you are exiting the country at either the airport or border.

Costa Rica Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

52.00 (USD)

Costa Rica Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Rwanda

Location

Address

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the medical service in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is globally recognized for its top-notch medical services. There is a wealth of skilled surgeons and state of the art facilities in both the public and private sector
Are the roads in Costa Rica motorable?

The roads of Costa Rica feature a lot of potholes. The roads are better in modern hotspots but become less travelable in rural areas. During the rainy season (May-November), all the roads are susceptible to landslides and flooding.

Is there internet access across the country?

In many tourism destinations, there is widespread internet access. Most hotels provide free wifi service and there is no shortage of internet cafes that provides high-speed internet access at $1 per hour.

How do I move around in Costa Rica?

Public buses are available in Costa Rica, though they are not as efficient as your own transport. If you’re short on time and are visiting more than one destination, then renting a car is not a bad idea. There are also private shuttle buses that offer door to door service to most tourist destination and they cost around $40 per person.