Travel from Costa Rica to Mexico is conditional — see requirements below
This is the generic answer for any Costa Rica citizen. Not legal or medical advice — verify with your airline and destination authorities before travel.
Costa Rica passport holders can travel to Mexico without a visa for stays of up to 180 days.
Generic country-level guidance for Mexico. Verify against the official source before you travel.
This page covers a direct flight to Mexico. If your route connects through a third country, that country may require its own transit visa — sometimes even for a short airside layover. Transit rules depend on your specific routing, so check the country you connect through separately, or analyse your full itinerary.
No visa required for entry to Mexico. Stays of up to 180 days are permitted under the visa-waiver agreement.
You're travelling to Mexico (MX). Your home cellular plan may or may not include data abroad — check your carrier's international options before you fly. An eSIM is a low-commitment alternative if your plan doesn't cover the destination or charges high roaming rates.
Declare USD 10,000 or equivalent when entering or leaving Mexico (MX). Form: Customs declaration. Declare USD 10,000+ equivalent on entry
The US State Department publishes these advisories for your route. Mexico: Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution. Mexico's advisory is assigned per state. Mexico City (via MEX): Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution. Neighbouring Morelos are higher-risk (up to Level 3). Check the state-specific advisory for your exact destination. This is a US State Department safety perspective, not an entry or boarding rule — it doesn't affect whether you can board, only what to be aware of on the ground. Travellers from other countries should also check their own government's advisory.
This page covers the generic case for any Costa Rica citizen. Sign in (free) to factor in your specific passport expiry, vaccinations, previous visas held, and connecting flights — and get the same analysis for your exact itinerary.
Sign in (free) to personalize →Your itinerary touches Costa Rica (CR) and Mexico (MX), where malaria transmission occurs. Transmission is often region-limited within a country (e.g. coastal vs highland zones) and varies by season. Discuss prophylaxis with a travel medicine clinician — the right antimalarial depends on the specific region, your medical history, and any medications you take.
Mexico (MX) requires every traveller to submit the Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) for entry — best done a few days before departure rather than in the airport queue. Without it, expect to be pulled aside at the border or denied boarding. Apply at: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html
Mexico's entry rules ask for proof you'll leave the country, but visa-waiver / ETA travelers like you usually get waved through without check-in agents looking. Have a screenshot of your return flight (or any onward ticket) on your phone in case they do — answers the question instantly.
Typical September conditions at MEX (Mexico (MX)): mild. Typical lows around 11°C, highs around 24°C, moderate rainfall (~103mm for the month).