Travel from Malawi to Costa Rica is conditional — see requirements below
This is the generic answer for any Malawi citizen. Not legal or medical advice — verify with your airline and destination authorities before travel.
Malawi passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling to Costa Rica.
Generic country-level guidance for Costa Rica. Verify against the official source before you travel.
This page covers a direct flight to Costa Rica. 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.
You're travelling to Costa Rica (CR). 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.
The US State Department publishes these advisories for your route. Costa Rica: Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution (as of 2026-04-02). Review the country page for the specific areas and risks flagged before you go. 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.
Your itinerary touches Malawi (MW) and Costa Rica (CR), 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.
This page covers the generic case for any Malawi 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 →Costa Rica requires proof you'll leave before they let you in. At check-in the airline often asks for this — without it, they can deny boarding because the carrier becomes liable for flying you back. Easiest fixes, in order: (1) book a refundable return or onward flight, (2) use a one-way bus / train ticket out, or (3) buy a temporary onward-ticket reservation through a service like OnwardTicket. Have whichever you choose printed or on your phone before you reach the counter.
Typical September conditions at SJO (Costa Rica (CR)): very wet. Typical lows around 17°C, highs around 26°C, heavy rainfall (~383mm for the month). Expect heavy rainfall this month (~383mm typical). Waterproof shell, covered shoes, and waterproof bag liner are strongly recommended; outdoor plans may need backup dates.
Your Malawi (MW) passport requires a traditional visa for Costa Rica. Traditional visas typically require a consulate appointment, paperwork, fees, and a multi-day to multi-week wait. Confirm requirements directly with the destination's consular site before booking. Source: Wikipedia visa matrix, synced 2026-06-21T10:11:55.888854+00:00.