Travel from South Africa to Costa Rica is straightforward
This is the generic answer for any South Africa citizen. Not legal or medical advice — verify with your airline and destination authorities before travel.
South Africa passport holders can travel to Costa Rica without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
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.
No visa required for entry to Costa Rica. Stays of up to 90 days are permitted under the visa-waiver agreement.
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.
Declare ZAR 25,000 or equivalent when entering or leaving South Africa (ZA). Form: SARS declaration. Max ZAR 25,000 cash; foreign currency unlimited but must declare
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.
This page covers the generic case for any South Africa 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 South Africa (ZA) 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.
Costa Rica'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 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.