Government advisories for Costa Rica
US State Department
US L2 · Increased cautionExercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime. Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime also affects tourists. This includes armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault.
Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated Apr 2, 2026
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
UK · no warningsNo FCDO travel warnings
Latest change: Updated information on customs rules; gang-related violence; fines for unauthorised entry into restricted conservation areas and earthquakes and recent volcanic activity ('Entry requirements' and 'Safety and security' pages).
Official notice Source: gov.uk · updated May 19, 2026
Government of Canada
CA 2 · High degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution
Latest change: Editorial change
Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca · updated Oct 14, 2026
Local scams and street crime
- Protecting your belongings: Muggings and theft are significant problems, particularly on the Atlantic coast. You should: be aware of who is around you when using ATMs be vigilant on buses and keep your luggage in view if possible – thieves are likely to try and distract you watch wallets and valuables when on the beach avoid leaving luggage in a…
- Violent crime: Avoid walking alone in poorly lit or remote areas at night. Gangs occasionally carry out muggings and armed robberies. Gang-related violence, including shootings, has become more frequent in urban areas, including some locations popular with visitors. A number of foreign nationals including one British national have…
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated May 19, 2026
LGBT+ and women travellers: what the UK FCDO says
- LGBT+ travellers: Costa Rica is generally welcoming of LGBT+ travellers.
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated May 19, 2026
Women, children and family: what governments say
- Women's safety (Government of Canada): Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment or verbal abuse. Incidents of sexual assault against foreigners at beach resorts and by taxi drivers in San José have occurred.
Official notice Source: Government of Canada and UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licences)
Pregnancy and children: CDC health notes for Costa Rica
- Zika: the CDC lists Zika as a risk in Costa Rica. An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby. CDC on Zika
- Chagas disease: the CDC lists it for Costa Rica; it can pass from a pregnant woman to her baby.
- Malaria: CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Costa Rica take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Ask a travel-health provider which medicine suits pregnancy or young children before you go.
- Hepatitis A (children): Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
- Measles (children): All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
- Yellow Fever (children): Country entry requirements: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission.
CDC health page for Costa Rica · CDC: pregnant travelers · CDC: traveling with children
Official notice Source: CDC Travelers' Health (US government, public domain). General information, not medical advice: see a doctor or travel clinic before you go.
German Foreign Office
DE · no travel warningNo travel warning
Official notice Source: Auswärtiges Amt · updated Oct 13, 2026
Read the official travel and safety advice
Dutch Foreign Ministry
NL · yellowYellow: be alert, safety risks
De kleurcode van het reisadvies voor Costa Rica is geel. U kunt erheen reizen. Maar let op: er zijn bijzondere veiligheidsrisico’s.
Official notice Source: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Nederland Wereldwijd (open data, CC0) · updated Nov 6, 2026
New Zealand SafeTravel
NZ · level 2Exercise increased caution
Official notice Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SafeTravel (CC BY 4.0) · updated 24 July 2025
Japan Foreign Ministry
JP L1 · Exercise cautionHighest level: Exercise caution
Level 1 in 1 area. Areas can differ; the highest level applies only where the ministry says so.
コスタリカ危険情報【一部地域の危険レベル引き上げ】
Official notice Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas Safety Homepage · updated Feb 9, 2025
Each government uses its own scale. Read the full advisory before you book or travel; regional differences inside a country can matter more than the headline level.
Entry requirements for Costa Rica
🇬🇧 British passport holders
- Visa: You can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver. The exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
- Passport: Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.
Read the full UK entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Costa Rica’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Costa Rica set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Dual nationals
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
Visa requirements
You can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver. The exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
For more information on requirements or if you plan to work, or stay for a longer period, check with the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK.
If you overstay, the immigration authorities can fine you 100 US dollars for each month and refuse future applications to enter Costa Rica.
Airport tax
When leaving the country by air, you may need to pay a departure tax of 29 US dollars. Most airlines include this in ticket prices. If you need to pay it, you can use cash or card.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Costa Rica, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Costa Rica guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Costa Rica (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. If you try to remove wildlife from the country, including seashells, you could be fined.
Taking money into Costa Rica
Declare cash, travellers cheques or goods if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money or goods could be seized when you leave.
Official notice Source: UK Foreign Office · updated May 19, 2026
🇨🇦 Canadian passport holders
- Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 180 days
Read the full Canadian entry requirements
Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.
The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.
We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.
Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.
Passport
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.
Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.
Regular Canadian passport
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Passport for official travel
Different entry rules may apply.
Passport with “X” gender identifier
While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.
Other travel documents
Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Useful links
- Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
- Canadian passports and other travel documents
Visas
Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 180 days
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
Length of stay
The immigration officer will determine the permitted length of your stay when you enter Costa Rica. As a tourist, you may be granted a stay up to 180 days.
If you intend to stay for more than 180 days, you must obtain a residency status from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
You may face deportation if you overstay the authorized 180-day period. Persons deported from Costa Rica will not be allowed to re-enter the country for 5 to 10 years.
Immigration department – Costa Rica government (in Spanish)
Entry stamp
You must obtain an entry stamp from immigration officials upon entry into Costa Rica.
Other entry requirements
Customs officials will ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Minors with dual citizenship
Costa Rica strictly enforces requirements for the departure of minors with dual citizenship.
The Canadian passport of a dual citizen child must have a Costa Rican departure approval delivered by the immigration authorities. The granted permission may be temporary or permanent and will be recorded in the Costa Rican immigration electronic system.
The approval must be requested jointly by both parents, prior to departure, to either of the following authorities:
- Costa Rica’s immigration department
- the Embassy of Costa Rica in Canada
Several cases of departure denials have occurred due to the lack of proper documentation.
Minors with dual citizenship who are travelling unaccompanied must also have legally certified written consent from both parents.
Useful Links
- Immigration department – Costa Rica government (in Spanish)
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
Children and travel
Learn about travelling with children.
Yellow fever
Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).
Official notice Source: Government of Canada · updated Oct 14, 2026
Other passports
Rules depend on your nationality, so we do not guess. Before you book:
- Read your own government's travel advice first (US travellers: State Department page for Costa Rica).
- Not sure what your passport needs? Check the visa rules for your nationality (eVisas visa checker) or compare with VisaHQ. These are affiliate links: if you use their application service we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official government sites are usually cheaper and are linked above where we have them.
- Check your passport: many countries want it valid for 6 months after arrival and with blank pages.
- Check for an e-visa, travel authorisation or digital arrival card, and any vaccine rules (yellow fever is the common one).
- Ask your airline: they can refuse boarding if your documents do not match the rules.
Entry rules are set by each government and change without notice. This summary is for planning only and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm on the official government website and with your airline before you book or travel. Voyaggora is not a government agency and does not process visas.
Weather forecast, next days
San José, Costa Rica
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Rain | Peak wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 12 Nov | 19° / 20° | dry | 5 km/h | |
| Fri 13 Nov | Heavy showers | 18° / 26° | 12.0 mm | 11 km/h |
| Sat 14 Nov | Showers | 17° / 28° | 6.7 mm | 12 km/h |
| Sun 15 Nov | Partly cloudy | 19° / 28° | 3.1 mm | 13 km/h |
| Mon 16 Nov | Light showers | 18° / 26° | 2.2 mm | 11 km/h |
Guanacaste
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Rain | Peak wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 12 Nov | 25° / 26° | dry | 7 km/h | |
| Fri 13 Nov | Light showers | 24° / 32° | 1.9 mm | 10 km/h |
| Sat 14 Nov | Light showers | 24° / 33° | 1.0 mm | 15 km/h |
| Sun 15 Nov | Partly cloudy | 24° / 32° | 0.8 mm | 15 km/h |
| Mon 16 Nov | Clear | 24° / 31° | 0.6 mm | 9 km/h |
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Rain | Peak wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 12 Nov | 25° / 26° | 0.6 mm | 7 km/h | |
| Fri 13 Nov | Light showers | 24° / 30° | 2.2 mm | 9 km/h |
| Sat 14 Nov | Light showers | 23° / 30° | 3.6 mm | 12 km/h |
| Sun 15 Nov | Cloudy | 23° / 30° | 7.0 mm | 10 km/h |
| Mon 16 Nov | Showers | 23° / 28° | 7.7 mm | 8 km/h |
Manuel Antonio
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Rain | Peak wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 12 Nov | 27° / 28° | dry | 8 km/h | |
| Fri 13 Nov | Light showers | 26° / 30° | 1.8 mm | 17 km/h |
| Sat 14 Nov | Partly cloudy | 26° / 30° | 0.2 mm | 16 km/h |
| Sun 15 Nov | Cloudy | 26° / 29° | 5.2 mm | 22 km/h |
| Mon 16 Nov | Light showers | 26° / 29° | 6.1 mm | 9 km/h |
Live feed Forecast data: MET Norway (Locationforecast, CC BY 4.0), city local time. Forecasts change; for severe weather follow the official warnings above · updated
Essentials for travelers
Emergency 911
- Plugs: type A, B
- Power: 120 V, 60 Hz
- Traffic drives on the right
- Tap water: generally safe
- Calling code: +506
Compiled by Voyaggora from IEC World Plugs, government and consular sources. Confidence: high. Check with your embassy or hotel before you rely on it in an emergency.
Local language
Costa Rica Spanish
Essential phrases in Spanish
| Hello | Hola | |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | Gracias | |
| Help! | ¡Ayuda! | |
| Where is the hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital? | |
| I need the police | Necesito a la policía | |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un médico | |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | |
| Where is the toilet? | ¿Dónde está el baño? |
Country names come from the Unicode CLDR. Phrases are short standard translations; show them on your phone to ask for help.
Health and safety numbers for Costa Rica
| Measure | Value | Year | What it means | World median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safely managed drinking water % of people | 80.5 | 2024 | Share of people whose drinking water is on their premises, available when needed and free from contamination. Origin: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. World Bank data page | 80.6 (151 countries) |
| Doctors per 1,000 people | 2.69 | 2022 | Generalist and specialist doctors for every 1,000 people. Origin: WHO Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, country data. World Bank data page | 1.62 (208 countries) |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 1.14 | 2022 | Inpatient beds in public, private and specialist hospitals for every 1,000 people. Origin: WHO, country data. World Bank data page | 2.39 (201 countries) |
| Malaria cases per 1,000 people at risk | 0.13 | 2024 | New malaria cases in a year for every 1,000 people living in areas where malaria is present. Origin: WHO. World Bank data page | 3.83 (107 countries) |
| Measles vaccination % of children aged 12-23 months | 93 | 2024 | Share of young children who have had a measles vaccine dose. Origin: WHO/UNICEF. World Bank data page | 90 (193 countries) |
| Road traffic deaths per 100,000 people | 14.8 | 2019 | Estimated deaths from road traffic injuries for every 100,000 people. The newest year WHO published is 2019. Origin: WHO. World Bank data page | 14.9 (190 countries) |
| Intentional homicides per 100,000 people | 17.75 | 2023 | Unlawful deaths inflicted on a person with the intent to cause death or serious injury, for every 100,000 people. Origin: UNODC. World Bank data page | 2.61 (196 countries) |
These are yearly statistics, not live data. They are estimates by WHO, UNICEF, IHME and UNODC, republished by the World Bank, and they describe the whole country, not a city or resort. Countries measure and report these figures in different ways, and the year of the newest figure differs from row to row.
Official notice Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Underlying estimates by WHO, UNICEF, IHME and UNODC, republished by the World Bank, database updated 2026-11-11. World median worked out by Voyaggora from the same World Bank data (median of countries with data, each country's latest year). · checked
Local laws to know before you go (Government of Canada advice)
Written by the Government of Canada for Canadian travellers. Laws change; the full, current text is on the Government of Canada page.
Drugs
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences or heavy fines.
Drugs, alcohol and travel
Photography
It is illegal to photograph official buildings.
Check with local authorities before taking photos.
Identification
Authorities may request to see your ID at any time.
- Carry valid identification at all times
- Keep a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp in case it’s lost or seized
- Keep a digital copy of your ID and travel documents
Official notice Source: Government of Canada, Travel Advice and Advisories for Costa Rica. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. The text is the Government of Canada's own words, shown unchanged (long entries end at a full stop); Voyaggora adds nothing and interprets nothing (advice last updated November 12, 2026 14:45 EST; data file generated 2026-11-12). · checked
Taiwan travel warning
- Level 2 (yellow) 第二級：黃色注意 - 哥斯大黎加 - Costa Rica
Chinese label 黃色注意 (literally: yellow, pay attention) · text is in Chinese: open the original · published
Live feed Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (BOCA) (dataset data.gov.tw/dataset/116026, Government Open Data License v1.0). The Chinese title is shown unchanged; the English wording of the level is a literal translation by Voyaggora. This is Taiwan's own government warning and does not mean BOCA endorses Voyaggora. · checked
Emergency numbers in Costa Rica
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 112 |
| Ambulance (emergency medical services) | 112 |
| Fire (fire department) | 112 |
| Emergency (no service named in Wikidata) | 911 |
From Wikidata (CC0). Wikidata is edited by volunteers and lists a role only where an editor has recorded one; check locally, for example with your embassy or hotel, before you rely on a number.
Live feed Source: Wikidata, Wikidata property P2852 “emergency phone number” · Wikidata data is CC0 (public domain) · checked
Is Costa Rica on the UK visa national list?
Costa Rica is not on the list of nationalities that need a visa for a visit (check the rules for your purpose).
List: Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list, paragraph VN 1.1(a), 115 countries and territorial entities. Latest change recorded by GOV.UK: Mar 5, 2026. This is only the visa national list; the Rules contain other conditions, so read the full page on GOV.UK.
Official notice Source: GOV.UK, UK Home Office · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 · checked
Is Costa Rica on the US Visa Waiver Program list (ESTA)?
Costa Rica is not on the list of countries DHS shows as currently designated for the US Visa Waiver Program.
DHS page “Last Updated”: Oct 28, 2026. The page lists countries; whether a particular traveller qualifies is set by DHS, see the page.
Official notice Source: Visa Waiver Program, US Department of Homeland Security · US government work, not subject to copyright (17 U.S.C. § 105) · checked
Canada visitor visa processing time for applications made from Costa Rica
IRCC’s processing-time tool answers the question “Where are you applying from?”. For visitor-visa applications made from Costa Rica, it shows:
- 20 days: Visitor visa (from outside Canada)
IRCC’s own figures, as of November 4, 2026. IRCC says: “Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.” The time depends on where the application is made, not on citizenship, and whether a visa or an eTA is needed depends on the traveller; check IRCC. Tool and details: IRCC check processing times.
Live feed Source: Check processing times, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · checked
More governments' travel advice for Costa Rica
Australia: Smartraveller (DFAT)
AU · Exercise a high degree of caution
“Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica due to the threat of violent crime.”
Smartraveller page last changed Jul 30, 2026 · level and wording as published (text shortened to its opening sentences where long)
Read the official Australian advice
Live feed Source: Smartraveller (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence; terms on the Smartraveller copyright page). Attribution: “Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au”. Not an endorsement of Voyaggora by the Australian Government. Checked .
Belgium: FPS Foreign Affairs
Belgium publishes its advice as text. The opening text of its ‘Laatste update’ page (in Dutch):
“Zolang de gebruikelijke voorzorgsmaatregelen nageleefd worden, kan er in Costa Rica doorgaans veilig gereisd worden. Als u van plan bent naar Costa Rica te reizen, zorg er dan voor dat u beschikt over voldoende financiële middelen voor noodgevallen.”
Laatst bijgewerkt op (last updated) Sep 30, 2026 · text quoted unchanged, long text shortened to its opening sentences
Read the official Belgian advice (Dutch) · Translate to English
Live feed Source: diplomatie.belgium.be, FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Belgium. Information free of rights (Creative Commons-0), legal notice. Source and date shown as the ministry recommends. Checked .
France: Conseils aux voyageurs (France Diplomatie)
France’s colour-coded security map is published as an image on the official page, and the page text gives no single level for this country, so none is shown here.
Alerts France lists for this country (titles as published, in French):
- Baignade – Appel à la vigilance · en ligne le Feb 27, 2026; mis à jour le Sep 3, 2026
Sécurité: mise à jour le Nov 3, 2026; alerts page: mise à jour le Nov 2, 2026 · text quoted unchanged
Read the official French advice (French) · Alerts page · Translate to English
Live feed Source: diplomatie.gouv.fr, Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs. Licence Ouverte / Open Licence version 2.0 (avril 2017), mentions légales; the source and the date of last update are shown as the licence requires. Excerpts are reproduced unchanged and may not show the whole advice: read the full official page. Not an endorsement of Voyaggora by the French government. Checked .
Each government’s own words and date, shown side by side. Voyaggora does not compare or rank them.
U.S. Embassy alerts
- Embassy alert
Routine Message: November 18 Town Hall for U.S. Citizens in Nosara Read on the embassy site - Embassy alert
Health Alert – U.S. Embassy San Jose (October 23, 2026) Read on the embassy site - Embassy alert
Natural Disaster Alert: Tsunami Warning (October 9, 2026) Costa Rica Read on the embassy site - Embassy alert
Routine Message: October 22 Town Hall for U.S. Citizens in La Fortuna Read on the embassy site
Live feed Source: U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites (public alerts for U.S. citizens; US government works) · checked
Embassy alerts
- Embassy alert
安全情報【１０月分】 Original · Translate to English - Health
【注意喚起】チクングニア熱感染者の増加について Original · Translate to English
Live feed Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas Safety Homepage (open data; alerts from Japanese embassies, shown in Japanese as published) · checked
More live hazards and notices
Getting around
- Planets tonight Above the horizon after dark (about 18:40 local): Saturn. Calculated from astronomy (astral, Astronomy Engine) and the IANA time zone database.
Weather, sea and nature
- UV index forecast, San José: peak 11.2 (extreme) around 17:00 UTC (Fri) in the next 24 hours, if the sky is clear. Cloud lowers it; protect your skin from 3 upward. Source: MET Norway (NLOD 2.0 and CC BY 4.0), forecast of 2026-11-13 01:19 UTC. Checked .
- Tides today (local time): Guanacaste (Bahia de Culebra station, 25 km away): low 22:40 (0.4 m), high 04:55 (2.6 m), low 11:08 (0.2 m), high 17:29 (2.4 m); heights in metres above MLLW; Manuel Antonio (Quepos station, 2 km away): low 22:41 (0.9 m), high 04:45 (2.8 m), low 11:06 (0.7 m), high 17:19 (2.6 m); heights in metres above LAT · Predicted from harmonic constants, astronomical tide only: wind, storms and air pressure change real water levels, and this is not for navigation; check the national tide table. Neaps tide database (https://github.com/openwatersio/tide-database); TICON-4 tide constants (Hart-Davis, Dettmering and Seitz 2025, https://doi.org/10.17882/109129, CC BY 4.0); US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (public domain).
- Costa Rica volcano watch (Poás, Turrialba, Arenal, Rincón de la Vieja): latest weekly bulletin from the volcano observatory, published 2026-11-06: Boletín Semanal de Vigilancia Volcánica (PDF, in Spanish). Live earthquake map. Source: OVSICORI-UNA, Costa Rica (ovsicori.una.ac.cr). Shown unaltered with permission. Checked .
- Wildfire smoke over your destination today:
- Guanacaste: Light smoke
- La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Light smoke
- Manuel Antonio: Light smoke
- Monteverde: Light smoke
- San José, Costa Rica: Light smoke
Events, holidays and sport
- Next public holidays: Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec); New Year's Day (Fri 1 Jan); Maundy Thursday (Thu 25 Mar) · Shops, banks and attractions may close and prices rise. Computed with the open-source python-holidays library (MIT); check the official calendar.
- Solar eclipse A partial solar eclipse on 26 January 2028 covers about 51% of the sun in San José. Use certified eclipse glasses. Calculated from astronomy (astral, Astronomy Engine) and the IANA time zone database.
Prices and utilities
- Electricity mix Costa Rica generated 98.4% of its electricity from clean sources in October 2026 (wind and solar 8.2%), with a carbon intensity of 32 gCO2e per kWh. · Source: Ember; CC BY 4.0, Ember (licence); checked 00:24 UTC
Other live notices
- Daylight today in San José (capital): sunrise 05:29, sunset 17:11 (11 h 41 min of daylight, local time America/Costa Rica); moon: waxing crescent, about 11% lit. Calculated from astronomy (NOAA solar-position equations), accurate to a couple of minutes; not an official feed. Moon phase from the mean lunar cycle. Updated .
- Light and clocks in San José (capital): Golden hour (soft photo light) 05:29 to 05:59 and 16:41 to 17:11; blue hour after sunset 17:11 to 17:41; daylight is about the same length each day. No clock change is scheduled in the next 14 months. Local time in San José: UTC-6. Calculated from astronomy and the international time-zone database; governments can change clock rules at short notice, so check before you travel. Not an official feed.
- Sea level The Quepos gauge reads 4.79 m (15.7 ft) above its own zero. The facility publishes this as the raw transmission, before quality control. · Source: UNESCO/IOC and VLIZ sea-level facility (raw data, cite VLIZ and IOC); checked 03:37 UTC.
- Big Mac price A Big Mac (the Economist’s price gauge) cost 3150 CRC, or US$7.00, in Costa Rica in the July 2026 survey (United States: US$6.22). · Source: big-mac-data; CC BY 4.0, data from The Economist Big Mac index (licence); prices rounded to two decimals for display; checked 00:15 UTC
Live feed Sources: NOAA / NWS (ash advisories from the ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres, aurora from the Space Weather Prediction Center), USGS, GeoNet New Zealand (CC BY 3.0 NZ) · checked
Model estimates, next 24 hoursCosta Rica
- Model forecast Next 24 hours in San José (model forecast, not an official forecast): 15.6 to 24.8°C, 14.9 mm of rain, gusts to 8 km/h, cloud 53%. Derived from the NOAA GFS model output via the NOAA Open Data Dissemination programme. NOAA does not endorse this site.
- Sea state Sea off Costa Rica in the next 24 hours (model, open water only): waves about 1.0 m; swell 0.8 m at 14 s. Not a swimming or boating safety signal: follow local flags and warnings. Derived from the NOAA GFS-Wave model output via the NOAA Open Data Dissemination programme. NOAA does not endorse this site.
- Air (model) Fine particles (PM2.5) in San José, modelled for the next 24 hours: about 7 µg/m³, within the WHO 24-hour guideline of 15 µg/m³. A model estimate for the city, not a measurement. Derived from the NOAA GEFS-Aerosols model output via the NOAA Open Data Dissemination programme. NOAA does not endorse this site.
These are computer-model estimates from NOAA open model data (model run 12 Nov 18:00 UTC), not official forecasts, measurements or warnings. The official advisories, warnings and live sources for Costa Rica are listed on this page.
Pictures from space and the weather agenciesCosta Rica
Credits: We acknowledge the use of imagery provided by services from NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). NOAA pictures are public domain and shown unaltered; this is not an endorsement by NOAA. Click a picture to open it at its source.
Air and fires near popular destinations
Air quality
- San José, Costa Rica Moderate PM2.5 9.1 µg/m³ ·
Live feed Air quality from OpenAQ (open data from Clarity, credited under their open licences) and U.S. EPA AirNow for US cities, plus community sensors from Sensor.Community (ODbL) where official monitors are missing. Readings are from the nearest monitors and can be a few hours old.
Health alerts
- Dengue in Costa Rica ·
As of 18 October 2026, a total of 6,594 dengue cases have been reported since the start of the year. Serotypes DEN-1, DEN-2 and DEN-3 have been reported in Costa Rica during 2026. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on dengue.
Live feed Source: TravelHealthPro (UK Health Security Agency) · checked · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Vaccines, malaria and yellow-fever certificate rules: TravelHealthPro country pages (UK Health Security Agency), CDC destination pages, UK Foreign Office health advice. Ask a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.
Health notices
- Level 1 Hepatitis A in Costa Rica ·
- Level 2 Chikungunya in Costa Rica ·
Live feed Source: CDC Travelers' Health · checked
Airport weather right now
| Airport | Temperature | Wind | Visibility | Conditions | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose MROC | 23°C / 73°F | 3 kt from 250° | 3.11 mi | Mist | |
| Liberia/Oduber MRLB | 28°C / 82°F | 3 kt from 100° | 6+ mi | Clear flying weather |
Live feed Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center · checked
Money
1 US dollar ≈ 451.45 CRC · 1 euro ≈ 501.48 CRC
Central-bank reference rate for Nov 12, 2026. Your card or exchange desk will differ.
Live feed Source: Frankfurter · checked
Official sources for Costa Rica
- Weather service: IMN Costa Rica (in Spanish)
- Weather warnings: IMN Costa Rica warnings page (in Spanish)
- Earthquakes and volcanoes: OVSICORI-UNA (in Spanish)
- Health ministry: Ministerio de Salud (in Spanish)
- Main airport or aviation authority: SJO Juan Santamaria
- Road conditions: MOPT / CONAVI (in Spanish)
- Railways: INCOFER (in Spanish)
- Official tourism board: ICT Costa Rica (in Spanish)
- Emergency number(s): 911 (official page)
Links to the official government bodies, checked by us. Voyaggora does not run these sites. For anything urgent, use the official emergency number.
Voyaggora guides in Costa Rica
Quick answers: is it safe to travel to Costa Rica?
- Is it safe to travel to Costa Rica right now?
- Official advice is to take normal or increased precautions. As of Nov 13, 03:43 UTC. The US State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2 of 4, "Increased caution". Canada says "Exercise a high degree of caution". The UK FCDO has no warnings against travel to Costa Rica. Advisory levels change and can vary by region within a country: check the official page before you travel. Sources: US State Department Canada UK FCDO.
- Are there any active weather or hazard alerts in Costa Rica right now?
- As of Nov 13, 03:43 UTC, Travel Live shows these live hazard and alert sections for Costa Rica: U.S. Embassy alerts, embassy alerts, more live hazards and notices, air quality and fires near popular destinations. Each one on this page names its official source and the time it was checked. Worldwide storms, earthquakes and disasters are on the Travel Live hub.
- What do the advisory levels mean?
- US State Department: Level 1 exercise normal precautions, Level 2 exercise increased caution, Level 3 reconsider travel, Level 4 do not travel. Canada: take normal security precautions, exercise a high degree of caution, avoid non-essential travel, avoid all travel. UK FCDO: it advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the whole country or to parts of it, or has no warnings. Each government uses its own scale, so the levels are not directly comparable.
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Voyaggora summarises official sources and is not a government service; always confirm with the official advisory before you travel.