Costa Rica officers grant up to 180 days but limit extensions to 90 total

Immigration officers at Costa Rican airports can stamp tourist passports for anything from 30 to 180 days and the number they choose is final for anyone holding a Group 1 passport.

The stamp is discretionary, not automatic

Costa Rica raised its tourist stay ceiling to 180 days in 2024, replacing the old 90-day standard. The catch: the officer at passport control decides the actual length case by case and stamps of 30, 60, 90 or 120 days are now common for travelers from the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and other Group 1 countries.

The math on extensions cuts sharply. If the officer grants 90 days or more, the stay can't be extended, per the reformed visa regulation reported by Dentons. If the officer grants fewer than 90 days, one extension is possible at the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, but only up to a 90-day total, not 180. La Nación confirmed Migration is applying the rule this way in 2026.

What to carry to the counter

Officers weigh the stamp against what travelers show them. Bring:

• A passport valid for the intended stay
• Proof of onward travel out of Costa Rica
• Financial solvency of at least $100 per month of intended stay, per DGME guidance summarized by AG Legal

Travelers hoping for the full 180 days should present an onward ticket dated close to that mark and be ready to show funds and accommodation covering the period. A vague itinerary or a return flight three weeks out invites a shorter stamp.

Who should stop cycling and switch tracks

The discretion problem hits repeat border-runners hardest. Expats who used to string together 180-day tourist entries can no longer count on the full window and the 90-day extension cap closes the old workaround. Anyone planning to base themselves long-term should look at the Estancia de Trabajador Remoto digital nomad permit or formal residency rather than tourist cycling. The specifics of both tracks sit in the Costa Rica guide.