Costa Rican visa for South African citizens
A visa is NOT required for South African passport holders visiting Costa Rica for a short-term stay: 180 days.
Visa requirements:
| Visa type | Purposes | Visa requirements | Allowed stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | For South African citizens to enter Costa Rica for a short-term tourism purpose. | Not required | 180 days |
| Evisa | Costa Rica e-visa for South African citizens | Not Available | |
| Visa on arrival | Costa Rica visa on arrival for South African citizens | Not Available | |
Costa Rica tourist visa requirements:
- Holding South African passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of the intended stay in Costa Rica.
- Proof of onward travel (departure) from Costa Rica.
If you are looking for Costa Rica visa information, such as available types of visas, or how to apply from South Africa, we recommend you visit or contact the embassy or consulate of Costa Rica nearest your place of residence.
- Pretoria: The Embassy of Costa Rica in Pretoria, South Africa (Working hours: Close now)
- Johannesburg: The Consulate General of Costa Rica in Johannesburg, South Africa (Working hours: Close now)
Costa Rica visa applications & requirements (For reference purposes only, please visit the nearest Costa Rica diplomatic mission offices to South Africa for guidance)
Tourism Statistics Chart
The line chart shows the number of visitors from South Africa traveling to Costa Rica from 2008 to 2018.
| Year | Number of visitors (South Africa) estimated | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17,339 | N/A |
| 2009 | 15,961 | -7.95% |
| 2010 | 17,430 | 9.20% |
| 2011 | 18,194 | 4.38% |
| 2012 | 19,447 | 6.89% |
| 2013 | 20,152 | 3.63% |
| 2014 | 20,974 | 4.08% |
| 2015 | 22,078 | 5.26% |
| 2016 | 24,278 | 9.96% |
| 2017 | 24,568 | 1.19% |
| 2018 | 25,041 | 1.93% |
References: UNWTO.org, World Bank and multiple sources. (This data is for informational purposes only. Please see our disclaimer page for more information.)
Costa Rica & South Africa comparison
Costa Rica's area is approximately 51,060 km2 (19,714 sq mi), while the area of South Africa is approximately 1,213,090 km2 (468,376 sq mi). This means South Africa is 23.76 times bigger than Costa Rica.
As of April 2024, Costa Rica's population is ~5.3 million people - 57,063,713 fewer people than the population of South Africa.
We have highlighted Costa Rica & South Africa’s relative positions on world's map for your reference.
| Costa Rica | South Africa | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (est 2024) | 5,281,581 | 62,345,294 | 57.1 million fewer people live in Costa Rica than South Africa |
| Number of diplomatic missions abroad (est) | 98 | 124 | Costa Rica has 26 fewer diplomatic representations abroad compared with South Africa. |
| Travel freedom (2024) | 111 | 67 | Costa Rica passport holders can visit 44 more countries and territories without a visa. |
| Number of foreign missions hosted | 52 | 197 | Costa Rican hosts 145 fewer foreign missions than South Africa. |
Frequently asked questions, answered
How many visitors from South Africa travel to Costa Rica in one year?
The number of visitors from South Africa visiting Costa Rica in 2018 was approximately 25,041.
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Today’s Forecast
| 13.15°C | ||
| Humidity | 82% | |
| Wind | 0.51 km/h | |
| Sunrise | 11:24 AM | |
Useful Information
- San Jose to Pretoria: 11405.14 km (7086.82 mi)
- Travel time: 23 hours 45 minutes
This page was last updated on: April 2024