🇨🇷 Costa Rica visa requirements for Nicaraguan citizens
Yes — Nicaraguan citizens need a visa to enter Costa Rica, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
Entry rules for Nicaragua passport holders
Nicaraguan citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Applications generally go through a Costa Rica embassy or consulate and require a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and onward travel, and sometimes travel insurance. Start the process several weeks before your planned trip, as processing times vary.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official Costa Rica immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The Nicaraguan passport ranks #90 worldwide, opening 110 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (73 visa-free, 33 with a visa on arrival and 4 with an eTA). Costa Rica is not among them — it is one of the 47 destinations that still require an embassy visa or an application before departure.
The reverse trip is easier: Costa Rican citizens can enter Nicaragua visa-free · 90 days.
Across Central America as a whole, 5 of 6 destinations are open to Nicaraguan travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About Costa Rica
- Capital
- San José
- Region
- Central America
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón (₡)
- Languages
- Spanish
Planning a trip to Costa Rica?
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Frequently asked questions
Do Nicaraguan citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
Yes — Nicaraguan citizens need a visa to enter Costa Rica, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (₡). The capital city is San José.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa required for Nicaraguan citizens traveling to Costa Rica. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the Costa Rica embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Americas for Nicaraguan passport holders
Going the other way? Nicaragua visa requirements for Costa Rican citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.