Do I need a passport to travel to Costa Rica? Yes, U.S. citizens must have a current valid passport and evidence of onward travel to exit Costa Rica (either to return to the U.S. or travel to another country).

Under Costa Rican law, all foreigners are technically required to carry their original passport and a valid entry stamp at all times as proof of legal status. However, because the risk of theft or loss is high in tourist areas, local authorities and the US Embassy generally recommend a more practical approach for 2026 travelers: carry a high-quality color photocopy of your passport's photo page and the page containing your most recent Costa Rican entry stamp. You should keep the original safely locked in your hotel safe. Most "Transito" (traffic) police or park rangers will accept these copies for routine identification. However, there are two specific situations where you must have the original: if you are driving a vehicle (as the police need to verify your entry stamp to validate your foreign license) or if you are conducting a transaction at a bank. If you choose to carry only a copy, it is a good idea to also have a digital photo of these pages saved on your phone and a secondary form of ID, like a US driver's license, to provide an extra layer of verification if questioned by officials.