What Happens If You Overstay Your Visa in Costa Rica
Costa Rica fines overstays US$100 per month of irregular stay, or bans re-entry for three times the overstay. What the law actually says, and how to regularise.
More Costa Rica Guides
More reading from CRIE about Costa Rica and life abroad. For a focused starting point, explore our residency requirements and essential guides.
Start here: Residency requirements · Frequently asked questions · Ask CRIE
Costa Rica Environmental Rules: Land, Energy and Air
The forestry law, river setbacks, SETENA permits, the maritime zone and the Article 47 trap — the environmental rules that most often derail foreign property plans.
Public Transport Costs in Costa Rica: Buses, Trains, Taxis and Ferries
What buses, trains, taxis, Uber, ferries and domestic flights actually cost in Costa Rica in 2026 — plus the free travel that over-65s are entitled to.
Police Forces in Costa Rica: Who Does What in a Country With No Army
Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948. The dozen police forces that replaced it, which one to call, how to file a denuncia, and what officers can and cannot do.
The Seven Provinces of Costa Rica: Capitals and Places to Explore
San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón — each province’s character, plus why Costa Rican provinces have no government at all.
Assisted Living and Elderly Care in Costa Rica: The Honest Picture
What elderly care in Costa Rica actually costs and what the Caja does not cover — plus the official pensionado, rentista and investor residency figures.
Costa Rica Nightlife: Beaches, Casinos and Safe Evening Plans
What each Costa Rican beach town is actually like after dark — from Tamarindo and Jacó to Nosara and Montezuma — with a candid safety section.
Costa Rica Shopping: Malls, Outlets and Comparing Prices
The major Costa Rican malls, why there is no US-style outlet mall, and the import tax table that explains why a fridge costs 81% more and a laptop only 13%.
Costa Rica Mountain Towns: Climate, Visits and Living Considerations
Grecia, San Ramón, Atenas, Zarcero, Monteverde, Turrialba and more — elevations, character, and why so many foreign residents choose the highlands over the beach.
Bringing Pets to Costa Rica: Requirements and Timeline
There is no quarantine in Costa Rica if your paperwork is right. The SENASA requirements, document timing windows, permit rules and airline restrictions.