Frequently Asked Questions
To review frequently asked questions regarding consular matters, please click here.
Tourism and Education
1. May I enter Costa Rica with a one-way ticket?
As a requirement to enter the country, all visitors must also have a departure ticket, which may be by land or by air.
2. Is there a schedule for the public transportation in Costa Rica? What companies sell bus tickets to other countries in Central America?
To review the different bus routes and schedules (domestic and international), please click here:
http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/LEYES/pdf/ItinerarioBuses_es.pdf
3. Do I need an international driver’s license to drive in Costa Rica?
As a tourist, you may drive in Costa Rica with your home country’s driver’s license.
4. What is the currency of Costa Rica? Are credit cards used in Costa Rica?
Our currency is the Costa Rican Colón. Credit cards are generally accepted and ATMs are found throughout the country. US-dollars and Euros are accepted in most hotels and tourist centers.
5. Do I need an adapter for my electronic devices?
Costa Rica uses 110 volt electricity, with a standard two-prong plug.
6. Are there domestic airlines in Costa Rica?
Yes, please check the offerings of the following airlines:
SANSA: www.flysansa.com Tel. (506) 2221-9414
Nature Air: www.natureair.net Tel. (506) 2220-3054
7. What products may I take in my baggage?
Please review the list of permitted products at the following link (in Spanish):
http://www.actualidadaduanera.com/main.php?action=&artid=123&catid=51&template=art_list.tpl
8. What number do I call in case of emergency in Costa Rica?
Dial 911 for immediate assistance.
9. I would like to do an internship, exchange, or volunteer program in Costa Rica. Does the Embassy have a list of such programs?
Yes, please visit the following links to acquire information regarding each type of program:
Volunteer programs: click
Academic exchange: AFS, CAS, among others
Other programs: click
10. May I use my academic or professional degree to apply for a job in Germany? How do I go about having a German university recognize my academic or professional degree in order to pursue advanced studies?
Please review the following information sheet by clicking here.
Services, Economy and Trade
What is an Apostille and where do I find them?
The Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (HCCH 1961 Apostille Convention) facilitates the use of public documents abroad. The purpose of the Convention is to abolish the traditional requirement of legalisation, replacing the often long and costly legalisation process with the issuance of a single Apostille certificate by a Competent Authority in the place where the document originates.
Taken from: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille/
Apostille in Costa Rica:
https://www.rree.go.cr/?sec=servicios&cat=autenticaciones
Apostille in Germany:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/urkunden/2007718#content_0
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille
1. How can I find a German speaking lawyer in Costa Rica?
Please review the list of lawyers available on the web page of the German Embassy in San José:
http://www.san-jose.diplo.de/contentblob/3213696/Daten/1442883/Download_Abogados_julio2011.pdf
2. How can I find a German speaking doctor in Costa Rica?
Please review the list of doctors available on the web page of the German Embassy in San José:
http://www.san-jose.diplo.de/contentblob/3340496/Daten/1753735/Download_Doctores_Noviembre_1.pdf
3. How can I find an official translator in Costa Rica?
Please review the list of official translators on the web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.rree.go.cr/index.php?sec=servicios%20al%20publico&cat=servicios%20en%20linea&cont=729
4. Can I practice medicine in Costa Rica as a foreigner?
Please review the requirements and procedures by clicking here.
5. Can I practice dentistry in Costa Rica as a foreigner?
Please review the requirements and procedures on the web page of the College of Dentists in Costa Rica here (in Spanish):
6. What is the process for investing or starting a business in Costa Rica?
Please review the Investor’s Manual by entering here: http://www.tramites.go.cr/manual/default.htm
7. How can I buy a property in Costa Rica?
Please contact a real estate agent, and preferably a lawyer as well. Among others, the following companies offer these services: www.encuentra24.com, http://www.costa-rica-immobilien.com; www.costa-rica-immo.com; http://www.costarica1realestate.com
8. How can I import my vehicle to Costa Rica?
To review the requirements and procedures for importing your vehicle to Costa Rica, please click here.
9. I would like to import/export a product to/from Costa Rica. Whom should I contact?
Please review the Export and Import Directory:
10. What regulations are there regarding the shipping of goods to Costa Rica?
Please review the list of prohibited goods by clicking here (in Spanish):
http://www.correos.go.cr/servicios/Objetos%20y%20sustancias%20prohibidas.html
11. How much will I have to pay in taxes on imported goods?
The Embassy is unable to calculate the amount of taxes you will have to pay. To determine those costs, you must hire a customs agent. The list of customs agents is available here (in Spanish):
http://www.actualidadaduanera.com/main.php?action=&catid=14&template=cat_directorio.html
To visit the homepage of the Ministry of Finance, please enter here (in Spanish): https://www.hacienda.go.cr/Msib21/Espanol/Default.htm
