Costa RicaAntarctica

What authorisation is required for Costa Rica passport holders visiting Antarctica?

Special travel authorization

Antarctica does not operate a conventional immigration visa system.

Your expedition operator and the relevant national authority determine any notification, permit, or other authorization needed for the planned activity. Do not rely on a passport alone.

Source: Antarctic Treaty Secretariat: national competent authorities.

RequirementSpecial travel authorization

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, sharing a maritime border with Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island. It has a population of around five million in a land area of nearly 51,180 km2 (19,760 sq mi); the capital and largest city is San José, home to around 350,000 residents and two million people in the surrounding metropolitan area.

CapitalSan Jose

RegionCentral America

Population5.2M

Area51,100 km²

CurrencyCosta Rican colón (1 USD ≈ 454.24 CRC)

LanguagesSpanish

Calling code+506

Drives on theright

TimezoneCosta Rica (UTC-6)

Nearest airportQuepos Managua Airport (XQP), 25 km

Emergency number112 / 911

UNESCO sites5

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$19,970 (2025)

Tourist arrivals1.1M (2020)

Climate in San Jose

Warmest April, coolest December, driest February, sunniest March. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, June, July.

Monthly climate normals for San Jose, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	21.9°C	15.8°C	84mm	320h
February	22.7°C	15.3°C	12mm	332h
March	23.5°C	15.1°C	12mm	362h
April	23.4°C	15.6°C	152mm	302h
May	22.4°C	16.5°C	540mm	234h
June	21.4°C	15.7°C	526mm	231h
July	21.8°C	15.4°C	456mm	278h
August	21.5°C	15.7°C	1010mm	241h
September	21.4°C	15.2°C	1009mm	250h
October	21.1°C	15.4°C	958mm	235h
November	20.3°C	15.3°C	967mm	213h
December	20.9°C	14.7°C	260mm	299h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Costa Rica has bewilderingly diverse culture, climates, flora, and fauna, and landscapes range from rainforests, to dry tropical and temperate forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands. Costa Rica is an exceptionally stable and peaceful country compared to the volatile region it's in, and is one of the world's top destinations for nature and ecotourism. Owing in part to its comparative wealth, it can be a bit more expensive than its northern neighbors in Central America.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site
Cocos Island National Park
Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís
Stone spheres of Costa Rica
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves

Upcoming public holidays

December 1, 2026Día de la Abolición del Ejército

December 25, 2026Navidad

January 1, 2027Año Nuevo

Full source list on About.