Costa RicaThailand: Visa required

Costa RicaThailand

Do Costa Rica passport holders need a visa for Thailand?

Visa required

Yes. Costa Rica passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Thailand.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: mfa.go.th (checked July 19, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-21

Distance17,369 km, straight line (~20h 56m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Thailand19 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Thailand passport holders visiting Costa Rica: Visa required.

Thailand drives on the left, the opposite side to Costa Rica. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Visa-free alternatives near Thailand

Costa Rica passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Costa Rica passport holders

See all Costa Rica destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Costa Rica passport holders need a visa for Thailand?

Yes. Costa Rica passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Thailand.

How far is Thailand from Costa Rica?

About 17,369 km in a straight line, roughly ~20h 56m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Thailand?

Thai baht (THB).

What is the emergency number in Thailand?

1669 / 191 / 199.

Does Thailand drive on the same side of the road as Costa Rica?

Thailand drives on the left, the opposite side to Costa Rica. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is Thailand in?

Bangkok (UTC+7).

What is the nearest airport to Bangkok?

Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), about 22 km away.

How many countries can enter Thailand without a visa?

19 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Thailand visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Costa Rica passport holders visit without a visa instead of Thailand?

Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei, Nepal.

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 ≈ 454.33 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.

About Thailand

Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, and formerly known as Siam, is a country located in Mainland Southeast Asia. It shares land borders with Myanmar to the west and northwest, Laos to the east and northeast, Cambodia to the southeast, and Malaysia to the south. Its maritime boundaries include the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, and it shares maritime borders with Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Thailand has a population of nearly 66 million people and covers an area of approximately 513,115 km2. The capital and largest city is Bangkok.

CapitalBangkok

RegionSouth-Eastern Asia

Population71.6M

Area513,120 km²

CurrencyThai baht (1 USD ≈ 33.65 THB)

LanguagesThai

Calling code+66

Drives on theleft

TimezoneBangkok (UTC+7)

Nearest airportDon Mueang International Airport (DMK), 22 km

Emergency number1669 / 191 / 199

UNESCO sites10

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$8,057 (2025)

Tourist arrivals39.9M (2019)

Travel guide

Thailand is among the most visited countries on Earth, and for good reason. You can find thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue waters that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean, and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Bustling, yet safe; cheap, and equipped with every amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beachfront backpacker hostels to some of the best luxury hotels in the world.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Ayutthaya Historical Park
Ban Chiang
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex
Historic City of Ayutthaya
Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns
Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex
Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period
Si Thep historical park
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wat Phra Mahathat

Full source list on About.