It just got more difficult to get into Costa Rica, especially for Venezuelans. Starting next week on February 21st anyone from Venezuela will need a entry visa before being able to enter into Costa Rica.
The only exception for Venezuelans is in case of an emergency or an unavoidable catastrophe such as an armed conflict or natural disaster.
According to a statement put out by the migration office: “Changes in migration policy worldwide have caused differences in the mobility dynamics of these nationalities … for which other countries have adopted the visa application”
A large part of the reason for this change seems to stem from the large amount of Venezuelans who have been coming into Costa Rica recently due to the humanitarian crisis that is taking place there.
Their also is pressure being applied from the United States on Costa Rica as well as the other Central American countries, in order to try to ease the flow of Venezuelans ( and other nationalities) that are trying to cross over from the Mexican border.
For those Venezuelans who have already made plans to travel to Costa Rica, their seems to be no reprieve and a they will need to get a visa before being able to enter the country.
In addition, if you are from either Cuba or Nicaragua and are stopping in Costa Rica via air on your way to another country, transit visas will now be required.
For more information you can go to their website – (in Spanish)