Overstaying In Costa Rica: Fines, Re-Entry Bans And What To Do (2026)
Overstaying in Costa Rica is more common than you might think. Many visitors assume they have 180 days because that is the headline rule, when the officer actually stamped them for 90. Others lose track of time, or get stuck because of a missed flight or illness.
This guide explains how to tell if you have overstayed, what the fine is, how to pay it, and how to avoid problems on future visits.
First: Check Your Stamp
Your legal stay is not “180 days”. It is the number of days written on your entry stamp by the immigration officer, which can be anywhere from 30 to 180. Count from your entry date. If you are close to the limit, plan your exit or border run now.
The Overstay Fine
Costa Rica charges overstaying visitors US$100 for each month or part of a month they stay beyond their permitted period. One extra day counts as a full month.
| Overstay | Fine |
|---|---|
| 1 to 30 days | US$100 |
| 31 to 60 days | US$200 |
| 61 to 90 days | US$300 |
A proposal to triple the fine to US$300 per month has been debated but has not become law. See the border run bill explained.
How To Pay
The fine is generally paid when you leave the country. Payment has been handled through Banco de Costa Rica channels and at migration points. Confirm the current method with Costa Rica’s immigration directorate (DGME) before you travel, and arrive at the airport or border with extra time, because paying can add a step to your departure.
Keep the receipt with your passport.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay
Leaving without paying, or failing to pay before trying to come back, can lead to being refused entry on a future visit. Costa Rican law allows the authorities to bar re-entry for a period linked to the length of the overstay. Even after paying, an overstay record can make officers less willing to grant long stays next time.
Other Consequences
- Driving: your right to drive on a foreign license ends with your permitted stay. Driving after an overstay means driving without a valid license, which can void insurance. See driving in Costa Rica on a tourist stamp.
- Flights: airlines may question passengers whose stay has expired.
- Future applications: an overstay can count against you if you later apply for residency.
Can You Extend Instead?
Only in limited cases. If the officer granted you fewer than 90 days, you may be able to request an extension from DGME, but recent reporting indicates the total is capped at 90 days. If you were granted 90 days or more, you generally cannot extend as a tourist and need to leave.
How To Avoid Overstaying
- Photograph your stamp on the day you arrive and set a calendar reminder two weeks before it expires.
- Book your exit early, whether a flight home or a border run.
- Have an onward ticket ready for re-entry. Read proof of onward travel for Costa Rica.
- Leave buffer days in case of storms, road closures or border delays.
- Consider residency or the digital nomad stay if you plan to live in Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for overstaying in Costa Rica?
US$100 per month or part of a month.
Does one day over count as a month?
Yes. Any part of a month is charged as a full month.
Can I be banned from Costa Rica for overstaying?
You can be refused entry, especially if the fine was not paid. Pay before you leave and keep the receipt.
Can I fix an overstay with a border run?
You will need to pay the fine when you exit. A border run does not erase an overstay.
Plan Ahead
The simplest way to avoid fines is to know your stamp date and have your exit plan ready well before it. If you need proof of onward travel for re-entry, Fast Onward Tickets can help.