If I'm traveling to Costa Rica, do I need to have a return flight set up in order to enter the country?

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ticosland2008

If you are flying in, all they really check for is an up to date passport. They figure you will have bought a round trip ticket since buying tickets one way is much more expensive. They also figure the average American isn't going to stay in Costa Rica illegally, although many do.
If you need any other information about Costa Rica, try the TicosLand.com website.

Ken E

I've been to Costa Rica several times. They have never checked to see if I have a round trip ticket. They do stamp your passport with the date so they can tell if you have overstayed. I've never tried to enter Nicaragua from Costa Rica before but I've heard they are really strict about people doing that.

ABOVE US ONLY SKY

I've travelled every country in Central america on a aussie passport and never had that as an issue, including Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

yellowstone

Although the law says you have to have a round trip ticket, they never check in the CR airports. That is not the case if you enter by land, they will ask if you have a ticket out of the country (can be a bus ticket that you purchase at the border).

Generally 2 one way tickets are a lot more expensive than a round trip ticket. Before you decide to buy a 1 way, find out how much it costs to change a round trip ticket and then see if that plus the cost of a round trip ticket is less than the cost of 2 round trip tickets.

bebe

PLEASE,NO they don't.If you are entering by plane,no problem.The only border that does it's half way is Panama-Costa Rica.There,you gonna need a ticket.A lot of people love to believe the law is followed here but not only did I enter 3 times without one but with a child under 6 and nobody asked my birth certificate of father's permission.
Is all appearance with CR.

If the people above scared you go to ticabus(google) and buy a bus ticket for $20-$25 exiting the country to Panama or Nicaragua.Don't set the date,just reservation and you can use it again.It doesn't have to be a plane ticket,bus is fine as well.But as I told you - just land in a airport without air-conditioning and you will see why they don't bother

*Amber*

Actually, they do check before they stamp your passport(they have two lines "Tourist" and "resident").

tico times directory

Due to the US Terrorist act, FACT REMAINS, all tickets are CHECKED for if they are one-way regardless of what anyone tells you. Once you present your ticket, you are entered into a data base that will track your travel. Most do not know this.

The 911 attacks on the US, all the terrorists had one-way tickets.

It is really up to the custom official if you are detained for your one-way. And do not be fooled into thinking else wise, behavior, passport loggings, and appearances play an important role. Over 2500 people a day in the US are detained in airports and many of those are one-way tickets. Costa Rica and the US work very closely, their computers are interfaced with suspected travelers, moreso with those with one-way tickets!!!

And expect to get detained if you leave Costa Rica with a one-way back to the US!

If you are crossing the Nicaragua border, it is not uncommon for the CR customs to question your return.

Use Common Sense: Your best best is to secure a 2-way ticket, and you can always change the departure date (within reasonable notice usually within 72hrs) when you are in Costa Rica or in any other country for that matter. Most airlines will give you an open date for departure, which is the best way to travel.

BE a smart traveler - and your trip will be more enjoyable.

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