Costa Rica

This guide covers foreign-flag private non-commercial yachts. The temporary-import provisions in Article 27 of Costa Rica's Law on the Concession and Operation of Tourist Marinas and Tourist Anchorages apply to foreign vessels using such facilities. Other vessel categories and complete entry formalities require separate verification.

Costa Rican law recognises tourist marinas and anchorages for vessel use, but no complete current official customs entry-port list expressly for private yachts was found in this review. Before using a tourist marina or anchorage, confirm with local customs, immigration and port authorities that it is authorised to process this vessel's entry.

The foreign-vessel reception procedure published by the MOPT maritime and ports department states that yachts/sailing vessels without an agent should notify the harbourmaster or marina on VHF 16 at least 48 hours ahead. For represented vessels, the agent submits arrival notice to the harbourmaster with vessel name, particulars, arrival port and time, and must confirm or correct it 24 hours before ETA. Arrival may be processed jointly by the harbourmaster, immigration, customs, quarantine and port authorities. This is a government operational manual and does not expressly establish that these are current nationwide statutory deadlines. Confirm current reporting channels, deadlines and agent requirements with the intended Capitanía de Puerto.

Crew and passenger entry

Entrants must prepare valid passports, required visas, proof of sufficient funds and departure/onward-voyage arrangements according to nationality and the current visa group. Official immigration guidance cites at least US$100 per month or part-month as the financial reference; the admitting immigration officer determines the actual permitted stay. DGME has special procedures for international maritime crew transit visas, short shore passes (Pase Corto a la Costa) and passenger/crew entry or exit authorisations, and relevant shipping agents must register as prescribed. Do not assume ordinary tourist rules automatically apply to every crew member. Before departure, have the vessel agent confirm list reporting, shore permission and outward clearance with DGME and port authorities.

Article 27 of Costa Rica's Law on the Concession and Operation of Tourist Marinas and Tourist Anchorages allows qualifying foreign-flag vessels using those facilities temporary import for up to 6 months, renewable for equal periods to a cumulative maximum of 2 years. After expiry, leave national waters for at least 90 days before reapplying. Confirm eligibility and current implementation details with customs.

Pets and biosecurity

Costa Rica's SENASA requires arriving dogs and cats to undergo a clinical examination by a veterinarian in the country of residence within two weeks before departure and carry an official health certificate issued by that country's competent veterinary authority. Required age-appropriate vaccinations must be complete; dogs and cats over 3 months need valid rabies vaccination. Internal and external parasite treatment is also required within 15 days before arrival, with medicine brand, batch number and expiry date listed on the certificate. Pets shipped as cargo additionally need an advance import permit obtained through a customs broker. Failure to meet health conditions may lead to refusal and return. Other animals, plants, seeds, food and biological material have different rules; confirm with SENASA/customs in advance.

Restricted and prohibited items

Costa Rican customs distinguishes prohibited imports from restricted goods requiring express permission from the competent authority. Restricted goods may need non-tariff permits, certificates or other authorisations according to category and applicable law. General yacht-entry information alone does not establish that firearms, ammunition, medicines, animals, plants, their products or food may be carried. Before departure, check each item with customs and its responsible regulator for declaration and permit requirements.

Article 29 of Costa Rica's Law on the Concession and Operation of Tourist Marinas and Tourist Anchorages makes the master responsible for technical navigation matters and for representing the vessel and crew before government agencies. It does not list customs/immigration sequencing or deadlines. Confirm these with the chosen marina and competent authorities.

Check Costa Rican port service fees by specific port and actual service. INCOP's published port-service regulations and tariffs cover relevant services at its ports, but do not establish a uniform total for clearance and departure for every private yacht. Customs, immigration, agents and other port fees may apply separately. Before sailing, obtain written itemised charges for this vessel from the receiving port and relevant authorities, confirming currency, services and outward-release requirements.

Verification note: official charges are listed by port service. No uniform nationwide private-yacht outward-clearance total was found.