Leaving Costa Rica In 2026: Departure Tax, Exit Fees And What To Have Ready
Getting out of Costa Rica is usually easy, but a few costs and checks catch travelers off guard. Most of them come down to how you leave, whether you stayed too long, and where you are going next. This guide covers the airport departure tax, the land exit fee, overstay fines and the documents to have in hand.
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The Short Answer
- Leaving by air: The US$29 departure tax is included in most airline tickets.
- Leaving by land: Expect about US$8 per person in exit tax and fees, paid before you cross.
- Stayed too long: Overstay fines are US$100 per month or part of a month, paid on the way out.
- Going somewhere that checks: Have proof of onward travel for your next country, and a yellow fever certificate if your next stop is a risk country you will return from.
Departure Costs At A Glance
| How you leave | What you pay | How it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Flight from SJO or LIR | US$29 departure tax | Usually built into your ticket |
| Land border to Nicaragua or Panama | About US$8 per person | Online through Banco de Costa Rica or at BCR points near the border |
| Any exit after overstaying | US$100 per month or part of a month | Paid before or at departure |
The Airport Departure Tax
Everyone who flies out of Costa Rica’s international airports, San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR), owes a US$29 departure tax. Since Costa Rica began rolling the tax into airfares in 2014, almost every airline collects it when you buy the ticket, so most travelers never see it.
To check, open the tax breakdown on your booking. The charge is often not labeled “departure tax,” but you will see a Costa Rica line around US27toUS29 among the fees. If it is missing, which is more likely on award tickets or unusual itineraries, pay at the airport counter before you check in. Pay it once only. Paying at the counter when it is already in your fare just means paying twice.
Leaving Costa Rica By Land
Crossing into Nicaragua at Peñas Blancas or into Panama at Paso Canoas or Sixaola works differently. There is no airline to collect the tax, so you pay the Costa Rica land exit tax yourself, about US$8 per person including inspection fees.
You can pay online through Banco de Costa Rica or at BCR payment points near the main borders. Paying in advance is the safer option, because border kiosks do not always work. Keep the receipt with your passport.
The country you are entering will charge its own entry fees and may ask for proof of onward travel. See our crossing guides for Peñas Blancas, Paso Canoas and Sixaola to Guabito.
Check Your Stamp Before You Leave
Immigration checks your entry stamp on the way out. If you stayed past the date, the fine is US$100 for each month or part of a month, so one day over counts as a full month. The fine can be paid at Banco de Costa Rica before you travel, and you may be asked for the receipt at exit.
If the fine is not paid, the alternative is a ban on returning for three times the length of the overstay. A proposed law would raise the fine to US$300 a month, but as of November 2026 it has not passed. For the full picture, read our guide to overstaying in Costa Rica.
If you are still in Costa Rica, were given fewer than 90 days and want more time, you may be able to apply for an official extension before your stamp runs out.
Yellow Fever Checks On The Way Out
If you are flying from Costa Rica to a country with yellow fever risk, such as Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia or Ecuador, you may be asked for a vaccination certificate before you leave. The exit rule mainly applies to Costa Rican citizens and residents, and it was expanded to eight more countries on October 1, 2026. Tourists who plan to return to Costa Rica after that trip will need the certificate to get back in, so carry it either way.
Have Proof Of Onward Travel For Your Next Stop
The most common problem at a Costa Rica check-in desk is not the tax. It is a one-way ticket to a country that wants proof you will leave. Panama, Colombia, Peru and many other popular next stops ask for onward travel, and airlines check before they let you board. Read do airlines check onward tickets for what to expect.
Your Leaving Costa Rica Checklist
- Passport with your Costa Rica entry stamp
- Departure tax confirmed in your fare, or the land exit tax receipt
- Overstay fine receipt, if your stamp has expired
- Yellow fever certificate, if your next stop is a risk country
- Proof of onward travel for your next destination
- Time to spare: arrive at SJO or LIR about three hours before an international flight
FAQs
Do I have to pay the Costa Rica departure tax at the airport?
Usually not. The US$29 tax is included in most airline tickets. Only pay at the counter if your fare breakdown shows it was not collected.
How much is the land exit tax?
About US$8 per person, including inspection fees. Pay it before you cross.
Can I pay an overstay fine at the airport?
The fine is collected when you leave, but paying it at Banco de Costa Rica in advance avoids delays at immigration.
Do I need an onward ticket to leave Costa Rica?
Not to leave Costa Rica itself. You may need one for your next country, and airlines check that at check-in.
Related Guides
- Costa Rica Border Run Guide
- Overstaying In Costa Rica
- Do You Need Proof Of Onward Travel For Costa Rica In 2026?
- Border Runs And Land Border Crossings: 2026 Guide Hub
The Bottom Line
Flying out of Costa Rica usually costs nothing extra at the airport, because the US$29 tax is in your fare. Leaving by land means paying about US$8 yourself. The real risks are an expired stamp and a one-way ticket to a country that checks onward travel, so sort out both before you leave.
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