Sao Tome and Principe → Costa Rica
Sao Tome and Principe 
Costa RicaCosta Rica visa requirements for Sao Tome and Principe citizens (2026)
Visa-free · up to 30 days. No. Sao Tome and Principe passport holders do not need a visa for Costa Rica for tourism and can stay up to 30 days. You still need a valid passport and should carry proof of onward travel.
Visa-free for up to 30 days, no advance application needed.
VTBy the Visa and Trips editorial teamLast updated
Costa Rica entry requirements for Sao Tome and Principe citizens
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Allowed stay
- 30 days
What to bring to Costa Rica
- Passport valid for the whole stay (many countries expect 6 months beyond arrival)
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank card or recent statement)
- Any arrival card or registration the destination asks for
Costa Rica at a glance for travellers
- 95 of 198 passports can enter Costa Rica without a visa (visa-free, visa on arrival or an ETA).
- The Sao Tome and Principe passport gets visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 56 destinations in our dataset.
Sources and last checked
| What | Official source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement & allowed stay | Open passport-index dataset (passportindex.org data, 17 Feb 2026) | 17 Feb 2026 |
| Official portal | Costa Rica Dirección General de Migración | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Independent official overview | UK FCDO, Costa Rica entry requirements | 22 Oct 2026 |
The Visa and Trips editorial team checks these sources every week. See our editorial and verification policy.
Frequently asked questions
Do Sao Tome and Principe citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
No. Sao Tome and Principe passport holders do not need a visa for Costa Rica for tourism and can stay up to 30 days. You still need a valid passport and should carry proof of onward travel.
How long can Sao Tome and Principe passport holders stay in Costa Rica?
Up to 30 days per visit for tourism without a visa. Overstaying can lead to fines or entry bans.
What documents do Sao Tome and Principe passport holders need for Costa Rica?
Passport valid for the whole stay (many countries expect 6 months beyond arrival); Return or onward ticket; Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address); Proof of sufficient funds (bank card or recent statement); Any arrival card or registration the destination asks for.
Do Sao Tome and Principe passport holders need to apply for anything before travelling to Costa Rica?
No advance visa application is needed for a tourist visit. Carry a valid passport and proof of onward travel.