Access
Visa required
RPassport Atlas
Nicaragua passport to Costa Rica
Nicaragua passport holders need a visa for Costa Rica, applied for at an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travel.
Snapshot 2026-10 · This week · Passport-index source
The other way
Visa free
FStay 90 days
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Key facts
- Costa Rica lets 95 of 198 passports in without a prior visa — Nicaragua is not one of them.
- Nicaragua passports get “Visa required” at 41 of 198 destinations.
- In the other direction, Costa Rica passports get “Visa free” in Nicaragua.
Nearby passports travelling to Costa Rica
Open to Nicaragua passports near Costa Rica
Before you fly
- Remaining validityOften 6 months’ validity remaining
- Blank visa pagesAbout 2 blank visa pages
- Photo spec35 × 45 mm
Flights, eSIM and insurance are third-party. Visatu does not take payment.
Flight corridor
Direct flights
NicaraguaCosta Rica- Typical duration
- 0.9 hours
- From
- MGA
- To
- SJO
Airlines CAL Cargo Air Lines, Copa Airlines, Iberia Airlines, LACSA
Search live faresDuration is a great-circle estimate between main airports. Direct corridors come from the OpenFlights public snapshot — check the carrier or Google Flights for times and prices.
Nicaragua
Country profile
Capital
Managua
Population
6.8 million
Area
129,494 km²
Currency
Nicaraguan córdoba NIO
Languages
Spanish
Time zone
UTC-06:00
Foreign-born
43,757 · 2024
Migrant share
0.6%
Ethnic groups
- Mestizo69%
- White17%
- Black9%
- Indigenous5%
Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.
Costa Rica
Country profile
Capital
San José
Population
5.3 million
Area
51,100 km²
Currency
Costa Rican colón CRC
Languages
Spanish
Time zone
UTC-06:00
Foreign-born
628,404 · 2024
Migrant share
12.2%
Ethnic groups · 2011
- White or Mestizo83.6%
- Mulatto6.7%
- none2.9%
- Indigenous2.4%
- unspecified2.2%
- Black or African descent1.1%
- Other1.1%
Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.
Travel notes
Plug
Type A
Mains
120 V · 60 Hz
Driving
Right
Emergency
Police 112 · Ambulance 112
Dialing code
+506
Airports
SJO · LIR · FON · GLF
Highlights
- Arenal
- Monteverde
- Cocos Island
- Tortuguero
Nicaragua · Visa required
FAQ
Does a Nicaragua passport need a visa for Costa Rica?
On the 2026-10 matrix the result is “Visa required”. confirm length of stay with the destination. Rules change — check the carrier and mission before you fly.
How long can you stay?
No single stay length is recorded. Check Costa Rica immigration or a mission.
Passport validity and blank pages?
Costa Rica typically wants about 6 months’ remaining validity and 2 blank visa pages. Photo spec is often 35 × 45 mm. Confirm with a Costa Rica mission.
What about a Costa Rica passport entering Nicaragua?
The reverse result is “Visa free”.