Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [493]
From Canada, most travelers to Costa Rica connect through US gateway cities, though Air Canada has direct flights from Toronto.
Most flights from the UK and Europe connect either in the USA or in Mexico City, although this may change once the new airport in Liberia starts attracting more flights. High-season fares may still apply during the northern summer, even though this is the beginning of the Costa Rican rainy season.
From Australia and New Zealand, travel routes usually go through the USA or Mexico. Again, fares tend to go up in June and July even though this is the beginning of the rainy season in Costa Rica.
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LAND
Border Crossings
Costa Rica shares land borders with Nicaragua and Panama. There is no fee for travelers to enter Costa Rica. However, some local Tico towns have recently added their own entry/exit fees, usually US$1. For more information on visa requirements for entering Costa Rica, Click here.
NICARAGUA
Sapoá–Peñas Blancas
Situated on the Interamericana, this is the most heavily trafficked border station between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Virtually all international overland travelers from Nicaragua enter Costa Rica through here. The border station is open from 6am to 8pm daily on both the Costa Rican and Nicaraguan sides – though local bus traffic stops in the afternoon. This is the only official border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica that you can drive across.
The Tica Bus (in Managua 222-6094), Nica Bus (in Managua 228-1374) and TransNica (in Managua 278-2090) all have daily buses to Costa Rica. The fare is around US$15, and the trip takes approximately nine to 10 hours. From Rivas (37km north of the border) twice-hourly buses depart for Sapoá from 5am to 4:30pm. Regular buses depart Peñas Blancas, on the Costa Rican side, for La Cruz, Liberia and San José.
The Costa Rican and Nicaraguan immigration offices are almost 1km apart; most people travel through by bus or private car. Travelers without a through bus will find golf carts (a small tip is requested) running between the borders, but walking is not a problem. While Costa Rica does not charge visitors to cross the border, Nicaragua does: people leaving Nicaragua pay US$2, while folks entering Nicaragua will be charged US$7 until noon, after which the fee becomes US$9. All fees must be paid in US dollars.
Note that Peñas Blancas is only a border post, not a town, so there is nowhere to stay. For more information see boxed text.
San Carlos–Los Chiles
While international travelers rarely use this route, it’s extremely hassle-free. There is no land crossing and you cannot drive between the two points. Instead, the crossing must be done by boat. Regular boats (US$10 to US$15, 45 minutes) leave San Carlos and travel the Río Frío to Los Chiles at 10:30am and 4pm, with extra boats scheduled as needed. At other times, boatworkers can usually be found by the ENAP dock in San Carlos, but remember that the border closes at 5pm. Although there is a road that travels from the southern banks of the Río San Juan in Nicaragua to Los Chiles, it is reserved for federal employees. You will not be able to enter Costa Rica this way (and you certainly will not be able to drive in).
If you are entering Costa Rica, don’t forget to get the US$2 exit stamp at the San Carlos migración (immigration) office, 50m west of the dock. Once you enter Costa Rica, you’ll have to stop at the Costa Rica migración for your entry stamp.
Traveling from Costa Rica to Nicaragua, you will need to pay a US$7 fee when you enter. For more information, see boxed text.
PANAMA
Paso Canoas
This border crossing on the Carretera Interamericana (Pan-American Hwy) is by far the most frequently used entry and exit point with Panama, and is open 24 hours a day. The border crossing in either direction is generally straightforward. Be sure to get your exit stamp from Panama at the migración office before entering Costa Rica.