Border Crossing – Costa Rica to Nicaragua

Border Crossing from Costa Rica to Nicaragua

Updated December 2019

You’re looking to do a border crossing from Costa Rica to Nicaragua.

Flights are sometimes cheaper to Costa Rica than to Nicaragua. But daily costs in Costa Rica are more expensive. Nicaragua is a cheaper option for vacations. If you are surfing, Nicaragua has less crowded waves!

Is it difficult to do a border crossing from Costa Rica to Nicaragua? Not at all!

Crossing the border is easy! And we’ll show you how!

You will need $22 US dollars in total for your border crossing. It is best to have exact change for each payment.

There are various ways to arrive at the border. There are buses from the Liberia airport for a few dollars. Or you can take a taxi for approximately $75.

Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua

Arriving at the Costa Rica and Nicaragua Border Crossing.

When you arrive near the border crossing, you will pay an exit tax from Costa Rica. The exit tax is currently $9.00 per person. They will check your passport and request $9.00. Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua Exit tax Costa Rica exit tax payment After you pay your exit tax, walk towards the large BCR sign. Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua

Around the corner to the left, you will enter the Costa Rica Migration building.

Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Costa Rica Migration Building Costa Rica Migration Building

When you enter the Costa Rica migration building, they will check your passport.

You will exit, walk along the road towards two additional checkpoints for your border crossing.

One on the right side of the road, and one on the left. These are the Costa Rica and Nicaragua passport checkpoints, respectively.

Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Costa Rica Passport Checkpoint Costa Rica Passport Checkpoint Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Passport Checkpoint Nicaragua Nicaragua Passport Checkpoint Next you walk towards the Nicaragua migration building. There is duty free shopping on the left side of the road. The migration building is on the right. Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Duty Free at Costa Rica and Nicaragua border Duty Free Shopping Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Nicaragua Migration Building Nicaragua Migration Building Enter the Nicaragua Migration building. Someone holding a stack of receipts like the one below will approach you. Pay them $1.00 for a municipal tax. You will pay $12 at the counter and receive a tourist visa for 90 days. The slip of paper they give you might say 30 days. Don’t worry. You have 90 days from the date of your passport stamp. Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Municiapal tax receipt Migration Municipal Tax Leave the Nicaragua Migration building, head towards the left. There is one final passport checkpoint for your border crossing. At this checkpoint you will see an official in uniform under a shade. Show your passport to this official and you’re done! Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Final passport checkpoint at Nicaragua border Final Passport Checkpoint – Nicaragua Border You have now completed your border crossing from Costa Rica to Nicaragua! Welcome and enjoy your adventures! If you need any help during your stay in Nicaragua, don’t hesitate to contact us or come and stay with us at Giant’s Foot Surf Tours! Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua Border Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua

2 Comments

  1. Robin on December 10, 2019 at 12:36 am

    This is all very good information. They accept USD at both locations?

    • Tara on December 10, 2019 at 5:04 pm

      Hi Robin! Yes they do accept US dollars at both locations. They don’t always have correct change though, so highly recommend trying to give exact change!

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