🇨🇷 Costa Rica— Cash & Currency
Dirección General de Aduanas
2026-07-01
Declaration Threshold
US$10,000
USD
You must declare to customs if you are carrying cash, traveler's cheques, money orders, or negotiable bearer instruments totaling above this amount when entering or leaving Costa Rica.
What Must Be Declared
| Instrument | Declaration Required |
|---|---|
| Physical currency (any currency) | Yes, if above threshold |
| Traveler's cheques | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bank drafts / money orders | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bearer bonds / negotiable instruments | Yes, if above threshold |
| Credit cards / debit cards | Generally no |
| Electronic payment apps | Generally no |
Failure to declare
Carrying undeclared cash above the threshold can result in seizure of funds, fines, and in some jurisdictions criminal prosecution. When in doubt, declare.
Additional Country Notes
- 01Costa Rica is a CAFTA-DR member: US-origin goods get preferential tariff.
- 02Strong biosecurity: SENASA screens incoming agricultural products.
- 03Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC); USD widely accepted in tourism areas.
VERIFIED · 2026-07-01Dirección General de Aduanasofficial site →Duty-free allowances for Costa Rica→