Costa Rica passport: visa-free countries & ranking (2026)
Visa-free or on-arrival access to about ~145+ destinations in 2026 — the ranking, the gaps, and how to upgrade.
Costa Rica's passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to ~145+ destinations as of 2026. The strongest passport in Central America and firmly upper-mid-tier globally. Schengen: Yes (ETIAS from 2025); UK: Yes; US: No — visa required. Passport rankings shift as agreements change — verify before you travel.
How strong is the Costa Rican passport?
The Costa Rican passport reaches roughly ~145+ destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival as of 2026. The strongest passport in Central America and firmly upper-mid-tier globally. Counts move as visa agreements change, so verify the current figure before you travel.
Where you can travel visa-free
Costa Ricans enjoy visa-free access to the whole Schengen Area, most of Latin America, and hubs like Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The gaps
The US (visa required), Canada, China, Australia, New Zealand and most Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait still require a visa.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa-free / on-arrival | ~145+ |
| Global tier | The strongest passport in Central America and firmly upper-mid-tier globally |
| Schengen (EU) | Yes (ETIAS from 2025) |
| United Kingdom | Yes |
| United States | No — visa required |
| Strengthen via | Already strong for the region — the main missing piece is US-ESTA access, obtainable via a Visa Waiver passport |
How to upgrade your mobility
Already strong for the region — the main missing piece is US-ESTA access, obtainable via a Visa Waiver passport. The cheapest route is citizenship by descent if you qualify; the fastest is citizenship by investment. Costa Rica allows dual citizenship, so you can add a second passport without giving this one up.
Where it fits in a borderless plan
Passport power is one dimension of a borderless life. Pair a stronger passport with a low-tax tax residency and a self-custody plan for your Bitcoin. Compare every passport in the 2026 ranking, or claim a second one by ancestry or investment.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries can Costa Rica passport holders visit visa-free?
As of 2026, Costa Rica's passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to ~145+ destinations. Rankings change as agreements are signed or suspended, so verify the current count before travelling.
Can Costa Rica passport holders enter the Schengen area, UK and US without a visa?
Schengen: Yes (ETIAS from 2025). United Kingdom: Yes. United States: No — visa required. These are the access points that most affect a passport's practical strength.
How can I get a more powerful passport?
Three routes: citizenship by descent if you have qualifying ancestry, naturalisation after years of residence, or citizenship by investment. See our passport ranking and the citizenship-by-investment guide.
Official sources
Rules change — always confirm the current position with the primary authority:
Work with Expectat
Ready to build your borderless plan?
Book a private strategy session — we'll map your residency, capital and Bitcoin setup, and the fastest legal path to it.