A U.S. citizen wishing to enter Costa Rica must have a valid passport. The passport's expiration date must not fall within 30 days of arrival in Costa Rica. According to the U.S. Department of State, passports should be in good condition. Entry into the country can be denied in the case of a damaged passport.
Airlines aren't supposed to accept passengers on flights headed to Costa Rica unless they have a roundtrip ticket. An outbound, one-way ticket is acceptable if the passenger can provide proof of citizenship or residency in Costa Rica or a visa. Visitors who intend to study in Costa Rica can apply to Costa Rican Immigration for a student visa after they enter the country, as this cannot be granted by the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulates in the U.S.
Although a driver's license isn't required in order to enter Costa Rica, it can be used to drive legally in the country during your stay. The driver's license from your home country can be used for up to 90 days, the maximum stay length allowed without special permission from the Costa Rican Department of Immigration.
According to the U.S. Department of State, there is a departure tax for visitors to Costa Rica. As of November 16, 2010, the tax is $26.
