Costa Rica
Last update 10 October 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 1: Without special recommendations
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We call on Bulgarian citizens to refrain from travelling!
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is serviced by the Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Mexico
Address: Paseo de la Reforma 1990, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec, Del. Miguel Hidalg, c.p.11000, México D.F.
Telephone: +52 55 55963283; +52 55 55963295
Fax: +52 55 55961012
Working hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 12:30
Information via phone: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 14:00
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/mexico
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Costa Rica
Mrs Radka Marinova Varbanova (Mrs Radka Varbanova)
San Jose, Consular district: the territory of the Republic of Costa Rica
Address: Costa Rica, San José, Barrio Los Yoses, Avenida 12 y 14, Calle 35, No3, Apdo: 1900–1002
Telephone: +506 228 05 608
Fax: +506 222 45 063
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
The country has normal public security conditions. There have been cases of theft in public places, on public transport, so it is necessary to travel with caution. Travelling inland at night is not recommended, nor is hiring taxis outside designated areas.
Healthcare:
Hygiene, the supply of medicines and the availability of specialized medical care in Costa Rica do not meet EU standards. The quality of medical care is declining as rural settlements move further away from major cities. In cases of medical necessity it is recommended to use the services of private clinics in the capital. Travelers are also advised to carry a personal medication pack with them with any necessary medication, and to consult their GP before traveling about the mandatory vaccines for that geographical region. Since the beginning of the year, Costa Rica has seen a sharp increase in the number of people infected with dengue disease, which is transmitted after mosquito bites. Some of the main symptoms of dengue are high fever, dizziness, vomiting, rash and weakness. With complications, especially in children, blood begins to flow from the nose, constant vomiting, red eyes, urination of blood and mental deviations are observed. In the presence of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. In order to avoid possible infection with the disease, Bulgarian citizens traveling in the region should take all possible measures to prevent mosquito bites, such as wearing body covering clothing, using mosquito repellents and nets, avoiding places with a higher risk of contracting the disease.
There is a risk of malaria infection.
Specifics of the legislation:
Possession and use of narcotics is a strictly punishable offence.
Customs requirements:
It is permissible to bring in currency up to USD 10,000 without declaring the same.
Practical advice:
Bulgarian citizens entering Costa Rica from Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Equator must have an international certificate for yellow fever and dengue vaccines. Otherwise, access to the territory of the country will be denied.
It is recommended to consume bottled water.
September and October are the rainiest months of the year. Hurricane season is from June to November.
Local currency:
Costa Rican Colon (CRC). Traveling with US dollars is preferable, although euros are also exchangeable.
Travel papers and visas
A passport valid for at least six months is required. Visas are not required for short stays of up to 90 days. You are advised to ensure that the migration authorities stamp your entry. Lack of a stamp shall result in administrative fines. When leaving the country by plane, an exit fee is charged.
For further information on visa and other issues, Bulgarian citizens can contact the following telephone numbers and e-mail addresses:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Consular Affairs:
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto de Costa Rica
Address: Avenida 7-9, Calle 11-13, San José, Costa Rica
Telephone: +506 223 7555; +506 258 2389
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Embassy of Costa Rica in Vienna, Austria
Address: Wagramer Strasse 23/ Stiege 1/Etage 1/Top 2 y 3 A-1220 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: +431 263 3824
Fax: +431 26338245
E-mail: [email protected]
EU Delegation to Costa Rica
Delegation of the European Union to Costa Rica
Telephone: +506 2283 2959
E-mail: [email protected]
Competitive service
Issuance of identity documents:
Bulgarian citizens in Costa Rica can apply for new passports, ID cards and driving licenses through the Bulgarian Embassy in Mexico, which has technical equipment for biometric data capture — fingerprints and photo.
A birth certificate must be presented when the first identity card is issued. A police document verifying the relevant circumstances must be presented if the identity card and/or passport is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
The issuance of an Emergency Travel Document for children born abroad requires the presentation of a certified local birth certificate and the presence of both parents. For the issuance of an Emergency Travel Document to return to Bulgaria in case of lost/stolen documents, a report from the police stating the relevant circumstances must be presented (theft, burglary, robbery, etc.).
Certifications and legalizations:
Bulgaria and Costa Rica are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. Therefore, the documents/deeds drawn up in each of the two countries should bear an Apostille by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as translated and duly authenticated in order to serve before the authorities of the other country.