Costa Rica - Fees

Clearing into Costa Rica is no longer free. There are several fees to pay on entry and exit, plus agent fees if you choose not to clear in yourself.

In some ports, use of an agent is mandatory (Marina Papagayo for example).

Standard Clearance Fees:

• SENASA arrival inspection [see Biosecurity for details]: ¢56,518.00 colones, approximately USD $105.00
  If the port of entry you have chosen (confirmed for Golfito) requires an inspection by SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal), the charge is mandatory - even though the inspection may be only 5 minutes and a cursory look at your freezer.
• Port Captain clearance: USD $22.00
• Coast Guard clearance, to be paid on entry and on exit: USD $20.00 (yachts less than 50ft), USD $50.00 (yachts over 50ft).
• Affidavit issued by CR Public Notary in case of failure to provide notarized letter of authorization translated into Spanish: USD $50.00 (although this will depend on the notary's fees).
• For national zarpes the Port Captain has a USD $50.00 fee in ports such as Golfito and Puntarenas, Caldera.

Fees do tend to vary depending on which port you cleared in or out from.

Overtime is payable outside normal working hours, which are 0800-1500 Monday to Friday, except Customs in Golfito, which does not work on Mondays. Overtime charged by the Port Captain is USD $22.00 per arrival and per departure.

Agents Fees:

Some cruisers have posted agent fees paid and recommended clearance ports on this report (also view the comments on the report: "speech bubble").

• Sample Fees 2023:
  At Marina Papagayo all boats must use a clearing agent. Agent fees range from $450 to $550 depending on size and if the vessel arrives on the weekend. Sport fishing boats and mega yachts cost more. There are no fees in nearby Playa del Coco.
• Sample Fees 2021:
  Banana Bay Marina in Golfito offers a clearance service (driving skippers from office to office with translation services) for US $350 (including agency fee). On departure, there is a fee of US$20 for an international zarpe and a US$5 bank charge

Last updated: July 2023