Costa Rica
VERIFIED · MAY 202623 ENTRIESNORTH AMERICA
Costa Rica is in North America. Review the laws below before your trip — every entry has a source link, and the verdict layer is sorted worst-first.
HEADS UP
Drug penalties moderate. Cannabis decriminalized for personal use (small amounts). Wildlife protection laws are strict.
DO NOT BRING
Wildlife harassment · Drug trafficking
Medications
5 entriesSubstances
5 entriesItems
4 entriesActivities
4 entriesDigital
3 entriesCOMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Costa Rica is not 'cannabis legal' like Uruguay — small amounts only, no commercial sale.
- Approaching wildlife (sloths, sea turtles) for selfies is heavily fined.
JURISDICTION NOTES
- National parks have additional drone and wildlife rules.
- Cannabis decriminalization applies only to small amounts for personal use.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Last verified · May 2026
Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.