What Can I Not Bring Into Costa Rica? Your Ultimate Guide

You planned the flights, you booked the hotel, and now you’re staring at your suitcase asking the real question: what can I not bring into Costa Rica? I asked myself the same thing the first time I flew into Liberia with a backpack full of snacks and camera gear. I like to pack light, but I also like to avoid awkward chats with customs. You probably feel the same way.

I’ll cut the fluff and give you the short list, then I’ll break down the tricky stuff you might not expect. I’ll flag the big no-gos, the “allowed with conditions,” and the sneaky items that trigger extra scrutiny. Sound good?

The hard no list: items you cannot bring

Let’s start with the obvious and the not-so-obvious. If you try to bring any of these, customs officers can seize them and, yes, that can ruin your day.

Illegal drugs of any kind. Leave weed, edibles, and THC vapes at home. Costa Rica does not allow recreational cannabis.
Firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Don’t try to check a hunting rifle or ammo. You need special permits you won’t get on arrival.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, cuttings, seeds, and soil. Costa Rica protects its biodiversity with strict biosecurity rules.
Unprocessed animal products. Raw meat, dairy, eggs, jerky from your buddy’s farm, and fresh cheese set off alarms.
Counterfeit goods and fake currency. Customs officers look for knockoffs and can confiscate them on sight.
Fireworks, pyrotechnics, and blasting caps. No festival stash in your carry-on.
Pornography that violates local law. Anything involving minors leads to criminal charges.
Undeclared cash over 10,000 USD. You can carry more, but you must declare it.

You might wonder about CBD, pepper spray, and drones. I’ll get to those, because they sit in that gray zone where rules get confusing fast.

Food rules that catch travelers off guard

I never saw an apple look more guilty than when a customs dog found one in my side pocket. Food rules feel annoying, but they protect Costa Rica’s farms and forests.

Fresh, raw, or homemade foods

Costa Rica blocks fresh produce, homemade snacks, and anything raw and unsealed.
Honey often gets flagged. You might squeeze it through if it’s commercial and sealed, but I wouldn’t bet my breakfast on it.
Meat and dairy products face strict inspection. Dry-cured meats and cheeses rarely pass unless a label and origin check out perfectly.

I keep it simple: I don’t pack anything that grew in soil or walked on legs. I grab snacks after I land.

Packaged and processed foods

You can bring sealed, shelf-stable items in reasonable amounts for personal use.
Think protein bars, nuts (roasted, not raw in shell), instant coffee, tea, candy, and chips.
Keep original packaging and ingredient lists. Officers love a clear label.

I pack a few bars and a bag of trail mix. I don’t pack a Costco-sized pantry.

Seeds, plants, and soil

You can’t bring seeds for planting without prior permits. Costa Rica treats seeds like potential biohazards.
Garden cuttings, flower bulbs, and soil never pass without permits and documentation.
You can buy seeds in Costa Rica from licensed shops if you need them for a project.

Ask yourself a simple question: Could this sprout? If yes, leave it.

Medicine, supplements, and health gadgets

Nobody wants to argue with an officer over a bottle of pills. Travel with your meds, but pack them smart.

Prescription medication

Keep meds in original containers with your name on the label.
Pack a printed prescription and a doctor’s note for anything strong.
Carry only the amount you reasonably need for your stay.

I always toss a photocopy of my prescriptions in with my meds. It looks organized and signals good faith.

Controlled substances

Opioids, stimulants, and anti-anxiety meds trigger extra attention.
You can bring them if a doctor prescribed them, but bring documentation and only small quantities.
Skip medical marijuana. Authorities treat THC products as illegal without specific authorization.

Think clarity. Labels, paperwork, and consistency matter. If something looks sketchy, officers assume the worst.

Supplements and OTC meds

Vitamins, protein powder, and common OTC meds pass without drama in personal-use quantities.
Avoid large, unopened boxes that look like inventory. Big bulk looks like import.

I pack enough for the trip and one extra week. I don’t pack a year’s supply.

Alcohol, tobacco, and vapes: what you can bring

Duty-free rules feel murky, so let’s simplify them.

Alcohol: You can bring a few liters for personal use without paying tax. Limits change, but most travelers stick to a safe range of 3 to 5 liters total. If you bring more, expect tax.
Tobacco: Small amounts for personal use pass. Think up to 400 cigarettes or the equivalent in cigars or loose tobacco. Bring more, face tax.
E-cigarettes and vapes: Personal devices usually pass. Keep liquids within airline liquid rules. Pack lithium batteries in carry-on, not checked baggage.

I buy a bottle at the airport if I want one, then I keep my receipt handy. That receipt solves arguments.

Tech, drones, and comms gear

You probably travel with a small electronics store on your back. Good news: Customs doesn’t hate your gadgets.

Laptops, cameras, GoPros, and phones: Carry them. Officers know tourists bring gear.
Drones: Recreational use flies under sane rules. Pack it in your carry-on. Carry extra batteries in proper cases. If you plan to film commercially, check local aviation requirements and insurance rules before you go.
Walkie-talkies and radio transmitters: Small personal sets usually pass, but advanced radio equipment can trigger questions. Keep it modest.

I pack spare batteries in flameproof pouches and show them if asked. Calm and organized wins.

Money, gifts, and new-in-box items

You can bring money. You just need to play by the rules.

Declare cash or monetary instruments over 10,000 USD when you enter. Easy process, not a trap.
Gifts and new items can trigger taxes if they look like inventory. Break up packaging, carry receipts, and don’t pack ten of the same smartwatch.
Jewelry and luxury goods pass, but high-value items can invite questions. Keep proof of purchase if you worry.

Ask yourself: Would a customs officer think I plan to sell this? If yes, rethink the packing strategy.

Weapons, tools, and self-defense items

Nobody wants drama at the airport. Pack smart.

Firearms: Don’t bring them. You need a permit you won’t get on arrival.
Ammunition and magazines: Don’t bring them either.
Knives and multitools: Pack them in checked luggage only. A normal camping knife won’t trigger customs in most cases, but never carry it in your cabin bag.
Pepper spray: Officers may treat it as a restricted self-defense item. I leave it. You can buy legal options locally if you truly need them.
Tasers and batons: Skip them. Officers can seize them.

I bring a small multitool in checked baggage and call it a day.

Wildlife products and souvenirs: caution from the start

Costa Rica loves wildlife. Customs protects it. You should too.

Don’t bring in coral, shells, feathers, skins, or anything that looks like it came from a wild animal. CITES rules apply, and officers take them seriously.
Don’t bring in traditional medicines with animal parts. Labels don’t save you if the ingredients break the rules.
Don’t try to import live animals without permits. Pets need health certificates, vaccines, and proper timing. Reach out to your vet before you book flights if you plan to bring a pet.

I avoid anything that once breathed. Simple rule, zero trouble.

Quick reference table: allowed, restricted, banned

Use this table as a fast checkpoint while you pack. I wrote it for travelers who ask “what can I not bring into Costa Rica” and want a yes/no answer without reading a legal textbook.

Item	Allowed?	Conditions	Quick tip
Fresh fruits, veggies	No	None	Buy them after you land
Plants, seeds, soil	No	Permits only	Leave garden stuff at home
Meat, dairy, eggs	No	Rare exceptions with full docs	Don’t risk it
Packaged snacks	Yes	Sealed, small amounts	Keep labels visible
Prescription meds	Yes	Original container, bring scripts	Pack only what you need
Controlled meds	Yes, tightly	Doctor’s note, small quantities	Prepare to explain
Recreational drugs	No	None	Big trouble, avoid
CBD/THC products	Risky to illegal	Complex rules, frequent seizures	Leave them
Alcohol	Yes, limited	A few liters duty-free	Keep receipts
Tobacco	Yes, limited	Personal-use quantities	Don’t bring bulk
Vapes/e-cigs	Yes	Batteries in carry-on	Follow airline rules
Firearms/ammo	No	Special permits not for tourists	Don’t try it
Knives/tools	Yes in checked	No knives in carry-on	Camping gear passes
Pepper spray	Risky	Officers may seize	Better to skip
Drones	Yes	Recreational OK, batteries in carry-on	Check local flying rules
Cash over 10k USD	Yes	Declare it	Keep the form
Counterfeit goods	No	None	Buy real or buy nothing
Fireworks	No	None	Celebrate with a sunset instead

How to declare like a pro and keep your stuff

You don’t need to game the system. You just need to act like you know what you’re doing.

Fill out the customs form honestly. Mark anything you must declare.
Keep receipts handy for new electronics, watches, and luxury items.
Separate snacks and meds at the top of your bag. Officers appreciate quick checks.
Stay calm and friendly. Officers have a tough job. You can make it easy.

I often say, “I packed a few snacks and my camera gear. Want me to pull them out?” That line sets a cooperative tone, and officers usually wave me through.

The tricky trio: CBD, food gifts, and “guy at the gate” advice

I see the same three pain points again and again.

CBD and cannabis-adjacent products

Officers treat recreational cannabis as illegal.
Oils, gummies, and vapes create headaches at the checkpoint. You don’t want that energy on vacation.
If a product contains THC or looks like it does, you can lose it and face legal issues.

I tell friends to skip CBD. The laws don’t care that you bought it at a fancy shop back home. IMO you pack better memories when you avoid legal gray zones.

Food gifts

That artisan salami and your neighbor’s farm cheese won’t pass.
Sealed candy, coffee, and chocolate pass with smiles.
Coffee beans: roasted, sealed beans usually pass. Green coffee beans for roasting count as agricultural material and can trigger scrutiny.

I always bring chocolate-coated coffee beans. Zero issues, maximum friend points.

Bad advice from random travelers

Some guy in line swears he “always brings jerky.” Cool story. He gambled and won. You don’t need to gamble.
Rules change. Your friend’s trip from four years ago doesn’t set policy.
Trust the official guidelines and your common sense.

I learn from seasoned travelers, but I verify with current rules. FYI your airline’s website often lists local restrictions too.

What to pack instead: the safe and smart list

You don’t need contraband to enjoy Costa Rica. Pack things you’ll use and things you can replace.

Clothing for heat, humidity, and sudden rain. Quick-dry fabrics keep you happy.
Sunscreen and insect repellent. Buy reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life.
First-aid kit with basics. Bandaids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and motion meds.
Refillable water bottle with a filter. You’ll drink more water and spend less.
Power bank and charging cables. Keep the phone alive for maps and photos.
Travel towel and lightweight rain jacket. Afternoon showers can surprise you.
A small daypack. You’ll carry more than you think on outings.

Pack with intention. Leave drama at home.

Common scenarios, simple answers

You don’t need a law degree to make smart calls. Ask yourself these quick questions.

Could this food spoil without a fridge? Don’t bring it.
Could this plant or seed sprout? Don’t bring it.
Would an officer think I plan to sell this? Don’t bring it.
Would my doctor vouch for this medication in writing? If not, skip it.
Could this device look like a weapon? Pack it in checked luggage or leave it.

Simple filters remove headaches. Simple filters also save money.

A quick recap you can screenshot 🙂

Costa Rica blocks fresh produce, plants, seeds, soil, raw animal products, guns, ammo, fireworks, illegal drugs, and counterfeit goods.
You can bring sealed snacks, personal-use meds with labels, a few liters of alcohol, small amounts of tobacco, and your everyday tech.
Declare cash over 10,000 USD. Keep receipts for new items.
Skip CBD, pepper spray, and anything that looks like wildlife.
Pack with common sense and clear labels. Officers reward organized travelers.

I fly to Costa Rica for beaches, rainforests, and ridiculous sunsets. I don’t fly for customs drama. You probably feel the same way. Pack smart, glide through the checkpoint, and spend your energy on the good stuff.