South America
Costa Rica
DGAC Costa Rica — RAC-RPAS
Costa Rica's DGAC takes a relatively permissive approach for recreational use: unlike many other countries, there is no need to register the drone within the standard limits. It is stricter, however, for commercial use.
Figure from consistent secondary sources, not found textually on the official page consulted.
Not required for recreational use within standard limits, confirmed by an official source ('no es necesario registrar el dron para uso recreativo' — no need to register the drone for recreational use). Required, on the other hand, for commercial operations.
Not required for recreational use within the limits; required for commercial use.
Mandatory for commercial/registered RPAS operations, no minimum amount established.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden to fly over people, cities or crowded areas; indicative minimum distance 8km from aerodromes without a permit and 30 m from uninvolved people/buildings.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Exact distances and altitude limits not confirmed textually on the official page in this research.
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Even without a formal requirement, it's still worth keeping a note of the drone's details (serial number, owner) somewhere accessible: proving ownership and responsibility is useful in case of an inspection or incident, regardless of what the law requires. For Costa Rica, the official reference remains DGAC Costa Rica. Not required for recreational use within standard limits, confirmed by an official source ('no es necesario registrar el dron para uso recreativo' — no need to register the drone for recreational use). Required, on the other hand, for commercial operations.
How this usually works
Even where an exam isn't formally required, most aviation authorities still recommend a basic safety course: rules change often, and flying without the basics is a real risk even without a legal obligation. The exam and certificate are handled by DGAC Costa Rica. Not required for recreational use within the limits; required for commercial use.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.