What to do if someone dies in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the most popular Central American destination for British tourists. Deaths occur across a wide range of settings: San Jose hotels, national park accidents, surf injuries, and activity tourism incidents. The OIJ (judicial investigation police) handles all unnatural deaths regardless of setting.

Step 1: Notify the British Embassy San Jose

The British Embassy in San Jose must be notified on the day of death. Address: Edificio Centro Colon, Paseo Colon, San Jose. Phone: +506 2258 2025. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 1908 516666.

The Embassy registers the death with UK authorities and advises on current procedures.

Step 2: Registro Civil death certificate

Deaths are registered at the Registro Civil (RCEC) in the canton where the death occurred. The Certificado de Defuncion is the official document. For hospital deaths in San Jose, the hospital handles registration. For deaths in tourist areas (Corcovado, Monteverde, Arenal), local Registro Civil offices process registration once the OIJ has cleared the scene.

Step 3: OIJ investigation

The OIJ (Organismo de Investigacion Judicial) is Costa Rica’s judicial investigation police, functioning similarly to a combined coroner-detective service. For any unnatural, violent, or unexplained death, the OIJ investigates at the scene. In national parks, the OIJ deploys rangers and forensic staff. The body cannot be moved until OIJ has cleared it.

For deaths in remote national parks (Corcovado is the most isolated — the nearest town is Puerto Jimenez, accessible by light aircraft or rough road), OIJ deployment adds 1 to 3 days before the scene is cleared.

Post-mortems are conducted at INCIENSA (National Institute for Epidemiological Research) or OIJ forensic facilities in San Jose. Allow 7 to 14 days from the examination date for results.

Step 4: Ministry of Health export permit

The Ministerio de Salud issues the export permit. Required documents: Certificado de Defuncion, OIJ release, embalming certificate, freedom from contagious disease clearance. Allow 3 to 7 days for the permit once all other documents are complete.

Step 5: Embalming

Embalming is required for international repatriation. San Jose has several licensed mortuaries experienced with international cargo procedures.

Step 6: Routing to the UK

San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) operates international cargo. No direct UK flights. Standard routing: via Miami (American Airlines or United) to London Heathrow. Copa Airlines via Panama City is an alternative. For deaths on the Guanacaste coast (Tamarindo, Liberia area), cargo can route via Liberia Airport (LIR) or via San Jose. Source: FCDO guidance on death in Costa Rica; OIJ procedures; Ministry of Health regulations (2023).