Lisdexamfetamine in Costa Rica: Import Rules, Supply and Customs

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a controlled substance in Costa Rica. Bring your full supply with documentation.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, classified as a psychotropic controlled substance under Costa Rica's Ley General de Salud and COSEVI/MINSA regulations
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: No confirmed local brand. Lisdexamfetamine is not listed in Costa Rican pharmacy catalogs; bring your full supply from home.
Storage: Room temperature (20–25°C), away from heat and moisture
Max supply to carry: No explicit published cap, but import for personal use is generally limited to your trip duration; carry documentation for the quantity brought
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead, original pharmacy-labelled packaging, copy of prescription
Emergency alternative: Contact your prescribing doctor immediately; local psychiatrists in San José may be able to issue a local prescription for methylphenidate as a clinical alternative if lisdexamfetamine is unavailable.

Travelling to Costa Rica with lisdexamfetamine: what changes

Lisdexamfetamine, sold globally as Vyvanse (in the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico) and as Elvanse (in the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy), is a controlled psychotropic substance under Costa Rica's Ley General de Salud.^[5]

No confirmed local brand of lisdexamfetamine is stocked in Costa Rican pharmacies, so you must bring your entire supply. Costa Rica's tropical climate and the country's strict import documentation requirements make advance preparation essential.^[1]

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Documentation for travelling to Costa Rica with lisdexamfetamine

Costa Rica's Ministerio de Salud (MINSA) requires that travellers carrying controlled psychotropic medications hold a doctor's letter explaining the medical necessity of the medication. The letter must accompany the original pharmacy-labelled packaging at all times during transit and upon entry. Keep a digital copy accessible on your phone in case a physical copy is lost.^[2] Our dedicated ADHD in Costa Rica guide has a full checklist of import documentation.

What your doctor's letter must include

Full legal name, medication name (lisdexamfetamine and Vyvanse or Elvanse as applicable), prescribed dose and frequency, total quantity carried, the condition being treated (one word is sufficient), doctor's signature and medical registration number, clinic name and letterhead. A Spanish translation is strongly recommended for Costa Rica; notarisation is not routinely required but an apostille may be requested at customs if the letter appears unofficial.

A Spanish translation of your documentation is strongly recommended, as Costa Rican customs officers may not read English. Notarisation is not a standard requirement, but having an apostille on your doctor's letter adds credibility if your supply is questioned.

How much lisdexamfetamine to bring

Costa Rica does not publish a specific day-count ceiling for personal imports of psychotropic medications, but the International Narcotics Control Board recommends carrying only the quantity needed for the duration of travel. Bring 10–20% more than your calculated trip requirement to cover delays or loss. Because lisdexamfetamine is not stocked in Costa Rican pharmacies, there is no in-country refill pathway; your home supply is your only source. Check with your travel insurer whether emergency medication replacement is covered under your policy.^[3]

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in your hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you retain access to medication. Keep both portions in original, pharmacy-labelled packaging.

Packing and storing lisdexamfetamine for travel

Lisdexamfetamine capsules like Vyvanse should be stored at controlled room temperature between 20°C and 25°C^[6], with excursions permitted to 40°C. Costa Rica's lowland regions regularly exceed 30°C, particularly along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Keep your supply in a cool, dry spot in your bag, away from direct sunlight, and avoid leaving it in a parked vehicle. No refrigeration is required, but an insulated pouch is useful during long outdoor excursions in high heat.

Airport security with lisdexamfetamine

Always carry lisdexamfetamine in your hand luggage rather than in checked baggage, so you retain access if hold bags are delayed. It's advisable to keep only the backup supply in checked baggage. At security screening, keep the medication in its original, pharmacy-labelled container so officers can identify it quickly.

Capsules are a solid dosage form and do not fall under liquid restrictions, so no special declaration is required at the screening lane for that reason. If screeners ask about the medication, present your doctor's letter and prescription at that point rather than volunteering it unprompted.

Customs and medication import rules for Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Dirección General de Aduanas (customs authority) requires travellers to declare controlled medications on arrival. Lisdexamfetamine falls under Costa Rica's controlled psychotropic substances list pursuant to the Ley sobre Estupefacientes, Sustancias Psicotrópicas, Drogas de Uso No Autorizado y Actividades Conexas (Ley 8204).^[7]

Declare the medication on your customs form and present your doctor's letter and original packaging if asked. The INCB advises that travellers carrying internationally controlled substances carry a patient certificate from their prescribing doctor, which is the equivalent of the doctor's letter described in this guide.

Controlled substance warning

Lisdexamfetamine is a Schedule IV substance under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and is treated as a controlled psychotropic in Costa Rica. Carrying it without a doctor's letter and original packaging creates a real risk of confiscation at the border. Importation in quantities beyond your personal trip requirement could attract scrutiny under Ley 8204. Do not transfer your medication to unmarked containers before entering the country.

Lisdexamfetamine availability in Costa Rica

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse) is not registered by the Costa Rican regulator, the Ministerio de Salud, and is not available in local pharmacies under either brand name. No verified local equivalent exists. Costa Rican pharmacies stock methylphenidate at some locations, but availability varies by pharmacy and requires a local prescription.

Finding a doctor who can help in Costa Rica

Private clinics in San José are your most reliable option for finding an English-speaking psychiatrist. The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), Costa Rica's public health insurance system, is not accessible to short-stay international travellers.^[4]

A private psychiatrist consultation in San José typically costs ₡40,000–₡80,000 (~$88–$175 / ~€80–€160). Even with a local prescription, lisdexamfetamine cannot be dispensed locally, so a consultation would only be useful to document your condition or to explore whether an alternative medication is clinically appropriate for your situation.

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Storing lisdexamfetamine while in Costa Rica

The FDA-approved labelling for lisdexamfetamine specifies storage at 25°C with excursions permitted between 20°C and 25°C. Coastal and lowland areas of Costa Rica regularly exceed 30°C; store your capsules in an air-conditioned room when available.

At beach resorts or jungle lodges without reliable air conditioning, keep medication in an insulated pouch away from sunlight. Power outages also occur periodically. If your room loses air conditioning for an extended period, move the medication to the coolest part of your accommodation, such as a marble bathroom surface.

What to do if something goes wrong with your lisdexamfetamine in Costa Rica

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately (call 911) and contact your travel insurer to begin a claim. Contact your prescribing doctor to confirm whether a replacement prescription can be issued remotely, and ask your insurer whether emergency repatriation is covered if you cannot manage without the medication.

If your supply runs out unexpectedly, lisdexamfetamine cannot be refilled locally. As a controlled substance, no Costa Rican pharmacy will dispense it without a locally registered product. A private psychiatrist in San José may be able to prescribe methylphenidate as a temporary clinical alternative; bring documentation of your current treatment to support that consultation.

“Necesito mi medicamento. / Tengo una condición médica. / Por favor, llame a un médico. / ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana?”

I need my medication. / I have a medical condition. / Please call a doctor. / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

In Costa Rica, dial 911 for ambulance, police, or fire. The Hospital CIMA in Escazú and Clínica Bíblica in San José are the two private hospitals with the strongest English-language capacity for visitors requiring urgent care.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in Costa Rica?

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is legal to carry in Costa Rica for personal medical use, provided you hold a valid prescription and a doctor's letter. It is treated as a controlled psychotropic substance under Ley 8204, so documentation is required; possession without documentation risks confiscation.

Can I bring lisdexamfetamine into Costa Rica?

Yes, you can bring lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) into Costa Rica for personal use, but you must declare it at customs and carry a doctor's letter, your original prescription, and the medication in its original, pharmacy-labelled packaging. Bring only the quantity needed for your trip duration plus a modest buffer.

Is lisdexamfetamine available in Costa Rica pharmacies?

No. Lisdexamfetamine is not registered by Costa Rica's Ministerio de Salud and is not available under the Vyvanse or Elvanse brand names at local pharmacies. There is no confirmed local equivalent, so you must bring your entire supply from home.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with Vyvanse?

Yes. A doctor's letter is required because lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic substance in Costa Rica. The letter should be on clinic letterhead, signed by your prescribing doctor, and ideally translated into Spanish. It protects you at both airport security and Costa Rican customs.

What if I run out of Vyvanse in Costa Rica?

Lisdexamfetamine cannot be refilled in Costa Rica as it is not stocked locally. Contact your prescribing doctor immediately for remote guidance; a private psychiatrist in San José may be able to prescribe methylphenidate as a temporary clinical alternative if your doctor supports that approach. Consider early repatriation if the situation cannot be managed locally.

Is Elvanse available in Costa Rica?

No. Elvanse is the European brand name for lisdexamfetamine, marketed in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, and Italy, but it is not registered or stocked in Costa Rica. Whether you take Vyvanse or Elvanse at home, you will need to bring your full supply for the duration of your trip.

Related practical guide

10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication

ADHD stimulants are banned outright in some countries and tightly controlled in many others. Here is the practical checklist every traveller needs before setting off.