Visiting New York City from Costa Rica? Here's Where to

If you're visiting New York City from Costa Rica and you're curious about legal cannabis, we've got great news: adults 21 and older can legally purchase cannabis products from licensed dispensaries right here in NYC. All you need is a valid government-issued ID or passport to prove your age. There's no residency requirement, no special tourist permit, and no need to know anyone with a connect. The legal adult-use market in New York State is open to everyone who qualifies by age — and that includes international visitors.

We're Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based in Brooklyn, NYC. Co-founders Shane Breen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas have been partners for over 25 years. We launched Silly Nice in March 2024 with a singular mission: to craft small-batch, high-quality cannabis products that deliver real potency, real flavor, and real pride. Since launch, our products are now carried in 150+ licensed New York adult-use dispensaries across the state — which means finding us wherever your NYC adventures take you is easier than ever.

Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, this guide will walk you through how the legal cannabis system works, what to bring, what to expect in a dispensary, how to consume responsibly, and which Silly Nice products we recommend for your visit. Let's get into it.

In Costa Rica, cannabis exists in a legal gray zone. Personal possession of small amounts has been decriminalized in practice, meaning you're unlikely to face criminal charges for minor possession — but cannabis is not fully legal for adult recreational use. There is no regulated retail market for recreational cannabis in Costa Rica, which means no licensed dispensaries, no tested and labeled products, and no guaranteed quality or safety standards. Medical cannabis was legalized in Costa Rica in 2022, but the recreational market remains off the table.

New York State operates an entirely different system. Since the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) passed in 2021, New York has built one of the most comprehensive adult-use cannabis markets in the country. Recreational cannabis is fully legal for adults 21 and over. Products sold at licensed dispensaries must be tested by a state-certified laboratory, accurately labeled for potency, and tracked through a seed-to-sale system. When you buy from a licensed dispensary, you know exactly what you're getting. That's a big deal — and it's the foundation of why we built Silly Nice the way we did.

For visitors from Costa Rica, the contrast is stark: New York offers a transparent, regulated, consumer-friendly experience that simply doesn't exist back home yet. This is your chance to experience what a mature legal cannabis market actually feels like — safe, professional, and fully above board.

Accepted Identification for International Visitors

Your Costa Rican passport is all you need. Any valid, government-issued passport proving you are 21 years of age or older will be accepted at a licensed New York adult-use cannabis dispensary. You do not need a U.S. driver's license or a state ID card. Just bring your passport, make sure it's not expired, and you're good to walk in. Budtenders at every licensed dispensary are trained to check ID at the door — this is standard practice and nothing to worry about.

Purchase Limits Per Transaction

New York State law allows adults 21 and over to purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower per transaction and up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate per transaction. For most visitors, this is more than enough for a stay of any length. Concentrates include products like hash, vape cartridges, and infused formats — all categories where we at Silly Nice have exceptional offerings. Keep in mind that possession limits mirror purchase limits, so stay within those numbers and you're fully compliant.

This is one of the most important things for visiting tourists to understand: where you consume cannabis in New York City matters as much as where you buy it. Consumption is legal in private spaces — meaning places where the property owner permits it. Think private residences, certain cannabis-friendly lounges, or other private venues that allow it. Always confirm with your host or rental property before consuming.

You cannot consume cannabis on public streets, in parks, at bus stops, on the subway, in taxis or rideshares, in vehicles of any kind, or in hotel rooms (most hotels explicitly prohibit smoking and vaping under their policies, and violating that can result in fines or being asked to leave). It is also illegal to consume cannabis in any vehicle — as a driver or a passenger. Plan your consumption thoughtfully, stay in compliant spaces, and enjoy the experience responsibly.

And we want to be absolutely clear: never drive or operate any vehicle after consuming cannabis. If you're out in the city, use the subway, a taxi, or a rideshare service to get around. NYC's public transit system is always the smarter move — and the experience is very New York.

We have to be direct with you on this one — please read carefully. No matter how much you enjoy the cannabis you purchase in New York, you cannot and must not attempt to take it with you when you leave the country. Transporting cannabis across international borders is a federal crime under U.S. law, regardless of whether the product was purchased legally in New York State. Federal law governs all airports and international border crossings, and cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.

Additionally, Costa Rica's laws prohibit the importation of cannabis. Being caught with cannabis at customs — whether leaving the U.S. or arriving in Costa Rica — can result in serious legal consequences, including arrest, detention, and prosecution in either country. The legal purchase you made in New York does not offer any protection at the international level. Please consume what you purchase responsibly during your visit, and leave nothing behind at the airport. Your vacation memories are worth far more than the risk.

Finding a licensed dispensary that carries Silly Nice is simple. We recommend using Weedmaps — one of the most trusted cannabis discovery platforms in the country — to search for dispensaries near your location in New York City. You can visit our Weedmaps brand page directly at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice to see a live list of licensed dispensaries that stock our products. This ensures you're visiting a fully legal, state-licensed retailer every single time.

With Silly Nice now available in 150+ licensed dispensaries across New York State, you'll find us in neighborhoods all across the five boroughs and beyond. Whether you're staying in Midtown, Downtown Brooklyn, Harlem, or anywhere else in the city, there's a strong chance a Silly Nice-stocked dispensary is within reach. Use our store locator to narrow it down even further.

Concentrates and Hash — High-Potency, Small-Batch Excellence

Diamond Powder — 1g | 86.24% THC | 98.54% Total Cannabinoids | $50. If you're looking for the most potent product we make, Diamond Powder is it. This ultra-refined crystalline concentrate delivers a staggering 98.54% total cannabinoid profile, making it one of the strongest legal cannabis products you can buy in New York. Diamond Powder is incredibly versatile — it can be dabbed, added to flower, or incorporated into other preparations. For experienced consumers seeking maximum potency, this is your product. It may help adults relax and unwind after a long day of exploring the city.

Frosted Hash Ball — 1g | 67.34% THC | 78.34% Total Cannabinoids | 5.7% Terpenes | $50. Our Frosted Hash Ball is a work of craft. Hand-pressed and coated in a glistening layer of kief, this 1g hash ball delivers 67.34% THC alongside a rich 5.7% terpene profile that produces a complex, aromatic, and full-spectrum experience. Hash culture has deep international roots, and if you appreciate traditional cannabis craftsmanship elevated to modern standards, the Frosted Hash Ball was made for you. Break it apart, roll it in, or smoke it straight — the choice is yours.

Bubble Hash — 1g | 53.32% THC | 62.86% Total Cannabinoids | 6.2% Terpenes | $44. Our Bubble Hash is solventless, terpene-rich, and incredibly flavorful. At 6.2% terpenes — the highest terpene content in our concentrate lineup — this product delivers a smooth, aromatic experience that seasoned hash lovers will appreciate deeply. At $44, it's also one of our most accessible premium concentrates. If you're new to hash or just looking for something rich in natural cannabis flavor without the intensity of Diamond Powder, Bubble Hash is the perfect starting point.

Flower, Vapes, and All-In-One Options for Every Preference

Infused Flower — Papaya Wine | 3.5g | 51.22% THC | 58.63% Total Cannabinoids | $60. Papaya Wine Infused Flower is where our craft flower meets concentrate technology. This 3.5g jar of premium indoor flower is infused to reach 51.22% THC — far beyond what standard flower can achieve — while maintaining the rich botanical character that makes the Papaya Wine cultivar so beloved. If you appreciate the ritual of rolling up and want something far more potent and complex than what's typical, this is the product to reach for.

510 Vape Cartridge — Pink Stardust | 1g | 81.96% THC | 88.36% Total Cannabinoids | $40. Convenient, discreet, and high-performance, our Pink Stardust 510 vape cart is perfect for tourists who want flexibility. At $40 for 1g of 81.96% THC oil, it delivers exceptional value and pairs with any standard 510-thread battery. Note: you'll need a compatible battery, which many dispensaries also carry. Pink Stardust offers a smooth, aromatic vapor experience that may help adults unwind without the smoke.

2G All-In-One — Alaskan Thunder Fuck | 2g | 82.46% THC | 84.06% Total Cannabinoids | $80. For the visitor who wants a complete, self-contained vaping experience with no accessories required, our Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One is the move. Built-in battery, 2 full grams of 82.46% THC oil, and the legendary ATF cultivar's bold, piney, energetic character — all in one elegant device. At $80, it's the best value per gram in our entire vape lineup and an ideal companion for a full NYC trip.

We built Silly Nice because we believed the New York cannabis market deserved a brand that reflected the real New York — diverse, resilient, community-rooted, and uncompromisingly excellent. As a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run company, every dollar that goes into a Silly Nice product goes back into a business built by people who have skin in the game in more ways than one. Shane's military service shaped our discipline and standards. Our 25+ years of partnership shaped our trust in each other and our commitment to quality above all else.

When you purchase a Silly Nice product at a licensed dispensary, you're not just buying great cannabis — you're supporting an independent, equity-based business that earned its place in this market. That means something to us, and we hope it means something to you too. The legal cannabis industry in New York is still young, and how consumers choose to spend their dollars shapes what this market becomes. Choose to support brands that are doing it right.

Welcome to New York City. We're glad you're here. Explore the boroughs, eat incredible food, see the skyline from every angle — and if cannabis is part of your travel experience, let Silly Nice be part of the story. We made these products for people who appreciate quality, care about what they put in their bodies, and want to know the people behind what they're consuming. That's who we made Silly Nice for. That's who you are.