COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Costa Rica ( 20 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Residents and citizens can enter Costa Rica.

• Costa Rican residents must have proof of payment to the Costa Rican social security.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Costa Rica now allows travellers from all countries in the world to enter by air, as long as they meet the country’s visa and COVID-19 entry requirements. Visa entry requirements for various categories of travellers can be found here.

• US tourists arriving in Costa Rica must have a valid passport and a document that proves the traveller will leave Costa Rica within 90 days.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Same-day airside transit with a confirmed onward booking is allowed.

Test upon arrival?

• No

• Travellers are subject to health screening on arrival.

Test certificate required?

• No

• There is no requirement for travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate to enter Costa Rica.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Costa Rican citizens and residents may be required to self-isolate for 14-days. There is no requirement for travellers to quarantine on arrival.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be subject to a minimum of zero days of quarantine and a maximum of 14 days.

Vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

• Effective 1 August 2021, all tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and inoculated with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson can enter the country without a travel policy. To be considered fully vaccinated, the last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica. Tourists not vaccinated, with incomplete vaccination or vaccinated with a serum other than those admitted by the Costa Rican authorities, must purchase mandatory travel insurance that covers lodging in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 disease.

• Vaccinated tourists must attach the vaccination certificate to the Health Pass. As proof, vaccination certificates and vaccination cards that contain at least the following information will be accepted:

• Name of the person who received the vaccine

• Date of each dose

• Pharmaceutical house

• In the case of U.S. travelers, the “COVID-19 vaccination record card” will be accepted.

Insurance required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• It is mandatory that tourists purchase travel insurance, covering their accommodations in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 illness. An explanation of the traveller's insurance coverage, addressing Costa Rica’s requirements, must be uploaded or entered into the “Health Pass” in order to be reviewed and approved by the Costa Rican authorities. If more information on international insurance is needed, the Costa Rican authorities will contact the passenger at the email address indicated in the “Health Pass”. More details regarding the insurance policy can be found here.

• Effective 1 August 2021, all tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and inoculated with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson can enter the country without a travel policy. To be considered fully vaccinated, the last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica. Tourists not vaccinated, with incomplete vaccination or vaccinated with a serum other than those admitted by the Costa Rican authorities, must purchase mandatory travel insurance that covers lodging in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 disease.

• As of August 1, 2021, all tourists under 18 years of age can enter the country without a travel policy.

• Costa Rican citizens do not require health insurance.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All arrivals will need to complete the digital “Health Pass” information form available here, within 72 hours of arrival in the country.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Air borders are open.

• Commercial flights are operating on a limited basis. Liberia Airport and San Jose’s Juan Santamaria Airport are open.

• Passengers arriving on private flights must meet the same requirements as any traveller arriving by a commercial flight.

• Flight services with Central American countries have been resumed.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Land borders are open.

• Passengers and crew of yachts and sailboats must meet the same entry requirements that the country requires of those who enter by air. Tourists arriving by yachts or sailboats must also provide the document “International Ship Sailing and Dock” to the immigration authorities in authorized marinas.

• Cargo transportation might be affected due to limitations on the entry of foreign truck drivers.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• The nationwide state of emergency is in effect until further notice. However, the reopening phase has begun throughout the nation.

• The Costa Rican government has marked four colour-coded zones based on the COVID-19 positive cases. The codes are low risk (green), moderate risk (yellow), high risk (orange), and extreme risk (red). Restrictions are continuously changing based on the cases of COVID-19 positive cases. No areas are under green or red zones at this time. More details can be found here.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Citizens are asked to avoid non-essential travel and stay home when possible.

• Organizers of any event should ensure the gatherings are limited indoors and with a physical distancing of 1.8 meters. Gatherings during academic and business activities are allowed with limited capacity.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Masks are required.

• Buses and taxis are operating normally. Passengers on buses must be seated.

• Tourism transport services are suspended.

• Till August 8, a daytime vehicle restriction based on license plate numbers has been enforced nationwide between 05:00 and 21:00. Full details and exceptions for vehicle restrictions can be accessed from here.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Most non-essential businesses are open with limited capacity. All businesses are allowed to operate between 05:00-21:00 (local time) daily.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels with more than 100 rooms are allowed to operate at limited capacity.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open but may have limited operating hours.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are open but may have limited operating hours and with limited capacity.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open from 05:00 to 18:00 (local time).

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open with a limited capacity.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are open but may have limited operating hours.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Churches and places of worship can open with a limited capacity.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Academic and business activities can take place with a limit of 300 people.

• Indoors social events can take place with a limit of 75 people.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• The use of a face mask is mandatory in all common areas, including indoor spaces.

Other

• National parks are open from 05:00 to 18:00 (local time), at a limited capacity.

• All schools remained closed.

• Gyms, and casinos in hotels are allowed to reopen at a limited capacity. However, nightclubs and discotheques remained closed.

• Establishments with a health permit to operate customer service subject to hours may open from Monday to Sunday until 21:00 (local time), according to the vehicle restriction schedule.

• Further information on restricted establishments can be found here.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.