COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Costa Rica ( 18 June 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 have 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.

Insurance required?

  • Yes

  • 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”.

  • In the case of international insurance, the tourist must request from their insurer a certification issued in English or Spanish, noting at least three conditions, and add this information to the “Health Pass”:

    • Validity of the effective policy during the visit to Costa Rica.

    • Guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in cases of pandemic COVID 19 in Costa Rica for at least US $50,000 (fifty thousand United States dollars).

    • Minimum coverage of US $2,000 for extended lodging expenses due to pandemic illness or trip interruption/cancellation due to illness, which covers the extra cost of the passenger due to quarantine.

  • If visitors do not have international insurance, it is possible to opt for travel insurance from Costa Rican companies approved by SUGESE (General Superintendency of Insurance of Costa Rica), which offer their services at Juan Santamaría international airport (city of San José) and Daniel Oduber Quirós (city of Liberia).

  • National insurance must meet all the requirements for coverage of medical expenses for illness, including COVID-19, for a minimum amount of $20,000 and coverage for extended lodging expenses or quarantine, due to pandemic illness, for a minimum amount of $2,000.

  • Local insurance authorized for travellers can be valued at the following links: link 1 and link 2 If you have doubts or queries about the requirements or conditions of the insurance, please email [email protected]

  • Foreigners with the migratory category of permanent or temporary resident, or special category in the latter case, with the exception of the student subcategory, must demonstrate insurance through the Costa Rican social security.

  • Foreigners with temporary or permanent residence or temporary category who return to Costa Rica, and who are not up to date with the corresponding payments with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, must purchase temporary local insurance for 22 days or bring international insurance that complies with the requirements of a foreign tourist.

  • Travellers will be permitted to enter Costa Rica if the insurance requirements are fulfilled.

  • The passengers and crew of yachts or sailboats can write to the email, [email protected], with any questions about their health insurance requirements.

Entry form required?

  • Yes

  • All arrivals will need to complete the digital “Health Pass” information form available here.

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 continually 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.

  • From 14-18 June and again from 21-25 June, vehicle movement will be restricted on weekdays from 05:00-21:00 (local time) based on the last digit of the license plate, with bans in place for vehicles with the last digit as follows: Monday: 1 and 2, Tuesday: 3 and 4, Wednesday: 5 and 6, Thursday: 7 and 8 and Friday: 9 and 0. During this period, all vehicle traffic remains prohibited from 21:00-05:00 daily.

  • From 19-20 June and again from 26 June to 11 July, odd last digits are allowed on roads on odd-numbered days and even last digits on even-numbered days. More details and exceptions for vehicle restrictions can be found here.

Non-essential shops open?

  • Yes

  • Most non-essential businesses are open with limited capacity.

Accommodations open?

  • Yes

  • Cabins, hotels, and other accommodations are open with full 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 50% 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

  • The capacity limit for event rooms for business or academic activities is limited to 300 people. The capacity limit for other event activities is 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.

  • All schools remained closed.

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

  • Further information on restricted establishments can be found here.

  • 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.

Advice For Travellers

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 and maintain a 6-foot distance other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.