Costa Rica Travel Restrictions I Tico Paradise

Information about COVID-19 in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Entry Requirements COVID-19

Entry to Costa Rica is authorized for all countries in the world by air and sea. Land borders remain closed.

You can enter the country on commercial or private international flights that land at Juan Santamaría and Daniel Oduber Quirós airports.

In the case of entering the country by sea, you can enter the country on yachts and sailboats only through Golfito, Los Sueños, Pez Vela, Banana Bay and Papagayo shores.

The tourist must meet visa requirements and requirements established in the framework of the pandemic.

The Government of the Republic does not request coronavirus screening tests nor does it issue sanitary confinement orders as requirements to enter the country by air.

Those people who enter the country by sea and who have not made a stopover elsewhere, should not be subjected to isolation if they have been sailing for more than 14 days.

Tourists visiting Costa Rica are required to observe the sanitary protocols established for carrying out all tourist activities in the country.

Country Entry Requirements

For information on visas, please visit the website of the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners:

https://www.migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Visas.aspx

In the framework of the pandemic, the following requirements were also established:

1- Complete the digital form called HEALTH PASS, which is available at: https://salud.go.cr

The Health Pass can only be completed 48 hours before boarding. It must be accessed in updated browsers or Internet Explorer. The form must be completed by each person, including minors, without exception.

2- Purchase health insurance

Tourists must purchase mandatory travel insurance that covers quarantine accommodation and medical expenses due to COVID-19 disease. Tourists visiting Costa Rica are required to observe the sanitary protocols established for carrying out all tourist activities in the country.

International Policies

Regarding the policy, you can choose any international insurance company that meets the following requirements:

1. Valid during the entire stay in Costa Rica (coverage dates).
2. US $50,000 for medical expenses, including COVID-19 disease.
3. US $2,000 for accommodation expenses in the event of COVID-19 quarantine.

Please ask your insurance company for a certificate/letter in English or Spanish stating the following:

1. Name of the person traveling.
2. Validity of the effective policy during the visit in Costa Rica (travel dates).
3. Guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in the event of COVID-19 in Costa Rica, for at least US $50,000.
4. Minimum coverage of US $2,000 for accommodation expenses for quarantine or trip interruption for this same amount.

This certificate must specify that the policy covers COVID-19 and must be uploaded to the HEALTH PASS in order to be reviewed and approved by the Costa Rican authorities. Insurance cards are not accepted, it must be a document.

Costa Rican Policies

The tourist can also choose any of the following Costa Rican insurance companies, which sell products registered and authorized by the General Superintendency of Insurance of Costa Rica.

INS: https://micrositios.ins-cr.com/seguroviajero/index-en.html

Sagicor: https://tiendasagicor.com/en/

BlueCross BlueShield: https://www.bluecrossblueshieldcr.com/rod

IMPORTANT: For international policies, the minimum coverage was set at US $50,000, while for policies sold by Costa Rican insurers, the minimum was set at US $20,000.

Foreigners with temporary residence, permanent 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 acquire a temporary local insurance for 22 days or an international insurance that complies with the same requirements that are applied to a foreign tourist.

In the case of foreigners with the migratory category of permanent, temporary resident, or special category, in the latter case, with the exception of Student Subcategory, they must demonstrate valid insurance coverage by the Costa Rican social security, which can be verified in the link: https://sfa.ccss.sa.cr/servMedicos/validarDerechos.do

Costa Rican citizens do not require health insurance.

Questions about COVID-19 in Costa Rica

The following questions will answer the doubts about coronavirus in Costa Rica:

How many active cases have Costa Rica?: For Friday 09th, September 2020, Costa Rica registers a total of 34.911 active cases of COVID-19, of which 1196 are new cases. In Costa Rica, the total number of infected reached the figure of 94.348, of which 58,269 have recovered, and 1168 people have died.

What can I do if I present symptoms of Covid-19 during my stay in Costa Rica? The first thing you should do is isolate yourself safely where you are staying, after that please call 1322 to report that you have Covid-19 symptoms. If it is an really emergency, please call 911 immediately and indicate that you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Where can I get a PCR test in Costa Rica? The cost of a PCR test in Costa Rica has a value close to USD $ 100 and can be performed in the city of San José, in the following places: Hospital La Católica, Hospital Cima, Hospital Metropolitano and Hospital Biblica Clinic, as well as in the laboratories: LABIN, Echandi, Laboratorio Páez, Laboratorios San José. The results will be ready in 24 to 48 hours.

Is there a curfew in Costa Rica? No, the Government of Costa Rica has implemented driving restrictions based on whether an area has a Yellow or Orange Alert. Costa Rica's National Emergency Commission (CNE) frequently announces updates regarding driving restrictions, as well as areas under Orange or Yellow Alert.

What means Orange or Yellow Alert in Costa Rica? The orange alerts are for places that have many recent infections of Covid-19, that is, where there is an outbreak of the virus. The yellow alerts are for those places that although there are active cases, there are no outbreaks of the virus.

Are in Costa Rica fines for non-compliance of sanitary measures ? Any person who violates a sanitary order or mandatory restriction will be subject to a fine of between USD $750 and USD $3.900 depending on the violation.

Does public transport work in Costa Rica? Yes, the Government has ordered the wearing of masks while waiting at bus stops or traveling by bus. It is important for you to know that buses can currently take up to 2 hours of waiting between each departure time.

Are public places open in Costa Rica? Yes, some parks or churchs of couple places are open for a limit of people. Beaches or Nationals Parks are open since monday to sunday from 5am to 2:30pm.

Can I visit a restaurant at any time in Costa Rica? Restaurants & Bars with public access will be open with a capacity of 50% during the week from 5am to 10pm and on weekends they will close at 9pm.

Have Costa Rica permitted tourist activities? Outdoors tours such as hiking, canopy, cable cars, raft rides, recreational aquatic and aero recreational activities, will be available only in social bubbles.

Costa Rica Travel Post Covid-19

Byron Muñoz, one of our top travel specialists to Costa Rica, is cautiously optimistic that travelers can begin looking at travel for 2021. Overflowing with incredible landscapes, outstanding beaches, and a wide array of activities, Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for travelers seeking relaxation and adventure.

If you are ready to start planning, now is a great time to talk with a Costa Rica travel specialist to determine which regions you would like to visit. Organizing your trip design now will save time later. With so many incredible options for accommodations, exploring the many ways you can experience Costa Rica is inspiring and a great way to look ahead. Our local specialists can advise any traveler on what is possible so that your ideal trip itinerary can be realized.

Planning a trip can happen anytime. It costs nothing to fill out a Trip Request with Wopa Travel and learn more. Booking your trip can happen when you are comfortable to do so, as our Wopa team can offer flexibility based on real-time global events. A customized trip has many advantages, and your local specialist is positioned to ensure your health and safety. At the same time, you enjoy an itinerary designed specifically for you. Local knowledge and connections matter, as does the agility of a travel specialist to shift your plans for any reason.

Tico Paradise is here to help you. Please contact us at (+506) 6324-1510, and we are ready to connect you to a local Costa Rica travel specialist.