*This post will no longer be updated to reflect current COVID cases. There are no COVID-19 restrictions in Costa Rica at all anymore. In case something does change, we will update this post but as of 2023, there have not been any restrictions.*
On March 6, 2020, Costa Rica confirmed their first case of COVID-19. Here is what you need to know about the Costa Rica coronavirus situation.
Costa Rica COVID-19 Confirmed Cases
As the COVID pandemic has been declared “over”, the Costa Rica Ministry of Health has not reported statistics about COVID-19 in awhile. This post will only be updated if new information or updates are given.
Costa Rica COVID-19 Vaccinations
Costa Rica has opened their vaccinations to anyone in the country. Please check the Costa Rican Seguro Social to see their vaccination statistics.
Border Opening and Closing
Costa Rica closed their borders on March 18, 2020. On November 1, 2020, Costa Rica opened to all countries in the world via air. On April 5, 2021, Costa Rica opened the land borders to Nicaragua and Panama.
Please read our Costa Rica COVID-19 Travel for more important tourist information.
Costa Rica Coronavirus Requirements to Enter the Country for Tourists
Since April 1, 2022, Costa Rica hasn’t required any type of COVID-19 specific requirement to enter the country. No negative test, no quarantine, no travel insurance nor health pass.
Costa Rica COVID Restrictions
There are currently no COVID-19 restrictions.
Costa Rica COVID-19 Timeline
The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Costa Rica was on March 6, 2020. Costa Rica declared a state of emergency on March 16, 2020. The first COVID-19 fatality was on March 18th, 2020.
Do You Need a COVID Test to Exit Costa Rica?
No. A COVID test is not required to enter or exit Costa Rica.
The United States removed the 24 hour negative COVID test requirement for international travelers via air on June 12, 2022. Therefore, a negative COVID test is not required to enter the United States by air from abroad anymore.
For other countries, make sure to check their entry requirements for international travelers by air.
Do You Need to Wear a Face Mask in Costa Rica?
No, you are not requiref to wear a face mask in Costa Rica. Face masks will still be in place for health officials and establishments. However, some establishments may still require them and people can still wear them if they wish.
Likewise, face mask mandates may be reinstated at any time, especially for indoors and public settings such as transportation. Please be aware of this and still bring a mask with you just in case.
What It’s Been Like Where We Live (Tamarindo area)
Tamarindo is normal. Tourists everywhere, everything’s open, no social distancing. It is how it is used to be pre-COVID.
Everywhere else in Costa RIca is exactly how it use to be before COVID as well. We do now have way more traffic, especially on the coasts during the weekends. Concerts, festivals and parades are back.
For Those Who Plan to Visit…
If you plan to travel to Costa Rica, please check the recommendations for international travel of your home country. Be respectful of all laws, regulations and rules Costa Rica has put in place whether you agree with it or not as you are a guest in the country.
Please check our Costa Rica COVID travel post for more details on COVID testing, entry requirements, etc.
If you had to reschedule your trip but not sure for when, the following posts will help you decide.
Wherever you are in the world, let’s all do our part to stay safe and healthy. Have fun but be a responsible traveler.
Horacio Peralta says
Hi Sammi,
I got your Guide to Tamarindo and it was super-helpful in planning our trip. Do you know a reliable lab in Tamarindo where we can get a COVID 19 test before we fly back to the US?
Thank you!
Horacio
Sammi says
Hello, you can check our Costa Rica COVID travel post and scroll down to the COVID test section for more information.
MW says
I plan to be there between September 23 – 27th. Is the rain in Tamarindo during this time bad enough to have washed out days and cancelled outdoor activities, such as white water rafting and water rappelling?
Sammi says
Normally no but it depends as we have many tropical waves in the rainy season so it depends. If unfortunately the day of your tour is the hardest rainy day of the wave they may need to postpone or cancel if it is raining too hard.
RK says
I intend to fly to costa rica on July 27th and leave on August 7th. I am fully vaccinated.
Has there been any indication of how Costa Rica intends to handle that situation with regard to insurance?
Sammi says
Anyone entering Costa Rica before August 1, 2021 has to purchase insurance for the entire length of their stay regardless of their vaccination status (They are going by the date you are entering Costa Rica). After August 1, 2021, fully vaccinated do not have to purchase insurance.
Jason says
Hi there, I was wondering if you knew what the driving restrictions will be after July 11th? I will be arriving to Costa Rica on July 12th but I cannot find any information for restrictions after the 11th.
Sammi says
The government hasn’t announced anything for after July 11 yet.
LUCIE SAMARKOVA says
Hi Sammi,
I will be landing in Costa Rica on Tue (after 15 years!). A couple of question re: bus travel:
I will have to travel on Saturday from Orosi to S. Pedro de Sarapiqui (via Cartago and SJ). wondering how busy those routes get on the weekends. Currently, are less locals taking the bus since the covid numbers got higher?
Do the public buses have A/C (incl. Cartago -Orosi)?
thanks so much for the great blog!
Sammi says
Unfortunately the number of locals taking the bus has actually increased due to the nation wide driving restriction. My advice would be to arrive at least 1 hour before your buses because buses cannot take foot passengers anymore and weekends are very busy now with locals going out to travel in the country.
I’m not sure about that particular bus and it also depends on the bus company but most of the short routes do not have air conditioning, usually only the cross country buses.
rick says
Hi I was planning a trip to Tamarindo via Liberia airport for July 10-17. I am traveling solo and want to be able to go places during the day and then also go out at night. Are bars and restaurants still closing at 9pm?
Sammi says
They haven’t yet announced for mid July yet but even with the 9 PM restriction right now, honestly Tamarindo doesn’t really follow it at all. There’s still bars, gatherings, and restaurants and parties going on at night.
Lynda says
Although we are not able to travel, only locally, I still love reading through your adventures and advice. We are experiencing lots of humid weather in Ontario now at 28c.
We were lucky enough to visit the Tamarindo area twice (used as our base), but loved the fact there was so much variety.
Thanks for all your efforts, sounds like you are still enjoying. Stay safe.
Ricky says
I planned a guys trip to Jaco June 2-7 for 4 guys 30-35. Are there any excursions going on and do you see the clubs and bars opening back up after May 31st? We were looking to doing some fishing and enjoying the nightlife but it seems that may not happen with 9pm curfews.
Sammi says
Hi Ricky, so far we only know May restrictions. They haven’t said any June restrictions since it’s still early, if they change restrictions they’ll announce it probably end of May.
Tara says
Hi Sammi, we have a trip planned in July but are watching covid situation closely. Our main concern is if we get injured or sick the ICUs are full. My husband and I are vaccinated but our kids are not. We’re curious about how long we would be waiting in large crowd, inside of airport to get through customs and get luggage in San Jose. After that we are mostly isolated on our own and staying in air bb. Hours? Less?
Sammi says
Depending on how many flights and day/time you’re flying into San Jose, it could take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. We arrived at SJO at the same time as like 4 other flights and it took us almost an hour but if you’re landing at an odd hour, likely you will be the only flight and wont’ take too long.
Kris says
Hi,
My friends and I (all vaccinated) are set to arrive in Tamarindo in two weeks. We have had the trip planned for a long while now, however, have been seeing the increase in cases/closures in the country since the start of May. What is Tamarindo like right now? Are things open? We are keeping an eye on the news – just trying to get all of the info we can beforehand! Thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Kris, right now things are open (like restaurants, hotels, bars, etc.) and rental cars are exempt from the driving restrictions. There are just some few things that may affect tourists and that’s for no foot passengers in public buses, 50% maximum capacity for national parks and hotels with more than 100 rooms must be at 75% maximum capacity and of course the mask mandate but other than that it’s pretty open and Tamarindo is very very COVID lax.
Kris says
Hi Sammi, thanks so much for your quick reply. The information is helpful!