*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.
Juli says
Hi Sami! Would you happen to know which US states are up for review next?
Sammi says
They haven’t said, sorry. I’ll update this post once they do.
Daniel Russ says
Hi Sammi-
My wife and I will be flying to Costa Rica from the USA on Friday 9/4. We have New Jersey Drivers Licences. My question is regarding travel insurance. Do we purchase that at the airport or do we have to have that before?
Thank You
Sammi says
You need to purchase the insurance beforehand and they recommend to get the QR code so it cuts down time when you are going through the checkpoints at the airport in Costa Rica.
Wendell says
Is Costa Rica taking in flights from Mexico?
Sammi says
Not yet!
Wendell says
Okay. Thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Pam, from what I have read the airlines will be the one check your documents and turn you away when you try to board if you don’t have all the required documents including a negative test result. We know some people from the UK that got their test results in time (she got her test from a private gp in UK) and Iberia checked all their documents and test results at the gate. We also had some readers from Germany arrive last week with all documentation, I’m not sure their particular circumstances but he said that the only issue they had was getting an insurance that wasn’t super expensive. Hopefully they will change the timing to 72 hours in the future.
Pam says
Thank you very much for the reply! I do appreciate it. Hopefully we will be enjoying Tamarindo in a few weeks! Pura Vida.
Sammi says
You’re welcome, we hope you will be too 🙂
Pam says
Hi Sammy and Yeison,
We have been reading your blog for a few years. In the last few weeks we have visited daily for updates. Thank you very much for providing such accurate information!
We are Canadians who are traveling to Germany (to visit our son) and then plan to come to Costa Rica from Germany. Both Canada and Germany are on the approved entry list so we are not concerned about that.
The one concern that we do have is the 48 hour Covid Test Results. My friend here in Canada is the supervisor of the Covid unit at the hospital and here in Canada thy do not guarantee to provide results from your test within 48 hours. We have been told that it is the same way in Germany. Both countries guarantee only 72 hours (although both say that you may get the results sooner).
If we take the Covid test and then fly to Costa Rica (with negative results of course) but the results took longer than 48 hours what would the process be? We want to follow all of the guidelines but we are running into a real concern about the timing of this test.
If you have heard from anyone who has travelled or know any information we would be very grateful.
Thanks again for providing an excellent blog!!
Pam
Tanya says
I love your website! I have a question, I have a friend that lives in Atenas. Are citizens allowed to visit the United States during COVID-19? I can’t travel to CR but was wondering if there are any restrictions for travel to the USA. Thank you!
Sammi says
HI Tanya, as far as I know Costa Rican citizens can go to the US as long as they have a visa, I’m not sure everything the US is requiring but I would recommend them to check the US Embassy in Costa Rica to see what other requirements there are since I also know that it differs per state.
scott stone says
Thanks for all the information. Your site is our go-to when we need to know what’s going on in CR. We were supposed to move to Samara in spring but… Hoping for the end of the year. In your best guess, when do you think regular flights from the US will be allowed?
Thanks again!
Sammi says
Hi Scott, I’m glad you enjoy the site!
The government will analyze the authorized country list every two weeks, the last update was last week so they should make another announcement end of August. To be honest no idea when US will be allowed in.
Melissa W says
Hi,
Your website is amazing. You have more accurate info than the US embassy in Costa Rica. Thanks for doing the in-depth work for those of trying to get back to Costa Rica!
I just have a quick question,
Do you know how often Costa Rica will revise the border policy? I am looking at the CR board of tourism site daily, but they have no info when they plan on opening flights. Thanks you!!!!
Sammi says
Hi Melissa, I’m glad you enjoy the blog 🙂
Costa Rica will evaluate the authorized country list every two weeks. They just updated it a few days ago so the next one should be at the end of August/beg of September.
Arne Liebert says
Hi Sammi and Yeison,
Wow, this is great information on the current pandemic situation there. Thanks so much for keeping us updated on this! As with so many globally, it must be hard for the locals there to make a living these days and my heart goes out to them. I hope things improve for everyone soon.
In the meantime, we’ll just keep dreaming of one day returning there. 🙂
Cheers!
Arne Liebert
Toronto
Sammi says
Hi Arne, you’re very welcome and we hope you are healthy and safe. Thanks for reading our blog 🙂
Sammi says
I would check with the Costa Rica immigration lawyers and the Costa Rican embassy in Florida to see what you can do, I believe that spouses of Costa Rican citizens can fly into Costa Rica but I think both spouses have to be present on the flight (not positive).
Just a quick update, foreign nationals of Costa Rican minor children and spouses of Costa Rican citizens can enter the country, here are the details: https://news.outlierlegal.com/blog/2020/08/15/things-are-progressing/