*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.
Jill Shannon says
Hi Sammi, First, I have never thanked you for the wonderful blog you wrote a few years ago about transporting your dog to and from CR. I have referred to it many times. We have a house in CR and are now in California with our dog, so it looks like we can come in October — but not with our dog. I know you love your Tico dog like we love our Tico dog we adopted from CR. We can get back to CR from California, but no airlines that are currently flying from the states to CR are taking pets in cargo. Are you or any readers aware of any? I checked United, American, Delta, and Spirit for their pet policies and all discontinued pets in cargo due to COVID (not sure of their reasoning.) Alaska Air is out only hope in late November, as they still take dogs in cargo (but we don’t see them on any official CR lists of airlines that might be resuming flights there.)
Sammi says
Hi Jill, I’m glad the blog was helpful.
I would contact the airlines directly to see what their policies are but if they aren’t taking dogs in cargo for the time being then that would be their policies. You can also ask around in this particular FB group for dog owners in CR and see if anyone has any recommendations.
Sammi says
I’m not positive about baby babies, I would check with your country’s embassy in Costa Rica to make sure!
Mayra says
Hello,
Awesome page!
I wanted to see if my baby will need to get test to enter Costa Rica. Im from Costa Rica , but we live in California. I don’t see any information regarding babies! Please let me know if you guys know anything.
Thanks !!
Jennifer says
Hello,
Where did you find the information that Arizona is on the list to be able to go? I can’t find this information anywhere else.
Thank you
Sammi says
The government announced it during the nationwide press conference a couple days ago so it is the most recent update, you can now find it on the Visit Costa Rica website (English) and here is the Costa Rican news article (Check Tico Times) for English: https://www.teletica.com/nacional/turistas-de-8-estados-mas-de-eeuu-podran-visitar-costa-rica_268229
Juli Jones says
Hi Sami. Are flights from the US coming in to CR? I saw on another site that even though 8-10 states have the green light to travel there, only 1 flight from the US has actually landed there since Sept 1.
Sammi says
There are flights, United has the most so far from Houston and they also have them from Newark. American and Delta are still (as far as I know of today) in talks as to when they will start flying in.
Sammi says
UK is already authorized so that is no problem for your UK Passports if you come from the UK. You can bring your cat but you will need to contact your airline regarding their pet policies.
Courtney says
Thank you for all the info! Do you know where you can get tested for covid in Costa Rica and how much it is?
Sammi says
You can go to the public clinics or any private clinics. I believe CAJA is doing all the testing.
Tami says
hi! thanks so much for your post it’s SO helpful!
So we are UK citizens living in NY. Do you know if we will need a state-issued ID or if the fact that we have UK passports is enough?
Also, do you know if we can bring our cat? She is a registered emotional support pet.
Thank you!
Morgan says
My partner are I are in NC, which hasn’t been added to the list for travel, what are our options to come and stay for a few months? If not, move completely? Should we wait, not knowing how long it will take for NC to be approved, or travel to a neighboring country and fly through that way? We don’t necessarily want to travel to Canada or Europe to get in. And we would get our travel insurance from where exactly? Thanks.
Sammi says
I would personally wait because unless you HAVE to come now or cannot wait, to fly to an authorized country, stay for 2 weeks, and then get all the necessary paperwork or anything plus insurance is really expensive since you have to pay for extra flights and two extra weeks of accommodation in an authorized country because you have to stay at least 14 days in the authorized country before you can fly into CR.
Tenisha says
Hi! I’m a dual-citizen of Costa Rica and the US and currently living in Pennsylvania. I know as of Sept 15, PA residents can travel to CR but my father-in-law just passed and I’m trying to get there. Since I’m not coming from an authorized country, do you know if I would still be subject to the mandatory 14 day quarantine if I present a negative COVID test?
Sammi says
Hi Tenisha, I’m sorry for your loss. As a Costa Rican citizen you can enter the country before the 15th but you will have to quarantine, you can only bypass it if you come from an authorized country or state which won’t be until after the 15th for Pennsylvania and have the negative test and health survey filled out. I recommend to talk to the CR embassy in the US though and see if they can help you since your father in law just passed.