*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.
Zach says
Thank you for all your helpful information. I heard if you own a home in Costa Rica and can prove it, you don’t have to purchase the 2k lodging insurance. Do you know if that is true and if so, what documents are necessary for proof of ownership? International medical coverage is much cheaper than CR insurance through INS or Sagicor, but none of the international policies offer the 2k in lodging coverage that I have found.
Sammi says
That is what we have heard but it will be best on the logistics to contact an insurance broker so they can help you with that. I have seen a few people use Allinsurancecr.
Igor says
Do driving restrictions apply to tourists with rented cars? It will be impossible to plan your trip without knowing the last digit of your license plate 🙂
Sammi says
Rental cars are exempt from driving restrictions.
Jason D Hutchinson says
Thank you very much for the helpful info. We are hoping to visit in November and I have been trying to find more information on the Covid testing requirements. For example I’ve read on some posts that a certificate with your passport number is required but I can not find any specific information on official Costa or US government sites. I have found that RT-PCR test are required within 72 hours of arrival but that is it.
In the US currently my best bet is a at home kit test that I mail to a lab. I’m concerned this would not be accepted on arrival.
Any info you may have is very much appreciated!
Thank you!
Sammi says
The test has to be a RT-PCR test and you will need to have a hard copy of your test results (can be English or Spanish).
Dana Sue Talkington says
Thank you for the update … you have kept me and my family well-informed! We’re hopeful that this virus will lay low May 2021 so that we can go back to celebrate our son’s wedding anniversary. Well wishes to you both … Godspeed
Sammi says
Hi Dana, we’re glad the blog is helpful and you can visit in May! Stay well
Cyn & Sebi says
Hi Sammi and Yeison,
thanks so much for this detailed information about the current situation!
We are a Belgo-Austrian couple planning on visiting Costa Rica this fall. We have carefully read all the necessary requirements and plan on doing everything as it should be done.
Our PCR-test is scheduled for two days before our flight.
We were supposed to be on a world-trip since April (I took a sabbatical from work) but spent the last months stuck in Europe.
So even if it might be more responsible to wait until next year to travel, my sabbatical will be over in April and I would have missed my only chance of travelling more than just two weeks in one country :-/
So that’s why we decided to take our chances.
I read that Costa Rica never went on a full lockdown. But do you think there’s a chance this might happen in the future?
We are prepared to find ourselves a good base somewhere, in case we do need to self-isolate or the country imposes severe restrictions again.
Thanks for this super useful post!
Cyn & Sebi
Sammi says
Hi guys, the government will announce the October restrictions this week, they never went on a full lockdown since they can’t really do that but we’ll update our post once the regulations are announced. I don’t think they will close borders again (but it’s just my thought, I have no idea what they will do) since the government does know how much the tourism industry has suffered. Hopefully things will get better here and we hope you guys enjoy your trip.
James Maldonado says
I will be arriving in San Jose in a couple of days and will have to do a 14 day quarantine at my hotel. I’ve met all requirements with testing and I’m negative for any COVID-19. The reason for my quarantine is because I’m traveling from a state in the US that is still not allowed. I got a special permit to enter the country for dental surgery and want to know how strict the quarantine is? Will I have to be confined to my hotel room only for 14 day or will I be able to go down to eat breakfast in the hotel or hotel restaurant?
Sammi says
Hi James, I would talk to the US embassy in Costa Rica about your quarantine for specific details. Good luck with your dental surgery!
Pearl Moon says
I have an apartment in Costa Rica and I want to return to pack up my personal things and move back to the U.S. I an a little confused about some of the requirements. I am a retired veteran and I am covered medical while I will be in Costa Rica. I only plan on staying for five days when I am allowed to reenter the country.
Sammi says
If you have Costa Rican residency, you can enter the country (fulfilling the requirements for residents) or if your US state is authorized, you can enter as well fulfilling the requirements regardless of how long you’re staying.
Suzanne Marrano says
Hello and thank you for your blog. I have a family vacation planned for the week after Christmas 2020. We have been planning for two years. What are your thoughts on the likelihood that we can bring this trip to fruition. We will be travelling from Chicago, Illinois, US. Thank you for your consideration.
Sammi says
hi Suzanne, Illinois hasn’t been announced as an authorized state yet but we’ll update our post once the next announcements are made. The government analyzes and updates the list about every two weeks or so, the latest update was this week so another announcement should be by mid October or so.
Anne says
Thank you for your updated blog. I appreciate your comments, especially, when focused on local behavior. I live ( and own) a condo Playa Flamingo and I observe daily from my balacony, visitors from San Jose in the pool, not wearing maks around the common area, mixing with strangers in the pool and pool side , not practicing social distancing. I am appalled at this behavior and I would suggest to all tourists looking to holiday in this area in the next months please stay home. Wait. If you think Guanacaste is a “safer” bet -think again.
The numbers are growing (yes here too!) seems to be NO enforcement of the Ministry of Health protective guildlines and measures from the spread of the COVID in Playa Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Brasilito, Huacas, Villa Real, and, yes, Tamarindo. I encourage all tourists to wait until the virus is stabilzed in Costa RIca and the numbers are in the decline-currently, it is a mess here.
Vic says
Hi Sammi,
I am from Canada. I have desperately been booking flights to visit from Canada to Costa Rica and they just keep cancelling. I am now looking into having a layover, but am I allowed to have a layover in another country? As a Canadian, can I have a layover in the US?
Additionally, With all the cancellations going on, I am scared of being on layover and having my Costa Rica flight cancelled. Is there any way to know which flights are trustworthy in travelling to CR?
I have loved ones there. It is gut wrenching that I can’t visit no matter how hard I try.
Sammi says
Now you can layover in another country like the US so you can do Canada – New York – Costa Rica as long as you don’t leave the NY airport and the maximum amount of time you stay at the airport is 18 hours (and fulfill all other requirements).
Unfortunately there is no way of knowing regarding flight statuses as that’s up to the airlines. So far United has been very good as they have been doing repatriation flights for the past 6 months and they have their flights from Houston which you can fly to as well so there are several options for you to enter CR regarding flight locations now.
I have heard that Westjet and Air Canada will resume direct flights in October-ish from other Canadians but whether they cancel those I don’t know.