*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.
S says
Hi,
My wife and I are coming the last week of January from the States. Of course we want to obey the rules and take precautions to keep Everyone safe and healthy.
However, we also only want to come if we can have fun and experience Costa Rica. Are the beaches open all day? Are activities like Ziplining open? How about Snorkeling or guided tours to waterfalls? National parks? Restaurants? If not, maybe we should reschedule. TIA.
Sammi says
Hello, you can read our Costa Rica COVID travel post to read about what’s open and closed, etc. From January 4-17, we have a bit of restrictions (beach closes at 230 PM and national parks have to be 50% maximum capacity so only some trails open).
S says
Thanks for the info? Beaches close at 230 PM? Sounds like we should reschedule.
Sammi says
Yes, from January 4-17, beaches close at 230 PM (current update as of today).
H says
Thank you so much for this accurate and up-to-date info. I’ll be in Tamarindo with 3 friends over New Years. We all currently have antibodies, but are still quarantining at home for the holidays prior, getting tested again for COVID right before the trip, and will be mindful and respectful while traveling. That being said, we are young (late 20’s) and would still like to have a bit of fun. Wondering if the bars in Tamarindo are open right now, and what time they close? Do you think anything will be going on for New Years? Thank you!
Sammi says
Hi there, pretty much everything is open in Tamarindo right now, I believe the the businesses do need to close at 10 PM on weekdays and 9 PM on weekends for the driving restrictions but to be honest I’m not sure if many of them are following that. I haven’t heard anything specific for New Years yet but if there aren’t any restrictions put in place, there are usually always fireworks on the beach. Have a great time.
Jamie M Hyman says
This is great information. Thank you so much. I’ve been debating taking my daughter on a yoga retreat in Guanacaste in May. But I have so many hesitations due to Covid. Especially living here in the States.
Sammi says
You’re very welcome, and please also check our Costa Rica COVID travel for more information pertaining to tourism during COVID 🙂 We hope you can visit soon!
Chelsea says
Hello! I have a trip planned where I fly to CR on Christmas Eve. I’m curious how locals feel about tourists coming during a pandemic? We’re considering cancelling because we don’t want to upset locals or be disrespectful. Any thoughts?
Sammi says
Hi Chelsea, honestly the locals that work in tourism are desperate for tourists because of the border closure and I would say pretty much all are happy to welcome tourists back. Of course they want to make sure everyone follows the regulations and stay safe but tourism has been open completely since beginning of November here and the tourism industry is happy to be working again.
We just ask that if you do come to respect the rules Costa Rica has in place and treat lightly with locals as they’re doing their best to accommodate everyone and make sure everyone is having a fun and safe time after being out of work for many months.
Mark says
Great website!
Do you know if the events such as the “Tope Nacional de Caballos” or “Carnival Nacional” will still proceed in San Jose at Christmas time with COVID? Or… how I could find out?
Mark
Sammi says
All the festivals have been canceled this year (Fiestas de Zapote, Carnaval y el Tope). All mass events are still canceled and not allowed to run.
The La Nacion has an article about it: https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/fiestas-de-zapote-carnaval-y-el-tope-2020-cancelados-por-covid-19
David Reterband says
Many thanks for the information..many english traveller looking to come to your beautifull country…but we must wait untill our travel ban has been lifted…see you soon
Marc says
First, your blog is excellent and at least 99% of it is perfectly clear.
However, please clarify two issues:
– are rental cars FULLY exempt from ANY kind of driving restrictions, including the ones in San Jose? Do they have distinguishing license plates?
– are ALL beaches in Costa Rica now open all day?
Thank you for your hard and pertinent work!
Sammi says
All rental cars are exempt from driving restrictions.
Beaches are open 5 AM to 10 PM Mon – Fri, 5 AM to 8 PM Sat and Sunday.
Letitia Watson says
Hello thank you for all the great information! So here is a mail question for Costa Rica. Costa Rica closed mail receiving from the US sometime around mid March. I had a package get caught in this closure. Costa Rica did not return the package which has some Vital contents. How do I go about finding this package that somehow was stopped in Costa Rica? Second question I have is mail from the US allowed into Costa Rica agai thru typical regular USPS mail? Any other info on the subject apprecated
Sammi says
Hi Letitia, I’m sorry but we honestly have no answers to your question since at the beginning of the lockdown in March, literally everything stopped working…I think the best way is to contact the carrier and have your tracking label ready to see if they know anything of where it is. If it’s stuck in the customs in Costa Rica, the only way I have personally known is for people to go to the customs office it got stuck in and get it themselves since they need to sign and pay for the custom tax.
Mail is allowed from US to Costa Rica via certain US states from last I saw about two weeks ago.
Ke Ke Lewis says
I see the list of states that are allowed to travel to Costa Rica and that all US Residents are allowed to enter but, does this mean all states – silly question but want to ask. I live in the state of Indiana and I do not see that state listed. I want to double check before I assume on this one
Sammi says
All of the US is authorized November 1. Before November 1, then only the states listed.
Terri Lerner-Frey says
Hi. I am a little confused regarding the Covid test requirements. Does the actual test need to be within 72 hours or the results? Thanks
Sammi says
You need to have taken your test within 72 hours of your flight and you have to show your negative test result to the airline when you board