*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.
Alexa says
Hi
My husband and I had a trip booked last July to Secrets Papagayo, it was rebooked to this coming July. We are trying to decide if it will be a good time to travel there given the increased cases, therefore increased restrictions. We want a truly relaxing and fun trip (first time going to C.R.), want to be able to explore C.R. outside of the resort. Thinking about canceling and trying again next year, hoping there won’t be restrictions at that point. Your thoughts?? Thank you, Alexa
Sammi says
Hi Alexa, Costa Rica does have a lot of rising cases and full ICU beds right now but unfortunately it’s hard to say how it will be in July. As of May, there aren’t actually many restrictions that affect tourists too much (you can read about May restrictions in this post and you’ll see it doesn’t really affect international tourists much) but we can’t say how it will be in July if things don’t get better.
Carrie says
Hi! My friend and I with her 2 15 yr old daughters have reservations to go to Costa Rica on June 21.
We fly into San Jose and need to find a flight from San Jose to Limon. Then drive to Puerto Viejo. Is Sansa Airlines still in business? Their website seems to be down. Can you please give us advice on what airline to take.
My friend and I are over 50 and are vaccinated. the 15 year olds are not.
Do we need to buy travel insurance?
Will you please provide any travel advice you think we may need? As we don’t know what we don’t know.
regards,
Carrie
Sammi says
Hi Carrie, Sansa is still operating, their site seems to be up and running now (although very slow). If you fly locally, the only airport is in Limon and then you still need to drive an hour to Puerto VIejo from there.
All foreigners must purchase travel insurance to Costa Rica regardless if they have been vaccinated or not.
Emily says
Hi There!
Can you please tell me what public transportation is like right now in Costa Rica? I am planning on visiting in September, and I will need to know how to get around. I am planning on spending time in San Jose, Puerto Viejo, Parismina, La Fortuna, and Monteverde, and maybe Drake Bay. Are the public buses running? Taxi’s or Ubers? Do you need any kind of paperwork to ride? Any information will be helpful.
Thanks so much!
Sammi says
All buses are running, no foot passengers allowed and everyone has to wear a facemask inside the bus terminal, waiting at the bus stop and inside the bus at all times. Ubers and taxis are also available, face masks also required. For all public buses, I recommend to get there at least 30 minutes -1 hour before the bus sdeparts since they don’t always follow schedules and they can change sporadically.
Jackie says
This may be a dumb question but what is a “foot passenger” on a bus? Someone who stands rather than sits in a chair?
Sammi says
No dumb and you are correct, it means a standing passenger. So public buses no longer can carry anyone standing, everyone must be seated.
Andocles Knightly says
Hi Sammi.
I was wondering if I could get some advice please. My 18 year old Son from the UK has just tested positive for Covid in the UK while working in Tamarindo. Where can he go to self-isolate please? Is there a hotel or similar? We’re a bit stuck trying to sort him out 6000 miles away. Thank you.
Sammi says
Hello Andocles, since your son was working, his employer should have all the insurances for him as an employee so your son can go to the CAJA with his employment papers/working permit/etc. and they should provide him what he needs for hospitalization or quarantine. The Costa Rican health system (CAJA) for COVID is actually very good and they’re prioritizing that so they should help him right away.
Jeff Ruggles says
Hi. My family and I (there will be 11 of us) are coming to Tamarindo in June and staying at a house in Hacienda Pinilla. I was wondering about Covid Testing in the area. Are they really $160? Or can we get a “group discount”? Also what kind of test is available? Rapid? Do you know if it’s the test that goes deep in your nose?
Thanks for your help. Any information given is appreciated.
Jeff
Sammi says
Hi Jeff, I would contact your host to see if they work with any labs in the area to provide like a group discount (I do know they offer senior discounts). Unfortunately yes, they are around $100-300 USD per test and the price varies in locations and between labs/clinics.
Sammi says
Hi Lindsey, I know you will be ordered to do a mandatory 10 day quarantine if you test positive for COVID-19 according to the last I checked.
Lindsey says
Hi-
We are looking to travel to Costa Rica in March and wanted to see if you have any information about what the quarantine process is if you get Covid while in Costa Rica? The USA has a new rule that negative tests are required upon re-entry so wanted to see if you know what the process is here should that test somehow come back negative?
Ryan says
We are arriving in Costa Rica in a few days. We are going to be Fortuna for a few days but then we are going to drive south to Limon and Puerto Viejo. Any suggestions or feedback for the south east caribbean side of the country would be appreciated. Specifically I am confused about the driving restrictions. From everything I read it wont apply to us bc it doesn’t apply to rental cars?
Sammi says
Hi Ryan, we have written a lot of posts about Puerto Viejo you can read below and in our destination map, you can look through all the articles: Costa Rica destination map
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Things to do in Puerto Vijejo
Rental cars are exempt from driving restrictions when you are driving to/from airports, hotels and tourism activities with a reservation.
Shanna says
Hi!
Thank you so much for your amazing blog and all the information. We are planing on coming to Costa Rica next week and renting a car and coming around the Tamarindo/Nosara/Santa Teresa area for a few weeks.
I was just wondering, is the beach restriction still in place at 230pm? and is there a restriction with driving rental car, say if we come from San Jose and maybe even do a National Park area before beach surf areas?
Thanks 🙂
Shan
Sammi says
Hello Shan! Beaches are now open from 5 AM to 6 PM for the month of February.
Marlene says
Sammi – Thanks for such a great and informative blog. I’ve planned 90% of our upcoming trip based on your posts! 🙂 We will be traveling to CR in early April and are making preparations for COVID entry requirements. However, the US just announced a negative COVID test is required within three-days of arrival in the US from international destinations. Another hiccup to traveling in COVID-times!
Do you have any information you could share about the availability of testing in CR? We are finishing our trip in Tamarindo, if that helps.
One more question… any personal surfing recommendations in Tamarindo? We will want to rent boards for several days – and I may want a brush up lesson!
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Sammi says
Hi Marlene, this post has a section for where to get a COVID test in Costa Rica and there is a section for Tamarindo and Liberia.
You can rent boards from any of the surf shops in town, there are a bunch but if you’d like a lesson, we recommend Seafari, Alejandro the owner is really good.