*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.*
Costa Rica COVID Travel Restrictions and Border Opening
Costa Rica closed their borders beginning of March 2020.
On November 1, 2020, Costa Rica opened their borders to all countries in the world via air. On April 5, 2021, Costa Rica opened the land borders between Nicaragua and Panama.
Costa Rica Entry Requirements (COVID-19)
**As of April 1, 2022, all previous COVID entry requirements have been removed.** Costa Rica does not require quarantine, a health pass, travel insurance, QR code or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. There are no COVID-19 sanitary requirements to enter Costa Rica. Entering Costa Rica is exactly how it used to be before the pandemic.
Traveling around Costa Rica is nearly exactly how it used to be before COVID. There are nearly zero restrictions.
Do I have to be vaccinated to go to Costa Rica?
No. You do not have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for Costa Rica. Costa Rica is not requiring tourists to be vaccinated against COVID. Fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people can enter Costa Rica. You don’t need to have any booster shots to enter Costa Rica.
Costa Rica will not ask you for any COVID-19 vaccination information when you enter the country.
Costa Rica COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Tourists Need to Know About
There are no restrictions – no driving restrictions, no curfew, etc. Costa Rican establishments do not require any proof of vaccination to enter.
Please check our post Costa Rica COVID to see details.
Do I Need to Wear a Mask in Costa Rica?
As of May 11, 2022, face masks in public spaces, open spaces and indoors have no longer been mandatory in Costa Rica except for health officials. However, individual establishments may still require them for their guests and people can still wear them if they wish.
Likewise, the face mask mandate may be reinstated at any point, particularly indoors and public transportation settings, so please be aware of this and bring at least one mask with you still.
Where to Get a COVID test in Costa Rica
In case you need to get a COVID test in Costa Rica whether you are feeling sick or if you need one to re-enter your home country, nearly all labs, clinics and hospitals can administer COVID tests.
Please check your home country requirements to see what they require for re-entry. **The United States has removed its COVID test requirement on June 12, 2022. That means that air travelers entering the United States from abroad will no longer need to produce a 24 hour negative COVID test result.***
COVID tests in Costa Rica are done via a nasal swab.
Cost and Turnaround Time
The cost of a COVID test in Costa Rica varies between $55-300 USD per test. Antigen tests have an average of 1-8 hour turnaround time and are cheaper ~$50 USD. A PCR test is around $150 USD with a turnaround time of around 24-72 hours. Some labs may offer same day PCR tests for ~$300 and at home tests are now available. Results will be emailed in English or Spanish.
What Happens If You Test Positive for COVID in Costa Rica?
First, if you are feeling sick or believe you have COVID-19, isolate yourself and go to a clinic or lab to get tested.
If you need hospitalization, Costa Rica will not refuse anyone who requires COVID-19 hospital care regardless of their immigration and vaccination status.
Then if you are taking the test to re-enter your home country, airlines will not let you board with a positive test result. If your home country requires a negative test and you test positive, you will have to quarantine a given amount of days (usually 5- 14), which is determined by the doctor who attended you and the severity of the disease. You will have to comply with the entire duration of your stay at home order – even if you test negative during that period of time.
Tourists won’t be penalized if they overstay their tourist visa due to a stay at home quarantine order.
This is one of the reasons why we highly tourists to purchase a travel insurance, even though it is not mandatory. Many travel insurances will now cover COVID costs and it is especially important now since travel is still very messy with lots of flight delays and cancellations. Check our post for travel insurance recommendations for Costa Rica here.
What Is Open in Costa Rica Right Now During COVID-19?
Everything. It is exactly how it used to be pre-COVID. There are no restrictions at all.
Planning Your Trip to Costa Rica? Here Are Some Helpful Resources
Costa Rica destinations guide (Best places to visit)
Mytanfeet Costa Rica destination map
How to avoid crowds in Costa Rica
Disclaimer: Costa Rica border openings, travel restrictions and entry requirements are ever changing. We do our best to update this post with the latest information as much as possible. Please remember that the decision to travel is up to you and it is your responsibility to stay safe. Make sure to check the recommendations of your country when it comes to international travel.
Scott says
Regarding Travel Insurance:
I highly recommend TRAWICK International for CR travel insurance. Compared to the 2 CR insurance companies, the Trawick website and chat support was much easier to navigate. Th cost was only 25% of the quotes I received from the 2 CR sites.
Additionally, the coverage was significantly higher.
And I was provided a certificate for travel that showed coverage meeting CR requirements
Cost for 16 days for 2 people was $106 total….
Sammi says
Thank you for your feedback Scott, very helpful!
Rufus says
I just spoke with the clinic is called Life Guard in Santa Teresa. They DO NOT give coronavirus tests and that are no places/clinics near Santa Teresa area that do. They said the closest place to get tested is at one of the hospitals in San Jose.
Sammi says
THanks for the info!
Sammi says
As far as I know for tourists, the only option you have to get the test are at the private clinics in San Jose since you aren’t sick and just need it for travel. The last time I checked, the test was around 65,000 CRC. The tests from the public clinics are for those who are sick or have been directly exposed.
Hillary Thing says
I am heading to St. Theresa in early February, just for 1 week. In order to return to NY, I will have to get a negative covid test before re-entering the US. Do you know where I can do this in the St. Theresa area?
Thank you!
Gino says
Do you believe pubic transportation is to risky. I always loved the busses for the culture meeting locals practicing my Spanish. I’m coming in from Florida on the 9th I figured a shuttle would be my best bet for 55$ to travel to libera then the shuttle company contacted me and said they need to cancel because they don’t have 3 passengers. I guess it’s really slow what a shame when will this end. God please help us humans. A Private ride was 190$ Definitely to much for me. Any ideas is it true that there’s no other shuttles operating. Just wondering so many things your articles are fantastic. thank you
Sammi says
Right now volume of tourists is very low and shuttles and tours need a minimum amount of people to run. For solo travelers it is a difficult time to visit Costa Rica for this reason. You can take the public bus, lots of locals take the bus, it is more risky since you’ll be more exposed so you’ll need to just take a bit more caution. You need to wear a face mask at all times but the public buses are running normally pretty much (no standing passengers, and highly recommended to buy tickets beforehand for routes that allow you too).
Steph says
I take the collectivos in southern Puntarenas province. The amount of people on buses carries. Some drivers block off the front rows. Occasionally there will be an inconsiderate person not wearing a mask, or not wearing it appropriately. However, I think that most ticas& ticos share a mutual respect for each other’s health, and the people not wearing a mask or not wearing it completely are the rare exception. The saving grace is that on most buses almost all the windows are open, and on the local buses some drivers even keep the front door open, so airflow is exceptional. Try to get a seat near the front of a bus.
Sammi says
Hello Jess, the COVID test is no longer a requirement for Costa Rica but depending on which country you fly to, it may be required for that country. All tourists need to purchase the travel insurance.
Bobbie Spencer says
All very good information. One added bit, some airlines are requiring CoVid tests in order to fly and some Costa Rican businesses (medical and dental especially) require a CoVid test, as well. Now that the latest variant of the virus makes contagion more likely, following all the protocols is even more important.
Bobbie Spencer says
P.S. Some airports are now offering CoVid testing with immediate results. It’s not cheap but if it’s necessary, it is convenient. Check with your airline to find out where the tests are available .
Jessica says
Hi
Thanks for your useful tipps, i am goinf to stay in cabuya from mid january til august included. I read in your article that visa runs are only possible via air and that i have to show accomodation proof-would an overnight stay be enough to reenter costa rica?and where do i get a prescription for a covid test, since this is one of the requirements as well. Many thanks in advanc- Jess
Dana Sue Talkington says
Thank you for the update … praying that by May 2021 business will be back to normal and COVID-19 will be something we just talk about,not worry about! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to both of you … ¡Pura Vida!
Sammi says
Thank you Dana, happy holidays to you too! 🙂
Kathie says
Hola, I have a house in Parrita, that I have yet to see. Must I still get insurance for a place to stay? I am aware that I need COVID & health.
Sammi says
From what I’ve heard, if you own property in Costa Rica (are the property title holder), you can contact a lawyer in Costa Rica like Outlier Legal and they *may* be able to help you get it waived but I’m not sure it’s 100% guaranteed. It’s best to contact a lawyer.
Cynthia Roelens says
Hi, do you know how long it will take for your insurance to take out. I am leaving for costa rica in January. I hope that insurance will be abolished.
Sammi says
We have no idea, the government makes these decisions and we find out whenever they announce it.