*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.
Regina says
Regarding COVID tests- do you happen to know if I can bring my own at home test on the trip and test myself instead of going to a clinic before departing?
Thanks for all of your info too! Such a big help 🙂
Sammi says
I am not sure because the US is specific on what kind of tests it will accept so I recommend to check the US CDC website for more information as it is the US who requires this test.
Petya says
Hello!
I will travel to Costa Rica after 2 days from USA( Philadelphia) with Frontier airlines. I trying to fund the ” real” information about Do I need to have a negative corona test?
Sammi says
Please see this post for entry requirements
Costa Rica doesn’t require a negative test to enter the country or to exit the country
Sammi says
Hi Tila, rental cars are exempt from driving restrictions when going to/from airports, hotels and tourism activities with reservations.
Tila says
Thank you so much for posting this! We are from Seattle as well and will be traveling early March to CR. We are super excited and want to rent a car for our entire trip. I noticed you said there were some restrictions while driving. Are we allowed to drive to tourist attractions such as the beach, parks, etc in CR?
Alicia says
Thanks for posting this and being so up to date. It’s exactly what I need to know and have been anxious about since i am booked to visit Costa Rica (first time) end of Feb.
Alison Curcio says
It looks like we need $50k for medical expenses. The trawick insurance you recommended only covers $25k. Am I reading they wrong?
Sammi says
I got the safe voyagers plan, the one for Costa Rica.
Melinda says
Group of four- flying into San Jose and staying in La Fortuna for four nights. We are then staying in Tamarindo for three nights and flying out of Liberia.
Should we do a rental car from the airport or do private transport to La Fortuna/rent a car there and then keep it and return it in San Jose?
Sammi says
You could do either but keep in mind if you rent in La Fortuna and return the car in San Jose, car rental companies will have to charge an extra fee for the different offices. Usually around $35 USD ish.
Mary says
Nevermind my previous question – I see I had to scroll farther down the page for the specific Costa Rica information you mentioned!
Mary says
Hi, I have a question about the travel insurance you recommend. When I go to the Trawick site there is an option of Travel Medical Plans and Trip Protection Plans – which one is the one required for travel to Costa Rica. And also, thank you SO MUCH for this informative blog!
Steph says
About pubic bus riding:
I take the collectivos in southern Puntarenas province. The amount of people on buses varies by the coverage and the cost (buses from touristy areas like Jaco attract more irresponsible travellers, but local buses tend to feel safest, especially in more poor & rural areas). Some drivers block off the front rows to prevent passengers from getting too close. Occasionally there will be an inconsiderate person not wearing a mask, or not wearing it properly. 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, especially coming from a place like NYC).
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, and open the windows all the way. Most buses I have ridden have hand sanitizer at the front, and a couple of buses had temperature taking machines installed.
Keep an eye on the rate of infection in a given area to inform your travel plans as the dates approach. Good luck.
Sammi says
That is true what your resort said since the closest testing facility to the Dreams would be in Liberia and you’d have to get your test taken within 3 days of your departure.
It is up to you if you’d like to postpone or keep your trip, since it will take some extra planning and money to fulfill this new US requirement but there are testing facilities available in Liberia.