*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.
John says
Hello!
We wife and I just spent 8 days in Guancaste on our first trip to CR….we loved it!!!! Thank you very much for all of the information you provide, it was very helpful.
We plan to return in April with our kids. Question: after February 8, 2022….will only fully vaccinated individuals be allowed to stay in hotels, hostels, airbnbs etc??
Sammi says
According to the government regulations they plan to put in the QR code mandate after Feb 8 so all establishments must ask for the QR code to allow only fully vaccinated in but just keep an eye bcause things are always changing
Brandon says
Is there any way to enter CR without a flight out for example if i wanted to walk across the border into nicaragua?
Sammi says
Land crossings will require you proof of leaving Costa Rica, actually land crossings tend to be more strict so I would make sure you have it.
paul says
So, as I understand it, before I leave Atlanta I will be asked to show QR code. It won’t be needed in CR? I apologize if I missed this in your articles.
Sammi says
CR immigration will ask you for it as well as airlines before you board
Bree says
Thank you so much for this information! You are a life saver
I. Mora says
Thank you so much for your blog; the best that I found in the information helped me prepare to travel to Costa Rica. This is my first time traveling to this country. I hope to do not have any inconvenience and enjoy this vacation.
Best Regards,
I. Mora
Lacy says
Hi! First off thank you for your blog. It has really helped me prepare for my trip to Costa Rica. Our trip dates will be from November 28- December 18th which puts us right in the middle of the Transition period leading up to the Jan 8th covid mandate. Not everyone in my party is vaccinated. My question for you is, do you think those in my party that are not vaccinated will be able to go to restaurants, hotels and do activities? I am worried to go all the way to Costa Rica only find out that most of the business decided to follow the mandate early and are only taking in vaccinated individuals. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
Lacy
Sammi says
We don’t know anything more than you to be honest because they just put in a temporary suspension of the mandate and they will make their final decision on the 18th. Then if the mandate goes forward, the only way we will know how establishments will operate is by a sign in their window indicating the mode of operation they are working under or if they announce it on their website/social media. I would check back after the 18th when the decision is supposed to be made. I do know of some businesses that are already preparing to follow the 100% fully vaccinated rules and some that are going to do 50% but we are all waiting to see what is supposed to be decided this week.
Brie says
Hello!
Has there been a set answer for the mandate with 11/18 being the date of decision?
Sammi says
Not yet (still no final final decision yet)
Erin says
Still waiting to here if the mandate went into effect on 12/1. I have family traveling to Costa Rica the 8-12th of Dec. thanks for your help
Sammi says
Hello, yes it is in effect starting today
Nils says
Hi
Thank you very much for the insightful blog!!
is it required to provide negative tests or vaccinations to enter hotels and restaurants in Costa Rica?
Thanks in advance!
Nils
Sammi says
Costa Rica doesn’t require COVID-19 vaccination to enter the country or move about the country (as of right now)
Sandy O says
Hello, We will be leaving CR to return to Canada on Feb 18th and plan to get our pre-flight PCR COVID test at the airport in Liberia. Can the test be booked a few days before or do their appointment times book up? I am reluctant to book this far ahead due to the possibility of flight time and date changes.
Thanks,
Sandy
Sammi says
Hi Nils, on Oct 13, the government announced they will require the COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain establishments beginning on Dec 1, please read the section above for more details and we will be updating this post accordingly
Sammi says
Yes as long as it has the following information:
1. Name of the person who received the vaccine
2. Date of each dose
3. Pharmaceutical house (vaccine brand)
Kaisa says
Is EU Digital COVID Certificate accepted for entry to Costa Rica? Or do you know where I can find this information?
Andy says
Hi, we plan to go to Costa Rica and I also have to plan a place where to be tested before the departure back to the USA. Most probably we will be some 2-3 prior the flight in Monte Verde area, most probably in Santa Elena. Can you please recommend any place, laboratory where they do at least antigen tests? Do we need a reservation or walk-in is just ok? Would you know the price per person? I realised the tests in Costa Rica are quite expensive. The other place where to be tested can be also Tamarindo, so the same questions for this place as well… Do you have a good experience with the local labs? Do they provide the results rather sooner then 72 hours, the best would be within 24 hours…
Thanks so much for any recommendations or ideas. I still hope USA won’t require the negative tests soon for those who are vaccinated.
Sammi says
Hi Andy, there is a section in this post about where to get a COVID test and I separated it out by locations.