Updated Requirements to enter Costa Rica, October 2021:
Entry requirements in times of a COVID-19 pandemic:
The entrance to Costa Rica is enabled for tourists from all the countries of the world by air, land and sea.
The tourist must meet the visa requirements, when required, as well as the requirements established in the framework of the pandemic.
The Government of the Republic does not require coronavirus detection tests, nor does it issue sanitary confinement orders to enter the country by air or land.
Those who enter the country by sea and who have not made a stopover elsewhere, should not be subjected to isolation if they have been sailing for more than 14 days.
Tourists visiting Costa Rica are requested to abide by the sanitary protocols in place for carrying out all tourist activities in the country.
*Important Update* Starting 8 January 2022 hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos, shops, museums, art and dance academies, gymnasiums, resorts, and adventure tourism may admit only persons who are verifiably fully-vaccinated (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca y Janssen). This must be verified by means of a QR code or the printed vaccination certificate. This requirement applies to all patrons 12 years of age and older.
Essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies will not require proof of vaccination.
Exceptions to the presentation of the QR code of the vaccination certificate to enter commercial establishments are as follows:
Children under 12 years of age.
Tourists who have a medical condition, duly accredited, that makes it impossible to apply any vaccine approved by the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica.
Country entry requirements
Tourists can verify if they require entry with or without a visa at the following link: https://migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Visas.aspx.
The CIRCULAR DG-004-2021-UI-AJ that details the countries in the first, second, third and fourth groups is available at:
In the framework of the pandemic, the following requirements were also established:
- Complete the digital form called HEALTH PASS and available at https://salud.go.cr
The Health Pass can only be completed within 72 hours of arriving in the country. It must be accessed in updated browsers with the exception of Internet Explorer. One form must be completed per person, including minors, without exception.
- Travel policy
From August 1, 2021, all tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and inoculated with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson can enter the country without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica.
Vaccinated tourists must attach the vaccination certificate to the Health Pass. As proof, vaccination certificates and vaccination cards that contain at least the following information will be accepted:
Name of the person who received the vaccine
Date of each dose
Pharmaceutical house
In the case of U.S. travelers, the “COVID-19 vaccination record card” will be accepted.
*Important Update* All tourists under 18 years of age may enter the country without a travel policy. Unvaccinated tourists 18 years of age and older must purchase a travel policy that covers COVID-19 care and quarantine if necessary. However, unvaccinated tourists 12 years and older will not be allowed to enter commercial establishments as of January 8, 2022.
The requirement of being fully-vaccinated to enter commercial establishments, except for stated exceptions, DOES NOT PREVENT tourists without vaccination, with incomplete vaccination schedules or inoculated with vaccines not admitted in Costa Rica, from entering the country to visit family, friends or their properties in the country.
All tourists must complete the Health Pass.
Exceptions to the presentation of the QR code of the vaccination certificate to enter commercial establishments are as follows:
Children under 12 years of age.
Tourists who have a medical condition, duly accredited, that makes it impossible to apply any vaccine approved by the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica.
For those who apply, mandatory travel insurance must cover lodging in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 disease as detailed below.
International Policies
Regarding the policy, you can choose any international insurance company that meets the following requirements:
- Valid during the entire stay in Costa Rica (coverage dates).
- $50,000 for medical expenses, including COVID-19 disease.
- $2,000 for lodging expenses in case of COVID-19 quarantine.
Ask your insurance company for a certificate/letter in English or Spanish stating the following:
- Name of the person traveling.
- Validity of the effective policy during the Costa Rica visit (travel dates).
- Guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in case of COVID 19 in Costa Rica, for at least $50,000
- Minimum coverage of $2,000 for lodging expenses for quarantine or trip interruption for this same amount.
This certificate must specify that the policy covers COVID-19 and must be uploaded to the HEALTH PASS to be reviewed and approved by the Costa Rican authorities. Insurance cards are not accepted, it must be a document that allows the verification of the coverage mentioned.
Costa Rican policies
The tourist can also choose any of the following Costa Rican insurance companies, which sell products registered and authorized by the General Superintendency of Insurance of Costa Rica.
INS: https://www.grupoins.com/seguros-para-viajero/seguro-viajero-ingreso-costa-rica/
Sagicor: https://tiendasagicor.com/en/
BlueCross BlueShield: https://www.bluecrossblueshieldcr.com/rod
IMPORTANT: For international policies, the minimum coverage was set at $50,000, while for policies sold by Costa Rican insurers the minimum was set at $20,000.
Tourists who are in transit through the country must purchase insurance with a minimum coverage of five days.
Costa Rican citizens do not require health insurance.
Questions
Entry by air or land – By land, the country admits tourists from groups one and two included in the general guidelines for entry and stay visas for non-residents, that is, they do not require a visa. In case of questions or concerns about the requirements or conditions of medical insurance, write to the email address seguros@ict.go.cr.
At CRS Tours we offer you an International travel insurance that meets the requirements requested by the ICT, through Assist Card, an international company with more than 50 years of experience in the area of travel assistance.
For the latest information on Covid 19 in Costa rica click here.
You may also find more information here.
