Costa Rica has recently updated their entry requirements for visitors from all parts of the world. Starting April 1st, all COVID travel restrictions will be eliminated and proof of vaccination will no longer be needed.
**UPDATE* Important update (February 23, 2022)* Starting April 1, the online Health Pass form needed to enter Costa Rica and the requirement to pay for medical insurance for unvaccinated foreigners will no longer be required to foreign visitors. However, it is recommended to all tourists to acquire an insurance policy, broad enough, that covers medical expenses and extended stay by quarantine, in the event of an eventual contagion of Covid-19.
All activities and events will be able to operate at 100% capacity without requesting proof of vaccination status. Although the health measures will undergo some changes, the use of a facemask will stay in place until further notice.
Until March 7th, all visitors will still be required to complete the electronic Health Pass before arrival.
Tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and individuals aged 18 and younger (even if unvaccinated) can enter the country without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days prior to arrival in Costa Rica. Vaccinated tourists must attach their vaccination certificate to the Health Pass.
Unvaccinated individuals aged 18 and older must purchase a travel policy with a duration equal to the period of stay in the country, with the exception of passengers in transit, whose minimum validity is five days that covers, at least, medical expenses generated by Covid-19 and lodging expenses due to quarantine.
If you are planning to visit Costa Rica soon, here is what you need to know:
Vaccination Proof requirements required until March 7th, 2022:
• Acceptable vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)Sinovac, Sinopharm, and Covaxin.
• Fully vaccinated with two doses, except for the Janssen that is one dose.
• The last dose must have been administered at least 14 days before entering Costa Rica.
• The schemes adopted by international health authorities that combine vaccines from different pharmaceutical companies will be considered a complete vaccination scheme
• Cases in which the traveler receives a single dose after having been diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus will be considered fully vaccinated
• Proof must be demonstrated with a document that includes the person’s full name, date of each dose, formula, and lot number.
• For U.S. visitors Covid-19 vaccination record card will be required as proof
• Tourists who have a medical condition, duly accredited, that make it impossible to apply any vaccine are except, however, travel medical insurance will still be required
• Minors that are 17 years old or under will not be required to present proof of vaccination (until February 1st, 2022)
• All visitors must complete the digital epidemiological form “Health Pass”
• Tourists who have a medical condition, duly accredited, that make it impossible to apply any vaccine approved by the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica
• Travel insurance will continue to be required for unvaccinated adults that are planning to visit Costa Rica.
As of March 7:
• Vehicle restrictions are eliminated
• The voluntary proof of vaccination status continues for stores, restaurants, bars, cinemas, theaters, and social events are maintained.
• For nightclubs, the capacity can be 100% when requesting proof of vaccination and 50% without requesting proof of vaccination.
As of April 1
• For all tourists coming to Costa Rica, the health pass and the insurance requirement for unvaccinated foreigners will be eliminated
• All activities and events will be able to operate at 100% capacity without requiring to show vaccination status
• The use of a facemask will stay in place until further notice
Can unvaccinated tourists enter the country?
Yes. Tourists who are not fully vaccinated, or who have vaccines that have not been endorsed by WHO or a strict regulatory agency, will be able to enter the country. Until March 7th, if they are over 18 years of age, they must complete the Health Pass and purchase a travel policy valid for at least five days that covers accommodations and medical expenses in the event of COVID-19.
Starting April 1st, all travel restrictions will be eliminated.
Travel insurance requirements
• Policy must be valid for the entire stay of your visit
• If purchasing international travel insurance, the policy must cover medical expenses related to COVID of at least USD$50,000
• If purchasing from a Costa Rica insurer, the policy must cover medical expenses related to COVID for at least USD$20,000
• Policy must include coverage of USD $2,000 for extended lodging expenses due to the pandemic
• Visitors will be required to submit insurance information online by filling out the epidemiological form.
• If the visitor has a foreign policy, they must upload a PDF for validation in English or Spanish
• If the visitor has from a local insurer, they can type the policy number into the form for validation
Safe Travels Voyager COVID Insurance
If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica during the pandemic, be sure to add travel medical insurance that can help with medical costs if you contract COVID-19 while traveling.
Safe Travels Voyager meets all the insurance requirements for visitors to Costa Rica. This plan offers robust coverage for COVID-19, trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip cancellation, missed connections, medical evacuation, and more. Safe Travelers Voyager is the perfect companion for any traveler to Costa Rica.
Why Safe Travels Voyager?
This well-rounded plan includes benefits for COVID-19, emergency evacuation, and more. Safe Travels Voyager meets the extended lodging requirement by offering a trip delay benefit which includes accommodation. The $2,000 ($150/day) benefit is included in the plan with the option to upgrade to $4,000 ($300/day) or $7,000 ($500/day).
Who is eligible for the Safe Travels Voyager?
U.S residents who need trip cancellation benefits for travel within the USA and internationally.
If I cancel my trip because of coronavirus, will it be covered? If you have “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage and you cancel your trip within the limits of your contract, you will be covered. If you are planning on taking a trip soon, this kind of plan is prudent in case you need to cancel your trip.
Is the plan cancelable?
You can cancel for any reason. You may cancel the insurance by giving written consent within the first to occur of the following: (a) 10 days from the effective date of your insurance; (b) Your scheduled departure date. If you do this, the company will refund your premium paid provided no claim is under the policy.
Safe Travels Voyager Coverage
-COVID-19 coverage included
-Optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit
-Trip Interruption and Delay insured up to 150% of trip cost
-Emergency Medical Evacuation up to $1 million
-Trip Delay coverage (including accommodation) options of $2,000, $4,000 and $7,000
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