Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica during the COVID-19 pandemic? With 28 national parks, including the awe-inspiring Arenal Volcano National Park, and plenty of room for social distancing, Costa Rica is the ideal destination for a safe and relaxing vacation during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, before you pack your bags it is important to read and understand the current entry requirements for arriving in Costa Rica.
UPDATED 16 SEPTEMBER 2021
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
1. A valid passport
2. International insurance that covers medical expenses (at least US $50,000) and accommodation expenses (US $2,000) in the case of necessary quarantine resulting from COVID-19.
2a. This insurance policy is NOT required if you have been fully vaccinated with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica. All tourists under 18 years of age can enter the country without an insurance policy.
3. Proof of round-trip airfare with a departure from Costa Rica within 90 days of arrival.
4. Completion of the online Health Pass https://salud.go.cr/.
ACCEPTED TRAVEL INSURANCE
International policies are accepted as long as you can prove they cover medical expenses (at least US $50,000) and accommodation expenses (US $2,000) in the case of necessary quarantine or treatment resulting from COVID-19.
Currently, there are two nationally recognized insurance policies for travelers to Costa Rica. Should you not have any international insurance these two options are guaranteed to comply with the minimum requirements of Costa Rica.
INS – Instituto Nacional de Seguros
Quote your INS policy here.
Sagicor
Quote your Sagicor policy here.
COVID-19 RT-PCR TESTING FOR REENTRY WHILE IN COSTA RICA
Although Costa Rica does not require a negative COVID test for immigration, many countries are requiring that airlines ask for proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test prior to reentry. The following is our list of reputable hospitals that can where you can get your test before your flight out of Costa Rica:
1) Hospital CIMA – Autopista Próspero Fernández, San José, San Rafael – 2208-1000
2) Clinica Biblica – Avenida 14, Laberinto, San José – 2252-1000
3) Hospital Metropolitano – Centro Comercial Millenium, locales 2, 3 y 5 Guanacaste Liberia – 2521-9595
The cost of a test at these hospitals is approximately $85 per test and results are emailed to you within 48 hours.
Should you prefer to not have to worry about traveling to a clinic or hospital for your test, the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa has partnered up with Unimed Urgent Care to provide a mobile testing service for our clients. Authorized medical staff from Unimed will travel up to the hotel and perform the RT-PCR swab in the comfort of your room. They will then provide expedited transport for your sample to an authorized lab in San José for analysis. Results will be emailed to you within 48 hours following sampling.