Costa Rica

The information was updated on 7th April 2021.

Entry Requirements

The country is allowing entry at land border crossings by tourists from groups one and two in the general guidelines for entry visas and stays by non-residents, who do not require a visa. Those belonging to nationalities in groups three and four, who do require a visa to enter the country, may enter Costa Rica by land once the Costa Rican consulates begin handling applications at a date to be determined. Meanwhile, nationals of these countries can opt for air or marine entry.

International arrivals by air are only possible on international private or commercial flights landing in Juan Santamaría International Airport or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport.

Tourists must comply with all applicable visa requirements as well as all requirements put in place during the pandemic. For more information, visit the Costa Rica webiste HERE.

The Costa Rican Government is not requiring coronavirus tests as a requirement to enter the country by land crossings or by air, nor has it issued quarantine orders for those entering the country by air or land.

Requirements to enter the country

Tourists can check whether they can enter without a visa at the following link.

The following additional requirements have been established due to the pandemic:

• Completing the HEALTH PASS online form available at https://salud.go.cr

The Health Pass can only be completed within the 48 hours prior to departure. It must be accessed on up-to-date browsers, with the exception of Internet Explorer. One form must be completed per person, including minors, without exception.

• Acquiring medical insurance

Tourists must acquire mandatory travel insurance that covers lodging in the event of quarantine as well as medical expenses due to contracting COVID-19.

International Policies

The insurance policy may be obtained from any international insurance company that meets the following requirements:

1. Valid for the entire stay in Costa Rica (coverage dates).
2. 50,000 USD for medical expenses, including those from COVID-19.
3. 2,000 USD for lodging expenses in the event of COVID-19 quarantine.

Please request a certificate or letter from the insurance company, in English or Spanish, that indicates the following:

1. Traveller’s name.
2. Effective dates of the policy during the visit in Costa Rica (travel dates).
3. Guaranteed coverage of at least 50,000 USD for medical expenses in the event of contracting COVID-19 in Costa Rica.
4. Minimum coverage of 2,000 USD for lodging expenses due to quarantine or travel interruption.

This certificate must specify that the policy covers COVID-19 and must be attached to the HEALTH PASS for review and approval by the Costa Rican authorities. Insurance cards are not accepted. The information must be provided in the form of a document.

Costa Rican Policies

Tourists can also opt for any of the following Costa Rican insurance companies, which sell products that are registered and authorized by the Office of the Superintendent General of Insurance of Costa Rica.

INS: https://micrositios.ins-cr.com/seguroviajero/

Sagicor: https://tiendasagicor.com/en/

BlueCross BlueShield: https://www.bluecrossblueshieldcr.com/rod  

IMPORTANT: For international policies, the minimum coverage has been set at USD 50,000. However, the minimum coverage for policies sold by Costa Rican insurance companies is USD 20,000.

Foreigners with temporary or permanent residence or with temporary status who are returning to Costa Rica and who are not up-to-date with their payments to the Costa Rican Social Security Agency must acquire a temporary local insurance policy for 22 days or an international insurance policy that complies with the same requirements as the mandatory policies for foreign tourists.

Foreigners with permanent or temporary residence or those under a special category, with the exception of those who fall under the subcategory of students, must demonstrate that they are covered by Costa Rican social security and that their coverage is currently in effect, which can be verified at the following address: https://sfa.ccss.sa.cr/servMedicos/validarDerechos.do

Costa Rican citizens do not require medical insurance.

Questions

Entry by air or land crossing – For any questions regarding the requirements or conditions of the medical insurance policies, please get in touch by email at seguros@ict.go.cr

Marine entry – For any questions regarding the requirements or conditions of the medical insurance policies for passengers and crew of yachts or sailboats, please get in touch by email at seguros.marinas@ict.go.cr.

Flights from the UK

Commercial flights are not running normally. United Airlines, Iberia, Air France and Lufthansa are operating some flights and other airlines are resuming operations on certain dates. Check with the airlines or a travel agent.

If you are in Costa Rica and need consular assistance, email the British Embassy at consular.costarica@fcdo.gov.uk.

Other entry points

Air and marine entry to Costa Rica has been opened for all countries.

The country is allowing entry at land border crossings by tourists from groups one and two in the general guidelines for entry visas and stays by non-residents, who do not require a visa.

Marine entry may be done by yachts or sailboats, exclusively at the marinas of Golfito, Los Sueños, Pez Vela, Banana Bar and Papagayo.

Those entering by sea who have not made stops elsewhere are likewise not required to undergo quarantine, provided that they have been at sea for over 14 days.

Flights from the UK

Commercial flights are not running normally. United Airlines, Iberia, Air France and Lufthansa are operating some flights and other airlines are resuming operations on certain dates.

Check with the airlines or a travel agent. If you need consular assistance, email the British Embassy at consular.costarica@fcdo.gov.uk.

Tourist activities permitted

Source: Insituto Costarricense de Turismo