Entry requirements:

1. To enter Costa Rica, an online Health Pass must be completed before departure.

2. Comply with one of the following options

OPTION 1 - COMPLETE VACCINATION SCHEME

Have the complete scheme of vaccines authorized by the Government of Costa Rica, whose date of the last dose may not be less than 14 days prior to your trip to Costa Rica.

The list of authorized vaccines are:

• AstraZeneca
• Johnson & Johnson
• Moderna
• Pfizer & BioNTech

This will be demonstrated by the corresponding vaccination certificate, added to the Health Pass.

The combination of vaccine brands are allowed, as long as they (if two doses are required) are within the authorized brands.

Children under 18 years of age, vaccinated or not, do not need special insurance to enter.

Of course, we still recommend taking out travel insurance to cover you financially in case of illness or accident.

OPTION 2 - INSURANCE POLICY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19

All those who do not have the complete vaccination schedule, must have a mandatory travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses in case of Covid-19 disease.  

Proof of travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 50,000 for medical expenses in case of Covid-19 disease, as well as USD 2,000 coverage for any quarantine costs, must be attached to the Health Pass.

• If the customer's insurance does not meet the required coverage for medical costs, the customer can buy a recommended  international insurance:  TRAWICK International or a Costa Rican insurance under one of the following two links: https://cotiza.ins-cr.com/frmDatosIncluir.aspx?P=431or
  https://tiendasagicor.com/en/, and upload the receipt in the health form. For more information click here.

• For our Swiss guests, there are already insurance possibilities with Helsana, Swika, Helvetia, and CSS, which cover local quarantine conditions.

• The Lufthansa Group offers European customers who arrive with Lufthansa, Edelweiss or Swiss an insurance package with coverage of quarantine costs through AXA (if return journey not later than March 14, 2022).

• If the international travel health insurance does not cover the USD 2.000 for any quarantine costs, please contact us and we will find a solution for you.

• At the end of the health form, a QR code is generated which the customer can save on his mobile phone or print out. This QR code must be presented upon entry.

• The health form must be presented upon check-in. Otherwise, some airlines refuse to board.

• Anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 before departure should not travel.

3. A negative PCR test is NOT REQUIRED.

4. All nationalities can enter through the international airports of San Jose and Liberia.

Entering Costa Rica by land

Since April 5, 2021 the land borders with Nicaragua and Panama are open, the requirements for entry through the land borders are identical to the requirements for entry through the airports so it is necessary to fill out the Health Pass online and prove insurance in case you do not comply with your full vaccination schedule.

The following are the requirements for entry into our neighboring countries:

• Entry Panama:
  • Online form: https://www.panamadigital.gob.pa/

  • Entry requirements for travelers who have been in Costa Rica during the last 15 days:

    Non-vaccinated travelers

    They are required to present to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival time in Panama. If the test if not possible  within that time frame, a COVID 19 rapid test will be required at the airport before entering customs. The traveller will have to cover the cost of this test ($50.00).

    In case of a positive result, the traveler will be placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a Hotel Hospital designated by the Ministry of Health. The cost of the stay must be fully covered by the traveler.

    For unvaccinated travelers or travelers without a complete vaccination scheme, if the results are negative, the traveler will be placed under a mandatory 72-hour quarantine at certain authorized hotels (see more information here), and at the end of this period, another PCR or antigen test must be taken.

    Vaccinated Travelers:

    All vaccinated travelers will be exempt from presenting a negative COVID 19 test to enter Panama and from doing the mandatory 72-hour quarantine as long as they can provide physical or digital proof of their full vaccination scheme endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), equal to or greater than 14 days after the last dose.

• Entry Nicaragua:
  • Negative PCR test not older than 72 hours (antigen rapid tests are not accepted)
  • Indication of the residence address in Nicaragua upon entry

COVID test in Costa Rica prior to return 

Some countries currently require a negative COVID-19 test to enter your country of origin from Costa Rica.  We recommend that you first obtain detailed information about the entry requirements of the country of entry, in order to ensure that you arrive to your destination without any mishap. Remember, the test must be taken no more than 72 hours before leaving the country. To request an appointment for both types of tests, please contact your Customer Experience Team or write a message via Whatsapp to 8893-3863 and we will gladly arrange the appointment for your clients.

Safety while traveling

Thanks to the country's robust health system and progress in the vaccination process, the COVID-19 situation in Costa Rica is under control and the process of vaccinating the population continues to be successful.

Costa Rica is a good destination for travel during the pandemic if known hygiene protocols are followed. These protocols are strictly applied in all tourist sites in the country and results show that they are working properly.

• Mask requirements at airports and during the entire flight.

• Costa Rica as a destination and ARA Tours as your incoming agent has received the Safe Travels seal of the World Travel & Tourism Council. This confirms that hygiene and health protocols are implemented and used.

• Mask requirement in Costa Rica in shops, bus stops, during bus rides, when entering/leaving restaurants, and all contacts where the minimum distance of 1.8 m cannot be kept. The use of face masks is mandatory for all persons including children from 3 years of age.

• NO mask requirement in national parks, reserves, beaches, and public spaces if the minimum distance of 1.8m can be kept.

• Keeping the minimum distance of 1.8 m to people from other social bubbles.

• Regular disinfection of rooms, vehicles, luggage, tables, and all surfaces that are often touched by the service providers' staff.

• Facilities for hand washing or disinfection everywhere.

• Largely contactless service (check-in, menus as QR code, etc.)

• Excellent public and private health care. ARA Tours works with an English-speaking doctor for our customers, e.g. for remote diagnosis.

• High hygiene standards and drinking water across the country.

Why you should visit Costa Rica?

• You mainly move outside in nature, there are hardly any crowds.
• 94% of the hotels in Costa Rica have less than 40 rooms and there are hardly any crowds either.
• Numerous great boutique hotels with top standards and availability!
• Rental car tours, a safe form of travel
• Traveling with a private driver/tour guide: on request and for a fee, we are happy to carry out a Covid test 72 hours before the start of the journey.
• Costa Rica looks like it did 30 years ago: You see a lot more animals, the national parks are poorly visited, the beaches are often deserted.
• English-speaking top tour guides are available. This has often not been the case in the past.

Sanitary measures to prevent the spread of COVID 19 by the Government of Costa Rica

October and November, 2021

• Beaches will be open from 5:00  to 20:00
• National Parks may operate at 100% capacity.
• Hotels with more than 100 rooms mayoperate with a capacity of up to 100%.
• Swimming pools, restaurants and gymnasiums (common areas) within hotels with an occupancy capacity of fifty percent (50%).
• Car rentals may operate normally
• Bars and restaurants may operate with a capacity of 50%.
• All commercial establishments such as: stores inside national and international airport terminals, supermarkets, pharmacies, medical centers, grocery stores, bakeries, butchers and greengrocers, farmers' markets, gas stations, laundromats, public and private banking services, etc. are operating normally with a capacity of 50%.
• Public transportation (buses and trains) continues to operate with only 15 people on foot.
• Cabs and transportation services for tourists, workers and students continue to operate.
• Public and private educational centers will remain open
• Public parking lots open
• Vaccinated guests entering the country do not need insurance

December, 2021

• Beaches open from 5:00  to 23:00
• National Parks may operate at 100% capacity.
• Hotels with more than 100 rooms may operate with a capacity of up to 100%.
• Swimming pools, restaurants and gymnasiums (common areas) within hotels with an occupancy capacity of seventy five percent (75%) with full vaccination scheme.
• Bars and restaurants may operate with a seventy five percent (75%) occupancy capacity with full vaccination scheme.
• Car rentals may operate normally
• Stores within domestic and international airport terminals, with seventy five percent (75%) occupancy capacity with full vaccination scheme.
• Vaccinated guests can enter the country without insurance.
• As of December 1st, QR Code will be requested for entry to establishments with full vaccination schedule in hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos, commercial stores, museums, events, adventure tourism, event halls, sports activities establishments, etc. 

Vehicle Restriction for the whole country

From October 16 to 31

Throughout the country the sanitary vehicle restriction will continue according to the day and the last digit of the license plate. Can not circulate license plates ending in:

• Monday: 1 and 2
• Tuesday: 3 and 4
• Wednesday: 5 and 6
• Thursday: 7 and 8
• Friday: 9 and 0

• Saturday, October 16: No odd numbered plates
• Sunday, October 17: No even numbered license plates

• Saturday, October 23rd: No even numbered license plates
• Sunday, October 24th: No odd license plates

• Saturday, October 30: No odd plates on Saturday
• Sunday, October 31: No even plates on Sunday

The time allowed to circulate is between 5:00  and 22:00.  From 22:00  to 5:00  no traffic will be allowed, except for the established exceptions.

November 2021

• From Monday to Friday the daytime license plate restriction will be maintained from 5:00 to 23:00 only in downtown San José. From 23:00 to 5:00 no traffic will be allowed throughout the country, except for the established exceptions.
• From November 1 to 14th the daytime vehicle restriction by license plates on weekends will be maintained; from November 15th the daytime vehicle restriction on weekends will be eliminated.

December 2021

• From Monday to Friday the daytime license plate restriction is maintained from 5:00  to 23:00 only in downtown San José. From 23:00 to 5:00 no traffic will be allowed throughout the country, except for the established exceptions.
• No daytime vehicle restriction on weekends.

There is a list of exceptions in which vehicles that are required for different activities are not required to comply with the vehicle restriction measures.  Rental vehicles or "rent a car" are part of this list of exceptions as long as the appropriate proof of reservation is presented. 

The following airlines resume flights to Costa Rica:

• Iberia: Daily flights MAD-SJO
• Iberojet: MAD-SJO-MAD on most Saturdays
• Lufthansa: FRA-SJO-FRA 02OCT21-31MAY22: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, all nonstop (FRA-SJO-FRA)
  Except for Monday, the Lufthansa Group thus offers daily connections to Costa Rica.
• Edelweiss: ZRH-SJO-ZRH: October 2021: every Friday, roundtrip via Puerto Plata (ZRH-POP-SJO-POP-ZRH)
  03NOV21-25NOV21: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, all nonstop (ZRH-SJO-ZRH)
  28NOV21-01MAY22: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday nonstop (ZRH-SJO-ZRH), Sunday return via Liberia (ZRH-SJO-LIR-ZRH).
• Air France:  3 weekly flights CDG-SJO-CDG during November to March 2022: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, starting mid December also on Sunday
• KLM: 3 weekly flights AMS-SJO-LIR during November to March 2022: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, starting mid December also on Monday
• British Airways: Planned to start connections LGW-SJO-LGW by mid December
• Condor: Not yet confirmed
  
  

Costa Rica and ARA Tours are looking forward to receive you under high-security standards and with extremely personal attention. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your inquiries!

Stay healthy!

Your ARA Tours team