[2021] 5-Minute Read: Costa Rica Covid Entry And Exit Requirements

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[2021] 5-Minute Read: Costa Rica Covid Entry And Exit Requirements

Home » Coronavirus » 5-Minute Read: Costa Rica Covid Entry And Exit Requirements

Get the Costa Rica Covid information you need, fast.

We all want this pandemic to be over before long, so there’s no point in dragging out Covid-related instructions. We purposely designed this article to be short and concise so you can obtain the Covid-related information you need in five minutes or less. The fewer minutes you spend worrying about Covid, the more minutes you’ll have to research and enjoy your trip. 🙂

But first, a brief disclaimer (though this pretty much goes without saying given the past year we’ve all experienced): Covid-related policies, restrictions, and requirements can change at any time. With this disclaimer in mind, instead of listing what the current requirements are, which may change between now and the day you arrive, we compiled a list of helpful resources where you can find up-to-date information. Though countless Costa Rica websites provide Covid-related information, we choose to trust official sites only, and we recommend you do the same.

Costa Rica entry requirements

General information

Covid-19 National Situation: https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/centro-de-prensa/noticias/741-noticias-2020/1725-situacion-nacional-covid-19
This website is run by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health. It provides updated Covid-19 case counts and breaks them down by patient demographics, region, and hospital. Though the website is in Spanish, it can be translated using Google Translate.

Costa Rica Entry Requirements: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements
This English website is run by Costa Rica’s tourism board, so it targets international visitors. It has an entire section dedicated to Covid-related entry requirements, in addition to other entry requirements (such as Visas). Specifically, it explains that prior to arriving in Costa Rica as a visitor you must a) purchase medical insurance and b) complete the Costa Rica Health Pass (more info below). To date, even if you’ve been vaccinated, the requirements still apply.

Costa Rica Medical Insurance

See the aforementioned link for an explanation of the type of medical insurance that’s required, the amount of coverage (monetary and duration) that’s required, and the document(s) you’ll need to prove to Costa Rican officials that you obtained the correct insurance.

Costa Rica Health Pass

Costa Rica Health Pass: https://salud.go.cr/
To date, this online document is required to be completed no sooner than 72 hours prior to you entering Costa Rica.

US entry requirements when arriving from Costa Rica

General information

The following three trusted English websites provide information about entering the US upon return from Costa Rica. To date, even if you’ve been vaccinated, the requirements still apply.

US Entry Requirements (for return travel from Costa Rica) provided by the Costa Rica Tourism Board: https://www.ict.go.cr/es/documentos-institucionales/material-de-apoyo-coronavirus/pruebas-covid-para-usa/1886-faq-requirements-for-travel-to-eeuu/file.html

US Entry Requirements (for return travel from Costa Rica) provided by the US Embassy in Costa Rica: https://cr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

US Entry Requirements (for return travel from Costa Rica) provided by the CDC (Center for Disease Control): https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-costa-rica

Specifically, the above three websites explain that prior to departing Costa Rica you must a) obtain a negative Covid test and b) sign a Passenger Disclosure and Attestation Document (more info below). They also explain who needs a Covid test, which types of Covid tests are available and acceptable, how much a Covid test costs, which labs are authorized to provide Covid tests, how long it takes to get Covid test results, when you should get a Covid test, and what happens if your test comes back positive.

Covid testing in Costa Rica

Covid-Testing Labs: https://www.ict.go.cr/es/documentos-institucionales/material-de-apoyo-coronavirus/pruebas-covid-para-usa/1898-laboratories-authorized-in-costa-rica-for-test-sars-cov-2/file.html
To date, this website provides the name, address (with Google Map link), and telephone number of each lab that’s authorized to perform Covid testing in Costa Rica.

Passenger Disclosure and Attestation Document

Passenger Disclosure and Attestation Document: https://www.ict.go.cr/es/documentos-institucionales/material-de-apoyo-coronavirus/pruebas-covid-para-usa/1885-passenger-attestation-requirement-english-version/file.html
To date, this paper document is required to be provided to the airline prior to boarding a flight from Costa Rica to the US.

Canada entry requirements when arriving from Costa Rica

General information

The following three trusted English websites provide information about entering Canada upon return from Costa Rica. To date, even if you’ve been vaccinated, the requirements still apply.

Canada Entry Requirements (for return travel from Costa Rica) provided by the Costa Rica Tourism Board: https://www.ict.go.cr/es/documentos-institucionales/material-de-apoyo-coronavirus/pruebas-covid-para-usa/1896-faq-international-tourists/file.html

Canada Entry Requirements (for return travel from Costa Rica) provided by the Government of Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

Canada Entry Requirements (for return travel from Costa Rica) provided by the Embassy of Canada to Costa Rica: https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/costa_rica/index.aspx?lang=eng

Specifically, the above websites explain that prior to departing Costa Rica you must a) obtain a negative Covid test and b) provide information through the ArriveCAN app/website. They also explain who needs a Covid test, which types of Covid tests are available and acceptable, how much a Covid test costs, which labs are authorized to provide Covid tests, how long it takes to get Covid test results, when you should get a Covid test, and what happens if your test comes back positive.

Once you’ve arrived in Canada, other requirements may apply. These requirements may include having to take a second Covid test, quarantining at a hotel, and/or quarantining at home. Some of these requirements require advance reservations. For a complete list of what’s required of you once you’re back in Canada, see this checklist: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist

Covid testing in Costa Rica

ArriveCAN app/website

ArriveCAN website: https://arrivecan.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/privacy (app available for download from the App Store and Google Play)
To date, this online document is required to be completed no sooner than 72 hours prior to you entering Canada.

Pura vida!