Costa Rica continues easing coronavirus restrictions.
Here’s what’s open (and what isn’t) as a new week begins in Costa Rica.
- Eleven national parks, plus the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, open starting Monday. (Corcovado National Park, which was originally on the list to reopen, is undergoing further health inspections.) Click here for general information, or contact the National System of Conservation Areas for details regarding specific parks.
- Most beaches nationwide are open to the public from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays.
- Professional contact sports can return without spectators. Costa Rica’s top soccer league resumes play Tuesday, May 19.
- Small hotels (maximum 20 rooms) and motels can operate at 50% capacity.
- Businesses with sanitary permits (e.g. restaurants, stores and theaters) can remain open from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. during the week.
- The nighttime vehicular restriction now begins at 10 p.m. during the week. From Monday to Friday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning, most driving is forbidden. Daytime and weekend restrictions based on license plates still apply nationwide. Click here for full details.
In addition to the above changes, gyms and salons can remain open as first allowed on May 1.
Mass-gathering events (such as religious ceremonies and fairs) remain suspended, and more restrictive measures apply on weekends — theaters and commercial centers must close, while restaurants can only offer delivery service.
If Costa Rica continues managing the spread of the coronavirus, measures will be further lifted June 1. On that date, remaining national parks and hotels would be allowed to reopen, according to the government’s reopening timeline.
But if Costa Rica experiences a jump in cases, the Health Ministry could re-apply restrictions.
The country has confirmed 863 cumulative known cases of the coronavirus through Sunday afternoon. Ten people have died, and 17 people are hospitalized, while 565 people have recovered.
