No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica extends coronavirus border restrictions until June 30

Costa Rica extends coronavirus border restrictions until June 30

Costa Rica has extended its entry restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic until June 30.

Until at least that date, Costa Rica will deny entry to tourists and non-resident foreigners, the Health Ministry announced Friday. The restriction applies to the country’s ports of entry via land, air and sea.

Exceptions may be made for “humanitarian cases,” Public Security Minister Michael Soto has said previously, but those instances must be approved by the Immigration Administration, the Health Ministry and the Foreign Ministry.

Costa Rica’s partial border shutdown began March 19.

Citizens, residents and tourists are all still allowed to leave Costa Rica. However, foreign residents who leave or left the country on March 24 or later are unable to re-enter Costa Rica until further notice.

Anyone caught entering the country illegally will have his or her residency status revoked.

In addition, citizens and residents entering Costa Rica will be assigned a mandatory 14-day quarantine by Immigration Police.

The Immigration Administration has announced that tourists and others who overstay their visas due to the coronavirus crisis will not be fined when they next try to exit Costa Rica.

Foreigners who entered Costa Rica on a tourist visa after December 17, 2019, can legally remain in Costa Rica until August 18, 2020 without lapsing into an irregular immigration status.

Costa Rica has also extended driving allowances for tourists using foreign licenses.

Commercial flights between the United States and Costa Rica have resumed in very limited capacity; United Airlines began serving the country with a direct flight from Houston in May. The availability of flights does not supersede Costa Rica’s entry restrictions.

The Health Ministry continues to ask citizens and residents to avoid nonessential travel and to stay home when possible.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s 2025 Flamingo Fishing Rodeo Highlights Sport and Conservation

With great fishing and a renewed focus on family fun, the Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo presented by Marina Flamingo is set to take center stage in the world...

Costa Rica’s Ojochal: From Farms to Luxury Tourism Hub

Ojochal, a small town in between the Pacific Ocean and the Fila Costeña in Costa Rica’s Osa, isn’t the sleepy agricultural community it once...

Costa Rica Continues Investigation into Miller Gardner’s Death

Costa Rican authorities are still investigating the tragic death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, nearly...

Costa Rica Defeats Dominican Republic 2–1 in Gold Cup Thriller

Costa Rica battled hard but came out on top with a 2–1 victory over the Dominican Republic in their second Group A match of...

Costa Rica Debates Sustainable Redevelopment of Crucitas Region

The Frente Amplio party has introduced a bold new bill in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly aimed at transforming Crucitas, an area historically associated with...

Costa Rica Tourism Slips Again in May 2025: U.S. and European Visitors Drop

Tourist arrivals to Costa Rica took another hit in May 2025, raising red flags for the country’s vital tourism industry. Data from the Costa...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica