Costa Rica is easing measures. Here’s what’s open

Costa Rica continues easing coronavirus restrictions.

Here’s what’s open (and what isn’t) in Costa Rica as of early June 2020.

Beaches and National Parks

The nation’s beaches are open on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. only. All visitors should practice social distancing between themselves and others who are not part of their social circle.

A limited number of beaches — including at the Playa Hermosa – Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge and the Tempisque Conservation Area — have expanded hours, primarily for surfing. The Costa Rican Surfing Federation shares updates of these locations on its Facebook page.

Costa Rica plans to fully reopen beaches on July 11; this is subject to change.

Costa Rica has reopened 28 national parks and protected wildlife areas, including several of the country’s most popular destinations. The full list is available here. Not all attractions or sectors at these parks have reopened.

City parks are slated for reopening on July 11.

Hotels and businesses

Hotels and restaurants can operate at 50% capacity, including on the weekends.

Gyms, swim schools and art academies can open at 50% capacity, including on the weekends. Commercial centers, most stores and museums can operate during the week and are restricted on the weekend.

Costa Rica plans to reopen stores all week beginning June 20. Bars, which currently remain closed, would also be allowed to open during the week starting on that date.

Regional restrictions apply to some cantons and districts. Click here for more details.

Mass events and religious gatherings

Places of worship (e.g. churches) remain closed. They are expected to reopen on June 20 with capacity limits and distance guidelines.

Event halls can host gatherings of up to 30 people.

Mass gathering events (e.g. concerts, sports with fans) remain suspended for the foreseeable future, though an early reopening plan indicated July 11 as a possible date to allow some events at 20% capacity.

That tentative date also marks the earliest possible return to in-person teaching under Costa Rica’s current plans.

International and domestic travel

Costa Rica is currently enforcing driving restrictions nationwide. The expectation is that these will continue until at least August 1.

Authorities are also enforcing stricter regional restrictions in some cantons and districts. Details here.

Costa Rica is currently banning entry to tourists until at least June 30. This may be extended further.

Costa Rican citizens are permitted to enter the country. Non-citizen residents who last left the country on or before March 24 can also enter Costa Rica. All must isolate at home for 14 days.

All ongoing repatriation flights operate from Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José. The airport’s expectation of when airlines will resume operations is linked here.