No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaClarifying the isolation requirement for Costa Rican citizens

Clarifying the isolation requirement for Costa Rican citizens

Last week, the Costa Rica Tourism Board announced that, as of October 26, citizens would no longer need to quarantine upon returning to the country.

“Neither Costa Ricans nor foreigners will receive a sanitary order of confinement when entering the country by air,” their press release read.

However, decree N° 42682-MGP-S, published Monday in La Gaceta, appears to indicate otherwise. The decree reads as follows:

The officials of the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration are designated and empowered to exercise migration control at airports in order for them to issue the corresponding sanitary isolation orders for a period of 14 calendar days.

Given this, we contacted the Tourism Board (ICT) and Immigration Administration (DGME) for clarification. Here’s what they said.

ICT: There is no contradiction. Given the doubt raised, it is clarified that this provision is for the case of unauthorized countries (as we have not yet opened to all countries in the world). They are the only cases in which an order will be issued.

DGME: The sanitary order is not an entry requirement. Therefore, [the order] is not contradictory with what was stated by the ICT.

Summary: Entry requirements for citizens

Given the answers from ICT and DGME, our understanding of the entry requirements for citizens are as follows:

  • They must complete the Health Pass epidemiological form.
  • No negative coronavirus test is necessary.
  • As of Oct. 26 until Nov. 1, citizens returning via a flight from a non-authorized state/country will still be issued a 14-day quarantine order.
  • As of Nov. 1, citizens returning via a flight will not be issued a 14-day quarantine order, regardless of their provenance. However, this is not yet official, and must be ratified first by Health Ministry guidelines.

Trending Now

What are Diatoms and how are they used in Costa Rica?

A key ally in natural pest control is now available in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Police Uncover Second Cyanide-Laced Mining Operation in Crucitas

The environmental crisis in Crucitas persists. Police discovered and dismantled an artisanal mining material processing plant in a wooded area of Tatú Hill in Crucitas,...

US Visa Cost Increase for Travelers and Workers Under New Law

United States President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law on July 4, introducing a new surcharge for most non-immigrant US...

Costa Rica Identified as Transit Point in Sinaloa Cartel Drug Network

Ovidio Guzman, the son of drug trafficker "El Chapo," admitted to U.S. justice that Costa Rica was used by the Sinaloa Cartel as a...

Costa Rican Economists Raise Alarm Over U.S. Cash Transfer Tax

In 2026, the U.S. government will impose a 1% tax on cash remittances sent from the United States to Latin America. Electronic transfers will...

Meet the Bats of Costa Rica from Tent Makers to Fish Hunters

Costa Rica is home to around 220 species of non-marine mammals. Roughly half of those species, 117 is the current number, are the type...
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