Costa Rica enacts new Covid measures for September 2021

An increase in Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and related deaths led Costa Rican authorities to enact new measures for September 2021.

Below are Costa Rica’s updated driving and business measures related to the coronavirus pandemic as of September 14, 2021.

Travel and borders

Costa Rica is welcoming tourists who arrive via flights (commercial or private) or boats (yachts or sailboats). Cruises carrying vaccinated passengers and crew can also make ports of call in Costa Rica. The land borders are open to tourists, residents and citizens.

A negative coronavirus test is not required for entry to Costa Rica. Minors and vaccinated tourists can enter Costa Rica without insurance. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adults must purchase health insurance covering the duration of their stay in Costa Rica.

For more information about Costa Rica’s entry requirements, including details regarding the insurance, visit the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s official site.

Driving restrictions

Authorities are reestablishing stricter driving restrictions, with a general nighttime ban from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. that starts September 18th.

During the daytime hours:

The nighttime driving ban begins at 10 p.m. until September 18.

The typical list of exceptions — which includes rental vehicles, people driving to/from a hotel reservation, people driving to/from the airport and people driving to/from work or school — continues to apply. The official list of exceptions can be found here

Tourism activities

All outdoor tourism activities are permitted. All national parks can be open (most up to 100% capacity), and beaches can remain open daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Guests are required to wear masks in some outdoors situations, so come prepared. (e.g. You need to wear a mask when purchasing your ticket to a national park, but you can remove the mask when you’re hiking.)

Businesses and activities

The vast majority of businesses can operate (with some capacity restrictions) from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. This includes restaurants, bars, religious gatherings, movie theaters and farmer’s markets.

Delivery and some essential services can operate without time restrictions.

Activities that are not permitted include: concerts, fairs, nightclubs and large religious processions. The full list of establishments and activities that are not allowed is here.

In September, Costa Rica allowed up to 3,000 fans to attend select soccer matches.

Covid-19 testing requirements

Costa Rica does not require a negative coronavirus test to enter or exit the country. However, many foreign countries (e.g. the United States, Canada) do require a negative test if flying into or transiting through those nations.

More than 100 private labs across Costa Rica offer PCR and/or antigen coronavirus tests. Click here for a list. Both Costa Rica airports offer Covid-19 tests. Click here for more info.

Note that antigen tests are accepted by the U.S. but are not valid for entry to some countries.

Anyone in Costa Rica who is asymptomatic can purchase an antigen test at a private lab. Prices vary but typically start at about $50. Symptomatic individuals should opt for a PCR test.

Samples for PCR and antigen tests in Costa Rica are collected via nasal swabs.

Notable exit requirements

Costa Rica does not impose any Covid-related measures to leave the country. However, some foreign countries (such as the United States) do require a negative test if flying into or transiting through that nation. Both Costa Rica airports offer Covid-19 tests to help facilitate travel.

Panama has established a quarantine requirement for unvaccinated visitors who have recently been in Costa Rica or the United States.

Mask wearing and other measures

Masks are required in all public indoor settings. You can be denied entry into an establishment if you are not wearing a mask. Many businesses require hand washing and/or have implemented temperature checks.

In general, individuals should make reasonable efforts to maintain physical distancing of at least 2 meters from others when in public.

All of these measures apply to vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

The official site for coronavirus measures in Costa Rica is: https://presidencia.go.cr/alertas.

How to get a vaccine

Costa Rica is vaccinating citizens and residents. The vaccine priority is as follows:

• First group: Staff and residents at retirement or nursing homes. First responders, including health personnel.
• Second group: Costa Rica’s older population, defined here as those ages 58 and up. According to the Presidency, this group is required to demonstrate residency with a cédula or DIMEX.
• Third group: People from 12-58 with risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illness, kidney disease and obesity, among others.
• Fourth group: Teachers and other staff within the Education Ministry (MEP) or private schools. Imprisoned people and judicial staff. Workers for the 911 service.
• Fifth group: People ages 18-57 without any of the aforementioned risk factors. Then, all remaining adults and children ages 12 and older.

Vaccines are administered at EBAIS, which are the public-health clinics that comprise part of Costa Rica’s national healthcare system. Each EBAIS manages a list of people who live in their jurisdiction. This list is used to identify priority individuals and to schedule their vaccine appointments.

If you are in one of the priority groups, contact your local EBAIS to schedule an appointment.

Citizens and residents ages 18 and older can also receive a shot — no appointment needed — at mass vaccination sites across Costa Rica. Click here for official information from the CCSS.

Covid-19 situation in Costa Rica