No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaUK to remove Costa Rica from Covid-19 ‘red list’

UK to remove Costa Rica from Covid-19 ‘red list’

The United Kingdom will remove Costa Rica from a list of countries from which it imposes the strictest Covid-19 measures, authorities announced.

“By leaving the red list, we could experience an acceleration of tourism between Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, as well as an early return of British Airways and Tui airlines prior to the start of the high season, contributing to the recovery of the European market,” said Gustavo Segura, Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister.

Costa Rica will be dropped from the so-called “red list” as of October 11.

As of that date, eligible fully vaccinated passengers can return to the UK with the requirement of a Covid-19 test after their arrival.

However, because Costa Rica is not among the UK’s countries with approved proof of vaccination, those who received their shots in Costa Rica must take a pre-departure test, a day 2 and day 8 test and complete 10 days self-isolation (with the option of Test to Release on day 5) in order to travel to the UK.

Just seven countries will remain under the UK’s strictest measures, which include a 10-day quarantine paid for by the traveler. Those countries are: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Costa Rica received 78,562 international arrivals from the United Kingdom in 2019.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Alondra Ortiz Wins Gold in 200-Meter Butterfly

Costa Rican swimmer Alondra Ortiz won the women’s 200-meter butterfly at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, delivering the first swimming gold medal...

Rincón de la Vieja volcano raised to caution level after 38 eruptions

If you have a Rincón de la Vieja hike or a hot springs day trip on your calendar, the volcano's official activity level went...

Costa Rica Warns of Poor Air Quality as Saharan Dust Arrives

A new push of Saharan dust is expected to spread across Costa Rica this week, bringing hazy skies, reduced visibility and poorer air quality,...

Costa Rica’s government and courts collide over prison rules for Diablo

A criminal court judge in Pococí has struck down part of the isolation regime the Justice Ministry imposed on Alejandro Arias Monge, the man...

Jabiru Count Brings Hope for Costa Rica’s Threatened Wetlands

Costa Rica’s latest national jabiru count recorded nine active nests and 19 chicks during the 2026 breeding season, offering cautious hope for one of...

Costa Rica Tourism Faces Pressure After Visitor Arrivals Fall in June

Costa Rica’s tourism industry is preparing for a more difficult second half of 2026 after international arrivals by air declined in June, ending eight...

Costa Rica Files Constitutional Reform to Widen Extradition of Citizens

Costa Rica is preparing to make a big change to who it can send abroad to face trial. The government says it will ask...

Costa Rica Urged to Repair Early Defects on Circunvalación Norte

Cracks, open joints, drainage problems and rapidly fading road markings have appeared along the newest section of Circunvalación Norte, just 17 months after the...

Boston Scientific Confirms Costa Rica Layoffs in $800M Plan

Boston Scientific has confirmed that its Costa Rican operation forms part of a global restructuring program that sets aside as much as $300 million...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel