Traveling To Costa Rica: Which Countries Are Allowed?

Costa Rica is a beautiful country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. It is a popular tourist destination, with around 1.7 million visitors in a typical year. During the pandemic, Costa Rica closed its borders to international visitors, but as of September 2024, tourists from many countries are once again allowed entry.

As of August 2024, Costa Rica was allowing tourists from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, but banning visitors from the United States. However, this may have changed in the intervening months. As of September 2020, Costa Rica was allowing tourists from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as well as from six US states: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont.

To enter Costa Rica, tourists are generally required to present a negative COVID-19 test and proof of travel insurance that will cover any potential quarantine or medical costs. They must also fill out an online health questionnaire in either Spanish or English.

Tourists from select countries are allowed to enter Costa Rica

As of August 2, 2020, tourists from the following countries are allowed to enter Costa Rica: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Only commercial flights from Madrid, Spain, and Frankfurt, Germany, are scheduled to fly to San Jose, and only five flights per week are permitted.

Tourists from other countries may travel to an authorized country (such as Canada or Germany) and stay there for at least 14 days. If they do not develop COVID-19 symptoms, they may board a flight to Costa Rica. However, a migration officer may deny entry if it is determined that the passenger only made a stopover in an authorized country.

All tourists must present negative results of a COVID-19 test conducted within the previous 48 hours in English or Spanish and have insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and hospitalization in case of illness. They must also fill out a digital form called "Health Pass."

It is important to note that Costa Rica has specific entry requirements, such as a valid passport, proof of intent to exit the country, and proof of sufficient funds. The amount of time that tourists are allowed to stay in Costa Rica depends on their country of origin.

A valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica

In addition to a valid passport, there are several other requirements for entry to Costa Rica. All tourists must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within the previous 48 hours, in either English or Spanish, and have insurance that covers accommodation in the case of quarantine and hospitalization in the case of illness. Tourists must also fill out a digital form called the "Health Pass".

Upon arrival, an immigration officer will ask to see your return or onward ticket. By law, an onward ticket includes any of the following on approved, commercial transport: a pre-purchased bus or flight ticket out of the country, or proof of passage on a cruise ship. The immigration officer will also determine the permitted length of your stay, usually up to a maximum of 90 days.

It is advisable to carry a photocopy or picture of your passport with the entry stamp at all times during your stay in Costa Rica. This is because passport theft is extremely common, especially during the peak tourist seasons from November to May and from July to August.

A return or onward ticket is required for entry

When travelling to Costa Rica, it is important to note that all foreign passengers, regardless of their country of origin, must have a return or onward ticket. This is a mandatory requirement for entry into the country and the immigration officer will ask for it upon arrival. It is advisable to carry a photocopy or a picture of your passport with the entry stamp at all times during your stay.

The return or onward ticket can be in the form of a pre-purchased bus, flight, or cruise ship ticket out of the country. This is to ensure that visitors have proof of their intent to exit Costa Rica before their visa or entry stamp expires, which is usually within 90 days. This requirement also applies to non-resident travellers entering with a one-way ticket, those whose return ticket is dated more than 90 days after arrival, and those flying into Costa Rica and out of another country.

In addition to the return or onward ticket, all foreign passengers must also have the necessary travel documentation for their next destination and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in Costa Rica. It is recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after their intended date of departure. The immigration officer will determine the permitted length of stay upon entry, and visitors may be granted a stay of up to 180 days as tourists.

It is important to note that Costa Rica has specific entry requirements for minors with dual citizenship. The Canadian passport of a dual citizen child must have a Costa Rican departure approval from the immigration authorities. This approval must be requested jointly by both parents before departure. In addition, minors with dual citizenship travelling unaccompanied must have legally certified written consent from both parents.

A negative COVID-19 test result is needed to enter Costa Rica

As of August 2020, Costa Rica requires all tourists to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the country. The test must be taken within 48 hours of arrival in the country. This rule applies to all tourists, regardless of their country of origin.

In addition to the negative COVID-19 test result, tourists from the United Kingdom and Canada must also present proof of travel insurance that would cover any potential quarantine or medical costs.

It is important to note that Costa Rica's entry requirements may change over time, so it is recommended to check for the most up-to-date information before planning a trip to Costa Rica.

• Testing Timeframe: The test must be taken within 48 hours of arrival. This timeframe is crucial, as test results that are older than 48 hours may not be accepted. Be sure to plan your test accordingly to ensure it falls within this timeframe.
• Test Type: The accepted test is the RT-PCR diagnostic test. Other types of COVID-19 tests, such as rapid antigen tests, may not be accepted.
• Online Health Questionnaire: All tourists are required to fill out an online health questionnaire in either Spanish or English. This must be completed in addition to providing a negative COVID-19 test result.
• Enforcement: Costa Rica takes the requirement of a negative COVID-19 test result seriously. If a tourist does not meet this requirement, they will not be permitted to enter the country. This rule is strictly enforced to ensure the safety and well-being of both visitors and residents.
• Updates and Changes: It is important to stay informed about any updates or changes to Costa Rica's entry requirements. The country's policies may evolve based on the ongoing assessment of the COVID-19 situation. Always check the latest information before your trip to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date details.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for some travellers

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving in Costa Rica from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. This includes the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and the Republic of Guyana. Travellers arriving from Argentina, Panama, and the following countries in the African region are exempt from this requirement: Tanzania and Zambia.

In addition, there are some specifications for the following countries:

• Colombia (excluding Bogotá (the capital), Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, Medellín, and San Andrés Providencia)
• Ecuador (only Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Sucumbíos, and Zamora-Chinchipe)
• Paraguay (excluding Asunción (the capital))
• Peru (excluding Lima (the capital), Cajamarca, Cuzco, Lambayeque, Machu Picchu, Ruta de los Incas, Piura, Tumbes)
• Trinidad and Tobago (excluding the urban areas of Port of Spain (the capital), and for travellers in transit or whose itineraries are limited to the island of Tobago)

Please note that individuals travelling to Costa Rica who have been in transit through the above-mentioned countries through airports, seaports, or land border posts are exempt from the requirement for a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

It is important to consult official sources and travel advisories for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding entry requirements and travel recommendations for Costa Rica.

Frequently asked questions