Entry to Costa Rica is enabled for tourists from all countries by air, land and sea. Tourists must meet the visa requirements, when required, as well as the requirements established in the framework of the pandemic.
The Government of the Republic does not require coronavirus detection tests, nor does it issue sanitary confinement orders to enter the country by air or land.
Those who enter the country by sea and who have not made a stopover elsewhere, should not be subjected to isolation if they have been sailing for more than 14 days.
Tourists visiting Costa Rica are requested to abide by the sanitary protocols in place for carrying out all tourist activities in the country.
Important Update Starting 8 January 2022 hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos, shops, museums, art and dance academies, gymnasiums, resorts, and adventure tourism may admit only persons who are verifiably fully-vaccinated (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca y Janssen). This must be verified by means of a QR code or the printed vaccination certificate. This requirement applies to all patrons 12 years of age and older. Essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies will not require proof of vaccination.
Exceptions to the presentation of the QR code of the vaccination certificate to enter
commercial establishments are as follows:
1. Children under 12 years of age
2. Tourists who have a medical condition, duly accredited, that makes it impossible to apply any vaccine approved by the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica.
Country entry requirements
Tourists can verify if they require entry with or without a visa at the following link: https://migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Visas.aspx.
In the framework of the pandemic, the following requirements were also established:
- Complete the digital form called HEALTH PASS and available at https://salud.go.cr. The Health Pass can only be completed within 72 hours of arriving in the country. It must be accessed in updated browsers with the exception of Internet Explorer. One form must be completed per person, including minors, without exception.
2. Travel policy – From August 1, 2021, all tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID- 19 and inoculated with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson can enter the country without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica. Vaccinated tourists must attach the vaccination certificate to the Health Pass. As proof, vaccination certificates and vaccination cards that contain at least the following information will be accepted:
- Name of the person who received the vaccine
- Date of each dose
- Pharmaceutical house
Important Update All tourists under 18 years of age may enter the country without a travel policy. Unvaccinated tourists 18 years of age and older must purchase a travel policy that covers COVID-19 care and quarantine if necessary. However, unvaccinated tourists 12 years and older will not be allowed to enter commercial establishments as of January 8, 2022.
The requirement of being fully-vaccinated to enter commercial establishments, except for
stated exceptions, DOES NOT PREVENT tourists without vaccination, with incomplete vaccination schedules or inoculated with vaccines not admitted in Costa Rica, from entering the country to visit family, friends or their properties in the country.
All tourists must complete the Health Pass. Exceptions to the presentation of the QR code of the vaccination certificate to enter commercial establishments are as follows
- Children under 12 years of age.
- Tourists who have a medical condition, duly accredited, that makes it impossible to
apply any vaccine approved by the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica.
To download the full entry requirements see here
