COVID-19 & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Updated July 12, 2021
Insurance Requirement Eliminated for Minors and Vaccinated Persons
Starting August 1, Costa Rica will allow entry without travel insurance to minors under 18 years of age and tourists fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson* vaccines. In the case of visitors from the United States, the “COVID-19 vaccination record card” will be accepted.
Visitors will be able to enter the country if they carry a vaccination certificate or card that contains at least the following information:
- Name of the person who received the vaccine
- Date of each dose
- Pharmaceutical company
* The Johnson & Johnson vaccine must have been administered 14 days prior to travel
All visitors must complete the electronic HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr
In the case of unvaccinated adults, the following requirement remains in effect:
- Present proof or acquire travel insurance that covers medical care and an unexpected extended hotel stay. Your own personal insurance may cover this requirement, but written proof is needed.
- If you need a source, here are two different companies in Costa Rica that provide this coverage. They can provide the minimum coverage for medical expenses in the event of becoming ill with the pandemic COVID-19 virus while in Costa Rica, for $20,000 USD and for lodging expenses incurred as a result of the pandemic (this can be waived with proof of ownership of a home in Costa Rica).
- For tourists using their own medical insurance policies, you must request a certification from your insurance company, issued in English or Spanish, verifying the following three conditions. (This certification must be uploaded when filling out the electronic HEALTH PASS):
- Effectiveness of the policy during the visit to Costa Rica.
- Guaranteed coverage of medical expenses in the event of becoming ill with the pandemic COVID-19 virus while in Costa Rica, for at least USD $50,000 (this higher limit is required for using an insurance company not located in Costa Rica)
- Includes minimum coverage of USD $2,000 for lodging expenses incurred as a result of the pandemic (this can be waived with proof of ownership of a home in Costa Rica).
Updated June 5, 2021
Pre-flight Testing Requirement for Entry to The United States
On Jan 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control in the United States issued an order effective January 26, 2021 requiring all incoming airline passengers to the United States to provide documentation (paper or electronic) of a negative COVID-19 test.
- The test must be administered within 3 calendar days prior to the flight’s departure;
- The order applies to all passengers 2 years of age and older;
- The test must be a viral test;
Alternatively, travelers may provide documentation of a prior COVID-19 infection along with a letter from a health professional clearing them for travel. The date of the infection must be within 90 days of the flight’s departure.
If you have specific questions not addressed here, you can review the CDC FAQ or check with your airline. Airlines are charged with enforcing the order, and there may be some variability in procedures and implementation.
Your personal concierge will:
• Arrange for an appointment for testing
• Help you fill out the required form and
• Bring the medical professional to your villa to have the testing done in the privacy and comfort of your own surroundings.
PCR testing and antigen testing are both available. At the time of your actual appointment, if the rapid antigen test is available (due to limited supplies) then that option can be ordered. The PCR test is the “Gold Standard” of testing and has a slightly higher accuracy rate as compared to the antigen test.
Test results will be delivered to you directly via email within 24-36 hours for both tests. The results of either tests are final and absolute. You cannot retest or take the other type of test in hopes of getting a different result.
The cost is $70 per person for the antigen test and the PCR test is $130, and will be paid directly to the medical professional at the time of testing by credit card.
You also have the option to go directly to the clinic, by appointment, and have either test administered there. The antigen test is $55 per person and the PCR test is $130 per person. Your concierge will not be able to accompany you, but can arrange transportation (if needed).
Travelers to destinations other than the United States may also have testing requirements, and guests are encouraged to review those requirements with their airline. Your concierge will assist you with the testing requirements regardless of your destination.
Quarantine requirements are evolving as health authorities cope with new variants and rising infection rates. Your return destination might have mandatory or recommended requirements. As authorities make these decisions, we will update the information we share here. There is no federal mandatory quarantine when entering the US right now.
