Tag Archives: Costa Rica Covid 19 Updates

Costa Rica Covid Testing – September 2021 Update

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Just a quick update on Covid 19 testing when departing Costa Rica. Many countries require a negative test to travel home, the USA being one of these countries. On our side we have been helping our clients in 2021 meet these requirements. We will help you identify the closest lab on your trip route, costs, and logistics.

We have been lucky so far, this year we have had busy months and slow months as the virus waves move through. None of our clients this year have tested positive on departure we are happy to say. Nobody has had any difficulty getting tested on the way out, it has been a smooth process.

If anyone does test positive, we will help with the needed hotels for quarantine and will assist in any way we can.

Arribada Costa Rica Tour

Safe Travels! – C.R. Referrals Travel Team     

 

Statement by the Costa Rica Tourism Board

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August 27, 2020 –  The listed of authorized regions and countries is being revised periodically.

This is the list currently in effect:

  • THE EUROPEAN UNION, SCHENGEN ZONE, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM: for flights from the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom; for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom.
  • CANADA: for flights from Canada; for citizens and residents of Canada and for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom in transit.
  • SOUTH AMERICA: for flights from Uruguay; for citizens and residents of Uruguay.
  • ASIA: for flights from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China; for citizens and residents of Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China.
  • OCEANIA: for flights from Australia and New Zealand; for citizens and residents of Australia and New Zealand.
  • As of Sept. 1, 2020: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Residents of nine states): Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
  • As of Sept. 15, 2020: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Residents of three states): Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

Requirements to enter Costa Rica:  

  • Fill out the electronic epidemiological HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr.
  • RT-PCR diagnostic test with a negative result; the sample must have been taken within 72 hours of travel to Costa Rica.
  • Passengers coming from the U.S.A. must show through their driver’s license or state identification (State ID) that they live in one of the 12 authorized states.  This requirement excludes children travelling with their family.
  • Traveler’s Medical Insurance – international or purchased in Costa Rica through the National Insurance Institute (INS – Instituto Nacional de Seguros) www.grupoins.com/seguroparaviajeros, or Sagicor www.sagicor.cr/seguro_para_turistas/­.

For international insurance policies, tourists must request a certification from their insurance company, issued in English or Spanish, verifying at least the following three conditions:

  • 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 (fifty thousand United States Dollars).
  • Includes minimum coverage of USD $2,000 for lodging expenses issued as a result of the pandemic.

Passengers who fail to comply with these requirements may not enter the country.

Upon landing in Costa Rican territory, travelers must wear face protection and comply with the strict protocols of the air terminal with regard to physical distancing, disinfection of carpets, and taking temperature readings, and must follow any other sanitary instructions.

Tourists from authorized states may enter the country even if their route includes a stop at a destination that is not authorized, as long as they do not leave the transit airport.

Opening to Private Flights

As of Sept. 1, private flights from the United States will also be allowed to enter Costa Rica, given that their size and nature means they present a much lower epidemiological risk.

The same requirements as set forth above shall be applicable to persons on private flights. In the event that they come from a state or country that is not authorized, they must receive the approval of the Ministry of Health and the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería). Interested parties should submit a request with the following items:

  • Full names of the passengers.
  • Nationalities and ages.
  • Legible copy of the biographical page of the passport of each one of the passengers.
  • Date of arrival, arrival airport, and flight origin.
  • Strategic reason for admission (investment review, property in Costa Rica, humanitarian reasons, etc.).

Gradual Maritime Opening

In compliance with Costa Rica’s entry requirements from Aug. 1, private yachts are allowed to enter the country beginning Sept. 1. If passengers do not have a negative PCR test, or if they sailed from a city or port that has not been authorized to date, they will receive a health quarantine order which will deduct the number of days on the high seas, counting from the last port departure date recorded in the yacht’s log.

Where can I find updated official information on the situation of COVID-19 in Costa Rica?

You can stay informed at the following links:

Ministry of Health:

https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/centro-de-prensa/noticias/741-noticias-2020/1725-situacion-nacional-covid-19

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT):

https://www.ict.go.cr/en/institutional-services/coronavirus-support-material-tourism-sector.html

Presidency of the Republic:

https://www.presidencia.go.cr/noticias/

Migration Office:

https://www.migracion.go.cr/

Juan Santamaría International Airport:

https://sjoairport.com/en

Daniel Oduber International Airport (Liberia International Airport):

https://lircr.com/en/

Covid-19 Costa Rica Travel Update

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It is true that the face of travel in the short term and likely the mid term have changed, but that is not to say the age of travel has come to an end!  The traveler in me will always find a way to experience new places and see things for the first time and I am not alone. There will be a new normal, as travel starts to reopen for Costa Rica and around the world, but it has started.

The entire tourism sector has made changes in booking and sanitation procedures, including hotels, airlines, and tour companies. There are also things we can do as your travel planner that can create a safer environment for you. For our part, because our trips are all completely customized, that allows us to think outside the box and go even further to protect our clients. If you are concerned about traveling with the virus on the loose, we simply make your trip private to limit your exposure to other travelers. This means:

  • Private Transfers – This limits exposure to other travelers while you are on your Costa Rica vacation, it is much safer than shared transfers.
  • Private Tours – This again limits exposure to other travelers, it will be you and your private guide on the tour. This is also a much better tour experience, having the guide all to yourself as opposed to sharing his time.
  • Focus on Nature – We focus the trips away from cities and larger population areas. Costa Rica is all about nature so we focus on that to limit general exposure.

With careful planning you can experience Costa Rica with little worry of catching the virus while you are here. Costa Rica is all about nature and that is where the focus will be. You still get our handpicked guides and drivers, our 24-hour trip support, and one of the best customized travel experiences of our life.

It has been surreal to see what this has done to modern life, this world we have created with all its conveniences is indeed fragile and we have all been reminded of that. I hope that everyone stays safe, we are working hard on new travel ideas and look forward to the day when travel starts to come back to normal in the world. Sending our love from Costa Rica.
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