Ever since this COVID-19 mess started, and spread like wild fire throughout our world, more and more people from North America are interested in traveling to Costa Rica, either to invest as a hedge against a recession or live a much slower and relaxed lifestyle.
The Costa Rican government has worked very hard to re-establish tourism and re-open the country, through efforts by the Ministry of Health as well as the ICT (the Spanish acronym for Costa Rica Tourism Institute). Every two weeks government agencies review statistics from countries and individual states in the US for the number of new (the key here is NEW) coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents in each location.
If you are interested in traveling to Costa Rica, for which I can’t blame you, here is a list of the approved US States you can arrive from. Requirements to meet before departure are listed below.
List of US States approved for travel to Costa Rica as of September 28, 2020
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- New Mexico
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Wyoming
- District of Colombia (Washington, D.C.)
Additional States approved as of October 1, 2020
- California
- Ohio
Click here for a complete list of countries allowed to come to Costa Rica.
Personally, I wish they would just open up to everyone so I don’t have to do this Covid-19 update any longer. However, I agree and support the efforts the Costa Rican government to protect their people from this illness. In the near future, residents interested in coming to “Pura Vida” land from states like Hawaii, West Virginia, Delaware, Louisiana and Alaska may be allowed because the numbers of new cases in these States are dropping below the 100 new cases per 100,000 threshold. Let’s hope so!
The requirements for tourists that are coming to Costa Rica and reside in an approved area is as follows:
- All people entering Costa Rica must complete the digital epidemiological form. This is known as the “Health Pass” or click “Pase de Salud.”
- Tourists must obtain a negative PCR-RT coronavirus test. The sample for this test must have been taken at most 72 hours before the flight to Costa Rica. It used to be 24 hours but the time was extended to 72 hours on September 1st. If you have a layover you are not allowed to leave the airport and it can only be for a maximum of 18 hours.
- Tourists must purchase travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19. This policy can be international or purchased from Costa Rican insurers. The Minimum is $50,000 USD health and $2,000.00 for lodging.
- Tourists from the United States must demonstrate they reside in one of the approved States, via their driver’s license or State ID.
- You will be required to use a face mask on the flight, throughout out the airport upon arrival, and in all enclosed areas, as in taxis, buses, stores, malls, museums to name a few.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica in the national parks, with volcanos, waterfalls, tropical birds and of course, Monkeys. If you are interested in visiting Costa Rica, come on down! You won’t be sorry!
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