NOTE: By presidential decree Costa Rican hotels, restaurants, adventure tours and other non-essential businesses have the option of requiring all guests 12 years and older show proof of vaccination or enforcing distancing and operating at 50% capacity starting Dec 1, 2021. Starting Jan 8, 2022 … [Read more...]
Covid Testing Requirements & Locations
UPDATE MAY 15, 2021 - SJO international airport finally joined LIR in offering one hour antigen testing. Reservations required (both airports available here). antigen test locations | insurance | electronic health pass | PCR test centers | planning/logistics assistance The U.S. announced as of … [Read more...]
Electronic Health Pass – Pase de Salud
Update Dec 15, 2021 - If you are fully vaccinated you are no longer required to purchase travel insurance to visit Costa Rica but you must still fill out the "Pase de Salud" and include documentation that the last dose of approved (Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson) vaccine was … [Read more...]
Passports & Visas
NOTE: As always tourist visas are issued to most visitors (see list of automatic visa countries) upon arrival. However, since Dec 1 the length of stay indicated on the visa may be less than the previous automatic 90 days. Unvaccinated travelers will be permitted to stay for the number of days … [Read more...]
Immunization Records
No immunizations are required for travelers entering Costa Rica from the U.S., Europe or Canada. You do not need an "immunity passport" (aka World Health Organization international certificate of vaccination). However, since November 0f 2020, each visitor must purchase approved Covid 19 insurance … [Read more...]
Departure Tax (Exit Tax)
For decades the Costa Rica departure or exit tax (aka "departure tax" $29 per person) was paid at a counter in the airport before check-in. The "new" system including the departure tax in tickets has been phasing in since November of 2014. See Examples & Is It Included in My Ticket? NOTE: … [Read more...]
Arrival, Entry or Tourism Tax
There are a total of $58.19 Costa Rica taxes and fees typically charged to international air tickets. Most people don't notice these because they are included in the advertised price of airfares. In July of 2019 Costa Rica's new value added tax (Impuesto al Valor Agregado – IVA) applies to … [Read more...]
Travel Insurance
NOTE: Every un-vaccinated visitor to Costa Rica is required to prove they have travel insurance that covers Covid when they arrive at the airport. Special policies are available that only cost a couple of dollars a day - see how and where to buy the required insurance. No Coverage = No Refunds, No … [Read more...]
Sixaola Panama Border Run
Costa Rica Departure Tax The $7 departure tax when leaving Costa Rica by land is considerably less than the $29 exit tax charged if you are departing by air. It can be just as painful however. Theoretically paying the departure tax should be a breeze at machines similar to ATMs … [Read more...]