What
As of Oct. 26, Costa Rica no longer required visitors to provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country. And as of Nov. 1, the country will open to all international travelers. Previously, Costa Rica had restricted entry to Americans from a handful of U.S. states and those travelers were required to provide a COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours prior to entry.
Why It Matters
According to Gustavo Segura, tourism minister for Costa Rica, the restrictions on foreign travel into the country has directly and indirectly impacted 600,000 jobs. In addition to being one of the country’s main economic engines, tourism also helps stabilize the exchange rate of the country’s currency against the U.S. dollar.
I reiterate my call to companies in the tourism sector to continue with the commitment to apply prevention protocols in a very comprehensive manner and to national and international tourists to practice tourism responsibly, following all the precautionary measures that have been recommended to avoid contagion.
But Segura is stressing that in order for the decision to be sustainable, it is imperative for travel companies and travelers to practice precautionary measures and postpone traveling when sick. The move also gives travel advisors an alternative recommendation to Mexico for clients who want to travel internationally without testing requirements.
Fast Facts
- To enter Costa Rica, travelers will have to fill out an electronic epidemiological form, called the Health Pass.
- To enter the country, travelers will have to purchase travel insurance, which can be bought in Costa Rica or internationally. The Costa Rica insurance can be purchased through the National Insurance Institute.
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What They Are Saying
"This decision is made in view of the air opening to all international countries on Nov. 1 and takes into account that the Pan American Health Organization, in a document dated Oct. 9, considers it unnecessary to demand tests or order quarantines for the resumption of international travel,” said Gustavo Segura, tourism minister of Costa Rica. “I reiterate my call to companies in the tourism sector to continue with the commitment to apply prevention protocols in a very comprehensive manner and to national and international tourists to practice tourism responsibly, following all the precautionary measures that have been recommended to avoid contagion. The observance and adoption of these protocols is critical to give continuity over time to these gradual measures of economic opening, which undoubtedly help to protect thousands of jobs in the tourism sector throughout the country.”
The Details
Costa Rica Tourism Board
www.visitcostarica.com
