Costa Rica is bucking the trend as it opens to all U.S. and other travelers with no Covid test or quarantine requirements.
Until now, the Central American country was only welcoming a select list of international travelers. The list currently includes U.S. states with low infection rates. Plus tourists from the UK, EU, Canada and Asia among others.
But from November 1, all U.S. citizens and residents will make it onto that list.
Initially the government planned to make a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours an entry requirement.
COSTA RICA OPENS TO ALL U.S. TOURISTS NOVEMBER 1
Now the Costa Rica Tourism Board says all foreign tourists can fly in restriction-free. So no tests, no quarantines.
This is happening in two phases:
- As of October 26, all local and foreign passengers already on the list don’t need to show a negative PCR test on arrival.
- As of November 1, the borders are open to all countries in the world, as long as they meet “necessary visa requirements.”
- Your trip also depends on meeting certain Covid health protocols.
So what are those rules?
- All passengers must fill out an electronic epidemiological HEALTH PASS form prior to travel.
- Until November 1, U.S. passengers must show a driver’s license or State ID to prove they live in one of the authorized states.
- Travel medical insurance is mandatory, either bought at home or in Costa Rica from two major providers. You must upload a certificate from your insurance company with the Health Pass. The certificate must confirm certain insurance policy conditions, outlined on the tourism board website.
The message is clear: “Passengers who fail to comply with these requirements may not enter the country.”
Tropical Tourism Reopening: Economic Boost, Health Compromise?
As tropical destinations reopen, many have a PCR test rule for all foreign visitors. In the Bahamas, visitors staying longer than four days face a triple testing requirement.
So how is it that Costa Rica is ditching mandatory tests? Is this an over-loosening up of Covid travel safety net rules?
For the country’s tourism minister, Gustavo Segura, the move is a tourism industry lifeline. The industry employs more than 600,000 Costa Ricans he says.
The decision to drop testing requirements follows an October 9 statement from the Pan American Health Organization. The Washington-based agency recommends against testing and quarantine rules during an international travel comeback.
The international public health agency says tests do not rule out Covid in travelers adequately. Instead it argues, destinations should put a priority on “other control measures”. For example, weeding out travelers with symptoms through pre-travel health forms.
“Conducting or requiring COVID-19-related testing of prospective or incoming international travellers is not recommended as a tool to mitigate the risk of international spread … This type of testing could lead to a false sense of security and missed opportunities to implement other control measures.”
It also suggests that lower-risk countries and regions can be “dynamically selected” in order to lower the risk of “importing” the virus. Something Costa Rica is clearly not doing, in opening up to everyone.
Responsible Tourism Counts
Still the country is urging visitors to “practice tourism responsibly”. To help ensure the success of a test-free full reopening. Plus it wants tourism companies to commit to enforcing Covid prevention protocols “in a very comprehensive manner.”
Finally, Segura says, the government can wind back the clock if things go in the wrong direction.
Whether a no-testing policy is enough to reassure travelers remains to be seen. A Safe Travel stamp of approval from the World Travel & Tourism Council should help.
What Are Other Local Covid Protocols for travelers?
Travelers must wear a face mask on arrival at the airport, and respect social distancing rules. Expect temperature controls too.
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