Updated March 7, 2022

April 1, 2022 Update

April 1, 2022 marks the day the travel insurance policy for non-vaccinated travelers will no longer be required. Of course, it is still recommended that tourists purchase a travel insurance policy that will cover COVID-related medical expenses and quarantine lodging, in case they acquire the virus before leaving the country.

No More Travel Insurance Requirements for Vaccinated Tourists in Costa Rica

As of August 1, 2021, visitors and tourists coming to Costa Rica who are fully vaccinated will not be required to purchase travel insurance covering COVID-19. This policy extends to both vaccinated adults and underaged children. 

This is great news for tourists planning 2021 vacations in Costa Rica! 

The previous policy, which runs until July 31st, requires all visitors entering Costa Rica to have or purchase travel insurance that specifically covers COVID-19 related expenses, including a potential 14 day quarantine. This travel insurance policy could be connected to the visitor’s existing insurance, or purchased through Costa Rica’s own INS (National Insurance Institute) or a private insurance provider such as Sagicor or BlueCross BlueShield. 

FAQs About this New Tourism Policy

Here are some details you’ll need to know when deciding if you’ll need to purchase travel insurance or not when traveling to Costa Rica.

What Does Full Vaccinated Mean for Travelers to Costa Rica?

This means travelers must have received all required doses of their chosen vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Costa Rica. Approved vaccines include:

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• AstraZeneca
• Johnson & Johnson.

How Can You Prove Vaccination Status?

Costa Rica immigration officials will accept vaccination certificates and official vaccine cards, as long as they include the following information:

• Name of vaccinated individual 
• Date of each dose 
• Pharmaceutical maker of the vaccine 

For the United States, the official documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status is the “COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card”. 

Do Vaccinated Tourists Still Need to Fill Out the “Pase de Salud” or Health Pass?

Yes. All travelers to Costa Rica need to fill out the Health Pass within 72 hours of their trip. After filling out this short form, you’ll receive a QR code sent to your email that will be scanned prior to entering the country. 

Should I Still Purchase Travel Insurance?

We always recommend our travelers buy travel insurance when coming to Costa Rica. Of course, we never expect anything to go wrong on a trip, but it is a security that, at best, gives travelers peace of mind. And of course, there is always the possibility that something will happen where you’ll appreciate having travel insurance. 

See our blog about travel insurance for more details on why we think it’s a good idea.