Costa Rica: COVID-19 restrictions remain largely unchanged nationwide as of April 1; land borders to reopen April 5 /update 32

COVID-19 restrictions in Costa Rica remain largely unchanged as of April 1. Land borders to reopen for visitors April 5.

Event

As of April 1, COVID-19-related restrictions in force in Costa Rica remain largely unchanged by comparison with those in place during early March. Nevertheless, the nation's land borders will reopen for nonresident foreign nationals on April 5. Visitors must complete the government Health Pass and have sufficient insurance to cover any potential health expenses. Travelers entering Costa Rica, including residents, will no longer be required to self-quarantine upon arrival, starting April 5.

Generally, nonessential businesses can operate nationwide provided they adhere to certain health and safety regulations. Businesses allowed to operate must close daily between 23:00-05:00. Beaches can open daily between 05:00-18:00 and national parks may open without capacity limits, while bars and casinos can operate at a maximum of 50-percent capacity. Lodging businesses can operate without capacity limits. All individuals must wear protective facemasks that cover the nose and mouth while in indoor public areas or using public transportation.

Under the current domestic directives, motorists nationwide are banned from using private transport between 23:00-05:00 every day of the week. Between 05:00-23:00, all private vehicles are allowed to be on the roads in most areas of the country. However, within an area of central San Jose known as the "restriction zone," special restrictions on private vehicle use are in effect; more specifically, private vehicles are only allowed on the roads on certain days of the week based on the last digit of their license plates. Vehicles with plates ending in the digits shown below may only be used on the corresponding day indicated:

1 or 2: Mondays
3 or 4: Tuesdays
5 or 5: Wednesdays
7 or 8: Thursdays
9 or 0: Fridays

On Saturdays and Sundays, all private vehicles are allowed to circulate without restrictions.

Authorities in Costa Rica continue to categorize individual cantons depending on local COVID-19 transmission risk using a four-tier color-coded system. The specific tiers are low risk (green), moderate risk (yellow), high risk (orange), and extreme risk (red). As of April 1, most cantons nationwide are at the moderate (yellow) risk level, with only the following cantons classified as high risk (orange):

San Jose Province: Alajuelita, Dota, Perez Zeledon, San Jose and Santa Ana
Alajuela Province: Atenas, Grecia, Poas and Sarchi
Cartago Province: El Guarco
Heredia Province: None
Puntarenas Province: Corredores, Coto Brus, Garabito, Golfito, Montes de Oca and Quepos
Limon Province: Guacimo, Matina, Siquirres, and Talamanca

International Travel Restrictions
All travelers, including nonresident foreign nationals, are allowed to enter Costa Rica by air regardless of their country of origin. Foreign travelers are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result prior to entering the country. However, they must still complete the required health affidavit (Health Pass) and have sufficient insurance to cover lodging and health expenses.

The maritime borders remain mostly closed to visitors, although certain private boats are allowed to enter.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.