Costa Rica: Officials ease certain domestic COVID-19 restrictions through Aug. 31 /update 40

Event

Authorities in Costa Rica have eased certain COVID-19 business and movement restrictions nationwide effective Aug. 9 through at least Aug. 31.

Under the new directives, artistic venues (such as theaters and cinemas) can allow up to 500 people while enforcing social distancing measures; social events may host up to 100 people; national parks may remove capacity limitations; and academic, business and religious events can now host a maximum of 500 people. Public beaches can be open two additional hours, between 05:00-20:00. Restrictions will remain unchanged for other businesses, such as bars, which can operate at 25-percent capacity, and hotels with more than 100 rooms, which may continue opening at 75-percent capacity. Public buses must continue to ban standing passengers. Restaurants, grocery stores, and all other businesses allowed to operate may continue doing so at 50-percent capacity.

Additionally, authorities will now allow businesses to operate between 05:00-22:00, an hour longer than previously. Motorists can also use their private vehicles daily between 05:00-22:00. based on a scheduled of rotating restrictions. Privately-owned vehicles are prohibited from being on the roads one workday per week based on the specific final digit of their license plate numbers, plus one weekend day depending on whether the license plate ends in an odd or even number.

For the period of Aug. 9-31, the following vehicle use restrictions are in effect:

• Mondays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 or 2 prohibited

• Tuesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 or 4 prohibited

• Wednesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 or 6 prohibited

• Thursdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 or 8 prohibited

• Fridays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 or 0 prohibited

• Saturdays, Aug. 14 and 28: vehicles with license plates ending in odd-numbered prohibited

• Sundays, Aug. 15 and 29: vehicles with license plates ending in even-numbered prohibited

• Saturday Aug. 21: vehicles with license plates ending in even-numbered prohibited

• Sunday Aug. 22: vehicles with license plates ending in even-numbered prohibited

Authorities continue to categorize individual cantons based 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 Aug. 9, all cantons nationwide remain at the high-risk (orange) level.

International Travel Restrictions
All travelers, including nonresident foreign nationals, can enter Costa Rica by air regardless of their country of origin. Foreign travelers are not required to provide a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test prior to entering the country. Nevertheless, they must still complete the required health affidavit (Health Pass) and have sufficient insurance to cover lodging and health expenses. However, individuals may enter Costa Rica without the requisite health insurance, if they provide proof of having been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their trip.

All land borders have reopened for nonresident foreign nationals. Visitors must complete the government Health Pass and have sufficient insurance to cover any potential health expenses. Travelers entering Costa Rica, including residents, are no longer required to undergo a self-quarantine period upon arrival. The country's 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.

Advice

Heed the directives of local authorities. Reconfirm all health-related travel requirements before travel. Confirm appointments in advance.

Resources

WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base

Presidency of Costa Rica (Spanish)

Government COVID-19 Information (Spanish)

Online Health Pass