Costa Rica: Officials have eased domestic COVID-19-related restrictions effective as of Dec. 29; international travel restrictions unchanged /update 46

Authorities in Costa Rica have eased domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of Dec. 29. International travel rules remain unchanged.

Event

Authorities in Costa Rica have eased domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of Dec. 29. The nightly ban on movement and business operations has been shortened by one hour and is now in effect between 00:01-05:00. Additionally, authorities have postponed the requirements for customers to show proof of vaccination in businesses to Feb. 7. Other measures, including travel requirements, remain unchanged.

Domestic Restrictions
A nightly ban on movement and business operations is in effect between 00:01-05:00. Restrictions on the use of private vehicles are in place in the area within the Anillo de Circunvalacion in San Jose (an area that covers approximately downtown San Jose) between 05:01-00:00.

The following schedule dictates which vehicles are prohibited from moving within the Anillo de Circunvalacion, on certain days based on their license plate numbers:

Mondays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 or 2 are prohibited
Tuesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 or 4 are prohibited
Wednesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 or 6 are prohibited
Thursdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 or 8 are prohibited
Fridays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 or 0 are prohibited

There is no ban on the use of private vehicles between 05:00-00:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, there will be no ban on movement the night of Dec. 31-Jan. 1.

All businesses, restaurants, and tourist venues are allowed to open without capacity limits if they require customers to show proof of being fully vaccinated. Venues that do not wish to require vaccine certificates from customers can open at 50-percent capacity. However, starting Feb. 7 all businesses must require customers to show proof of being fully vaccinated.

International Travel Restrictions
All travelers 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 test before entering the country. Nevertheless, they must complete the required health affidavit (i.e., Health Pass) and have sufficient insurance to cover lodging and health expenses. Individuals may enter Costa Rica without the requisite health insurance if they provide proof of having been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival.

Visitors traveling by land must also complete the government Health Pass and have sufficient insurance to cover any potential health expenses. The country's maritime borders remain mostly closed to visitors, although certain private boats can 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.