What It’s Like to Travel to Costa Rica During COVID

Now that Costa Rica has officially opened its doors to tourism once again, you’re probably wondering what it’s like to travel there. With the CDC’s recommendation to avoid travel at all costs, especially now during the holidays, it’s hard to know what to do.

Costa Rica’s tourism sector has taken an enormous hit due to the pandemic. Just like in the United States, many businesses have closed whether related to tourism or not. As of the date of this writing, Costa Rica is still getting about 1,000 positive coronavirus test results each day. However, many measures have been put into place to keep you safe.

If you decide to travel to Costa Rica now, or have reservations in place that you purchased months ago, here’s what you can expect if you go.

No Negative COVID Test Required

When Costa Rica first began allowing tourists to return, one of the stipulations was to produce a negative COVID test result within 72-hours of landing. When it became apparent that this was a deal breaker for so many tourists because of lack of testing facilities, Costa Rica finally nixed this requirement. I can only imagine that those first few flights going into Costa Rica must have provided at least some degree of comfort, knowing that everyone on board had tested negative in the last 72-hours.

Although the negative test result has been cancelled, you will still need to purchase specific travel insurance and fill out an online epidemiological form. Don’t worry, they’re both tied together with a handy-dandy QR code that you’ll need to present at the airport. Read on for more.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance

Costa Rica is requiring every traveler to purchase approved insurance that will pay for your lodging if you become sick. Understand that Costa Rica’s COVID count is still high and hospitals are full with their own patients.

Your own health insurance from the States will not cover you while you’re in Costa Rica. You’ll need to buy special insurance here with INS or here with Sagicor. The price of the insurance varies by your age and how long you’re going to spend in Costa Rica. When I purchased my insurance through Sagicor, it was roughly $11.00 per day, so that wasn’t so bad. Yours may be different.

After paying for your insurance with a credit card, you will receive a receipt and an insurance number. This will be e-mailed to you, or you can print out a copy. Make sure hold onto this number because you’ll need to add it to your epidemiological form.

Filling Out Your Epidemiological Form Online

Your next step, after purchasing insurance, will be to fill out the epidemiological form, or health pass, online. Keep in mind that this must be filled out within 48-hours of your trip. The system won’t allow you to purchase it any further ahead than that. Remember, generating a QR code at the end of this transaction is going to be your final goal. You can find the epidemiological form right here.

This form will ask you a number of questions such as your name, which days you’re traveling and your passport number. There will also be a section on symptoms of COVID and if you’ve experienced any. When you reach the end of the form, it will ask you to input the number you received when you paid for the health insurance. After you input the number and everything looks good you can generate the QR code. This will get emailed to you or you can upload it to your phone’s wallet.

Make sure you keep this code where you can find it on travel day. I was asked for this code at Albany Airport and again before boarding in Newark (where each person was checked ahead of time and their boarding pass marked okay). Ironically, they didn’t ask me for it in Costa Rica, but that doesn’t mean they won’t ask YOU for it.

One note of advice: some people are having problems getting the QR code to generate in Google Chrome. This happened to me. After a few choice words, I ended up opening my computer’s Microsoft Edge and got it to work there. I have no idea how this works on Safari or if you try it on your phone.

Arriving In Costa Rica

For those of you that haven’t traveled during the pandemic, they’re doing things a little differently during the boarding and deplaning process. Now, instead of boarding in groups or sections, they’re boarding the plane from back to front with the exception of First Class, priority boarding, military personnel and those with special circumstances. Upon landing, everyone is (supposed to) remain seated until their row is called.

My plane to Costa Rica from Newark, NJ was almost full. Many were Costa Ricans going home for a few days to visit their families.

If you’ve ever been to Costa Rica, the process is pretty much the same except for a few changes. There is now a plexiglass barrier between you and the customs officer. I had also read about this “antibacterial carpet” that you walk across after entering the airport and I don’t know what I was expecting, but to be honest, if you weren’t looking for it, you’d never notice it.

Another major difference on arriving to Costa Rica during the pandemic is that you’re not inundated with taxi drivers when you leave the airport. I arrived at night and there was almost no one outside the airport. In all my thirty-six years of traveling to Costa Rica, I’ve never seen THAT before.

Safety Measures

Costa Rica is quite different in COVID safety measures than what I’m used to in New York State. Of course, I don’t know what they’re doing in Manhattan, or in your state, but in Costa Rica they’ve really made strides towards keeping everyone safe. Much like in New York, most stores, restaurants and malls are open. However, before entering many of these businesses, be prepared to have your temperature taken or to have your hands squirted with hand sanitizer.

For example, at Paseo Metropoli, Cartago’s mall, they have kiosks set up for you to use hand sanitizer and have your temperature taken at the same time. Most grocery stores are taking temperatures. Boutiques will have someone standing outside ready to blast your hands with spray alcohol or gel. Many stores have tiny sinks set up outside them where you can wash up before going in. I think these are all positive additions, so be respectful and go with the flow.

When you leave Costa Rica, you will find a row of these small sinks set up outside the airport so you can wash up before going inside. Only ticketed passengers are allowed inside at this time.

Should You Travel?

What’s your opinion on traveling right now? It’s something you’ll have to think hard about doing, whether you’re traveling to Costa Rica or anywhere else. There’s no arguing that it’s safer to stay home. Everyone knows that. If you live in a State where your COVID numbers are rising, traveling is not wise. If your State is headed for a lockdown, don’t travel.

On the other hand, if you come from an area with a very small COVID count and can follow all the rules and regulations, this might be a good time to travel. My hometown, county and State are very low right now.

Airport lines are short, tourist attractions are less crowded and of course, Costa Rica is desperate for tourism dollars again. Unemployment in Costa Rica is at an all-time high of 24%. However, not traveling now doesn’t mean you can’t postpone your trip until next summer or fall, when hopefully most people will be vaccinated.

The majority of people that are headed to Costa Rica are going to the beach areas. These spots can be very remote and are away from populated areas. If you’re headed to more metropolitan Costa Rica, such as San Jose, Alajuela or Cartago, be aware that there could be a lot of people in a very little space. Wear your mask at all times, wash your hands, abide by local regulations and bring hand sanitizer with you.

I can’t tell you whether coming to Costa Rica is a good or bad idea for you, this article is merely to inform. I believe travel can be done safely if you follow all protocol. Just be smart about what’s happening in your State and keep everyone around you as safe as you can.