Beginning August 1, Costa Rica will allow tourists fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and minors under the age of 18 to enter the country without travel insurance, with the aim of increasing tourist visitation. This measure was announced by Costa Rica’s minister of tourism with the aim of increasing tourist visitation and will take effect one year after the reopening of the country’s air border.
The accepted vaccines will be: Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days prior to arrival in Costa Rica. As proof, vaccination certificates and vaccination cards that contain at least the following information will be accepted:
- Name of the individual who received the vaccine
- Date of each dose
- Pharmaceutical site
In the case of U.S. travelers, "COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards” will be accepted.
“As vaccination advances in priority markets for Costa Rican tourism and to benefit the reactivation of international travel, it is important to make the requirements more flexible for individuals who do not represent a high risk (in terms of economic cost) of serious disease nor hospitalization for the State,” Minister of Tourism Gustavo J. Segura, during a press conference this week.
The country will continue to require each tourist, regardless of age or vaccination status, to complete the epidemiological form called "Health Pass" at least 72 hours before their trip. Those who are inoculated must attach the certificate, card or "COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card" to the form. Costa Rican Tourism Institute officials will verify compliance with these requirements in the section of the form that specifically corresponds to the travel insurance policy for tourists over the age of 18 without vaccination and the vaccination certificate in pertinent cases.
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