Costa Rica Reopening For Tourism August 1, But Not To Americans

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And the hits just keep on coming…

Closed since March 16 due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Costa Rica will reopen its borders to allow tourism on August 1st. At that time, at least five international flights will arrive each week at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica’s capital of San José, and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in the northeast city of Liberia (the country’s other two airports will remain closed at this time).

The small Central American country will admit travelers from the select low-risk countries of the European Union, United Kingdom, and Canada. Tourists from the United States, who typically make up the largest group of international arrivals into Costa Rica, are considered high risk and will be banned at this time, due to our high numbers of people who have the 2019 Novel coronavirus.

‘The recovery of the sector will be carried out with the utmost prudence and in adherence to strict sanitary protocols, always with the supreme conviction of ensuring the health and life of people,’ said President Carlos Alvarado.

The first flights will arrive from Germany (Frankfurt) and Spain (Madrid).

The requirements for tourists who are allowed to enter the country include:

• Completing and presenting an epidemiological survey.
• Presenting proof of a negative PCR coronavirus test. The result must have been received within 48 hours before travel to Costa Rica.
• Having travel insurance that covers medical care or an unexpected extended hotel stay.
• Following all airport and local health protocols, which include wearing a mask or face shield in nearly all indoor areas

‘In the event that a tourist does not meet these requirements, they will not be able to embark on national soil,’ tourism minister Gustavo Segura said. ‘It is necessary to give this signal to reopen commercial flights for the reactivation of the tourism sector.’

With the decision to bar people residing in the U.S., Costa Rica joins the European Union’s 27 member nations, China, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the Bahamas in prohibiting American tourists altogether. Most other countries have placed strict restrictions on our visiting for tourism, with requirements that run the gamut from a negative COVID-19 test to a 2-week quarantine upon entering.

#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands #wearamask

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary