TORONTO —Costa Rica has updated its entry requirements, eliminating the need for travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival.

According to Tourism Minister Gustavo J. Segura, as of Oct. 26, national and foreign passengers entering Costa Rica by air will not be required to present a negative RT-PCR test result.

In addition, neither Costa Ricans nor foreigners will receive a sanitary order of confinement when entering the country by air.

Costa Rica is set to reopen its borders to all international travellers on Nov. 1, at which point only the following entry requirements are necessary:

• Fill out the electronic epidemiological health pass form, available at https://salud.go.cr
• Obtain traveller’s medical insurance, either an international policy or purchased in destination through the National Insurance Institute (INS) at https://www.grupoins.com/ or seguroparaviajeros, or Sagicorhttps://www.sagicor.cr/seguro_para_turistas/

Costa Rica previously reopened its borders on Aug. 1 to visitors from select countries, including Canada. At that time, eligible visitors were required to have remained in their destination or origin for a minimum of 14 consecutive days prior to travel to Costa Rica, as well as obtain a COVID-19 negative test within 48 hours prior to the travelling date to Costa Rica.

The updated measures depend on the evolution of the pandemic both in Costa Rica and around the world. Travellers with symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue, flu or similar are asked to postpone their trip to Costa Rica until they are in good health.

International travellers are still encouraged to check Costa Rica’s visa requirements here.

“This decision is made in view of the air opening to all international countries on Nov. 1 and takes into account that the Pan American Health Organization, in a document dated Oct. 9, considers it unnecessary to demand tests or order quarantines for the resumption of international travel,” said Segura.

He added: “I reiterate my call to companies in the tourism sector to continue with the commitment to apply prevention protocols in a very comprehensive manner and to national and international tourists to practice tourism responsibly, following all the precautionary measures that have been recommended to avoid contagion. The observance and adoption of these protocols is critical to give continuity over time to these gradual measures of economic opening, which undoubtedly help to protect thousands of jobs in the tourism sector throughout the country.”

The reopening of Costa Rica’s air border is of vital importance to its tourism industry, which serves as one of the main engines of its national economy. Tourism accounts for nearly 10 points of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and more than 600,000 direct and indirect jobs.