Pictured above – A Roosterfish comb breaks the surface of the water to the delight of nearby shore casters

Traditionally this is the time of year when Costa Rica fishing lodges, and travel agencies have the phones ringing off the hook. This year as we know all to well, things are a bit different. A couple months back tourists from the USA could not even enter Costa Rica, but little by little things are opening up. This week Costa Rica opened it’s list of States able to enter the country giving anglers a glimmer of hope. Here is a list of newly opened States now allowed to enter Costa Rica and the entry requirements for tourists hoping to soak up the sun, comb the beaches, and enjoy the blue water in Costa Rica.

Airlines returning to Costa Rica — Photo Courtesy The Tico Times

The following taken from The Tico Times Online

As of October 1, Costa Rica will add Ohio to its list of authorized states. The Buckeye State joins the following approved U.S. states:

Currently authorized: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia (and Washington, D.C.), Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wyoming.
Authorized as of Oct. 1, 2020: California, Ohio.

In addition, Costa Rica added two more countries to its authorized list for October: Mexico and Jamaica. They join more than 40 nations, including Canada and those in the EU, whose residents are allowed to visit Costa Rica. (Click here for the full list.)

Mexico is the country from which the third-most tourists visit Costa Rica. According to Tourism Board (ICT) data, 97,000 Mexicans visited the country in 2019, trailing only the United States and Canada.

Segura said that while welcoming tourists is a “controlled risk,” to date, no visitors have tested positive for the coronavirus while in Costa Rica.

Requirements for tourists to enter Costa Rica

All people entering Costa Rica must complete the digital epidemiological form. This is known as the “Health Pass” or “Pase de Salud.” Click here for a link to the form.
Tourists must obtain a negative PCR coronavirus test. The sample for this test must have been taken at most 72 hours before the flight to Costa Rica.
Tourists must purchase travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19. This policy can be international or purchased from Costa Rican insurers.
Tourists from the United States must demonstrate, via their driver’s license or State ID, that they live in one of the authorized states.

Visitors can fly to Costa Rica with a layover in a non-authorized state or country, as long as the layover is shorter than 18 hours and the passengers don’t leave the airport.