Tourism

Digital Nomad Visa Costa Rica Learn About The Digital Nomad Visa Option for Costa Rica

The long-awaited Digital Nomad visa option: Last year, the government announced the Digital Nomad visa option for legally staying past the traditional 90-day visa in Costa Rica. While, in principle, a viable option for those seeking to live and work virtually in Costa Rica for 1 or 2 years without having to do onerous border runs, the program, as initially announced, had flaws. It was left to thi...

Expats Continue to go Missing in Costa Rica Foreigners Keep Disappearing in Costa Rica

According to the Missing Americans Project, a nonprofit organization helping to track Americans and other nationals who vanish in Costa Rica and elsewhere, disappearances of foreigners are under-reported and not closely monitored by any organization. “Families of people who go missing outside their country’s borders frequently find themselves alone and struggling”, according to the organization’s ...

Costa Rica, Perpetual Tourism, Border Runs, Expats Immigration Update for Expats and Tourists in Costa Rica: Visa vs Legal Residency

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica Due to COVID, rules and procedures continue to change and evolve regarding travel and how one remains legally in Costa Rica. For tourists and those of you preparing for or waiting to have your applications for legal residency submitted (by appointment) or for those of you awaiting approval on submitted applications, the dreaded border runs ar...

COVID 19, Airports Costa Rica Costa Rica Changes COVID 19 Entry Requirements as of August 1st 2021

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica There is a significant and welcome change to the entry requirements to Costa Rica. Good news for the vaccinated amongst you. The change is effective August 1, 2021. Those of you who can provide proof of complete vaccination with either the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will no longer be required ...

Perpetual tourism Costa Rica Panama: The new Nightmare Border run for Expats in Costa Rica

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica In response to some emails requesting clarification to my previous article, the following is a brief synopsis regarding visa expiries, the validity of foreign drivers' licenses, and border runs. 1. If you have been in Costa Rica on a Tourist Visa extended several times throughout 2020 and 2021, that visa expired on June 1, 2021. You need to d...

Costa Rica, Perpetual Tourism, Border Runs, Expats Visa Extensions for Tourists in Costa Rica Will Come to an End

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica After repeated visa extensions throughout 2020 and 2021, June 2, 2021 (coming up soon) is the last extension date on visa expiries if you are here in Costa Rica on a tourist visa alone. As a reminder, tourists who enter Costa Rica with a passport from the U.S, Canada, and EU, plus several other countries in the approved country groups, automa...

Costa rica Land borders Costa Rica Reopens Land Borders on April 5th

The Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Segura, announced that Costa Rica will be ready to open land borders as of April 5th for tourism purposes. The country reopened its air and sea borders in August 2020. The Costa Rican Tourism Board considers it is ready to proceed with the normal operation of land borders, which also allows European tourists to move freely between Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua...

Expat Driving in Costa Rica No Drivers License Extension YET for Foreign Tourists in Costa Rica

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica If you go to the MOPT (Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Works & Transportation) website (English translation), you will see a very misleading headline: “Drivers can use foreign license for 6 more months.” https://www.mopt.go.cr/wps/portal/Home/inicio/ We wish. Not true for those of you who just had your TOURIST visa extended to Ju...

Costa Rica Corcovado Park Costa Rica Listed Among Nat Geo’s Best Places For Travel In 2021

Costa Rica appears in National Geographic Traveller magazine “Best of the World 2021” list, in which international editorial teams selected “35 incredible places to discover in 2021 and beyond”, under five categories: sustainability, family, nature, adventure and culture. “The joy of travel comes from the unexpected. And while the pandemic was just that, brining journeys to a standstill, it has...

Costa Rica Flights International Airport in Guanacaste Costa Rica Back in Action

The Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste received two new routes operated by United Airlines proceeding from the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, USA; it also received four flights from routes previously suspended due to the pandemic. The inaugural flight arriving from Los Angeles arrived at Liberia on Friday at 15:37 hours, while the flight from San Fr...

Costa Rica Tourism Industry These are the Holidays that are Moved to Mondays During 2021 in Costa Rica

Last year President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, signed Law number 9875 to Transfer the Holidays (that fall on weekends or mid-week) to Mondays with the purpose of promoting national tourism during the years 2020 through 2024 with the purpose of helping reactive the tourism sector. Below you will find the list of holidays that fall on weekends or mid-week that will be transferred to Mondays:...

Costa Rica Flights United Airlines Inaugurates Two New Routes Connecting Costa Rica and USA

United Airlines inaugurated this December 17th, 2020, the first of two new routes that will be connecting Costa Rica and the United States before the end of the year. The route inaugurated connects San Jose, Costa Rica to Los Angeles, California, USA, one of the North American cities with the largest concentration of tourists interested in traveling to Costa Rica. “Studies show that the west...

Turrialba Volcano in Costa Rica Will Reopen For Visitors December 4 After 8 Years of Closure

After 8 years, the Turrialba Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to visitors on December 4, confirmed the National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC). The reopening of this National Park will allow the reactivation of the local economy, especially hotels, restaurants, and local tourism businesses. The Park closed doors back in 2012 when the Volcano increased its activity which cont...

Irazu volcano Costa Rica Lake Tickets to Visit National Parks Irazu Volcano and Tapanti Are Now Available Online

The National System of Areas of Conservation SINAC announced that tickets to visit the Irazú Volcano National Park and Tapantí National Park in Cartago are not available online through their page: https://serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr/. Irazu and Tapantí, join other national parks that already use this modality: Chirripó, Poás Volcano, Manuel Antonio and San Lucas Island. SINAC is trying to impl...

Costa Rica Tourism Disabilities Lonely Planet Recognizes Costa Rica as Best Destination for Travelers with Disabilities

Renown travel website Lonely Planet recognized Costa Rica in its Best in Travel 2021 Awards, "We decided to make this year’s Best in Travel different by recognizing places and people demonstrating a genuine commitment to sustainability, community and diversity", reads the message of Lonely Planets' CEO Luis Cabrera. Costa Rica received the award under the "Diversity" category specifically as th...

Ayahuasca, Tea, Costa Rica Ayahuasca Ceremonies and Tourism Return to Costa Rica

As of November 1st, residents of all American states will be permitted to enter Costa Rica if they have the appropriate paperwork and proof of a negative COVID-19 test; Canadians are already welcome with correct paperwork. The United States Embassy posted on Monday that those wanting to visit Costa Rica should reconsider given the strikes and traffic blockades, as well as the increase in COVID cas...

costa rica new york flights Starting October 26th the COVID-19 Test Will No Longer Be Required to Enter Costa Rica

With the objective of reactivating tourism and employment in the country, especially in the rural areas of Costa Rica including Guanacaste, the North Zone, Central and South Pacific and the Caribbean, the Government announced today during a press conference that national and foreign travelers flying in will no longer need a Covid-19 negative test to enter the country. “This decision is taken in...

Beaches in Costa Rica Will Reopen With Extended Hours Starting October 15

“The tourism of sun and beach is the cornerstone of our industry, Costa Rica has 1,228 kilometers of coasts and around 600 beaches, and the activities related to these are the preferred ones for national and international tourists, extending the visitation schedule allows the country to continue to reactivate employment”, informed this Thursday the minister of tourism Gustavo Segura. The visita...

COVID 19, Airports Costa Rica Complete Breakdown on Current Aspects of Travel and Residency Information for Costa Rica

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica As of Oct. 15: Residents of Florida, Georgia and Texas will be allowed into Costa Rica. As of Nov. 1: All U.S. citizens and residents will be allowed into Costa Rica. Please click here for Laura's personal travel experience from Costa Rica to the USA and back during the COVID-19 Pandemic. For a comprehensive list of all originating coun...

costa rica new york flights Costa Rica Will Reopen Doors to Tourists From all U.S States as of Nov.1

Residents and citizens of the United States will be able to enter Costa Rica again starting November 1st, and before this date, on October 15th, access will be granted to citizens and residents of the states of Florida, Georgia, and Texas. This measure was announced by the Costa Rican Tourism Board “to help the economic reactivation of the country”, stated the Minister of Tourism Gustavo Segura...

Bizarre Animal Killing Expat Couple Hiding out in Costa Rica

On the weekend of September 20th, photos of the Spanish couple Pedro and Silvia Sierra went viral. They depicted the couple in Costa Rica, Pedro in camouflage jungle gear, and Silvia in a bra and pants. They appeared to be deep in the jungle in the photos, and seemed to be hunting domestic cats. There were photos of cats impaled on trees, being eaten by snakes, hanging upside down from Pedro’s han...

costa rica new york flights Residents of 8 More US States Will be Allowed Entry to Costa Rica in the Upcoming Weeks

The Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Segura, announced this Thursday, September 10 during the daily press conference in relation to the pandemic, that the entry to Costa Rica will be authorized for 7 other USA states as of September 15 and 8th one by October 1st. Residents of the following states will be able to enter Costa Rica after September 15: Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, ...

Costa Rica Flights Costa Rica Increases Frequency of International Flights as of September 13

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) confirmed that as of September 13 the country will increase gradually, but significantly, the number of authorized flights from the United States. As of that date, United Airlines will fly daily from Houston, Texas to the Juan Santamaría Airport and three times a week to the Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste. It is possible that the number of fligh...

Costa Rica New York flights Residents of 12 US States Will be Allowed Entry to Costa Rica as of September

Costa Rica has added another six states of the United States to the list of territories whose residents can enter the country by air for a total of 12. The first six states were announced over a week ago: New York, New Jersey, New Hempshire, Vermont, Main and Connecticut, now the list also includes: Maryland, Virgina and DC that will have authorized access as of September 1st and two weeks lat...

Costa Rica San Lucas Island San Lucas Island in Costa Rica Reopens Doors for Tourism

Costa Rica’s San Lucas Island opened up again this weekend for tourism. San Lucas Island is located off the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica, 5.4 miles from Puntarenas, and has an area of fewer than 500 hectares. This island is famous in Costa Rica because it used to function as a prison from 1873 to 1991; at first just for thieves and other petty crime offenders but later for more dangerous criminals...

Costa Rica Botanika Hotel Construction Officially Underway at Hilton’s Newest Resort in Costa Rica, Botánika Osa Peninsula

After more than 20 years as one of Costa Rica's most iconic billfish sportfishing destinations, Crocodile Bay Resort has begun its transformation into Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton. Slated to open in October 2021, Botánika will belong to a global portfolio of distinctive, upscale hotels and resorts that cater to passionate travelers seeking local discovery and authentic experi...

costa rica new york flights Costa Rica Will Allow Entry of Residents From Six US States as of September

As of September 1, Costa Rica will allow entry via air of international tourists from six states of the United States: New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Connecticut. According to the announcement made by the Ministry of Tourism the decision was made because these six states have an epidemiological risk similar or lower than the levels of transmission for Costa Rica. By...

Costa Rica Adventure Tourism New Law to Help Costa Rican Tourism: No More IVA on Tourism Related Products and Services

As we all know Costa Rican economy is suffering especially in the area of tourism. Costa Rica is currently sitting at a historic high 24% unemployment rate which has left hundreds of thousands of people without work and without a means to take care of their families. As of Aug 1st Costa Rica has reopened it's doors to select countries in an attempt to "Reactivate" tourism and for obvious COVID ...

Flights Costa Rica Europe Costa Rica Will Allow Tourists With International Insurance To Enter the Country

The Government has confirmed it will now allow foreign tourists who have purchased international insurance policies to enter the country. When Costa Rica opened its air borders in August 1st, Executive Decree 42513-MGP-S, established that all tourists had to acquire an insurance policy that would cover health and lodging expenses in the event of quarantine due to Covid-19; however, this insuran...

Costa Rica Covid19 Tourism Costa Rica Starts Reactivation of Tourism Sector Maintaining Strict Restrictions

As it was announced by the Government in the past days, Costa Rica partially reopened air borders this August 1st for international flights to and from the United Kingdom, the European Union and Canada, with this it also announced the beaches located in areas under yellow alert can now open from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in hopes that this will gradually reactivate the tourism sector which has been s...

Costa Rica Vacation A Complete Breakdown of how Much it Will Cost to get Into Costa Rica on Vacation

So we all have heard that there are new requirements to travel to Costa Rica once the airports reopen to select countries August 1st.  Tourists that plan to visit Costa Rica during the upcoming weeks will have to follow all sanitary measures in place and comply with certain requirements, such as taking a Covid-19 test 48 hours prior to the flight, filling out a form with the information for epi...

Flights Costa Rica Europe Costa Rica Confirms Airports Will Reopen Aug 1 Flights Will Resume With UK, E.U. and Canada

Thursday July 23rd Costa Rica registered 768 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, totaling 13,129 out of which 3,448 have already recovered, 81 people have died and currently, 290 people are hospitalized 43 of them in the intensive care unit. Despite the situation, during the press conference held today, the government confirmed that the country will begin to gradually reopen air borders as of Augu...

Costa Rica Tourism Industry Holidays That Fall on Weekends in Costa Rica Will be Moved to Mondays to Promote Tourism

This Thursday July 16th the President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, signed Law number 9875 to Transfer the Holidays (that fall on weekends) to Mondays with the purpose of promoting national tourism during the years 2020 through 2024. The purpose of the bill is to help reactive the tourism sector, one of the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. “At this time, it is of utmost importance t...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information Costa Rica Covid-19 : Schools, Borders,Tourists Visa and Drivers License Extensions

With a total of 5,836 confirmed cases of Covid-19 through July 8th and 25 deaths related to this virus, the number of cases continues to spike. The Costa Rican Government made new announcements in regards to the restart of the school year, reopening of borders and Tourists Visa Extensions. The Ministry of Education informed that schools won’t reopen for class until at least September, which mea...

Air Costa Rica Flights Current Information About Airline Operations for Costa Rica

Costa Rica's borders will remain officially closed through August 1st. The Juan Santamaria Airport updated the information they have on airlines' operations: AEROMEXICO: operations suspended until further notice. AIR CANADA: will resume operations in September. AIR FRANCE: will resume operations October 14th. AIR PANAMA: operations suspended until further notice. AIR TRANSAT: operations sus...

Costa Rica Tour Guides, Coronavirus, COVID-19 Tour Guide in Costa Rica Catches COVID from Tourists and Flatlines Three Times in the ICU

Marco Paris (57), a popular tour guide from Tibas, toured a group of French tourists for 17 days in March. It almost killed him. He survived for 41 days in the Intensive Care Unit of hospital Mexico, and had to be resuscitated three times after he flat lined. He feels he survived due to excellent medical care, and by the grace of God. He says his story should give hope to all COVID-19 sufferers. ...

Tourism in Costa Rica Holidays that Fall on Weekends Will be Moved to Monday’s to Promote National Tourism

The Legislative Assembly approved in a first debate this Tuesday, June 30th, a bill that proposes moving the national holidays that fall on the weekend to Monday with the purpose of having long weekend and promoting national tourism. This measure will apply for some holidays starting this year and through 2024 but won’t apply to all holidays in order not to have an impact on the public finances...

Costa Rica Beach Vacation If Americans Can’t Return the Reality is Tourism in Costa Rica Won’t Make it

Europe will be reopening its borders to foreign visitors on July 1st, but it looks like the United States will continue to be banned due to the mishandling of the COVID pandemic. What if Costa Rica chooses a similar plan for reopening? The US has the highest number of coronavirus infections and COVID-19 deaths in the world, and the numbers continue to rise daily. Should Americans be allowed into C...

Costa Rica Economy Covid19 Commerce and Tourism in Costa Rica Await New Guidelines

As of June 24th Costa Rica has registered a total of 2,515 cases of COVID-19, out of which 1,210 patients have recovered, 30 people are still hospitalized and 5 are in the intensive care unit. Several counties and districts remain under orange alert, particularly in the northern Costa Rica and the Paquera district, as well as in the counties of Pavas, Alajuelita and Desamparados in San José. In...

Jaco Beach, Expats, relocating Costa Rica’s Tourism Industry is Surviving on Fumes With no end in Sight

WILL COSTA RICAN TOURISM EVER RETURN? On June 12th, the Costa Rican tourism industry wrote an open letter to President Carlos Alvarado urging him to set a date to reopen airports in Costa Rica. It was signed by 900 movers and shakers of the tourism sector. It also asked for financial support for the tourist industry and better communication between Alvarado’s administration and regional tourism...