By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica

Based on a significant number of emails I receive, there are still many despondent or hesitant travelers to Costa Rica who have not yet heard that the onerous 72-hour negative COVID test is no longer required to enter Costa Rica.

The entry requirements of carrying COVID medical insurance and filling out the health survey are still in place but much more comfortable to meet. For full details, go here: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements

Another common concern is from those who own homes or have rented homes here and do not want to pay for COVID insurance coverage for hotels should they succumb. While there is nothing officially written in the government rules, if you bring proof of ownership or of a place to stay and show it to immigration officials when entering through the airport, you will be allowed entry. (Not if it is Airbnb or similar. The rental must also be for at least one month.) I base this on actual client experiences. But anytime you ask for an exemption from official rules, be extra polite and patient. Good manners and deportment still count for a lot. If that does not win the day, you will have access to the added insurance at the airport.

Foreign Driver’s License Validity Not Extended

For those who do not know, foreign driver’s licenses in Costa Rica are recognized and are required to drive legally here in Costa Rica. But usually, they only remain valid for the duration of your visa stamp received at the time of your last entry into Costa Rica. For most of you reading this, that means 90 days.

The last COVID related extension was granted in July by MOPT (Ministry of Public Works & Transport) extending the foreign driver’s license validity to November 18, 2020, on visa stamps going all the way back to December 17, 2019.

A request was made to have the validity of foreign driver’s licenses extended to March 2, 2021.

This request was declined.

MOPT’s highly myopic reasoning was that the air borders are now open (Ground borders of Panama and Nicaragua are only open to nationals and legal residents). MOPT stated that Immigration is now finally taking in residency applications. Never mind that once residency applications are submitted, it can still take from 12 to 18 months to get approved, ultimately leading to qualification for a Costa Rica driver’s license valid for 5 or 10 years. Based on that optimistic 12 to 18-month residency approval time, that means you would have to fly out and back into Costa Rica 4 to 6 times to keep your license valid. The option to run to Panama or Nicaragua’s border for a quick in and out (border run) to obtain said visa stamp currently does not exist for most non-residents.

Suffice to say, this poorly thought out policy is very hostile to ex-pats seeking residency and still needing to drive. Let’s hope someone from the ICT (Tourism Ministry) is reading this and also actively listening to bitter complaints flooding into them following this announcement yesterday.

In the meantime, if a driver’s license is one that will “expire” on November 18, some can make adjustments to other transportation options.

Fly out and back into Costa Rica every 90 days.
Use Uber, taxis, buses, or other public or private transportation.
Air service such as Skyway, Sansa, Aerobell & Air Caribe.
Golf carts, small CC motorcycles, or ATV’s where appropriate.

Some may be tempted to drive illegally. If you choose this option and get pulled over, most likely, you will get the plates pulled off your vehicle and be fined USD 90. Getting the plates back will also prove troublesome. Some barstool “advisors” might suggest having that cash bribe at the ready at all times. Ill-advised, to say the least.

Suffice to say, for most of you non-residents, none of the above is acceptable. We will endeavor to keep you informed just as soon as there is a favorable change to this situation. In the meantime, please be prudent and use good judgment in the face of this inconvenience while the decision makers get tuned in.

If you are in need of immigration assistance Laura can be reached by clicking here, Toll free at 1-833-733-6337, Locally at or by sending an email to [email protected].