Costa Rica - Bio Security

Biosecurity Rules:

Agriculture: SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) will want to visit your boat on arrival. They may well need collecting by dinghy. The are looking specifically for any raw pork products and live animals on board. There is a charge for this inspection and the payment needs to be deposited at a bank and once you have a receipt a visit can be scheduled by phone. One solution is to have a Marina do the money transfer and scheduling (Banana Bay in Golfito offer this service). Payment is mandatory, even if an inspection doesn't happen.

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COVID-19: OPEN

• Costa Rica lifted all Covid-related entry protocols on 1 April, 2022 and entry procedures reverted back to those pre-Covid (see clearance).
• An agent is no longer required unless entering directly into a marina.

Our thanks to Paramares S.A and Marina Papagayo for assisting with information throughout the Pandemic.

Resources:

• https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements
• https://salud.go.cr/
• https://www.grupoins.com/seguroparaviajeros
• https://www.sagicor.cr/seguro_para_turistas/

History: 

• On 19 March, 2020, Costa Rica closed its borders
• On 01 September, 2020, private yachts were once again permitted to enter Costa Rica with negative test results for all crew or quarantine on arrival (time at sea reduced the number of quarantine days required). Only authorized marinas could be used (Golfito, Los Sueños, Pez Vela, Banana Bar and Papagayo) and skippers had to register in advance with an agent to handle the arrival protocols.
• On 26 October, 2020, Costa Rica eliminated the requirement of a negative PCR test for both foreign tourists and Costa Ricans arriving in the country by air.
• On 1 November 1 Costa Rica re-enabled its air border to all countries in the world as long as they meet the visa and pandemic requirements.
• 1 April, 2022, all restrictions were lifted.

Reports:

• Caribbean Bound 2020/21 - Yachting Protocols
• Central America: Covid19 Field Report (April 2020)