D N N TRAVEL: Is It SAFE to Visit COSTA RICA Right Now? (January 2022)

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Is It SAFE to Visit COSTA RICA Right Now? (January 2022)

Costa Rica is becoming safer every day, even for a spike in coronavirus infections in September and a recent increase in cases. More than half of Costa Rica’s population has also been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, despite the shortages.

On August 1, Costa Rica lifted its health insurance requirement for fully vaccinated visitors.

Cruises ships with fully vaccinated tourists are allowed to make ports of call in Costa Rica as of September.

Latest updates

December 30 – Slight increase in cases; hospitalizations and fatalities dropping in Costa Rica

Last week, the Costa Rica Ministry of Health reported a slight increase (1.8%) in COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week.

On the other hand, during the same period of time, the number of hospitalizations decreased by 15.2%, while fatalities dropped by 61%.

Another good news is that by December 25, there have been only four cases of the new Omicron variant reported. None of them are related and have not required hospitalization.

Source: Outbreak News Today

November 23 – Costa Rica’s establishments to soon require proof of vaccination

While Costa Rica allows unvaccinated visitors, they will not be able to enter most local establishments from the beginning of next year. The mandate will affect most tourist attractions, including hotels, restaurants, museums, or bars, and should come into effect on January 8, 2022.

Children under 12 will not have to present proof of vaccination. Travelers who can prove they have a medical condition that doesn’t allow them to get vaccinated against COVID-19 will also be exempt from the rule.

Costa Rica still plans to welcome unvaccinated visitors next year. However, they might have to think twice before they go as hotels will not be able to host them.

Source: Lonely Planet

COVID-19 cases in Costa Rica

Source

At the moment, Costa Rica has around 2,494 active cases. The CDC ranks the country at Level 4 – a high level of transmission, even though it is currently reporting only around 219 new daily cases.

Vaccination progress in Costa Rica

Source: Our World in Data

Like most Latin American countries, Costa Rica has faced vaccine shortages. Even so, it has managed to immunize, at least with one dose, more than 77% of its population, while nearly 69% has been vaccinated fully.

Why travel to Costa Rica during COVID-19?

First and foremost, Costa Rica has virtually 0 entry restrictions for vaccinated visitors. No test, no quarantine, no extra expenses, no hassle.

If that is not enough, here you have 3 excellent reasons to pack your bags.

1. Puerto Viejo

This Caribbean coast is popular among young people and backpackers because of its great beaches, surfing, and party atmosphere. In the town nearby visitors will find some fun activities going on every day.

When in town, you must pay a visit to the jaguar rescue center where local wildlife is rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

2. Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero is Spanish for “a lot of turtles.” With more than 77,000 acres, this Amazon rainforest-like is home to rivers, jungles, and “a lot of turtles” coming to nest along the shoreline.

3. Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica is known for its amazing national parks, where tourists can enjoy some thrilling activities like river rafting, canyoning, cave tubing, and wildlife spotting.

This one in particular is the right fit for adventurous people. It features 13 major ecosystems including a rainforest, highland cloud forest, swamps, and beaches.

Requirements to enter Costa Rica

As of today, there’s no need for a negative Covid-19 PCR test result as there was initially. All visitors must fill out a Health Pass within 72 hours of travel. This step is necessary for visitors to obtain the QR code that must be shown on arrival.

Starting August 1, vaccinated visitors are exempt from the health insurance requirement. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must purchase health insurance before their arrival in the country.

It must cover potential quarantine accommodation up to USD $2,000 and COVID-19 medical-related expenses of at least USD $50,000.

Updates archives

October 12 – Costa Rica removed from the U.K. COVID-19 travel ‘red list’

Yesterday, on October 11, Costa Rica was removed from the U.K. travel red list, along with 46 other countries.

Eligible vaccinated travelers arriving in the U.K. from Costa Rica are not required to quarantine anymore at their own expense. They only need to test after arrival.

However, as the Costa Rican vaccination program lacks proof of vaccination for travel to the U.K., those who have received their shots in Costa Rica must test before departure, on days 2 and 8, and complete a 10-day home quarantine.

The decision should help restore tourism between the two countries, as well as an early return of British Airways and Tui airlines before the start of the high season, added Gustavo Segura, Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister. The whole process should also help Costa Rica get back on the European market.

Source: The Tico Times

September 8 – Costa Rica reports near-record number of COVID-19 infections

Costa Rica suffered its second-highest total of COVID-19 cases in a single week between August 29 and September 4, announced the Health Ministry.

During that period, the country registered 16,601 new coronavirus cases. That is, on average, 2,371 new infections daily. At its highest point in early May 2021, there were 18,021 cases reported in a week.

In the last four weeks, Costa Rica also saw an increase in deaths and hospital admissions. Between August 29 and September 4, 136 patients died of COVID-19 in Costa Rica. Before, there were 89, 105, and 127 fatalities reported each week, respectively. Hospital admissions continue to increase by 15% week by week.

Based on the estimates of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, the situation will most likely not improve any time soon. We can expect to see up to 3,500 new cases a day by the end of September.

Source: The Tico Times

ugust 24 – Immunosuppressed residents to receive third COVID-19 dose in 2022

The National Vaccination and Epidemiology Commission (CNVE) announced that immunosuppressed people are included in the population to receive the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2022.

The 2.5 million dose contract is still being negotiated with Pfizer. However, more than half of the doses should be distributed to the pediatric population. The rest should go to immunosuppressed patients, the elderly, and first responders.

Further details are yet to be discussed.