Remember that:

A return flight ticket is needed when entering Costa Rica. The immigration officer will ask for it upon your arrival.

Your country of origin determines the amount of days available to stay in Costa Rica as a tourist.
In some cases, the Immigration official may request you show economic solvency for your stay in the country.
Even with a 90-day tourist visa, the immigration official determines the duration of your stay as allowed by your passport.

Updated Jan 13th, 2023.

https://covid.morphotr.com/

• Comfort: As you don't share with general public, there's more room for you.

• Time saving: You avoid long waiting times for other parties.

• Flexibility: Drivers wait in case of delays and make stops upon request.

Hospital San Rafael Arcangel is a private hospital in downtown Liberia, Guanacaste (see map with location here). They can do the RT-PCR and antigen test.

RT-PCR: Results in 24 hours. Cost: 80,000 colones (about $130).

Antigen Test: Results in 2 hours. Cost: 30,000 colones (about $50).

Testing is available Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Call (506) 2660-5500 or WhatsApp (506) 8766-7881 to make an appointment. 

The other options for testing in Liberia are Hospital Metropolitano (see above), and Vidalab and Lab San Jose (see below).\

Liberia

Vidalab

In addition to Hospital San Rafael Arcangel in Liberia (see Hospital section, above), Vidalab (affiliated lab) offers RT-PCR and antigen testing in downtown Liberia. See map location here.

RT-PCR: They prefer to take the test 3 days before your flight to guarantee results in time. Cost: 70,000 colones (about $115).

Antigen Testing: Results within a couple of hours. Cost: $50.

At home/hotel testing is available. 

Call (506) 4700-9131 to make an appointment.

Tamarindo/Flamingo/Conchal/Potrero Area (Guanacaste)

BeachSide Clinic – Rapid Test Option

In the Tamarindo area, the BeachSide Clinic (affiliated lab) in Huacas can do RT-PCR and antigen/rapid testing. This is a small private clinic. They offer many different services and have English-speaking staff.

*Note (March 9): BeachSide Clinic has run out of antigen testing supplies and is only offering the PCR right now. We will update this post when they begin offering the antigen test again.

RT-PCR Test: Results are provided within 72 hours. Cost: 68,000 colones (about $110).

Antigen Test: Results are provided within 8 hours. Cost: 33,000 colones (about $54).

Testing is available 7 days a week.

To make an appointment, first fill out the required government form at https://www.mipruebacovid.com/ 24 hours before making your appointment. Then, call the clinic at (506) 2653-6760 or email covidtest@beachsidecliniccr.com and give them the code at the bottom of the finished form.  

Hospital Metropolitano – Rapid Test Option

Another option near Tamarindo is Hospital Metropolitano in Huacas (see Hospital section, above). 

Centro Medico y Farmacia Huacas/Laboratorio Clínica Huacas

Centro Medico y Farmacia Huacas/Laboratorio Clínica Huacas (affiliated lab) also offers RT-PCR testing. Currently, testing is done at your home/hotel. Results are provided within 48 hours. Cost: 70,000 colones (about $115).

The clinic’s main number is (506) 2653-6866. Call the person in charge of the test, Dr. Marena García, for an appointment. Her phone is (506) 8998-1078, she speaks English and Spanish.

Playas del Coco/Ocotal (Guanacaste)

If you’re staying in Playas del Coco, Ocotal, Playa Hermosa, or Playa Panama, Coco Medical and Dental Center (affiliated lab) can do RT-PCR testing. They are located in Playas del Coco. Results are provided within 72 hours. Cost: 95,000 colones (about $155).

Call (506) 2670-1234 to make an appointment or visit their website.

Nosara

Paradise Medical Services

Update: February 16 – Paradise Medical is not currently doing Covid testing. They are supposed to resume with antigen testing in early March. We will update this post once they do.

Medklined BioAnalisis Laboratorio

A lab in Nosara that offers the RT-PCR test is Medklined BioAnalisis Laboratorio (affiliated lab). They are located in the Arenales area of Nosara (map with location here). Results are provided in 24-48 hours. Cost: About $120.

An appointment is required. Call (506) 4703-6007, WhatsApp (506) 8976-6458, or email infomedklined@gmail.com. 

Nicoya/Samara 

If you are traveling to Samara, the city of Nicoya is the closest testing location. It is about 45 minutes away. There are two options in Nicoya. One has the antigen (rapid) test.

Clinica Monte de la Cruz – Rapid Test Option

Clinica Monte de la Cruz (affiliated lab) does RT-PCR testing for 80,000 colones (about $130) and can guarantee results in 24-48 hours.

Clinca Monte de la Cruz can now do the antigen test as well. The cost is $100 and results are provided within 24 hours.

Testing is available every day from 8:00-10:00 a.m. Here is a map link to their location in downtown Nicoya.

For an appointment, call (506) 2686-4747 or 2685-3371 or WhatsApp (506) 8359-5950. 

Laboratorio Dr. Ricardo Cerdas

The other option in Nicoya is Laboratorio Dr. Ricardo Cerdas (affiliated lab). This lab charges 80,000 colones (about $130) for the RT-PCR test and provides results in 72 hours or less.

A map with the exact location is not available. They are located 75 meters east of the Colonial Nicoya church (view map here). 

*Laboratorio Cerdas also offers hotel testing in Samara. Samples are taken Monday through Friday from 7:00-8:30 a.m. No additional cost.

You need to make an appointment. Call (506) 2685-5172 or WhatsApp (506) 8589-3682. 

Airport Testing

https://covid.morphotr.com/

Taken from https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/covid-19-test-costa-rica/

Taken from https://cr.usembassy.gov/201022-travel-alert/

Starting April 1, 2022, the temporary migration measures established in the framework of the national health emergency due to COVID-19 are repealed.

Remember that:

A return flight ticket is needed when entering Costa Rica. The immigration officer will ask for it upon your arrival.

• Your country of origin determines the amount of days available to stay in Costa Rica as a tourist.
• In some cases, the Immigration official may request you show economic solvency for your stay in the country.
• Even with a 90-day tourist visa, the immigration official determines the duration of your stay as allowed by your passport.

*Last update: July 12th, 2022.
Taken from https://www.guanacasteairport.com/news/tourist-entry-requirements/

Check out the following videoclip:

Renowned international media such as Lonely Planet, The Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Matador Network, Canadian Traveler, Profession Voyages, Forbes, El Mundo de España, among others, have highlighted Costa Rica as a destination to consider once the crisis passes. Even Good Morning America highlighted the story of a British family who recreated the Costa Rican rain forest at home after canceling their trip to our country.

María Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica stated: 'Costa Rica has earned a decades-long reputation in the world as a favorite tourist destination, and this reputation must taken care of as we plan how to reactivate our tourism sector to get it out of this unprecedented crisis'.

The ideal place to enjoy life after the Pandemic
On the other hand, 'Visit Costa Rica' social networks share the content of relaxation, gastronomy and natural attractions to keep the country's brand presence in the minds of potential tourists who will return in the future.

In the last three weeks, Costa Rica has been present in renowned international media in its travel and family sections, based on efforts to place positive stories by the agencies that provide public relations services to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Costa Rica as the best country for travelers looking for great experiences
'We are the world leader in nature tourism and the second in adventure tourism, according to the World Economic Forum. The tourist who visits us has a variety of options to do throughout the country, thanks to the wide distribution of hotels and other hospitality services linked to tourism. Activities such as canopy, rafting, hiking, and diving are just a few, which are also combined with cultural elements and authentic unique experiences,' said Shirley Calvo, executive director of the National Tourism Chamber (Canatur). This was also reflected in a TripAdvisor ranking that was carried out, in which 'Worldwide, Costa Rica proved to be the favorite destination for travel, ranking first in the list of countries,

Without a doubt, Costa Rica is a small country that offers big experiences to all. Although we do not know when the social confinement will end, we can assure you that once the Pandemic passes, this beautiful country will welcome you with open arms and the warmth and kindness of our people.

Taken from MENAFN - Costa Rica News

Costa Rica is just a few hours away from the majority of the major US and European hubs and there are many direct flights too which makes it even easier and faster! While many airlines will slowly but surely begin to resume their flights, Costa Rica will definitely be high up on the list of priority destinations!

Costa Rica also has two international airports so depending on where you would like to start your first freedom travel, you can decide between the Juan Santamaria Airport in the Central Valley with airport code SJO which is located in the middle of the country and means you can basically go anywhere.  The Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia with airport code LIR is located farther north so you have the Guanacaste beaches pretty well covered if you fly into here.

2. Closer to nature than people

If there is one thing that puts Costa Rica on the world map is the close to nature experiences visitors thrill at during their stay.  There is such a diversity of possibilities all with one thing in common: immersion in nature!  It is no wonder that this little corner of the world is home to nearly 5% of the world´s flora and fauna species.  Thanks to this, Costa Rica impresses and so while you visit, close will be to nature rather than people.

3. COVID-19 has been managed very well

Costa Rica has shown the world how flattening the COVID-19 curve can be done diligently and as a country. With its robust public health system, firm leadership, extensive testing and a successful #StayAtHome nation-wide program put in place in a timely manner, Costa Rica looks like it will contain the virus in the not too distant future.

Just as most countries, Costa Rica has had to adjust to a decrease in business and the business that commerce and industry creates. One of the hardest hit sectors is tourism which is Costa Rica's largest export product and when the borders were closed, tourism basically went to 0%. Many tourism companies have had to adjust to this complicated situation and the #postponedontcancel campaign remains in place.

Costa Rica is now seeing more COVID-19 patients recovering than new cases which is reassuring for the population and future freedom travelers to this amazing country. Costa Ricans are very proud of their country and we definitely agree with them as this small, developing country seems to have shined a light of hope yet again.

4. It's very beautiful!

After these trying times, you deserve to enjoy beauty, and this sums up Costa Rica in a nutshell.   For the travelers and wanderlust lovers, our wings have been clipped by COVID-19. It has given us the time to appreciate that travel is necessary, and that it is good for us!

So, when travel starts up again and we being our journeys of discovery, why not look for somewhere that checks lots of boxes; its beautiful, the locals are friendly, it is an adventure wonderland, the beaches are fantastic, the rainforests are awesome, the volcanos are jaw opening, the food is scrumptious and Costa Rica is small and so easy to get around.

It is a land of contrasts and that is so rich in biodiversity that wherever you roam, you will discover something new along the way.  Thanks to the multiple landscapes, so many animals make Costa Rica their home.  The beauty of exploring the rainforest or the mountains and come across monkeys, sloths, insects, birdlife and so many other charming wildlife locals.

5. Small hotels, small numbers

Costa Rica is a small country and while it is a popular travel destination, there are so many pockets of natural and cultural attractions, that you never feel it is over-crowded which is reassuring in these exceptional times.

Most of the hotels are small and independently owned too! Enchanting Hotels and its exclusive collection of boutique, sustainable hotels are perfect examples of where you can stay, far from the crowds and indulging in eco-luxury.

Travel brings so much to so many of us and brings us closer together and in these times of physical distancing, travel allows us to come more united as humanity. We have realized that we are all in this together, not as a country, but as a planet.  When the time comes, let's get out and meet the locals in other latitudes! Costa Rica is warmly awaiting your arrival! In the meantime stay safe and stay healthy!

Taken from https://enchanting-costarica.com/

Ziplining

Horseback riding

Hiking

Rafting

Hot springs

Canyoing (Waterfall rappelling)

Rincón de la Vieja adventure tour

Birdwatching

Fishing

Sunset sailing

Snorkeling and scuba diving

Boating

Massage on the beach

Surfing

Beach hopping

Paddle boarding

Llanos del Cortes waterfalls

Coffee tour

Chocolate tour

Taken from https://mytanfeet.com/