Covid-19 Testing Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

We’ve got some great news for you — tourism is BACK in Costa Rica, and traveling to and from this tropical paradise is a whole lot easier than you may think. While you still need to get a COVID-19 test before you head home, we have two easy ways for you to get this test done.

1. Preferred Method: Bring your own self-testing kit. The self-test kits need to be the kind that requires you to schedule an appointment for an observation call when you take your test. Ask your airlines if they have a recommended test that you should take. Here are a few recommended tests for travel: https://www.azova.com/covidtests/,  https://www.vaulthealth.com/covid, or https://www.ellumecovidtest.com/travel.
2. We will schedule a COVID-19 test for you. This is for our retreat guests only. An approved local healthcare provider will come to our retreat hotel and give you your COVID-19 test in your hotel room, on the date that is required for the test to be valid for your homebound travel. Our caring Pura Vida Adventures team will be there to guide you through this entire process. Here’s exactly how it works: Our Pura Vida Adventures hostess will schedule your testing appointment for 24-hours before your flight. On the day of your test, the doctor will come to the hotel and give you the test in your hotel room. The test is a nose swab (the kind required for travel by the CDC), and the process takes about 10 minutes.  You will receive your test results within 12 hours. The test costs $80 USD with cash or a credit card.

When is a COVID-19 test required for my surf retreat?

A COVID-19 test isn’t required to enter Costa Rica. Pack your bags, amigas!

But you will need to present a negative COVID test when you return home from your surf retreat.

Here’s the fine print for the US:

Effective December 6, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Learn more here.

When it’s time to go home, what happens at the airport?

When you check-in for your homebound flight to the U.S., the airline will verify your test results. You simply show them the email you received on your phone. Through our personal experience, we’ve found that everyone involved in this process has been extremely friendly and helpful.

I’m still a little nervous. Can I contact someone?

Absolutely. We are here to answer any questions you may have, related to anything about traveling to Costa Rica. Give us a call at (415) 465-2162 or drop us a line at [email protected]

For up-to-date information on entry requirements for visiting Costa Rica, click here.