More than 20 states from the United States and the country of Canada can now visit Costa Rica. Due to the pandemic, the country has established new entry requirements to ensure that visitors are and feel safe.

One of these protocols is that travelers must have travel insurance to enter Costa Rica. The coverage must include medical and extended stay related to COVID-19.

What insurance plan should you choose? What plan covers the requirements needed?

Here are some recommendations for the right travel insurance coverage you would need for your next Costa Rica vacation.

Let’s start with what’s needed to visit Costa Rica.

 

Requirements To Enter Costa Rica

• Complete digital epidemiological form “Health Pass” • Negative PCR coronavirus test. The test must be taken 72 hours before arrival • Passengers coming from the U.S. must show through their driver’s license or state identification that they live in one of the authorized states. This requirement excludes children traveling with their families • Travel insurance – international or purchased in Costa Rica through the National Insurance Institute- that covers medical care, or an unexpected extended hotel stay due to COVID-19. This policy can be international or purchased from Costa Rican insurers • Face masks in all indoor circumstances are mandatory. The only exceptions are at restaurants and all open-air tourism activities

 

Travel Insurance Requirements

• Valid policy during the visit to Costa Rica • If selecting international travel insurance, the policy must cover for medical expenses in cases of COVID-19 in Costa Rica, for at least USD$50,000 • If selecting Costa Rica travel insurance, the policy must cover for medical expenses related to COVID-19, including medication, for at least USD$20,000 • Policy must include coverage of USD $2,000 for extended lodging expenses due to the pandemic • Visitors will be required to submit insurance information online by filling out the epidemiological form • If the visitor has a foreign policy, they must upload a PDF for validation in English or Spanish • If the visitor has a Costa Rica travel insurance, the policy number can be included online

 

What Travel Insurance Offers COVID Coverage?

Most travel insurance policies are designed to cover both you and the cost of your travel arrangements against a variety of unforeseeable reasons that may affect you or your travel plans.

Most plans cover you for trip cancellation or interruption; medical emergencies; baggage (loss, damage or delay) or travel delay, and much more.

Due to COVID-19, most insurance plans have changed certain parts of the policy and are offering separate coverage for COVID.

 

Regular travel policies do not cover you if:

1. If you decide not to travel due to the fear.
2. If the area you are planning to visit gets shut down due to a second COVID-19 surge.
3. If you travel somewhere that the State Department has deemed unsafe.
4. A pre-existing medical condition you have before your trip.

 

Some travel insurance companies like MH ROSS Explore Series are quite upfront about their coverage.

For example, MH ROSS states that they provide coverage for Quarantine; Medical Expenses of at least $100,00 due to an emergency accident or sickness; Pre-existing conditions; Cancel For Any Reason; Trip cancellation; Trip interruption; Travel delay; Missed connection; Employment layoff; Baggage loss or delay.

Even though your travel policy may cover most of the entry requirements established by Costa Rica, not all of them include the $2,000 minimum lodging extended stay due to COVID.

Costa Rica Dream Adventures recommends you speaking with an insurance representative or reviewing the policy documentation carefully to make sure you are meeting with all the entry requirements before your trip.

Please keep in mind that passengers who fail to comply with the Costa Rica entry requirements may not enter the country.

 

What Type of Coverage is Offered by Costa Rica Travel Insurers?

The National Insurance Institute of Costa Rica (INS) is also offering travel insurance policies for foreign visitors at reasonable prices.

The policy has been approved by the government of Costa Rica, meaning that travelers who obtain this policy are guaranteed that it meets the new requirements.

Premiums vary according to age, the number of travelers, and the days of stay in the country. Prices range from $9.50 to $21.50 per person. Coverage includes accident, sickness including COVID-19, lodging expenses in case of isolation, among others.

 

Coverage Summary (per person)

• Medical Expense, including medication: $20,000
• Lodging expenses due to Sanitary Isolation: $4,000 (max. $300 per day)
• Sanitary/Funerary Repatriation: $18,000
• Pre-existing condition medical expense: $300
• Loss of Passport: $100

 

The minimum coverage required by the Health Authorities for medical expenses for this local policy is $20,000 vs the $50,000 required with foreign travel insurance. To access these Costa Rica insurers online visit Sagicor or INS for purchase.

If you prefer to have complete coverage protection, Costa Rica Dream Adventures recommends getting both international and local travel insurance. This way you protect your vacation and yourself for any unforeseen circumstances including COVID. Protect Your Travel Experience with MH Ross.

 

Free Travel Insurance With Air Canada

Canada is one of the countries authorized to visit Costa Rica. All travelers who book their air tickets with Air Canada will get free insurance that covers for emergency medical and quarantine costs related to COVID-19 while traveling.

This new coverage is included to select destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, booked on or after August 31st. Costa Rica is one of the selected destinations.

Air Canada plans to resume operations from Toronto (YYZ) to Liberia (LIR) on October 31 and San Jose (SJO) on November 1.

 

Information from Air Canada:

Effective September 17, 2020, new bookings with Air Canada originating in Canada include complimentary Manulife COVID-19 emergency medical and quarantine insurance underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (“Manulife”).

This Manulife COVID-19 insurance covers eligible Canadian residents when traveling internationally on a booking made with Air Canada, for travel until April 12, 2021. Manulife coverage will be automatically included if eligible when you purchase your booking.

 

Eligibility:

• All passengers on new international round-trip bookings made from September 17, 2020, until October 31, 2020, inclusively, for travel completed by April 12, 2021
• Passenger must be a Canadian resident with a valid provincial or territory government health insurance plan for the duration of the trip
• Bookings including at least one Air Canada flight and on a new Air Canada ticket (code 014) issued between September 17, 2020 and October 31, 2020
• Travel duration of up to 21 days
• Travel must originate in Canada to any international destination (USA included) for which there is no Level-4 “avoid all travel” advisory in effect issued by the Canadian government at the time of departure
• There is no age restriction to be eligible for this coverage
• Traveler must not be advised by a physician not to travel

 

What’s covered:

• Medical Coverage after a COVID-19 positive test result in destination: Up to $200,000 CDN per insured
• Quarantine expenses after a COVID-19 positive test result denied entry or contact tracing in destination: $150/day up to $2100 per person, or $300/day up to $4200 per family (Maximum duration of 14 days)
• Emergency Air Transport to return you home: included in $200,000 per insured
• Repatriation due to death: up to policy limits as outlined in the certificate of insurance
• Level 3 Travel Advisory upgraded to Level 4 Travel Advisory by Canadian Government: up to a combined $500 per person for: return airfare meals and accommodations

 

What’s not covered:

• Travel booked for periods longer than 21 days (the entire trip is not eligible)
• Travel beyond April 12, 2021
• Tickets purchased from another airline, even if that airline is a code-share partner airline of Air Canada, regardless of whether the flight is operated by Air Canada
• Travel during your cruise dates, or any expenses related to your cruise
• One-way tickets
• Air Canada Vacations bookings are not eligible as they are subject to a separate complimentary COVID-19 insurance coverage and policy. More details here
• Residents of any other country aside from Canada
• Changes to existing bookings, with an original purchase date prior to September 17, 2020 are not eligible

 

Who Can Travel To Costa Rica?

As of August 1st, selected international travelers are authorized to enter Costa Rica’s three international airports:

• Juan Santamaría International Airport
• Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport
• Tobías Bolaños Airport

The list of authorized regions and countries is being revised periodically. This is the list currently in effect:

 

United States & Canada:

As of August 1st, 2020:
All Canadian citizens

As of September 15th, 2020
Citizens and residents of the following:
Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming.

As of October 1st, 2020:
Citizens and residents of the following:
California and Ohio