Costa Rica businesses, activities will require Covid vaccination

82% of all Costa Ricans ages 12 and older have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

Starting December 1, 2021, Costa Rica will require the Covid-19 vaccine in order to enter most commercial centers and to participate in many public activities.

Establishments requiring vaccination will include: Restaurants, bars, casinos, commercial centers, museums, gyms, hotels, adventure tourism, theaters, sites of worship and sporting events:

Essential services (e.g. supermarkets, pharmacies) are not included in the nationwide vaccine mandate.

As Costa Rica begins mandating the Covid-19 vaccine, it will ease capacity restrictions at most businesses and will begin allowing more mass events with in-person attendance, including concerts and sporting events.

“We have to give time for the people who remain to get their two vaccines,” said President Carlos Alvarado. “As of December 1, there will be no excuse.”

Vaccine status will be verified via a digital form or mobile-phone application that will be made available in November. The QR code will not require an ongoing internet connection, and it can also be printed.

Costa Ricans who got vaccinated abroad can submit a sworn declaration to the Health Ministry in order to receive their QR code. Children under 12 years old will not need a vaccine to enter businesses at this time.

While we’re not quite sure yet how U.S. tourists will be able to demonstrate their vaccination status, Costa Rica’s form will be similar to the European Union’s Digital COVID Certificate. This will permit Costa Rica to easily validate the status of visitors from the EU.

As a reminder: As of October 15, all public-sector employees in Costa Rica will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Private employers can also obligate their employees to be vaccinated.

About 82% of all Costa Ricans ages 12 and older have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

We’ll have more updates on these requirements when they’re announced.

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