www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Welcome to the #1 Source for Information on Costa Rica
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:50 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 111 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 8  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:59 pm 
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:09 pm
Posts: 310
Effective November 1st, Costa Rica is permiting entry of U.S. toursits from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As of October 1st, and October 15th, travel is only permited from a specific list of states and the District of Columbia.

The key to quarantine free international travel is the PCR-RT coronavirus test, which travelers must schedule within 72 hours of deperature, and count on getting a negative result prior to travel. In many areas of the United States, CVS offers drive-up testing with results provided via MyChart. Many urgent care facilities that offer same day appointments also provide testing. However, testing may be reserved for people who report having symptoms.

PCR testing at home is also available from letsgetchecked.com.

Airlines are working to setup testing at airports as part of a plan to increase international travel. American Airlines has announced that as of October 15th, testing for travelers to Costa Rica from Dallas-Ft. Worth airport will be available at the airport.

The list of states for phases reopening in October and travel requirements are published here.
https://costaricaticas.com/travel-requi ... ober-2020/

_________________
Alex
The Admin


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Oct 03, 2020 12:19 pm 
Masters Degree in Mongering!
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:37 pm
Posts: 570
Thanks, this is helpful information. When we do go back, what are the new rules and practices? Mask on all the time? Where can we go? What can we do? Where can we stay?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Oct 03, 2020 2:33 pm 
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:09 pm
Posts: 310
Rolleratnight wrote:
Thanks, this is helpful information. When we do go back, what are the new rules and practices? Mask on all the time? Where can we go? What can we do? Where can we stay?


These are all good questions.

As far as when, you can go to Costa Rica the answer depends on your state of residence. However, everyone from the United States can travel to Costa Rica as of November 1st. The vast majority of the United States is included on October 15th.

As a general rule you need an unexpired passport, which is valid for at least six months after your date of travel. If you passport is expired or nearly expired, then you should work on that problem immediately. Renewals can take up to 12 weeks. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel ... ports.html

Assuming your passport is up to date, and you have an idea of your travel dates, then you should start looking for flights. I recommend staying for more than a few days, considering the extra time and effort that it's going to take to travel. Also the travel insurance companies require you buy at least 3 days of coverage.

At the moment, Hotel Little Havana (HLH) is the only hotel that is open. https://www.hotellittlehavanacostarica.com/

I am talking to the owners of the other hotels, but there are no specific dates for reopening. However, if you are coming later in the year, especially after the November 1st full reopening, then I suspect there is no harm in requesting a reservation. Any hotel that reopens will be checking their email.

Based on the news and posts from people on the ground in San Jose, the biggest issues are that public transportation is not functioning, there are license plate restrictions and businesses close before 10 pm.

However, taxis are free to move around the city. So, uber may not be that convenient and the girls have to pay for a taxi to come downtown.

I recommend you stay downtown. If for some reason you stay near the airport or in the suburbs then you are going to waste time and money.

Check out the other threads in the forum. There is plenty to do in the daytime. And, I don't think anyone would feel lonely at HLH.

If all else fails, there is the Internet.

I don't think Airbnb is a good idea. It's too easy to get shut down, and they usually are not in convenient locations.

Mask it up, because you aren't going to be allowed on the plane, let alone the airport without one. I also imagine that refusing to wear a mask while going through immigration in Costa Rica would not end well.

I find that the washable microfiber masks work well for me. https://amzn.to/3iqmp5W

Two or three days prior to you trip, you need to get a PCR Covid test. Be careful not to get tested more than 72 hours before departure. If you have a connecting flight, then perhaps best to time the test based on the depature time of the connecting flight. I would also add a few hours in case of delay. Don't wait too long or your results may not be ready in time for your flight.

Right now, I like the at home testing with letsgetchecked.com. You need to have a webcam on your computer so they can observe you while you take the test. However, webcam is now a thing if you want to see a doctor. My health plan is a large clinic and virtual visits are the only way to get seen the same day. People who don't do virtual have to wait 2 months for an appointment. So, I guess we have to get used to it.

On the day of travel, you have to fill out the health pass and buy the insurance, which is about $20/day. You can do both things online. It may be easier with a printer. Showing proof on your phone may be a pain in the ass.

Definitely install Whatsapp on your smart phone before you leave. Almost every female in Costa Rica communicates with Whatsapp and you don't need a local phone line to make it work, assuming you set up the app before you left and have a WiFi connection in your hotel. Also texting in Spanish is alot easier than speaking in Spanish.

As always post your trip reports! The world is becoming an entirely different place. Even getting back to "normal" is going to be an adjustment.

_________________
Alex
The Admin


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:56 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:46 am
Posts: 1760
Location: Los Angeles
Any suggestions on how and where to buy the required travel insurance?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:59 pm 
Masters Degree in Mongering!
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:37 pm
Posts: 570
Thanks! Excellent information and good tips. Bring masks, plan on wearing them, be “home” before dark.

Do the COVID tests they require provide the results the same day you take the exam? I was curious if you take the airline administered tests, will they give you credit if you test positive and cannot go?

I keep looking at available flights and it looks like the airlines haven’t yet posted their schedules. Well, the same flights they used to have. I will give them a few days to see what’s available.

Thanks again for the helpful information.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 3:01 pm 
Masters Degree in Mongering!
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:37 pm
Posts: 570
BondTrader wrote:
Any suggestions on how and where to buy the required travel insurance?


I don’t have any suggestions, but i have used this service and they have always given me great recommendations for my needs. https://www.insuremytrip.com


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:15 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:36 pm
Posts: 1072
I just booked a flight on Delta, through Atlanta for mid-january.

I would be very careful picking insurance except from the providers recommended by the CR government. One of the requirements is that the insurance cover hotel costs in the event you contract Covid-19 and are forced to quarantine in Costa Rica. From what I understand, the immigration folks require that language be in the policy and most companies don't have that language. I would hate to get turned back at the border.

I would wait until shortly before your flight anyway to get the insurance. The longer you wait, the more likely the requirements will change and hopefully more companies are providing the required coverage.

I'm more concerned about getting a PCR test turned around in less than 72 hours.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:28 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:46 am
Posts: 1760
Location: Los Angeles
Harddrive43228 wrote:
I would be very careful picking insurance except from the providers recommended by the CR government. .


Where can we find those recommended by the CR govt.?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 5:38 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
User avatar

Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:41 am
Posts: 209
I am an insurance agent. There are no us based international insurers, at least that I know of, that provide the required quarantine clause for stays in a hotel. Although it makes no sense to me why that clause is required, it is. Here is a website for a costa rican based insurer and you can buy directly from them. Their rates are a bit more reasonable then ins. P.m. me if you have any questions
https://www.sagicor.cr


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:51 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2018 10:52 pm
Posts: 182
Location: Dallas
The Admin wrote:

Definitely install Whatsapp on your smart phone before you leave. Almost every female in Costa Rica communicates with Whatsapp and you don't need a local phone line to make it work, assuming you set up the app before you left and have a WiFi connection in your hotel. Also texting in Spanish is alot easier than speaking in Spanish.

I have used a US based Google Voice number for Whatsapp for years. Doesn’t need to be a local number. Just need to be sure to give country code for numbers.

Rolleratnight wrote:

Do the COVID tests they require provide the results the same day you take the exam? I was curious if you take the airline administered tests, will they give you credit if you test positive and cannot go?

If you are talking about the airfare being refunded; my money is on nothing special in refund policy. I was looking at AA flights to SJO from DFW (where I live) and they have a $100 fee to give you a full refund on the airfare. (I wish SWA would open back up to SJO).
In terms of test turn around, I believe the test they require takes a few hours to get results. It seems like the Pharmacy Chains can provide it or your “carenow” facilities can provide the test. I plan to call them a week before my flight to see about turn around times and their suggestions to plan for having the necessary testing done in time


Rolleratnight wrote:


I keep looking at available flights and it looks like the airlines haven’t yet posted their schedules. Well, the same flights they used to have. I will give them a few days to see what’s available.

From what I have read on different CR forums (not just hobby related) Delta, AA and United have flights with United and AA have at airport options for Covid testing (though not at all locations)


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 10:17 pm 
Not a Newbie I just don't post much!
User avatar

Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 5:38 am
Posts: 100
I found this organization for testing: https://thecovidconsultants.com

I may end up using them, but it’s not cheap. They call you back if you call and get voicemail. I didn’t leave a message, but they used caller ID to call me back which was unexpected.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 1:21 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2007 5:44 pm
Posts: 1644
Location: California
Get a free quote on CR tourist insurance at :

www.covidinsurancecr.com

_________________
Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 4:24 pm 
Masters Degree in Mongering!
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:14 pm
Posts: 692
Location: San Jose
Bars and Casinos open this friday


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 4:43 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 9:58 am
Posts: 2813
WiseAsh wrote:
Bars and Casinos open this friday

ONLY Casinos in hotels can open.

English language article available

https://ticotimes.net/2020/10/05/costa- ... -to-reopen

----------

(from CR Hoy)
These are some of the operating requirements for casinos:
• Temperature taken at the time of admission.
• Maximum capacity of 50%, according to the endorsement of the Ministry of Health.
• Administrators will not activate promotions, tournaments or shows at the moment.
• Use of disposable cups and plates.
• Alcoholic beverages will not be offered.
• Constant disinfection of tables and gaming machines.
• Disinfection of gambling chips with ultraviolet lamps.
• Distance of at least 1.8 meters between each gaming machine.
• Each machine will have screens
• Maximum of 3 people per game tables.

https://www.crhoy.com/economia/casinos- ... l-viernes/

_________________
If you lose your temper you’re phucking yourself - Garcia Marquez


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 7:06 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 2179
Location: From behind pulling her hair
Isra123 wrote:
Get a free quote on CR tourist insurance at :

http://www.covidinsurancecr.com


What a rip off

Option 6 $543,66 us dollars
Option 7 $180,09 us dollars

for 10 days 55 years old.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 111 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 8  Next



All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:



Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group