SIGN UP FOR OUR Three Americans with legal residency status in Costa Rica were rejected entry on Thursday, after arriving on the first commercial flight from the US to Costa Rica since the borders reopened to Americans. They arrived on Thursday morning at 11:30AM at Juan Santamaria Airport, flying in from Newark International Airport in New Jersey. The flight was United UAL1080, and had 146 passengers onboard. The three were rejected for nonpayment of their CAJA fees.
In American slang, this situation is called Catch-22. Many Americans fled Costa Rica hastily when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in March-June, 2020. The American Embassy posted several announcements, urging its citizens to return home for their own safety, and because of the uncertainty of the situation. Americans feared becoming stranded in Costa Rica, unable to return home to see family, take care of business or property there, or get needed medical attention or prescriptions. The Embassy in San Jose cut back its hours, cut back its staff, and only attended to emergency services. No one could have predicted that these Americans went from the stovetop to the fire, as the pandemic became a raging forest fire in the US, with thousands of deaths and a government seemingly unable to get a handle on the crisis.
There was no way to forecast when Costa Rica would reopen its borders to Americans. Other than having a family member or lawyer willing to pay the Costa Rican Social Security (CCSS) monthly fee, Americans now stranded in the US were unable to pay their CAJA from abroad. No one knew how long this situation would last. The overriding concern of most Americans wanting to return to Costa Rica was how to comply with the requirement for a timely COVID-19 test for reentry. Tests are difficult to obtain in the US, and often take up to one week or more to yield results. Catch-22.
Last Thursday, Costa Rica changed the rules for COVID-19 testing via the PCR Covid Test from 48 hours before arrival, to 72 hours before arrival in the country. Still, Americans wishing to return to Costa Rica had to scramble to find both a facility doing Covid testing, and one who could give fast results. This challenge seemed to take precedence over worrying about back CAJA payments. Many were unable to get tested in time, and those now in pursuit of timely testing for return to Costa Rica should keep in mind that if they are not current with their CAJA payments, they will be detained at the airport upon arrival.
The three Americans denied entry on Thursday managed to get help paying their CAJA bill, and are now at home. Two other detained citizens of countries not yet permitted to enter, are still being held. This first commercial flight back from USA to Costa Rica was a wake-up call to everyone wishing to return to Costa Rica. Costa Rica takes its health system very seriously and wants to save it by collecting money owed – this is possibly the only way to keep the CAJA system viable
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