By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica

The following is the latest update from the Costa Rica Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud CR):
Gradual opening will mark the last quarter of the year.

1. From October 16 to October 31, the sanitary vehicle restriction will be from 10 pm to 5 am from Monday to Sunday and the establishments may operate until the same time.
2. If the evolution of the pandemic allows it, during November the sanitary vehicle restriction will be from 11 pm and the daytime restriction would be eliminated throughout the country, with the exception of the ring road.
3. In addition, as of November 15, the daytime restriction on weekends would be eliminated.
4. Starting in December, entry to establishments such as restaurants, bars, shops, gyms, hotels, among others, will be for people with a full vaccination scheme; its verification will be carried out through a vaccination QR code .
5. If the epidemiological conditions allow it, between November and December the capacity in commerce, transport and tourism would gradually increase.
6. In November and December, tourists who enter the country with a complete vaccination scheme should not present a medical policy. (COVID Insurance.)
7. Depending on the evolution of the pandemic, sporting and cultural activities will allow a greater entry of people between November and December, favoring capacity with people with the complete vaccination scheme.
8. In December, sports would be enabled on public roads (IE: runners, cyclists), as well as the operation of the Amusement Park will be authorized, and the beach hours will begin at 11:00 p.m.
October 13, 2021. In order to generate a greater economic reactivation in the country, the Government will carry out a responsible and gradual relaxation in sanitary restrictions for the last months of this 2021 with an expansion of vehicular circulation, expansion of capacity, especially for people with a complete vaccination schedule, and permission to carry out more activities.

For the majority of readers, that all sounds quite positive.
But for those who, for carefully researched and thought-out reasons want no part of vaccines, point # 4 is downright devastating. For some, it is a game-changer.

A significant percentage of recent residency applicants decided to move to Costa Rica to escape the inevitability of forced vaccines in their home countries. Especially Canadians. With the news that access to most venues will require proof of a vaccine QR code on cell phones, they are now giving serious thought to canceling their plans for Costa Rica. Even though there were very public pronouncements as far back as last spring that the Costa Rican government was pressing for vaccine passports, they hoped that a constitutional challenge by a prominent law firm here in San Jose would succeed in staving off this passport mandate.

While that legal challenge continues with rumors of it producing liberal exemptions, the complex realities are that precious few, if any, will escape the vaccine requirement as a means of access to an ever-expanding list of venues beginning with the ones listed above. That list will expand quickly. It will include visits to the fingerprinting centers and the main immigration offices in San Jose, the satellite offices scattered throughout the country, and all CAJA offices and medical centers. Doctors of all disciplines (general practitioners, dental, eye, heart, cancer etc.) and other medical professionals will also ask to see those QR codes before letting patients through the door. Same for educational institutions.

I do not mention this lightly or matter-of-factly. This news will continue to be traumatizing for many who believe vaccines pose a much greater health risk to themselves and their children than COVID itself. This is not the forum to start yet another polarizing exchange on the subject. It’s unlikely that few on either side of the discourse would be persuaded otherwise. The purpose of this article is to make it clear to all concerned what is now going to be Costa Rica law concerning accessibility.

Further, only a naïve person cannot see that this is a globally coordinated initiative given the recent ratcheting up of mandates in the U.S. and EU countries. By mid-November, Canada will not allow any form of travel on public transportation without showing proof of the vaccine. You will not even be able to leave Canada without showing proof of vaccine. During a recent visit to France, my immediate vaccinated family was still required to conduct a PCR test every 72 hours during their stay. “The new normal.”
So for those of you thinking of canceling your plans for Costa Rica, it may be prudent to pause for a beat and consider what options are left for you by staying put. I encourage you not to abandon your plans for Costa Rica. There remain good reasons to stick with the program.
First off, we will never have winter. Secondly, whether vaccinated or not, Costa Rica remains one of the most amazingly healthy environments to duke it out against not only COVID or possible adverse effects of a vaccine but virtually any major health issue.
For an expanded explanation as to why readers are encouraged to choose Costa Rica, please visit: https://costaricaresidencycard.com/why-costa-rica/

If you are in need of immigration assistance Laura can be reached by clicking here, Toll-free at 1-833-733-6337, Locally at or by sending an email to [email protected]