HARK! Good news of travel is slowly reemerging in our world. As of November 1, 2020, Costa Rica is now open to US citizens! Oh, and all citizens? Sounds like a great way to get back out there and experience the world, right?
Yep—this place is officially back open for business.
You’ll need some travel insurance and to fill out a health questionnaire before going, but there is no mandatory quarantine period after arrival. But how safe is travel to Costa Rica? And if you do get there, you’re probably curious about how to travel Costa Rica in a responsible, meaningful way? Good news—we’ve done the research, and you just need to read this article.
How safe is travel to Costa Rica right now?
Raise your hand if this year has instilled a sense of wanderlust in you that is almost debilitating? Maybe it’s true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. But now countries have slowly begun to open the doors to travelers. And Costa Rica, known for the relaxed state of pura vida, cloud forests, stunning wildlife, and beaches is one of those countries. You’re probably wondering how safe IS travel to Costa Rica right now?
At this point in time, traveling in general is not recommended by the CDC, because, you know, #pandemic. Because of that, we can’t explicitly recommend that you go ahead and travel during a pandemic. That being said, it does have tips on how to safely travel if you do:
- Get tested before your trip
- Wear a mask
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer
- Get tested when you get home
According to an article written by Forbes, the Department of Defense and United Airlines did a study on the likelihood of contracting Covid while flying. Because of the “...aggressive air filtration and circulation systems”, it’s unlikely that you’ll catch Covid-19 on a plane… as long as you’re wearing your mask. That being said, it could still happen.
We know you have visions of ocean vistas dancing in your head. But safety comes first!
In terms of mask effectiveness, Emirates has been extremely diligent about masking up during flights since April. In analyzing flights from Dubai to Hong Kong over a month's time, they found that, even on flights that had infected passengers on board, no one else contracted the virus. Because, you guessed it, masks.
It’s important for you to do your part and follow safety precautions while traveling, because there is always inherent risk involved, regardless of whether or not there is a global pandemic.
Apart from standard Covid precautions, is Costa Rica a safe destination?
Costa Rica is a relatively safe place to travel, but there are definitely some important vaccinations you should have up to date. The CDC recommends routine shots along with measles, Hep A, typhoid, yellow fever (depending on where you come from), and malaria (depending on where you go). Hopefully, all you’ll catch is the travel bug!
The US State Department advises tourists to be cautious of potential theft and pickpocketing in highly touristy areas (for comparison, they recommend this for virtually every destination in the world). Pay attention, lock up your stuff, and try to disperse cash on your person so you can throw a wallet if needed and not lose everything of value.
It’s also a good idea to #doit.
But our eyes are looking towards better days, and we’re hoping to help you figure out how to travel Costa Rica in safe, meaningful ways.
7 best ways to travel Costa Rica in 2025
1. Volunteer
Volunteering is a fantastic way to experience another culture in a way that shows you actually care about it. You can personalize your experience by choosing something that resonates with you. Love animals? Get involved in conservation. Want to be outside all the time? Restoration! The rainforest is a great place to explore.
Plus, the rainforest is home to cuties like this.
You can also use volunteering to get hands-on experience for whatever job or industry you’re interested in pursuing later in life, like teaching kids English, or even coaching sports teams. Whether you choose to volunteer for the resume bump, career direction, or simply to give back to the community, you’ll love doing it in Costa Rica.
- Recommended program: Projects Abroad: Volunteering in Costa Rica
2. Study
Education is such an influential part of our lives. It gives us tools to create what we want out of life. Learning, in all areas of life, is a magical thing. But when you study abroad, you expand that experience into something even MORE magical (yes, it’s possible). Study abroad in Costa Rica if you want to explore a new place, meet wonderful people, and enjoy your time in school.
Whether it’s high school or college, it’s a precious time to explore who you are and what you want to do, so might as well set up shop in one of the most beautiful countries in the world! There are programs for the Spanish experts and the Spanish illiterate, so no sweat on language proficiency. ‘Cause hey, this is the time to learn! Soak up that sun, that knowledge, and make life-long connections in Costa Rica.
- Recommended program: ISA Study Abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica
3. TEFL
The best way to see Costa Rica is to get involved in the community there. One way to do this is by teaching English as a foreign language. There are tons of options for getting certified to teach—from online programs you can complete before going to the country, in person classes, or a combination of both.
You’ll still have *plenty* of time left to explore.
Whatever you end up doing, getting a job teaching English in Costa Rica is a rewarding experience. AND you get paid! Not only will you be adding to your skillset (teaching is an amazing skill), but you’ll be interacting with the community by getting involved with the schools there. It’s a great way to connect with locals and expats alike!
- Recommended program: Get TEFL Certified & Teach English in Costa Rica
4. Gap Year
Before we get into how epic a Costa Rican gap year would be, let’s get this out of the way: gap years aren’t just for kids these days. Sure, it’s the perfect way for a recent high school grad to explore a bit before college, and even a wonderful way to get your bearings after getting that degree! But gap years are also for adults who need a career break. Because gap years allow you to explore the world and your self.
Is it too woo-woo? You won’t be calling your Costa Rican gap year “woo-woo” after spending months surfing, chilling on the beach, eating amazing meals, or exploring the rainforest on foot. Sure, a year of yoga retreats, volunteering with animals, and maybe even becoming bilingual sounds a bit over the top. But what if we told you that it’s actually a thing in Costa Rica?
- Recommended program: Adventure Leadership Trek with Raleigh International
5. Intern
If you have to work hard to get paid… might as well do it in a country where the daily grind is more like livin’ the life. Costa Rica is often touted as one of the happiest countries in the world, so if you’re going to spend time interning abroad, might as well be living your best life while doing it!
There are internship opportunities for all types of folks in this vibrant Latin American country. From business to biology, the high-quality internships in Costa Rica are boundless. If you’re looking for international work experience, look no further.
- Recommended program: Sustainable Development Micro-Internship in Costa Rica
Adventure is around every corner in Costa Rica.
6. Adventure
If you’re still unsure about how to travel Costa Rica this year, let us introduce you to your next adventure. Adventure travel is a great way to spice up a prolonged vacation, and get experiences you could only dream of.
Honestly, some of the adventure travel opportunities in Costa Rica are so surreal, you might be pinching yourself to make sure you are indeed awake. Zipline across lush rainforests, scuba dive in brilliant blue waters, or trek through jungle-covered mountains. Warning: adventure travel in Costa Rica can be addicting, and you may never leave.
- Recommended program: Outward Bound Costa Rica: Adult Panama & Costa Rica
7. Language Immersion
Learning a new language can be daunting, but the best way to see Costa Rica is to become immersed in the culture. Being bilingual is an extremely marketable skill, and speaking Spanish will get you a lot further than Latin America! If you’re serious about connecting with the culture of a place, learning the language is the way to go.
It’s a way to show the people you care enough to put effort into understanding their lives. Being courteous will get you a lot more friends, but being able to actually talk to them takes it to the next level. Costa Rica has tons of language immersion programs suitable for all learners, no matter your experience.
- Recommended program: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America
Get matched with 5 travel programs in Costa Rica for FREE
Make Costa Rica your first stop in 2025
Will Costa Rica be your first international stop this year?
Being cognizant of how safe is travel to Costa Rica will be the first step in planning your next trip. Safety is always something you should consider when going abroad! The second step is choosing your ideal way to explore the beautiful country.
No matter what you’re doing in Costa Rica, being in one of the most biodiverse countries in the world is sure to bring a smile to your face. Connect with some of the most welcoming people in the world, indulge in local culture and cuisine, and make your mark on the community in the most meaningful way you can. So start to look ahead, and make this next year the best year yet.
Explore more programs in Costa Rica on GoAbroad.com
This article was written with help from Projects Abroad. Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 with the mission of inspiring young people to volunteer abroad. Their programs provide the opportunity to gain work experience while discovering new cultures and positively impacting communities, wildlife, and environments across five continents.
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