Costa Rica will now open its borders to residents from 21 US states from October

Costa Rica has announced this week that residents from two additional low-risk US states will be allowed to travel to the country from October, opening its borders to residents from a total of 21 states.

From October 1, tourists from California and Ohio will be permitted to enter Costa Rica. TheY follow residents from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C and Wyoming who have been allowed travel to and vacation in the country from September.

Tourists from these states must present their driver's licence or state ID at the borders as proof of residence. "We have included the license-plate requirement to minimize the likelihood that someone from a non-authorized state be allowed to enter,” tourism minister Gustavo Segura said. "We are minimizing our epidemiological risk."

Travelers from the permitted states will not be required to quarantine upon arrival. However, under enhanced border controls travelers must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test will be mandatory in the 72 hours before the trip. When visitors arrive, they will need to complete an online health form and purchase travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses.

Costa Rica began a staggered reopening of its tourism industry on August 1 with travelers from countries that have "controlled the spread of the coronavirus" allowed to enter, which includes visitors from Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the UK, and countries within the EU among others. The US, which accounted for 45% of all international visitors to Costa Rica last year, was not initially included in the list.

But now as the Central American country begins to throw its doors open a little wider, the Costa Rica Tourism Board says that it welcoming some US tourists back, as well as visitors from Mexico and Jamaica. "The update is a result of the gradual and sustained opening in international tourism and with the

controlled risk that we" Segura, explained. Hotels will be permitted to operate at 100% capacity, except for common areas, such as restaurants, gyms and swimming pools, which will operate at 50% capacity. Though guests must adhere to mask and social distancing guidelines.

"We are taking very gradual and carefully analyzed steps in the direction of the revitalization of tourism that is very necessary for the protection of the social progress that Costa Rica has achieved through this industry," he added.