Month: September 2020

Costa Rica Entry Requirements and Links as of September 25, 2020

The following entry information is courtesy  the Tico Times at; https://ticotimes.net/

Here are the current entry requirements for travel to Costa Rica as of September 25th, 2020 followed by links, countries and relevant information. Changes include;  Ohio, Mexico and Jamaica have been added to the list of approved countries. Air Canada and some United States airlines are offering Covid-19 travel insurance. Costa Rica has extended the tourist visa. Tourists Arriving on or before Oct 31, 2020 can stay until March 2nd.

Here is the complete list of authorized U.S. states:

  • As of Sept 25th,  Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, or Virginia (and Washington, D.C.), Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Michigan and Rhode Island.
  • As of October 1: California & Ohio

According to Gustavo Segura, Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister, the country evaluates a state’s new coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last two weeks as the primary deciding factor into whether to allow its residents.

No COVID-19 cases correspond to international tourists, Segura said. The country first opened its borders for international flights on August 1.

The following Countries are also authorized to enter Costa Rica;

  • THE EUROPEAN UNION, SCHENGEN ZONE, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM: for flights from the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom; for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom.
  • CANADA: for flights from Canada; for citizens and residents of Canada and for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom in transit.
  • SOUTH AMERICA: for flights from Uruguay; for citizens and residents of Uruguay.
  • ASIA: for flights from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China; for citizens and residents of Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China.
  • OCEANIA: for flights from Australia and New Zealand; for citizens and residents of Australia and New Zealand.
  • Caribbean: Jamaica
  • Mexico: All States

Requirements for tourists entering Costa Rica

Visitors from the U.S. must reside in one of the authorized states, and must have a driver’s license or State ID corroborating their state of residency.

Tourists from these states — or from an authorized country, such as Canada — can fly through a non-authorized state (e.g. Florida, Texas) en route to Costa Rica. The maximum layover time is 18 hours, and the traveler cannot leave the airport.

Tourists wishing to enter Costa Rica via a flight must comply with these requirements:

  • Complete the online “Health Pass” epidemiological form: https://salud.go.cr.
  • Show proof of a negative RT-PCR test for the coronavirus. The sample for the test must have been taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
  • Obtain travel insurance. This can be either a pre-approved Costa Rican policy from INS or Sagicor, or an international policy that covers COVID-19 medical expenses of at least $50,000 and $2,000 for lodging.
  • Many other suitable travel insurance coverages exist, including Blue Cross. Private insurance brokers both here in Costa Rica and your ome country are offering alternative policies. Attached is a link to a broker here in Costa Rica.   https://allinsurancecr.com/covid-travel/

Tourists coming from anywhere but the United States must have remained in an authorized country for at least 14 days before travel.

U.S. residents must show a driver’s license or State ID indicating they live in the authorized state.

Click here for a detailed breakdown of requirements and authorized states/countries, as written by the Costa Rica Tourism Board.

Requirements for citizens and residents

Citizens and residents can legally return to Costa Rica via a flight from anywhere.

Here are the entry requirements for citizens:

Here are the entry requirements for residents (permanent, temporary, special categories or estancias):

  • Complete the Health Pass.
  • Present a valid DIMEX card.
  • Have proof of current payment into the Caja OR have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of 22 days. There has been some discrepancies related to Caja coverage being up to date. Please double check that information before boarding a flight.

Citizens and residents are issued a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Costa Rica. However, they are exempted from the isolation order if they come from an approved country/U.S. state and obtained a negative RT-PCR coronavirus test prior to travel.

Here is a link to updated information from the Costa Rican Tourism Board    Click Here

Link to USA testing

https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place?fbclid=IwAR3J64Gg8JAtNo1PWB0kCcBpWehKN4Nq4Cm0xY763fpB5oTxES3319VjK8Y

Links to Canadian Testing centres

I found a couple links in Canada. There seems to be a lot of information depending on the province. Here are a couple links. Check online for your province

Ontario           https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/resources-list-of-ontario-covid-19-assessment-centres-their-individual-criteria/

Shopper Drug Mart is offering Covid testing at some stores. Go online to find a location near you.

Quebec                        Google or other Quebec. There are many options for information and testing depending on your area

Alberta                           https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/page16944.aspx

BC      https://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing

Testing in Europe Varies, with some testing available at the airports

www.letsbuycostarica.com

Theo Veenstra,  Tres Amigos Realty Group  thveenstra@gmail.com, +506-8360-1006, 1-877-205-5507

Updated entry requirements and links for Costa Rica Set 17, 2020

The following entry information is courtesy  the Tico Times at; https://ticotimes.net/

Here are the current entry requirements for travel to Costa Rica as of September 17th, 2020 followed by links and relevant information.

Here is the complete list of authorized U.S. states:

  • As of September 1: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, or Virginia (and Washington, D.C.)
  • As of September 15: Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Michigan and Rhode Island.
  • As of October 1: California.

According to Gustavo Segura, Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister, the country evaluates a state’s new coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last two weeks as the primary deciding factor into whether to allow its residents.

No COVID-19 cases correspond to international tourists, Segura said. The country first opened its borders for international flights on August 1.

The following Countries are also authorized to enter Costa Rica;

  • THE EUROPEAN UNION, SCHENGEN ZONE, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM: for flights from the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom; for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom.
  • CANADA: for flights from Canada; for citizens and residents of Canada and for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom in transit.
  • SOUTH AMERICA: for flights from Uruguay; for citizens and residents of Uruguay.
  • ASIA: for flights from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China; for citizens and residents of Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China.
  • OCEANIA: for flights from Australia and New Zealand; for citizens and residents of Australia and New Zealand.

 

Requirements for tourists entering Costa Rica

Visitors from the U.S. must reside in one of the authorized states, and must have a driver’s license or State ID corroborating their state of residency.

Tourists from these states — or from an authorized country, such as Canada — can fly through a non-authorized state (e.g. Florida, Texas) en route to Costa Rica. The maximum layover time is 18 hours, and the traveler cannot leave the airport.

Tourists wishing to enter Costa Rica via a flight must comply with these requirements:

  • Complete the online “Health Pass” epidemiological form: https://salud.go.cr.
  • Show proof of a negative RT-PCR test for the coronavirus. The sample for the test must have been taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
  • Obtain travel insurance. This can be either a pre-approved Costa Rican policy from INS or Sagicor, or an international policy that covers COVID-19 medical expenses of at least $50,000 and $2,000 for lodging.

Tourists coming from anywhere but the United States must have remained in an authorized country for at least 14 days before travel.

U.S. residents must show a driver’s license or State ID indicating they live in the authorized state.

Click here for a detailed breakdown of requirements and authorized states/countries, as written by the Costa Rica Tourism Board.

Requirements for citizens and residents

Citizens and residents can legally return to Costa Rica via a flight from anywhere.

Here are the entry requirements for citizens:

Here are the entry requirements for residents (permanent, temporary, special categories or estancias):

  • Complete the Health Pass.
  • Present a valid DIMEX card.
  • Have proof of current payment into the Caja OR have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of 22 days. There has been some discrepancies related to Caja coverage being up to date. Please double check that information before boarding a flight.

Citizens and residents are issued a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Costa Rica. However, they are exempted from the isolation order if they come from an approved country/U.S. state and obtained a negative RT-PCR coronavirus test prior to travel.

Here is a link to updated information from the Costa Rican Tourism Board    Click Here

 

Link to USA testing

https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place?fbclid=IwAR3J64Gg8JAtNo1PWB0kCcBpWehKN4Nq4Cm0xY763fpB5oTxES3319VjK8Y

Links to Canadian Testing centres

I found a couple links in Canada. There seems to be a lot of information depending on the province. Here are a couple links. Check online for your province

Ontario           https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/resources-list-of-ontario-covid-19-assessment-centres-their-individual-criteria/

Quebec                        Google or other Quebec. There are many options for information and testing depending on your area

Alberta                           https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/page16944.aspx

BC      https://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing

Testing in Europe Varies, with some testing available at the airports

Theo Veenstra, Letsbuycostarica.com, Tres Amigos Realty Group                    thveenstra@gmail.com, +506-8360-1006, 1-877-205-5507

Costa Rica Independence 2020

 

September 15th, Independence day in Costa Rica.

That’s right Independence Day. Wind nor rain, nor sun, nor pandemic can change the fact, Costa Rica remains a sovereign country. September 15 in 1821 marks the day Costa Rica, along with the rest of Central America broke away from Spain becoming part of the First Mexican Empire. At that time Costa Rica and Nicaragua already operated as on autonomous region. After a short civil war mainly attributed to the Battle of Ochomogo (next to Cartago) in 1823, the Republicans had defeated the Imperialists to proceed with Costa Rica’s further independence from The First Mexican Empire. All was in vain as word arrived shortly after, that the First Mexican Empire ceased to exist, leaving Costa Rica in union as part of the Federal Republic of Central America. In 1825 Juan Mora Fernández was elected the first Costa Rican head of state. Four towns in Central Valley, Heredia, Cartago, Alajuela and San Jose argued over the Capital until 1837 when San Jose was officially declared. Having operated as an independent state for many years, Costa Rica formally withdrew from Guatemala City’s central government and the Federal Republic of Central America.

Some interesting highlights about Costa Rica as a Sovereign State.

Costa Rica built its initial wealth on coffee exports starting 200 years ago. This ushered in the Coffee Baron Era. That is another story. (I personally spent much time in a building witch once housed a Coffee Baron family. It is interesting to witness the difference in construction which housed these rich families).

Prior to coffee, Cocoa, tobacco, and sugar were the primary exports with bananas arriving approximately 100 years later.

I believe the biggest portion of inhabitants in the central plateau around the time of independence were of Spanish origin with other Europeans. Later this was followed by USA Americans, Some Chinese and Jamaicans on the Atlantic coast.

The ox cart was the main mode of commercial transportation, with a few ox carts remaining in use today. This is a recent photo about 20 miles from where I am sitting. Still in use to move sand and gravel around some back lanes.

 

(Filadelfia de Guanacaste)

During Costa Rica’s history, there have been different leaders including military dictator presidents. But the most significant event since independence was the military being abolished. As a personal note. No one can predict the future. But as we look to some of our neighboring countries, we are seeing the military being used against its citizens. The foresight to prevent that from becoming a possibility here in Costa Rica is noted.

In 1849 the province of Chiriquí joined Panama. This was a sore spot for Costa Rica. In that area, french competed as the primary language and is still used as a second language today.

1825 was the year Guanacaste decided to join, and was annexed by Costa Rica. This event sometime gets confused with Independence Day. At the time of joining Guanacaste was known as Nicoya. But that is a whole different story

Independence day is regularly celebrated with every variety of Dance and parade. Ticos can dance like the wind and do get dressed up for the occasion.

More facts;

It does not snow in Costa Rica and we are below Hurricane Alley. We get tropical storms. But the last hurricane to hit Costa Rica soil was over 150 years ago. Costa Rica is home to the only place in the world you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from one spot. Costa Rica has set aside 25% of it’s land as protected zones. That’s no small feat. We house an estimated 5% of the worlds bio-diversity.

Life Costa Rica style, or as we say Pura Vida

Theo Veenstra and LetsBuyCostaRica.com to be apart of Costa Rica and Paradise. Don’t miss another Independence day here in Costa Rica

Big Real Estate Announcement from Theo Veenstra, Lets Buy Costa Rica.com

A “BIG REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT “ here at our beaches. Our offices are now part of Tres Amigos Realty. All three offices have been renamed and over the next couple of months the RE/MAX name will disappear from our signage etc. Ocean Village and Prestige Ocean will also roll into Tres Amigos Realty.

Hi everyone, I hope that you are all healthy and happy. Here at the beach we have some changes.

The news is our offices are no longer affiliated with the RE/MAX brand. I will get right to the point. RE/MAX was great over the many years I flew their flag.  We decided on working together under our own brand. As such we have this big announcement and will be selling as Tres Amigos Realty.

I spent much time deciding what was best real estate option. I kept arriving at the same conclusion and that is a simple question I have always used as a guide. “What is best for my Clients?” I decided the Tres Amigos Realty option far outweighed everything else for many different reasons.

Firstly, is our broker Michael Simons. Michael is a full-on type of guy. He is extremely passionate about what he does at work, at play, and with charity. He never sits around on his hands doing nothing.

Secondly, our team is the same way. It is why we sell 75% plus of all real estate in the area. And I want my clients involved with that team. They get up every day and make opportunities happen. And that is important to me and to you as Sellers and Buyers.

Thirdly, we were at the stage in this area and given how we generate our clients, that being with a large brand, had it’s limits. Don’t misunderstand, RE/MAX is a good brand. But we had discussed using our own brand for a while. As you all know the beaches in Costa Rica, are unique both geographically and culturally.  Our entire group decided to use our resources in a more focused manner. As such we feel we will have the ability to move our online presence for this area to the top. To that I say a big “YES”.

On a personal note.

At first the decision to remain a RE/MAX affiliate or stay with the current team seemed a daunting task. As I mentioned earlier, the decision boiled down to “What is best for my clients?”  I don’t remember the day I was taught that rule. Maybe my dad or mom never specifically said to me. Like many things, it’s just something we were brought up to know. With so many things swirling around in the world, I feel good about staying with those basics as a foundation for how I work, and I hope you do also.

I will be in touch with each of you individually of course and will also have an updated report on entry into Costa Rica.

Thanks Theo Veenstra, Tres Amigos Realty & Let’s Buy Costa Rica.com