Costa Rica COVID test rule confusion: Since October 26, travelers to Costa Rica no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test. Unfortunately, some airlines haven’t yet got the memo.
I hate to say I told you so, but… I told you so. Just like sun follows rain and joy follows pain, I knew this would happen. I knew airlines would refuse boarding to passengers showing up to travel to Costa Rica without a negative COVID test.
These were my exact words last week, written the day Costa Rica announced the end of the COVID test requirement:
“Costa Rica needs to convey this message to the airlines so we don’t see confusion on that end. Something tells me we’ll see reports next week of airlines not getting the memo and banning passengers without a test.”
And sure enough we’re seeing it. We’re already seeing reports of Spirit Airlines and American Airlines turning away passengers for not having a COVID test. The thinking is, apparently, that Costa Rica requires the test until November 1.
I imagine they’re confusing all countries and all US states allowed in from November 1 with this COVID test rule. They could be packaging all the changes up together.
A look at Costa Rica’s move today to drop the impractical and onerous COVID test requirement for tourists entering the country. #costarica #costaricatravelhttps://t.co/GOIn7ysKkK
— CentralAmericaLiving (@VidaAmerica) October 23, 2020
We saw a similar situation last month with United, again over COVID testing.
United staff at Newark and Houston were prohibiting passengers from boarding because they had incorrect info stating Costa Rica only accepted a 48-hour COVID test instead of a 72-hour one.
This time, now Costa Rica’s dropped the testing requirement altogether, it seems some airlines haven’t updated their systems to show the change. This is what’s causing the problems.
People traveling to Costa Rica over the next few days should be aware of this issue, and that they might have problems boarding. Pre-warned is pre-armed, as they say. We recommend you call your airline first to ask them if they know of the rule change.
If possible, get them to send the confirmation that they know in writing (a long shot, I know). There’s no guarantee this will make any difference when checking in for your flight.
@united is refusing permission to board for some passengers to #CostaRica over a misinterpretation of the COVID-19 test result turnaround rules. Are Costa Rica’s ever-changing and confusing rules also partly to blame?https://t.co/4oaN1XwJO8
— CentralAmericaLiving (@VidaAmerica) September 29, 2020
Outside of that, there’s not much you can do.
If you find yourself unable to board your flight to Costa Rica, stay calm and try to talk to a supervisor. This has worked for some people this week.
In the meantime, we expect this situation to sort itself out very soon. The previous issue with United got resolved within a few days, so this should be the same, touch wood. Of course, that doesn’t help you if you get caught up in this mess over the coming days.
Please let us know if you have any issues boarding your flight to Costa Rica for this or any other issue.
James Dyde is the editor of www.centralamerica.com. He lives in Escazu, Costa Rica.
