One of our friends just arrived to Costa Rica and shared this story about the process to go through Customs and Immigration.

“Just want to tell you I arrived with no problems on Saturday.  I see on Facebook many questions about the process, which for residents was fairly straightforward and simple.  So I wrote up a brief overview for residents which you are welcome to use…  

I flew from Newark- direct flight on United.  When I entered on Level 3, there was an announcement that check in for Costa Rica was on Level 2, Door 5.  I went down stairs and found Door 5- there was a very long line, with absolutely no social distancing.  I was standing off to the side, when a representative from United asked if anyone in the line was going to San Jose.  Apparently the long line was for Liberia as well.  Only a few people got out of line.  As the San Jose flight was earlier, they checked us in first, so I avoided going into long line. 

The United representative took my passport, my cedula (must be current), and asked for my Health Pass.  I had printed that out.  I used my cedula number on it; not my passport. He reviewed everything, gave me a boarding pass stamped in red “Completed” and advised me to go to the luggage check in to the right.  I went and checked in my luggage.  I walked around the area by the gate to avoid sitting near others.  The airport was surprisingly crowded.  I did not feel uncomfortable as I was able to maintain distance.  The boarding was smooth, as they boarded from the rear to front.  I was among the last to board as I sat in the front of the plane.  The gate attendants kept announcing that Covid tests were required and they were checking those.  When I was told I could board, I went up to do so, and scanned my boarding pass myself.  They did look at it and my passport, but did not handle them.  I then boarded. 

Five hours later, we landed in San Jose.  As I was in the front of the plane, I left among the first people.  Walking toward Immigration, we were scanned for temperature- a large black screen like in hospitals.  Then in Immigration they had a new system:  Nacionals (citizens), Residents, and Visitors.  So I was first in the Residents line.  The Immigration officer asked for my passport, cedula, Health Pass, and CAJA Validacion de Derechos.  He asked “Covid?”.  I said that I did not have any symptoms, I did not get tested, and I had not had it nor had anyone I had contact with.  He filed out some paperwork, asked my age and wrote that on the paper.  He also asked for my phone number and my address- including a house number.  He gave me a copy of the paperwork with the 14 day quarantine requirements.  He repeated that several times- that I must stay in my house for 14 days.  I did not have to prove a house, but did give my telephone number and address.”