COVID-19
Coronavirus omicron: which countries can I travel to without restrictions?
Those looking to travel without a vaccine or needing to take a covid-19 test can travel to four countries. Travelers should be very cautious in making plans.
There are only four countries people from the United States can visit if do not want to provide a negative test for covid-19 or proof of vaccination. However, all travelers should be able to provide a covid-19 test taken within the last twenty-four hours before departing for the United States.
Before booking a trip to one of these locations, people should consider the rapid increases in covid-19 cases being seen in many parts of the country. While not many details have been confirmed about the Omicron variant, many experts believe it is more contagious than the Delta variant which led to a massive wave of deaths and hospitalizations in many countries, including the US.
Costa Rica
Vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers are able to visit Costa Rica without providing a negative covid-19 test. However, unvaccinated travelers will need to purchase an international insurance plan in order to enter the country.
What should the insurance plan cover?
Unvaccinated travelers hoping to visit Costa Rica will “need to provide proof of a medical insurance policy to cover any COVID-19 related medical treatment or quarantine lodging while in Costa Rica.” This type of insurance will not be needed for visitors under eighteen. Those looking to purchase a private international insurance plan should keep in mind that immigration officials may verify that the plan is valid for the dates the holder will be in Costa Rica, must cover “medicals expenses in cases of COVID-19 related medical treatment in the amount of 50,000 USD,” and it must also include “minimum coverage of 2,000 USD for extended lodging expenses due to COVID-19 related illness.”
The government also offers unvaccinated travelers the option to purchase “a Costa Rican medical insurance policy through the National Insurance Institute (INS) or Sagicor of Costa Rica, covering the duration of your stay in Costa Rica.” Those who would like to take advantage of this option should email “seguros@ict.go.cr for questions about insurance coverage or to verify your current insurance policy will be accepted in Costa Rica.”
Are there any mobility restrictions or a curfew in Costa Rica?
No. But some non-essential services hoping to operate at full capacity are able to require vaccinations.
Dominican Republic
Travelers from the United States are not required to have a vaccine to enter or provide a negative PCR test. However, US citizens can receive covid-19 vaccines on their trip. There are no mobility restrictions in the country.
El Salvador
On 17 November 2021, the government of El Salvador removed the vaccine requirement for travelers from the United States. A negative covid-19 is not required for entry either. Upon arrival, travelers are not required to quarantine and there are no mobility restrictions or curfews currently in place.
Mexico
While there are no vaccination or testing requirements for travelers from the United States, entry can be denied if authorities do not consider the purpose of the travel essential. Some parts of the country do have curfews and mobility restrictions in place and travelers should research those before making booking their trips.