
Latest Information about Costa Rica
The Costa Rica - Nicaragua Border is Now Open!
If a late spring break or early summer holiday to Central America sounds appealing, there is some good news this week. The land border between Costa Rica, and Nicaragua was reopened on April 5th 2021 for the first time in over a year! This “first phase opening” allows movement across both sides of the border, subject to health and security measures, of course.
Here are some important things to note with this latest news:
What was it like before
Covid?
Who can travel to Costa Rica from Nicaragua?
What do I need Costa Rica by land from Nicaragua?

What do I need to enter Nicaragua?
Regardless of whether you’re entering by land or air, from Costa Rica or from the United States, Nicaragua requires all visitors to present:
– A valid passport
– A negative PCR Covid Test, performed no more than 72 hours before entering Nicaragua Along with entry via the land borders, there are currently 2 airlines flying into Managua’s Augusto Sandino International Airport Avianca and Copa Airlines.Can I do a “border run” from Nicaragua?
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, it was common for many foreigners living in Nicaragua to cross the border and return immediately, thus renewing their 90 day tourist visa. With the required PCR test to enter Nicaragua needing to be done within 72 hours of entry, this now becomes difficult and you’d need to spend at least a couple of days in Costa Rica in order to receive your PCR test results and re-enter Nicaragua.
Even though Costa Rica has a migratory extension policy for those who are stuck in the country and need to extend their visas, with the reopening of the Nicaraguan land border, a “border run” from Costa Rica now seems entirely possible, assuming of course that you meet all current conditions of entry into Nicaragua (See above).
Can I visit Costa Rica and Nicaragua on the same trip?
Absolutely! Depending on your visa and assuming you can fulfill all Covid requirements for entry (Costa Rica – Health Pass and Insurance; Nicaragua – negative PCR test), some of Central America’s most beautiful destinations await! You could fly into and/or out of Managua, Liberia or San Jose all of which have Covid testing facilities, if negative tests are required when you return home. For those looking for a tropical, multi-country trip, this opens up exciting new possibilities for travel, in a world that is largely still closed off.
See you on the Costa Esmeralda!
