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    - Photo via Tourism Institute - |
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Published on Tuesday,
January 4, 2022
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Spanish printed newspaper El País, recognizes Costa Rica as one of the 10 best tourist destinations to visit this year. According to the author Paco Nadal, a tourism specialist, even though 2021 was a year in which it was not possible to travel normally (due to the global health crisis created by the pandemic), 2022 could be more positive for traveling. Among the main countries recommended by Nada is Costa Rica because, "It is one of the few countries that have not closed (their borders), so in 2022 it will be even more open to travelers," he said. According to the author, on his trip to Costa Rica, he learned the meaning of the famous Pura Vida motto. "Not only the pleasure of living happily, but the pleasure of living surrounded by green nature," he added. Almost 50% of the country is covered by forest and more than 20% is a reserve or a protected natural park protected by strong environmental conservation measures that perfectly reflects how Costa Rica is the destination for all nature lovers, he said. "There are so many natural spaces that the big problem is to choose which ones to visit," he said. Other countries to travel this year, the author recommended Egypt, Poland, Cuba, Mozambique, Iceland, Ecuador, France, Namibia, Italy and Portugal. Recently, National Geographic magazine recognized Costa Rica as one of the 25 tourist destinations to visit in 2022. Tourism in Costa Rica will be benefited due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of State's upgrade in the recommendation for travel to Costa Rica. Costa Rica received more than 1.1 million tourists between January and November, approximately 40% of the visitors from before the covid-19 pandemic in 2019, the Tourism Institute reported. The institute established that all international tourists are permitted to enter Costa Rica by air, land and sea on the condition they meet the requirements established in the framework of the pandemic. This is in addition to visa requirements, when applicable. The government does not require tourists entering by air, land or sea to present a negative covid-19 test, nor quarantine upon arrival. Tourists visiting Costa Rica are requested to abide by the sanitary protocols in place when participating in tourist activities throughout the country. Tourists who are fully vaccinated against covid-19 and individuals younger than 18 (even if unvaccinated) can enter the country without travel policy insurance. The only requirement is that the last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica. The list of authorized vaccines includes AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinovac, Sinopharm and Covaxin. Vaccinated tourists must add their vaccination certificate to the online Health Pass within 72 hours of arriving in the country. Unvaccinated individuals who are over the age of 18 or with unauthorized vaccines must purchase a travel policy that is valid for at least five days and covers accommodation and medical expenses in the event of covid-19 infection. Tourists can select any international insurance company that meets the following requirements: 1. Valid during the entire stay in Costa Rica (coverage dates). 2. $50,000 for medical expenses, including covid-19 infection. 3. $2,000 for lodging expenses in case of covid-19 quarantine. Travelers must ask their insurance company for a certified letter in English or Spanish. This certificate must specify that the policy covers covid-19 and must be uploaded to the online Health Pass within 72 hours before arrival in the country, to be reviewed and approved by Costa Rican authorities. Tourists should review the travel requirements before planning their trip to their respective country's Costa Rica embassy. ----------------- What should the government do to increase tourism? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com   
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