Surf Resort COVID-19 Safety Measures
View our plans for safe surf trips to Costa Rica
Last Update: Wednesday, January 13, 2020
First and foremost, we hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Secondly, Costa Rica is open for travel (and surfing!).
The entire country has taken the well-being of its residents and visitors very seriously, and done an amazing job to keep everything safe and accessible. Likewise, we have been working hard to ensure any who visit Corky Carroll’s Surf Resort in Nosara will have a safe, fun-filled time.
Our main focus has been updating our operation to best serve surfers, their families, and our staff while adhering to local, national, and CDC guidelines. This page outlines how we will implement safety practices at our resort, as well as provide the latest information regarding travel to Costa Rica.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out. Hope to see you soon for some much needed Pura Vida!
Travel Requirements for Costa Rica
Costa Rica has instituted entry requirements for those traveling to the country. As of Nov. 1, all U.S. citizens and residents are authorized to enter. (For a list of other authorized countries and more detailed info on these requirements please visit here.)
To enter Costa Rica, ALL visitors must adhere to the following:
1 Fill Out Online Form
Complete an online epidemiological HEALTH PASS form 48 hours prior to arrival. Go here to fill out your form.
2 Have Travel Insurance
Buy insurance covering lodging in case of quarantine and medical expenses from COVID-19. Scroll down for how to get this insurance.
UPDATE:
Negative Test Required to Re-Enter United States
Starting Jan 26th, all air passengers, 2 years of age or older, arriving into the US from Costa Rica will need to prior to boarding provide proof a negative COVID-19 test, taken no more than 3 days before their flight departs. For more information about the CDC’s requirements please visit here. Please note you DO NOT need to get tested or show proof of negative results to visit Costa Rica. This requirement only applies to re-entry into the US.
The nearest testing facility to our resort is Paradise Medical Services in Nosara. Test results take 48-72 hours to receive. To help our guests meet this requirement we are providing the following services:
Book Your Appointment
We will book your appointment for you. It will be scheduled for 3 days prior to your departure.
Provide Transportation
We will provide you with transportation to and from your appointment at Paradise Medical.
Testing Cost
Testing at Paradise Medical costs $130.
Upon Arrival in Costa Rica
After landing in Costa Rica, guests will be picked up at the airport by our complimentary van service and driven to our resort. Here are the safety measures we have put in place to ensure guests arrive safely.
Temperature Checks
Our drivers take a mandatory temperature check right before pick-up.
Masks for Drivers
Our drivers will all be wearing a mask for passenger protection.
Masks for Passengers
All passengers will be required to wear a mask while riding in the van.
Staying Safe at Our Resort
Our surf resort was made for social distancing! It is a spacious, self-contained area, isolated from the hustle and bustle of more crowded locations near by. We only have 6 rooms on site, which allows for guests to remain safely apart while still enjoying all our amenities. In addition, all Corky Carroll’s staff will be required to take mandatory temperature checks before starting their shifts. All kitchen and cleaning staff will be required to wear masks, as will employees performing check-ins.
Disinfected Rooms
All rooms are cleaned and thoroughly disinfected prior to guest arrival.
Sanitization Spots
We provide hand sanitizer on-site as well as hand washing stations.
No Shared Sunscreen
Guests are encouraged to bring their own sunscreen and self-apply regularly.
Safe Common Areas
Common areas are disinfected regularly throughout each day and allow for proper physical distancing between groups.
Physically Distanced Eating
Dining areas are outside with tables spaced at least 6 feet apart for safe distancing. The entire area is disinfected before and after each meal.
Staying Safe When Surfing
Practicing safe, physical distancing is a golden rule of surfing etiquette. As part of our coaching, we have always ensured surfers never get too close. This provides everyone enough room to safely learn and have fun. We will continue to do so, in addition to maintaining extra precautionary measures both in and out of the water.
Small Group Sizes
Guests will be kept to their own groups, safely separated from others.
Staff Distancing
Land instruction will be conducted with instructors at least 6 feet from students.
Surfer Distancing
We strive to ensure surfers stay separated so everyone can enjoy the waves safely.
Shakas All Around
Safe and fun, we encourage shakas instead of hand shakes or fist bumps.
Outside Our Resort
Should guests choose, they can leave our resort to enjoy the town of Nosara. (Though any that wish to stay within the “safety bubble” of our surf resort will find more than enough ways to have fun on their vacation.) Below are some measures required by the Costa Rican government to ensure everyone remains safe no matter where they go in the country. For more information please visit the site for the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica.
Mask Safety
Wearing a mask is mandatory for visitors and staff inside all businesses, as well as many outdoor public locations.
Hand Washing Safety
Hand washing stations are installed outside of all businesses. Hand washing is required upon both entering and leaving stores.
Getting Tested While in Costa Rica
The nearest location to get tested for COVID-19 while staying with us in Nosara (where our resort is located) is called Paradise Medical Services. The test cost is USD $130. Results take 48-72 hours to receive. Anyone flying into the US is required to take a test and show proof of a negative result prior to boarding their departure flight. For further information about getting tested while in Costa Rica please contact us.
Additional Safety Precautions
If you or your family members feel ill at anytime while staying at our resort, please notify a staff member and the necessary next steps will be taken. For everyone else, please:
- Refrain from touching your eyes, mouth or nose
- Cover your nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Dispose of tissues after single-use
- Wash hands regularly with soap or hand sanitizer
STAY SAFE AND STOKED
AT CORKY CARROLL’S SURF SCHOOL
Traveling to Costa Rica
Tips to Prepare for Your Trip
Figuring the who, what, where, when and how of traveling during these crazy times can be challenging. So to help you prepare for your trip to Costa Rica, and ensure you meet the necessary entry requirements listed at the top of this page, we wanted to share some helpful resources.
Getting Insured
To enter Costa Rica, it is required that all visitors purchase travel insurance. This insurance must cover accommodations in the event of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19.
Specifically, this travel insurance MUST meet the following conditions:
- Provide coverage of medical expenses in the event of becoming ill with the pandemic COVID-19 virus while in Costa Rica for at least USD $20,000 (if using a Costa Rican provider) or $50,000 (if using an international provider)
- Includes minimum coverage of USD $2,000 for quarantine lodging expenses as a result of the pandemic
Currently, the insurance provider we recommend going with is: Sagicor – https://tiendasagicor.com/en
RECOMMENDED INSURANCE: 
Sagicor is a Costa Rican insurance company that provides the correct coverage and we have found their site the easiest to navigate. Their cost for insurance is around $11 per day per person.
Important Reminders About Travel Insurance
- If you arrive in Costa Rica without travel insurance meeting the above conditions you will be required to buy a policy on the spot. However, things can move astronomically slow at Costa Rican airports and there is a very strong likelihood you will be delayed, effecting transportation to the resort. So we strongly advise purchasing the correct travel insurance prior to departure.
- If wish, you can try to find the required insurance through a different, non-Costa Rican provider. However, we have yet to find any international providers that meet the required $2,000 “quarantine lodging.” As others arise we will update this page accordingly.
- If you are able to find a provider that meets the conditions you must request a certification from the company — issued in English or Spanish — verifying that the policy covers the conditions listed above.
- Also, just be aware that non-Costa Rica insurance companies need to cover $50,000 in medical expenses (as opposed to the $20,000 required of Costa Rica-specific insurance companies like Sagicor).
Getting There
Airlines Currently Flying to Costa Rica
At this time, some airlines have limited availability or have stopped flights entirely to certain locations. For a list of the airlines who have resumed operations to Costa Rica please visit here.
In Costa Rica, there are two main international airports to choose from:
- SJO: San Jose (also known as Juan Santamaría International Airport)
- LIR: Liberia (also known as Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport)
If you like, you can read more about each airport and their respective proximity to our resort.
For additional review, here is a video covering some of the information we discuss above.
Getting Tested Prior
Where to Get Tested for COVID-19 Near You
It is NOT required to get a COVID-19 test to enter Costa Rica. However, if you wish to do so below are some ways to find a testing location near you.
Click any of the above links to search for a testing spot near you. Or visit the U.S. Department of Health’s website for a state-by-state breakdown of available locations. Most testing sites are by appointment only. We recommend calling prior to visiting.
Please note, due to demand, some testing locations take longer than others to return results from your test. When calling for an appointment, be sure to ask how long it takes for that specific location.
In addition, some airlines are offering COVID-19 testing. Here is a list several airlines offering this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to surf during COVID-19?
As with anything it is important to practice precaution, but thanks to the uncrowded atmosphere of Nosara, and more specifically Playa Guiones (the beach where guests of our resort surf), everything is ideally suited for staying safe while surfing. In addition, according to Surfrider Foundation, there is still no information on the ability of the COVID-19 virus to remain viable in saltwater. Experts also agree the risk of COVID-19 transmission through water is very low. Everyone agrees that the best way to stay safe is to maintain proper physical distancing in and out of the water. Under normal circumstances our spot at Playa Guiones is ideal for beginner surfers, but it is especially well suited for adhering to Coronavirus safety protocols as it provides ample room to spread out and surf at safe distances from one another.
Are you open during COVID-19?
YES! Our surf resort is currently taking reservations and as of November 7, 2020 is open to guests.
Will I be able to return home?
Yes. If you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident you can return to the United States from Costa Rica. In order to re-enter the U.S. you will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Please consult the top of this page for more info on fulfilling this requirement and to see the services we provide to help you do so. Prior to boarding your departure flight you will need to show documentation related to your result. For more information regarding your specific return destination, we recommend contacting your airline after booking your return flight. You can also find up-to-date travel information to and from the U.S. here.
What is your cancellation policy?
We want you to come on your trip and will work with you to make it happen, either now or in the future. Should you need to cancel for whatever reason and the cancellation is made 60 days prior to your reservation date, we will transfer your deposit payment of $500 for a future trip. If you cancel your reservation after 60 days prior to your trip and we can sell your room, you can use all the money paid towards a future trip. If we are not able to resell your room, your deposit payment of $500 will be forfeited and the remaining balance can be used towards a future trip. Please note we do not offer cash or credit card refunds — no exceptions. So please make sure you are committed to the trip and have read our read our Booking Policy before committing to any trips.
For more answers to common questions about our surf lessons and camps check out our full FAQ page.
Putting Your Health First
Staying Safe and Having Fun During COVID-19
We are firm believers that surfing has the power to heal and bring us closer together, even when we need to stay six feet apart. In the best of times and the worst, it comforts, rejuvenates, and invigorates. The world is facing a lot right now, but surfing can be a sanctuary and we want to share in it together with you.
Safety first is the motto of Corky Carroll’s Surf School, both in and out of the water. We want to ensure you can enjoy your trip to Nosara without concern. So our goal during these crazy times is two things: to stay safe and have fun. We’ll do our hardest to take care of the first and we’ll let the waves provide the second.
Coronavirus Questions?
Call us at 714-969-3959 or send us a message.
