Costa Rica has announced it will reopen its borders to UK travellers from August 1.

The UK, along with countries in the EU and Schengen area, as well as Canada have been included on the ‘safe list’ of the Central American country, which has kept its borders closed for nearly four months.

Currently, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Costa Rica, and the Department for Transport asks that those returning from the country to the UK self-isolate for 14 days.

Costa Rica has been awarded the WTTC Safe Travels stamp for meeting the World Travel & Tourism Council’s safety protocols on Covid-19.

Visitors must provide a negative PCR Covid-19 test 48 hours before their trip to be allowed entry. They must also complete a digital epidemiological form on arrival and purchase travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses for acute illness.

Costa Rica’s two international airports, Juan Santamaría in San José and Daniel Oduber in Liberia, have also added new health measures for all arriving passengers.

The country is planning a gradual revival of its tourism industry. Tourism minister Gustavo Segura said: “We expect to receive fewer than five commercial flights per week at the outset. However, these are drops of hope for more than 600,000 people who directly or indirectly depend on the tourism industry.”

Costa Rica received 78,562 visitors from the UK in 2019.