9 Oct 2026
Flood — Costa Rica
21.3 km — GDACS report in progress — UN / European Commission
Maximum Alerts / Costa Rica
Costa RicaLevel 2/4
Level published by the State Department on 01.04.2026 · read 13 October 2026 · source checked daily
Costa Rica — official level as of 13 October 2026: Level 2/4 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), from the U.S. Department of State. Maximum Insurance covers this country: hospital settled directly, unlimited repatriation, USD 1.5M, certificate on payment.
Four official readings
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
Level 2/4 — “Exercise Increased Caution”levels 1 and 2 are advice to be careful, not travel restrictions
FranceFrance Diplomatiesource ↗Added on top of the U.S. level, under its own rules: red or orange AREAS
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: no area of the country is classified red or orange
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: no travel advised against
source reviewed 19 May 2026Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: the FDFA advises against no travel
The four readings on record agree: no restriction on the whole country.Our comparison reading: 27 September 2026
How we read these four advisories
Every country has its own scale, so we ask them all the same question: is the whole country advised against?
An advisory covering only areas of the country does not raise the answer: it stays “No”, and the area is shown in the relevant column.
The level shown on this page — and across this site — is the one published by the U.S. State Department, from 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel). France and the United Kingdom publish their own advisories, with their own rules: they add to that level, they do not replace it.
Country briefing
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In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
What Maximum knows
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
What I say on the phone
- I am insured with Maximum, here is my policy number. Where should I go? Send me to a hospital in the Maximum network.
- Send the payment guarantee to the hospital: I do not want to pay anything up front.
- For non-urgent transport or repatriation, tell me what you authorise and arrange. In a life-threatening emergency, I call local emergency services immediately.
What to do, in this order
1Contact assistance without delay›
Otherwise: reduced or refused reimbursement
In immediate danger, call local emergency services first. Then contact assistance without delay; before engaging a service, seek approval under your policy. Cover is confirmed by the insurer.
2Ask where to get care›
Check the facility and cover
Ask assistance where to get care and whether direct cover can be arranged. It confirms the facility and seeks the insurer's approval under your policy. In immediate danger, call local emergency services first.
3See a doctor the same day›
Otherwise: nothing is covered
Even for a pain you meant to shrug off. Without a medical certificate written on the spot, the same day, the insurer cannot cover the event — a certificate written after you return does not count.
4Admitted? Have the hospital front desk call Maximum›
An up-front payment may be requested
The hospital desk sends the request to assistance. Direct payment depends on the insurer's approval and the policy; the call alone does not guarantee it. Have the response confirmed before relying on no up-front payment.
5For non-urgent transport, seek assistance approval›
Without approval, transport may remain at your expense
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services immediately. For an arranged transfer or repatriation, contact assistance: the insurer's medical team decides on measures under the policy. A medical flight booked without approval may not be reimbursed.
6Once home, report the claim within 30 days›
Otherwise: reduced or refused compensation
Even if everything went well on the ground. Send your invoices and the medical report within 30 days; after that, compensation may be reduced or refused.
Places read from OpenStreetMap, within a circle of about 12 km: phone, email, address, website and hours when the source publishes them. No customer reviews, that source has none. Straight-line distances.
The comparator
What is your current insurance?
The verdict
No area exclusion at this level — but three written limits: deductible and prior approval, 90-day cap, advance under conditions.
Exact wording (official French text): « Des Voyages vers des pays où Votre gouvernement a conseillé de ne pas voyager » — general exclusion n° 11, applying to ALL travel covers.
Line by line
Territorial exclusion at this level
No territorial exclusion at this level — the clause targets countries your government advised against travelling to
Covered — the core of the Maximum contract
Medical expenses cap abroad
€2M — but 10% deductible (€150–500), insurer's prior approval, trip paid with the Card
CHF 1.5M emergency medical expenses
Hospital deposit before admission
Advance possible — prior approval required before care
Direct payment guarantee: the insurer settles the hospital
Trip duration covered
Maximum 90 consecutive days per trip
12 months, unlimited trips
Visa certificate (incl. Schengen)
Not provided
Official named certificate, issued on payment
Notices vary by bank and vintage — yours prevails. On the right: the Maximum contract (public documents).
What is happening in Costa Rica right now
Live alerts and level changes, each with its official source. Continuously updated.
What governments have just written
L’OVSICORI (observatoire de vulcanologie et sismique du Costa Rica) a placé en alerte 3 (sur 4, vigilance orange) le volcan Rincón de la Vieja. La Commission nationale d’urgence (CNE) recommande, pour les personnes résidant ou se trouvant dans cette région, de ne pas s’approcher des lits des rivières qui viennent du volcan (Quebrada, Azufrosa, Rio Penjamo y Rio Azul) du fait de risques de coulées de boue (lahar), d’eau et de roches descendant avec force de la partie haute du…
France Diplomatie (in French) · posted 3 September 2026diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026Les noyades sont fréquentes au Costa Rica, en raison notamment de forts courants de baïnes présents sur de nombreuses plages, souvent non surveillées. Ces courants sous-marins, invisibles en surface, peuvent emporter rapidement les baigneurs vers le large, même par mer calme. Une grande prudence est indispensable : éviter de se baigner seul, rester proche du rivage et se renseigner localement sur les zones à risque. En cas de difficulté, ne pas lutter contre le courant,…
France Diplomatie (in French) · posted 27 February 2026 · updated 3 September 2026diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026Health – editorial change
October 13, 2026 11:14 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 13.10.2026No level change recorded for this country since the log opened. The live alerts above are updated continuously.
Frequently asked questions — travel insurance Costa Rica
24/7 support number — +41 22 ••• •• ••An adviser goes through each question with you until you have an actionable answer: cover, hospital, entry rules, claims. Full number in your client area. You can also ask Maximum directly, just below these questions.
What is the official risk level in Costa Rica today?
Level 2/4 — Exercise Increased Caution, U.S. Department of State, retrieved on 13 October 2026.
- Is the whole country advised against? United States: no · France: no · United Kingdom: no · Switzerland: no (reading of 27 September 2026).
- Contractually, only an FDFA, FOPH or WHO advisory against the trip opens Module A (art. 18.1) — that is not the case today.
- International medical cover, 24/7 number saved, and a read of the areas named under Safety & risks before booking the itinerary.
- We check these sources every morning and e-mail you the day one changes (Alerts button).
Sourcestravel.state.gov · updated 01.04 · read 13.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10DFAE · updated 16.03 · read 13.10207-country comparison
Is the whole of Costa Rica advised against, or only some areas?
An area advised against does not rule out the country.
- Official answers: United States: no · France: no · United Kingdom: no · Switzerland: no.
- Keep your country of residence's advisory on booking day and on departure day: that is what your policy's clauses cite.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 19.05 · read 13.10State Department · updated 01.04 · read 13.10
What are the entry requirements for Costa Rica with my passport?
The rules depend on the passport, not on the destination alone.
- French passport (France Diplomatie): French nationals do not require a visa for stays up to 180 days but need a passport in perfect condition, valid for at least one day beyond departure. Upon entry, French travellers must present a return ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient financial resources for their stay. For stays exceeding 90 days, French citizens must obtain a permit from the Costa Rican embassy in Paris or immigration services.
- British passport (Foreign Office): British citizens must ensure their passport is valid for at least one day beyond their planned departure date from Costa Rica. Tourists may enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days, though the final duration is at the immigration officer's discretion. Overstaying your visa in Costa Rica can result in a fine of 100 US dollars per month and future entry refusal.
- American passport: the requirements are on the State Department country page (travel.state.gov).
- Swiss passport: the FDFA refers you to the destination's embassy in Switzerland.
- Pick your passport at the top of Before you go › Entry: the official text that concerns you comes first, with its “In brief” summary.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 19.05 · read 13.10State Department · updated 01.04 · read 13.10
Do I need an insurance certificate for a Costa Rica visa?
For a Schengen visa, yes: at least €30,000 of travel medical insurance (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, art. 15).
- Many other countries ask for it on entry or for a visa, case by case: check Before you go › Entry, with your passport.
- Subscribe: the named certificate arrives by e-mail on payment, with your name, dates and limits (CHF 1.5M medical expenses, unlimited evacuation and repatriation) — the ones consulates check.
- Attach it to the visa file; if in doubt about the format, write to us.
SourcesRegulation (EC) 810/2009, art. 15General conditions, policy 20 00 479
What does Maximum Insurance do in Costa Rica, concretely?
VIP Pack — $990 for twelve months, unlimited trips.
- CHF 1.5M emergency medical expenses, unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation, search and rescue CHF 50,000, cancellation or change CHF 5,000.
- One 24/7 number, +41 22 ••• •• ••: Maximum sends its direct payment guarantee to the hospital (art. 2.12).
- Network of 45,000 providers (art. 6.9); evacuation is decided, organised and paid by Maximum's medical team if the local facility is not enough (art. 6.2.2).
- Named certificate by e-mail on payment, no medical questionnaire.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479OpenStreetMap · read 10.10
What should I do if hospitalised in Costa Rica?
Six steps, in this order.
- 1. Call +41 22 ••• •• •• before paying anything, or have the front desk call: it is the condition for full cover (otherwise: reduced or refused benefits).
- 2. Ask for a hospital in the Maximum network (art. 6.9).
- 3. See a doctor the same day and leave with the certificate: without an on-the-spot finding, nothing is covered (art. 33).
- 4. Admitted for more than 24 h? The front desk calls Maximum: direct payment guarantee, no deposit (art. 2.12).
- 5. Book no ambulance or flight yourself (art. 6.2.2).
- 6. Once home, file within 30 days (art. 35.7).
- Local emergency services: single number 911 · police 112 · ambulance 112 · fire 112.
SourcesSpecial conditions 01.26General conditions, policy 20 00 479
Which emergency numbers in Costa Rica?
Local emergency services: single number 911 · police 112 · ambulance 112 · fire 112
- Maximum, 24/7, before any payment: +41 22 ••• •• ••.
- France — Ambassade de France (4.5 km) · (+506) 2234-4167
- Switzerland — Ambassade de Suisse (1.9 km) · (+506) 2221-4829 / (+506) 2221-1052
- United Kingdom — Ambassade de Grande-Bretagne (1.9 km)
- United States — Ambassade des États-Unis (5.0 km) · (+506) 2519-2000
- Save these numbers before leaving; in immediate danger, call local emergency services first, then Maximum.
SourcesEmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · read 08.10OpenStreetMap · read 10.10
Is an Amex, Visa or Mastercard enough in Costa Rica?
At today's level 2/4, card by card:
- Amex Platinum — No area exclusion at this level — but three written limits: deductible and prior approval, 90-day cap, advance under conditions.
- Visa — No express area exclusion — but a €156,000 cap, 90 days, and the war/instability exclusion in the background.
- Mastercard — No exclusion in play at this level — but a €155,000 cap and 90 covered days.
- Three lines to read in your notice: the duration (often 90 days per trip), the settlement (reimbursement afterwards or direct payment of the hospital) and the area exclusion at level 4/4.
SourcesAmex Platinum France T&Cs, 01.2025 — general exclusion n° 11BNP Paribas Visa Infinite notice (policy PT7), 04.2025 — comFortuneo World Elite Mastercard notice, 01.2026 — art. 5.5 '
Are a health plan or a travel policy enough in Costa Rica?
A health plan reimburses at home; here, the hospital asks for a payment guarantee before admission.
- Health plan — A health plan treats you at home. Here the hospital asks for a guarantee before admission — not a later reimbursement.
- Travel policy — No area exclusion at this level — compare cap, deductible and covered duration.
- A travel policy often has a territorial clause at level 4/4 and a 90-day limit per trip.
- Have your IPID number or the PDF of the terms and ask an expert to call you back: the answer is in the document, not in the brochure.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
How do I use the medical network on this page?
The page reads hospitals, pharmacies and doctors from OpenStreetMap, around the point you choose.
- Type your city, hotel or beach: the map re-centres, 24/7 emergency rooms come first.
- Each row gives the phone when the source publishes it, the nearest street, directions and the Google Maps listing.
- The PDF briefing repeats the same places, numbered on a printable map.
- No customer reviews: OpenStreetMap has none, and we invent none.
Which vaccines and health precautions for Costa Rica?
The sourced detail is under Medical network › Health: vaccines, diseases present, altitude, outbreaks.
- CDC (Travelers' Health), depending on the trip: Routine vaccines, COVID-19, Chikungunya, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles.
- France Diplomatie reports in the country: dengue, malaria, chikungunya — mosquito protection day and night.
- See a doctor or a travel clinic 8 weeks before departure (Foreign Office).
- Carry your medicines in their packaging, with a prescription using international non-proprietary names (France Diplomatie).
SourcesCDC Travelers' Health · read 10.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10OMS · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 19.05 · read 13.10
Can I be treated in Costa Rica, or will I be evacuated?
2.7 physicians per 1,000 people (2022) versus 4.5 in Switzerland.
- 1.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people versus 4.4 in Switzerland (World Bank).
- With 2.7 physicians per 1,000 people (40% fewer than Switzerland), the nearest hospital does not always have the capacity for a serious case: evacuation to an adequate centre is the rule, not the exception — that is what unlimited evacuation and repatriation cover. Health spending of 1,163 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784) goes with private hospitals that bill foreigners in hard currency and ask for a guarantee before admission: the direct payment guarantee is what avoids the deposit.
- When the local facility is not enough, Maximum's medical team decides the evacuation to a suitable centre, and pays for it (art. 6.2.2).
SourcesWorld Bank · read 10.10General conditions, policy 20 00 479
Costa Rica: safety, in figures?
17.8 homicides per 100,000 people (2023) versus 0.6 in Switzerland and 1.3 in France.
- 14.8 road deaths per 100,000 people versus 2.2 in Switzerland (World Bank, WHO).
- The homicide rate is 30 times Switzerland's: violence is a real risk there, concentrated in the areas named by the official advisories. On the road, 7 times more deaths than in Switzerland: road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
Where is my embassy in Costa Rica, and why register?
The nearest representations, by passport (OpenStreetMap):
- France — Ambassade de France (4.5 km) · (+506) 2234-4167
- Switzerland — Ambassade de Suisse (1.9 km) · (+506) 2221-4829 / (+506) 2221-1052
- United Kingdom — Ambassade de Grande-Bretagne (1.9 km)
- United States — Ambassade des États-Unis (5.0 km) · (+506) 2519-2000
- Register before leaving: France: Ariane · Switzerland: Travel Admin · United Kingdom: Foreign Office alerts · United States: STEP.
- Two minutes, and in a crisis your country's authorities can reach you and count you in an evacuation.
- Pick your passport at the top of Contacts: your embassy comes first.
SourcesOpenStreetMap · read 10.10DFAE · updated 16.03 · read 13.10
Which regions of Costa Rica should I avoid, precisely?
No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.
- Your point (San José): country-wide vigilance.
- Maximum does not exclude these areas: the VIP Pack covers care and repatriation there (sanctions, embargoes and a country already at war at departure remain enforceable).
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 19.05 · read 13.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10
Which laws and customs should I know in Costa Rica?
Local laws apply to every traveller; here is what the official texts say.
- Canadian drivers can use their valid Canadian licence for up to 180 days, but must carry their original passport when driving.
- Severe penalties, including lengthy jail sentences or heavy fines, apply for drug possession, use, or trafficking in Costa Rica.
- Foreign nationals are prohibited from engaging in any political activity in Costa Rica.
- Always carry valid identification, such as your passport, and keep a photocopy or digital copy of your ID and entry stamp.
- It is illegal to photograph official buildings; always check with local authorities before taking photos.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 19.05 · read 13.10
Who can I call at any hour from Costa Rica?
Every foreign ministry runs a 24/7 emergency line for its nationals.
- France — Crisis and Support Centre — French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: +33 1 53 59 11 00. 24/7 emergency line, standard rate. First contact abroad: the French embassy or consulate.
- Switzerland — FDFA Helpline: +41 58 465 33 33 · +41 800 24 7 365. 24/7, 365 days a year — helpline@eda.admin.ch. Beware of scam calls spoofing these numbers.
- United Kingdom — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: +44 20 7008 5000. 24 hours, for British nationals.
- United States — Overseas Citizens Services — U.S. Department of State: +1 202 501 4444 · +1 888 407 4747. From abroad; the second number from the U.S. and Canada.
- On site, Ambassade de France: (+506) 2234-4167.
Sourcesdiplomatie.gouv.fr · updated 15.09 · read 13.10eda.admin.ch · updated 16.03 · read 13.10
A few useful phrases in Spanish for Costa Rica?
Emergency phrases, to show if pronunciation fails:
- Help! → ¡Ayuda!
- Call an ambulance! → ¡Llame a una ambulancia!
- I need a doctor. → Necesito un médico.
- Where is the nearest hospital? → ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?
- Call the police! → ¡Llame a la policía!
SourcesMaximum Insurance
What should I keep after leaving Costa Rica, and how do I file a claim?
Keep the entry stamp, the invoices, the prescriptions and the medical report.
- File within 30 days (art. 35.7) from your client area, with the documents; the official forms are pre-filled.
- Costs advanced on site are reimbursed against receipts.
- Fever, persistent diarrhoea or a rash in the following weeks? See a doctor and say where you have been — dengue, malaria, chikungunya circulate in the country (France Diplomatie).
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
What does the Pack VIP Extreme add?
Cancellation or change up to CHF 20,000, special risk CHF 5,000 per person, crisis management and security, optional Kidnap & Ransom.
- Special risk (Module A): political event, attack, epidemic, natural disaster — opens when the FDFA, the FOPH or WHO advise against the trip (art. 18.1).
- Epidemic: assistance must be requested within 7 days of the WHO or FDFA qualification (art. 36.2).
- Crisis management and security: trip registration, monitoring, extraction, evacuation in case of riot, war, terrorism or disaster; Kidnap & Ransom subject to eligibility (art. 18.4).
- $2,290 a year, unlimited trips.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
A question not answered here? Ask Maximum below, or call the support number: every question gets a clear, actionable answer.
A question? Maximum answers.Answers built from the Costa Rica file and your policy.
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In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
What Maximum knows
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
Same advisory level: India · Indonesia · Italy · Jamaica · Kenya · Kosovo
Cross-check with official sources
The displayed level comes from the State Department, checked every morning. Before departure, always cross-check your country of residence's advisory: that is what your policy cites.
The level shown is the official U.S. Department of State level, checked daily. Maximum Insurance is an insurance distributor — general information, not personal advice.