Costa Rica is not a high-risk health destination: tap water is safe to drink in most towns, the private hospitals in San José regularly receive travelers and pharmacies are numerous. A few precautions, taken before leaving and on site, nevertheless let you travel with peace of mind, especially regarding mosquitoes and the sun.
Important: this article gives general guidelines; it does not replace a doctor’s advice. For your vaccines and your kit, see your doctor or an international vaccination center, ideally 4 to 8 weeks before departure, and check the current recommendations (Institut Pasteur or Santé publique France in France, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp in Belgium, the CDC in the United States).
For a traveler arriving directly from Europe or Canada, no vaccine is required on entry. A yellow fever vaccination certificate may, however, be requested from travelers coming from certain South American or African countries where the disease circulates, including after an extended layover. If your trip combines Costa Rica with another Latin American country, check this rule before booking.
Your doctor will adapt the advice to your age, health, length of trip and itinerary. Most often, they will check:
Depending on the case, they may also suggest hepatitis B (long or repeated stays), typhoid (stays in basic hygiene conditions) or preventive rabies vaccination (possible contact with animals, isolated stays).
Dengue is present in Costa Rica, especially in low-lying and coastal areas, with peaks during the rainy season, from May to November. Chikungunya and Zika, transmitted by the same mosquito, also circulate at times. The best protection is to avoid bites:
If you have a fever during the trip or in the weeks after your return, see a doctor and mention your stay in Costa Rica. Pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy should ask their doctor’s advice before leaving, because of Zika.
The risk of malaria is low in Costa Rica and limited to a few rural areas, far from the usual travel routes. For most trips (Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste, Tortuguero, the Caribbean coast), no preventive treatment is generally recommended: it is up to the doctor to decide, depending on your itinerary.
Tap water is safe to drink in most towns and tourist regions; in isolated rural areas, your lodging will tell you whether it is better to drink bottled or filtered water. Sodas, small family restaurants, serve simple, fresh food that we encourage you to taste. Wash your hands before meals and bring something to treat traveler’s diarrhea, which remains the most common inconvenience.
At this latitude, the sun burns quickly, even on cloudy days. A high-factor sunscreen, a hat and breaks in the shade during the hot hours are essential, as is good hydration during hikes. To respect the reefs, choose if possible a so-called “reef-safe” sunscreen.
Pharmacies (farmacias) are numerous in towns and tourist villages.
Care is of good quality in the private hospitals of San José, such as Clínica Bíblica, Clínica Católica or Hospital CIMA, but it must be paid for and can be expensive. The European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Costa Rica. Insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is therefore essential; also check the coverage of your credit card, often limited, and the coverage of sports activities (rafting, zip-lining, surfing).
The emergency number is 911, for police, ambulance and fire services. Keep your insurance assistance number and your embassy’s details, listed on your foreign ministry’s website, with you. During a trip organized with us, also let our team know: we can direct you to the nearest health center. See also our guide safety in Costa Rica.
None is mandatory for a traveler coming directly from Europe or Canada. Recommended vaccines are decided with your doctor.
Yes, in most towns and tourist areas. If in doubt, ask your lodging.
Generally not for the usual itineraries; your doctor will confirm it based on your route.
They are present but discreet. Wear closed shoes in the forest and stay on the trails; encounters are rare on busy trails.
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