Health risks

Costa Rica is a middle-income, developing country with a strong democratic tradition. Tourist facilities are generally adequate. The capital is San Jose. English is widely spoken.

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CRIME: Crime is increasing and tourists are frequent victims. While most crimes are non-violent, criminals, including juveniles, have shown a greater tendency in recent years to use violence.

In recent years, several travellers have been murdered in Costa Rica in urban, rural and resort locations. Many of the perpetrators have been arrested, and some convicted. There have been several attempted sexual assaults, including one rape, by taxi drivers. Travellers should be careful to use licensed taxis, which are red and have medallions painted on the side. Licensed taxis at the airport are painted orange, rather than red. All taxis should have working door handles, locks, and meters (called "marias"), and passengers should not ride in the front seat with the driver. Do not use unlicensed "pirate" taxis.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are available, but may be limited outside urban areas.

Arthropodborne diseases:

Malaria
Chagas disease
Dengue fever
Leishmaniasis
Filariasis

We recommend to prevent Arthropodborne diseases:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Amoebiasis
Brucellosis
Cholera
Hepatitis A
Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

Hepatitis B
Rabies

Vaccinations recommended:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.

Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use chloroquine as malaria prophylaxis in Los Chiles ( Alajuela Province ) and Matina and Talamanca ( Limón Province )

Compulsory vaccinations: none.

Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria risk is moderate all year in the cantons of Los Chilies (Alajuela province) & Matina & Talamanca (Limon province). Lower risk in the provinces of Guanacaste, Alajuela & other cantons in Limon province. There is negligible risk in other regions. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country
Maliaria Risk Category: A
Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: Yes
Sub Saharan Africa: No
West Nile Virus Risk: No
Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Costa Rica
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Costa Rica and prevention before arrival at Costa Rica.

Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Costa Rica