Costa Rica
Outbreaks
- There is a chikungunya outbreak on the Guanacaste coast (Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Flamingo, Huacas), in El Coyol (Alajuela) and in Esparza.
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Register your trip and read the information about security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.
Important health risks
Malaria risk areas
- Moderate in the northern parts of the province Alajuela at the border with Nicaragua.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures, sometimes in combination wih preventive malaria tablets for people with an increased risk.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures, sometimes in combination wih preventive malaria tablets for people with an increased risk.
- Low in most parts of Alajuela Province and Limón Province; some parts of Puntarenas Province.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures.
- None in the capital San José and the rest of the country.
- Species: P.falciparum 93%.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Chikungunya
There is an outbreak of chikungunya in the Guanacaste coast (Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Flamingo, Huacas), El Coyol (Alajuela) and Esparza. Protect yourself against mosquitoes. Vaccination is sometimes recommended.
Other insect-borne diseases
Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Protect yourself against insects.
Ticks
Ticks can transmit diseases.
Altitude sickness
You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya vaccination is recommended when travelling to affected regions.
Update of basic vaccinations
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:
Yellow fever vaccination is not necessary if you are travelling from Belgium from.
Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in certain countries in the past six days from the age of nine months. This is not necessary when transiting through an airport or for travellers coming from Argentina, Panama or Tobago.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.