Costa Rica
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.
Check the current security situation on the federal government website.
Important health risks
Malaria
The malaria risk is low in the provinces of Limón, Heredia, Alajuela and Puntarenas. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.
There is no malaria risk in San José and the remaining parts of the country.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
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.
Update of basic vaccinations
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:
There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. Vaccination is not necessary if you are travelling from Belgium.
Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may occur in the past six days (see map) 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.