Travel Health Guide: Costa Rica

Health risks in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of Canada’s most popular adventure travel destinations — cloud forests, volcanoes, Pacific beaches, and Caribbean coast — and its health risk profile reflects this variety. The main concerns are mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, Zika), rabies from animal contact, and food and water safety. Malaria risk is limited to one province and does not affect most tourist itineraries.

Dengue fever is the most significant health risk and is present nationwide year-round. Outbreaks are recorded in both tourist and urban areas. The Aedes aegypti mosquito responsible for dengue bites during the day, making daytime repellent use essential — not optional.

Zika virus is also transmitted by the same mosquito and has been reported in Costa Rica. Pregnant travelers or those planning to conceive should discuss Costa Rica travel with their physician before departure, given Zika’s association with serious fetal abnormalities.

Rabies deserves special attention for Costa Rica. The country’s abundant wildlife — monkeys, bats, coatis, sloths — combined with its adventure tourism context means travelers have far more animal contact here than on a typical beach holiday. Dog bites are also common in rural communities. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is strongly recommended for adventure travelers.

Leptospirosis is worth noting for travelers who will be swimming in rivers, wading through flood water, or doing outdoor adventure activities — the bacteria is shed in water contaminated by animal urine. Wear waterproof footwear in rivers and avoid fresh water after heavy rainfall.

Vaccines in detail

Hepatitis A is essential for all travelers — it spreads through contaminated food and water and is endemic in Costa Rica. Typhoid is recommended, especially for travelers eating outside major hotels or exploring rural areas of the Pacific coast or Caribbean lowlands. Routine boosters — MMR, polio, and tetanus-diphtheria — should be current.

Rabies is a priority recommendation for adventure travelers, hikers, birdwatchers, and anyone spending time in rural communities or national parks. Hepatitis B is recommended for extended stays or any healthcare exposure. Yellow fever is not endemic in Costa Rica, but proof of vaccination is required if arriving from an endemic country — relevant for travelers combining Costa Rica with South American destinations.

Malaria prevention

Malaria risk in Costa Rica is limited to the rural Caribbean coast, particularly Limón province. San José, all Pacific coast destinations (Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, the Nicoya Peninsula), Arenal, Monteverde, and the Central Valley are all malaria-free for practical purposes.

If your itinerary includes rural Limón, our physician will assess whether prophylaxis is warranted based on the duration and nature of your stay:

• Atovaquone-Proguanil (Malarone): Daily, fewer side effects, ideal for short trips
• Doxycycline: Daily, affordable — note sun sensitivity, relevant in Costa Rica’s outdoor climate
• Mefloquine: Weekly dosing, potential mood/sleep effects

Traveller tips from Dr. Saldanha

Mosquito protection is non-negotiable: dengue mosquitoes bite during the day, so repellent must be applied in the morning and reapplied after sweating or swimming. Use 20–30% DEET on exposed skin and wear long sleeves and pants during outdoor activities.

Wildlife respect: do not touch or feed monkeys, coatis, or any wild animals — bites and scratches are more common than visitors expect, and evacuation to a rabies immune globulin source can be a significant issue in remote areas. If bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical evaluation immediately.

Food and water: tap water is safe in San José and larger towns; use bottled water in rural areas and on the Caribbean coast. Travellers’ diarrhea is common in Costa Rica despite vaccination — carry an antibiotic kit. River safety: avoid swimming in rivers after heavy rainfall due to leptospirosis risk; ocean and properly chlorinated pools are safe.

When to get vaccinated

Book your Costa Rica travel consultation 4–6 weeks before departure to allow time for multi-dose vaccines and full immunity to develop. Traveling sooner? Call us — same-day appointments are often available. A travellers’ diarrhea kit and sunscreen guidance will also be part of your consultation.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your passport, any existing vaccination records, a list of current medications, and your detailed travel itinerary including destinations, accommodation type, dates, and planned activities — particularly adventure activities like zip-lining, hiking, river tubing, or caving.