Costa Rica

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Costa Rica 🇨🇷

Costa Rica, often hailed as the jewel of Central America, beckons travelers with its breathtaking natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and a vibrant culture that celebrates Pura Vida - the pure life.

Costa Rica offers a surplus of exhilarating excursions, from zip-lining through lush rainforests to exploring volcanic landscapes in Arenal National Park. Adventurous souls can embark on thrilling white-water rafting expeditions down the Pacuare River, rated among the world’s best for its rapids and stunning scenery.

The nation’s dedication to environmental conservation is deeply ingrained in the culture, reflected in the lush, protected areas and sustainable practices embraced by its people. Costa Ricans, known as “Ticos,” are renowned for their warm hospitality and genuine friendliness, which contribute to the country’s reputation for being one of the happiest nations in the world.

Travel Immunizations for Costa Rica

What vaccines do I need for Costa Rica? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection typically transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Typhoid vaccine is available in both injectable and oral forms and provides protection against typhoid fever.
Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Costa Rica Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.
Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves, long pants, and consider staying in accommodations with screens or bed nets.

Mpox (Monkeypox)

Monkey pox is a risk in Costa Rica. It is a viral disease that can cause serious illness in some circumstances. Risk is generally low for most travelers.

It is typically spread by close contact with an infected person, or by droplet, or indirectly by contact with contaminated personal items (i.e towel, bedding, etc)
Symptoms include rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes.
Follow recommended public health measures and avoid contact with animals such as rodents and primates to help prevent getting or spreading the infection.
Be sure to practice safe sex and wash your hands if caring for or visiting ill people in endemic areas.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use insect repellents to protect against infection.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.

Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.
- Typically spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, but also a very small risk of sexual transmission
- Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel to countries with moderate risk and should postpone non-essential travel to high-risk countries
Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis): Symptoms include skin lesions and/or eye lid swelling. Fever, headache, enlarged lymph glands, muscle pain, fatigue, body aches, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Costa Rica

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Costa Rica

Health care is very good.
Public hospitals offer very good services throughout the country but waiting times may be long. Doctors rarely speak English or French.
Private clinics and hospitals provide excellent health care. They are mainly located in San José. Services may be expensive. Doctors and hospitals typically require upfront payment.
Emergency services may be limited in rural areas.
Medical evacuation can be very expensive and may be necessary in case of serious illness or injury.
Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Medical Tourism in Costa Rica

Canadian citizens have had serious health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.

Before leaving for a medical travel trip:

Ensure you have researched properly
Use reputable healthcare providers only

Consular Assistance in Costa Rica

In case of an emergency, dial 911.

Embassy of Canada to Costa Rica

Street Address: La Sabana Executive Business Centre, Building No. 5, 3rd Floor, behind the Contraloría General de la República, San José, Costa Rica

Telephone: (506) 2242-4400

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Costa-Rica

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We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.

Dr. Sam Gutman

CEO and Chief Medical Officer
MD CCFP, FCFP, EM-SEM

Dr. Shaan Pawa

Associate Medical Director
MD CCFP-EM CTH®

Kristyna Sorensen

Medical Operations Manager
RN, BSN