Costa Rica
Travel Destination – Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a world-renowned eco-tourism destination, celebrated for its lush rainforests, active volcanoes, abundant wildlife, and pristine beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. From ziplining through cloud forests and hiking national parks to surfing, diving, and relaxing in coastal towns, Costa Rica offers diverse experiences for nature lovers and adventure travellers alike.
While Costa Rica has a well-developed tourism infrastructure, travel health risks still vary by region, climate, and activity. Preparing in advance with tailored medical advice can help ensure a safe, healthy, and enjoyable journey.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Costa Rica, it is recommended to book a consultation with a travel doctor to receive personalised health advice. Your doctor can tailor recommendations based on your itinerary, which may include time in urban centres, coastal regions, rural communities, or jungle environments.
During your appointment, your vaccination history will be reviewed, destination-specific risks discussed, and prescriptions provided if needed. Ideally, book your consultation six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for preventative health advice and any multi-dose vaccines. However, essential information and accelerated vaccination schedules may be available if travel is imminent.
Insect avoidance
Mosquitoes and other biting insects transmit several diseases in Costa Rica, including dengue, zika, chikungunya, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and malaria in limited areas. Preventing insect bites is one of the most important travel health measures for Costa Rica.
Stay in accommodation with air conditioning or well-screened windows and doors where possible. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, particularly during peak mosquito activity times. Apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin. Permethrin-treated clothing and bed nets can provide additional protection, particularly in rural or forested areas.
Food and water hygiene
To reduce the risk of gastroenteritis whilst enoying the cuisine in Costa Rica, practise good hand hygiene by washing hands or using alcohol-based hand gel before eating. Avoid raw or undercooked foods, and take care with reheated meals. If eating street food, it is safest when freshly cooked and served hot. Fruits and vegetables enclosed in peel are safer as they have not been exposed to the outside environment, including bananas, mangos, and papayas. Drink bottled, boiled, or adequately filtered water, and avoid ice made from untreated tap water.
Rabies prevention
Australia is one of the few regions worldwide that is free from rabies. In Costa Rica, rabies can be carried by bats and, less commonly, other mammals. To prevent the transmission of rabies, avoid contact with animals, including dogs, wildlife, and bats.
Rabies vaccination may be discussed with your travel doctor if you are spending extended periods in rural areas, undertaking outdoor or adventure activities, or working with animals. Any bite or scratch from a mammal requires immediate medical assessment, as timely treatment is highly effective at preventing rabies, which is almost universally fatal once symptoms develop.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Costa Rica?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is an acute viral liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. It can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Hepatitis A is more prevalent in Costa Rica than in Australia. Only some Australians have been vaccinated due to previous travel or targeted programs. Vaccination is strongly recommended for travellers who have not completed a two-dose course, especially if you will be eating local cuisine, engaging in a homestay, or travelling rurally.
Typhoid
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Typhoid fever is caused by salmonella bacteria and is spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include high fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal upset. A typhoid vaccine provides protection for up to three years and is particularly useful for longer stays or travel outside well-developed tourist areas. Food and water hygiene remain essential in the prevention of typhoid.
Hepatitis B
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The hepatitis B virus can cause long-term infection of the liver. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with blood or bodily fluids, including unprotected sex, tattooing, unsterile medical procedures, or sharing personal items such as razors.
The hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for travellers to Costa Rica who plan prolonged stays, may require medical care while overseas, or have other risk factors. Your travel doctor will assess your individual risk and vaccination history.
Yellow Fever
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Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, muscle pain, jaundice, and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications. Proof of vaccination may be required for travellers arriving from or travelling through countries with yellow fever risk. Recommendations and entry requirements can change, so consult your travel doctor for up to date advice based on your full itinerary.
Routine vaccinations
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Although Australia has low rates of many vaccine-preventable diseases due to the strong immunisation program, infections such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, influenza, and COVID-19 circulate more widely in many parts of the world such as Costa Rica. A travel health consultation can identify any gaps in routine vaccinations and determine whether boosters are needed before travel.
Costa Rica
Other health risks in Costa Rica
Malaria
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Malaria is a risk in some parts of Costa Rica. Malaria can infect the liver and blood cells, causing fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches, and can be serious if untreated. Prevention focuses on mosquito avoidance, and antimalarial medication is recommended for certain itineraries. Your travel doctor can advise whether this applies to your plans.
Dengue
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Dengue fever is common in Costa Rica and is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite during the day, particularly in urban and coastal areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. Severe complications can occur, especially with repeat infections. There is currently no routinely recommended dengue vaccine for most travellers, so prevention relies on effective mosquito avoidance.
Rabies
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Australia is one of the few regions worldwide that is free from rabies. In Costa Rica, rabies can be carried by bats and, less commonly, other mammals. To prevent the transmission of rabies, avoid contact with animals, including dogs, wildlife, and bats.
Rabies vaccination may be discussed with your travel doctor if you are spending extended periods in rural areas, undertaking outdoor or adventure activities, or working with animals. Any bite or scratch from a mammal requires immediate medical assessment, as timely treatment is highly effective at preventing rabies, which is almost universally fatal once symptoms develop.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis, otherwise referred to as travellers’ diarrhoea, causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is commonly contracted from food contaminated with bacteria, with symptoms appearing within 24 to 72 hours after ingestion.
Maintaining hydration is the most important aspect of treatment, using oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and electrolytes. Gastroenteritis usually resolves on its own after one to three days of symptoms. However, medical care should be sought if more fluids are lost than replaced. Antibiotics are generally reserved for severe or prolonged illness or higher-risk individuals.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Crime rates in Costa Rica vary by region. Travellers are advised to stay informed by reviewing the Australian Government’s Smartraveller advice for Costa Rica before departure and during travel.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Long periods of air or road travel to Costa Rica increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to reduced blood flow. To lower risk, move regularly during travel, perform leg exercises, and stay well hydrated. Travellers with additional risk factors may benefit from wearing below-knee compression stockings. DVT is usually treated with blood-thinning medication.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Costa Rica offers many outdoor and adventure activities, but preparation is key. If riding a motorbike or scooter, ensure you are experienced, familiar with local road conditions, and always wear a helmet. Use reputable transport providers and seatbelts where available.
When hiking or exploring rainforests, wear appropriate footwear, apply sunscreen and insect repellent, carry sufficient water, and stay within your limits. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical care and evacuation is strongly recommended.