Costa Rica Health Care and Vaccinations
| Title | Special precautions |
|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | No* |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Malaria | Sometimes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
* A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if visitors are from Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guyana, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Venezuela.
Health Care
The standards of healthcare in Costa Rica are excellent and among the best in Latin America. It has a government-run public healthcare system, but it also has private hospitals and clinics offering quality services at affordable prices. Having said that, travellers are recommended to purchase health insurance before travelling.
Food and Drink
Tap water in Costa Rica is chlorinated and safe to drink, although it may cause mild abdominal upsets to people with sensitive stomachs.
Dairy products are pasteurised and safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry and seafood are safe to eat, provided that they are cooked and served hot. Fruits should be peeled and vegetables should be washed.
Other Risks
There is a risk of Zika virus transmission, spread mainly through mosquito bites. The illness is usually mild but women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should seek further advice from their doctor before travelling to Costa Rica.
In addition, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Rabies and Tetanus are other vaccines that your doctor may recommend.
