Vaccinations for a trip to Costa Rica

A small state in Central America, Costa Rica is an increasingly popular travel destination for tourists in search of nature and breathtaking scenery. Situated between the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, Costa Rica is renowned for its mountainous terrain, endless coastline and numerous islands. It's sure to be a trip you'll remember for a long time!

If you're getting ready to go to Costa Rica and are in the process of planning your trip, it's a good idea to ask yourself what vaccinations you should have before you leave. It would be a shame to get stuck at the airport because you don't have enough vaccinations, or to catch a disease on the spot.

Together, let's take a look at the vaccinations you need before a trip to Costa Rica.

What vaccinations are required for a trip to Costa Rica?

There are no compulsory vaccinations for entering Costa Rica, but some are strongly recommended.

Normally, you should already have had them as a child:

• The DTcoqpolio vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis
• The MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella 
• Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B are also strongly recommended.

Check that your vaccination schedule is up to date and that you have had all your booster shots. If not, it would be wise to have a jab before you leave.

You may be asked to have a yellow fever vaccine if you have been to, or are from, a country in Latin America or sub-Saharan Africa. This vaccine has the advantage of immunising you for life. A good thing done!

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What vaccinations are recommended for travelling to Costa Rica?

The vaccinations listed above are the only ones we really recommend for travelling to Costa Rica. Because of the mosquitoes, there are regular outbreaks of malaria, zika, chikungunya and dengue fever in the country. The WHO does not recommend any specific vaccines or preventive treatments to protect against these diseases. Instead, the organisation recommends active protection against mosquitoes when travelling to areas identified as being at risk. These insects are particularly prevalent during the rainy season, which runs from April to November.

To avoid any risk of being bitten, you should regularly apply mosquito repellents, wear long covering clothes and cover your bed with a mosquito net. To take full advantage of all that Costa Rica has to offer, it is advisable to visit between December and March, during the dry season. But if you like rain and mosquito bites, there's nothing to stop you from visiting during the wet season...

Health advice for a worry-free stay in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is deeply committed to respecting the living world and preserving biodiversity, and has an abundance of national parks, animal reserves and protected areas to delight walkers. Ecotourism is also highly developed in the country. The 2 million tourists who visit Costa Rica every year greatly appreciate all its hiking trails and lush vegetation. There are many wild animals, so be careful! Some carry diseases that can be serious or even fatal. So keep your distance and observe them from afar. What's more, wild animals don't like to be disturbed and their reactions are unpredictable.

There are many reptiles in Costa Rica, including snakes whose bites can be potentially fatal. To protect yourself, always wear high shoes, don't lie on the ground and keep a venom pump in your bag. In the event of a bite, don't dawdle and rush to the nearest doctor or hospital. Costa Rica has the advantage of being very safe from a health point of view. Its health system has a good reputation and you will easily find competent doctors who will be able to treat you and administer the appropriate treatment. 

Finally, if you have a medical condition, remember to take enough medication for your entire trip to Costa Rica and pack your prescriptions in your luggage. You may be asked for them at airport customs to justify the transport of your medication. 

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