Travel Vaccines and Advice for Costa Rica
Costa Rica has something for everyone. Beaches for a relaxing holiday. Rivers and jungles for adventure travelers. Mountain resorts for those who want something in-between. It is one of the most popular destinations in Central America and a favorite among travelers.
But even popular destinations need a little preparation before you’re ready to go.
Do I Need Vaccines for Costa Rica?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Costa Rica. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Costa Rica: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travelers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travelers
to most regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Costa Rica |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Costa Rica |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Vaccine-preventable diseases are not the only threats. Dengue fever and chikungunya, two mosquito-borne diseases, are also present. Take proper precautions to avoid mosquitoes and mosquito bites such as using repellents and netting.
Traveler’s diarrhea is another threat. The CDC estimates as many as 70 percent of travelers will fall ill to traveler’s diarrhea. Avoid questionable eateries and bring a remedy like DiaResQ or a traveler’s diarrhea kit.
To find out more about these vaccines, see our vaccinations page. Ready to travel safely? Book your appointment either call or start booking online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Costa Rica
“The lady that I saw in the Morristown Passport Health was an incredible help and great to talk to! She had been to Costa Rica on multiple occasions and gave me a ton of information.”
“I had a wonderful experience preparing for a trip to Costa Rica. I was informed about vaccinations and shots that would be best to have before such a trip. I was given a booklet explaining travel tips for that region. The experience totally helped me to make the right decisions for my trip. Which was a trip of a lifetime.”
“Very glad that I visited passport health, the nurse was able to answer all of my questions and was very knowledgeable about my vaccines and health concerns regarding my planned trip to Costa Rica. I could have saved myself a lot of worrying if I had gone to the clinic sooner! The experience was much better than I had anticipated.”
“You all were great!! Thank you again for all your info. Costa Rica here we come”
“Very helpful clinic that prepared me for my trip to Costa Rica later this month. We discussed the various health conditions and things that I need to watch out for. Plus, I was able to get the necessary vaccines and medications right there on the spot.”
“Mary was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I felt very comfortable. I am glad I decided to use Passport Health before my trip to Costa Rica. Now I feel much more prepared. I will definitely be recommending Passport Health to friends and family.”
“The clinician at Passport Health on 1200 Smith St. was very thorough and informed me of the vaccines that I needed and had a travel guide prepared to make me aware of any precautions that I should take during my time in Costa Rica.”
“I made an appoinment to get vaccinations for my trip to Costa Rica. I was the first one of the day so my wait was not long. The nurse first sat us in her office and went over all the different vaccinations what they do and if I need them or not. She was very informative and even gave some advice on what repellents to use, etc. After she went over the booklet, I told her which shot I wanted to get that day and was done with everything in about an hour. I like this clinic because not only was my visit quick, it was also very informative and there was no pressure to get anything done within the same day.”
“We were made very welcome and were told about the potential risks for disease in Costa Rica. We are also encouraged to follow up with any questions even after our trip.”
“We were pleasantly surprised that not only did we get the vaccinations we came for, but we got an education, and some other products to protect us from the risks of traveling in Costa Rica. We were given all the time we needed, and never felt rushed.”
Do I Need a Visa for Costa Rica?
U.S. citizens do not need a Visa for Costa Rica. But, they need to hold a passport valid for at least one day from the day of entering Costa Rica. A return ticket back home or to another country is required upon entry. The length of Visa-free stay is up to 90 days.
Costa Rica Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Costa Rica? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Costa Rica and U.S. State Department
For more information contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa specialist by calling 1-844-366-8472 or by filling out our online form.
What Is the Climate Like in Costa Rica?
The climate in Costa Rica is tropical and the sun is shining all year long. But, the mountains create many microclimates. Seasons might appear differently in different parts of Costa Rica. The variety of climates makes it a great destination all year round.
The country has two identifiable seasons – summer, the dry season, from November to April and winter, the wet season, from May to November. The temperatures vary around 80℉ in summer and 60℉ in winter.
How Safe Is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a particularly safe country, often referred to as the safest country in the Latin America.
Despite the lack of crime, it is still wise to practice caution in crowded places, keep all the valuables in a safe place and avoid going out after dark.
The roads in Costa Rica are in a bad condition, so it is necessary to be particularly careful when driving.
The biggest threats in Costa Rica are active volcanoes and venomous snakes and frogs. Make sure to find the most recent safety information before going near the volcanoes and be extremely cautious with the wild animals.
What Should I Take to Costa Rica?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Costa Rica:
- Hiking Boots – Costa Rica boasts 5% of the world’s species in its lush forests. Make sure to get out of the city and see the incredibly rich wildlife with your own eyes.
- Photo Camera – There is a lot to see in Costa Rica. Enjoy the sights to the fullest by taking a photo camera with you and capturing the sights you encounter. Best travel souvenirs are the photos you take.
- Rain Jacket – Since in some parts of the country it can rain all year long, it is a good idea to bring a light rain jacket with you. With proper clothing, the bursts of rain will pass by before you know it.
- Sunscreen – The sun in Costa Rica is very ruthless and can give you painful sunburns. Make sure to bring a sunscreen with a high factor of SPF to protect your skin from the sun.
- Bug Spray – To avoid mosquito-borne illnesses, it is best to carry your own bug spray. The stores in Costa Rica might not offer a high variety of repellents, leaving you with a limited selection of overpriced bug sprays.
U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica
There is only one U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and no consulates. The embassy is located at:
U.S. Embassy San José
Calle 98, Via 104
Pavas
San José, Costa Rica
Telephone: +(506) 2519-2000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(506) 2220-3127
Fax: +(506) 2220-2455
The State Department recommends all travelers to Costa Rica register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This program alerts travelers of any new risks or threats that may occur in the region.
If you do have a serious issue, such as a lost passport, contact the U.S. Embassy in San José immediately.
Beach, jungle, adventure, Costa Rica has something for almost every type of traveler. Make sure your journey is protected by visiting your local Passport Health. Our travel health specialists will help you receive everything you need to help you stay healthy as you go. To schedule your appointment today, call or book online now.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Costa Rica?
Do I Need a Visa for Costa Rica?
What Is the Climate Like in Costa Rica?
How Safe Is Costa Rica?
What Should I Take to Costa Rica?
U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica
