What vaccinations are recommended for a trip to Costa Rica?
No vaccines are mandatory for Costa Rica, except yellow fever if arriving from a high-risk country. Recommended vaccines are DTP, hepatitis A, and typhoid. For longer stays or rural areas, add hepatitis B and rabies.
Mandatory vaccinations
No vaccination is required to enter Costa Rica, except the yellow fever vaccine if you are arriving from a country where this disease is present (particularly certain countries in Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccinations
- DTP-polio: updated vaccination recommended
- Hepatitis A: protection against foodborne infections
- Typhoid: particularly useful for adventure travel
For extended stays or in rural areas, two additional vaccines are advised:
- Hepatitis B: enhanced protection
- Rabies: recommended for outdoor activities
Tropical diseases to prevent
Malaria is not present in most of Costa Rica. However, dengue, zika and chikungunya are transmitted by mosquitoes. Effective mosquito protection is essential: DEET repellents, long clothing at sunset, mosquito net if necessary.
Local agency advice
Consult a doctor specializing in travel medicine 4-6 weeks before departure for a personalized assessment according to your itinerary and planned activities.