Costa Rica Travel Vaccines

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people visiting the Republic of Costa Rica in March 2025 may be exposed to infectious diseases. The CDC recommends checking the vaccine list and seeing a healthcare provider at least a month before visiting Costa Rica in 2025. The Costa Rica Health Department's Boletín Epidemiológico N°7 was posted in February 2025, confirming that mosquito-transmitted Chikungunya, Dengue, Malaria, or Zika virus infections have been confirmed and vary by location.

Costa Rica Travel Vaccination Advisories

As of March 3, 2025, Canada, the United Kingdom, the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the U.S. CDC have issued travel advisories and vaccine recommendations for visiting Costa Rica and Central America. In February 2025, the U.S. Department of State upgraded its Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, Travel Advisory for Costa Rica. In 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and the U.K. NHS issued health alerts.

The U.S. Embassy in San Jose has received reports regarding several incidents near the Juan Santamaría International Airport. Also, the Embassy says if confronted while traveling to an airport, do not stop, continue forward progress, and contact 911 when it is safe. Electronic gates (eGates) are scheduled to be installed starting in July 2025. The Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, the Tobías Bolaños Airport in Pavas, and the Limón Airport also welcome visitors. The Embassy publishes health topics vital to U.S. citizens in Costa Rica and recommends enrolling in NEWSMART to make it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you during an emergency and send you safety and security alerts. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll in their trip abroad.

In March 2025, local media (TicoTimes) reported that "perpetual tourism" in Costa Rica had raised concerns among policymakers.

Costa Rica Chikungunya

In 2025, (3) Chikungunya cases have been reported. As of December 2024, about 405 Chikungunya infections had been reported. There were 82 chikungunya cases confirmed in Costa Rica in 2023. Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® vaccine is approved in various countries.

Costa Rica Dengue

Costa Rica confirmed that dengue fever is classified as high risk due to increased classic and hemorrhagic infections and is a year-round health risk. Over 1,200 dengue cases were reported in 2025, about 31,200 cases in 2024, and 24,914 cases in 2023, an increase from the 7,485 cases reported in 2022. Costa Rica has been included in the U.S. CDC's global dengue advisory.

In Costa Rica, between 2019 and 2021, the circulation of DENV-3 was not reported; however, in 2022, this serotype represented 0.18% of the total serotyped samples, a percentage that increased to 25% during 2023. In 2024, DENV-3 was 56% of the total serotyped samples.

The QDENGA® dengue vaccine is available in various countries in Central America.

Costa Rica Hepatitis

Various hepatitis vaccines are available in Costa Rica. According to data from the Health Surveillance Directorate, the total number of hepatitis A cases during 2024 is 156, with 2,309 cases registered in 2023 and 323 in 2022.

Costa Rica Leprosy

Costa Rica reported over 677 cases of leprosy in 2023. In the Region of the Americas, 24 countries reported 21.398 new leprosy (Hansen's bacillus) cases in 2023.

Costa Rica Malaria

As of late February 2025, six malaria cases have been confirmed. In 2024, the PAHO reported 232 locally acquired malaria cases in Costa Rica; 544 were confirmed in 2023, and about 406 locally acquired malaria cases were reported in 2022. Costa Rica's Ministry of Health has implemented a treatment and reduction strategy for Malaria, especially in low-lying zones. Autochthonous (local) cases in the Northern Huetar Region decreased from 378 in 2022 to 128 in 2023, and as of the beginning of October 2024, only eight cases have been reported.

As of 2025, no WHO-approved malaria vaccine is available in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Measles Vaccine

In 2025, MMR vaccines are offered in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Yellow Fever Vaccine

The Costa Rican Ministry of Health published a notice regarding changes to yellow fever certificate requirements for travelers, which became effective in January 2025. The requirement for yellow fever vaccination for Costa Ricans and foreigners traveling to or from a country with risk is not a new measure, but it was established in 2007. The countries that are now considered at risk and for which vaccination against yellow fever is required are the following: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, countries in Africa have been added. A yellow fever vaccination (YF-VAX or Stamaril) certificate (ICVP) may be required at the airport when visiting Costa Rica in 2025. Foreigners who arrive in Costa Rica and do not present the ICVP to the immigration authority may not be allowed to enter the territory.