Costa Rica's Health

Costa Rica’s health system and sanitary standards are high. Good medical care facilities are available in most major Costa Rican cities, but in rural areas, medical care may be limited.

Costa Rica’s last disease outbreak was in the summer of 2005 with 30,000 cases of Dengue Fever. Dengue Fever is a flu-like illness and can be complicated by shock or hemorrhage, which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health responded to the outbreak by improving surveillance and strengthening mosquito preventative measures.

Visitors are very unlikely to encounter any serious diseases while there. Vaccinations are not required for visitors to Costa Rica, as epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country.

If visiting a Malaria-risk area including, Limon (except for Limon City), Guanacaste, and Heredia, it is recommended to take an anti-malarial drug, which can be prescribed by a physician.

Water is safe in all Costa Rican major towns and cities, but in other parts of the country, it is recommended to not drink Costa Rica’s tap water without first boiling, filtering or chemically disinfecting it.

Life expectancy in Costa Rica is 75 years for males and 80 years for females.

To view a list of physicians, dentists, and hospitals in Costa Rica visit http://usembassy.or.cr. Or, for any medical emergencies in Costa Rica, use the following numbers: