Health in Costa Rica: vaccines, water, medical care and insurance

If you have up‑to‑date routine immunisations, add hepatitis A and consider typhoid; rabies only if you’ll be in remote wildlife zones. Drink tap water in hotels and cities, but bring bottled water for countryside stays. Purchase travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation.

Costa Rica does not require any vaccines for entry, but health authorities advise that all travellers be current on routine shots (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella). Hepatitis A is recommended for most visitors because the virus is endemic and can be transmitted via food or water. Typhoid vaccination is advisable for those planning to eat street food or travel outside major towns. Rabies pre‑exposure vaccination is suggested only for extended stays in remote forested areas or for volunteers working with animals.

Municipal tap water in San José, Alajuela, Liberia and other tourist centres meets WHO standards and is safe to drink in hotels and restaurants. In remote villages, mountain lodges or jungle eco‑lodge settings, water quality can vary; bottled or filtered water is the safest choice. Ice made from tap water is generally fine in cities but may be sourced locally in rural bars, so ask if unsure.

Public hospitals provide free emergency care for citizens; foreigners are charged a modest fee and may need to pay upfront. Private clinics in San José, Liberia and other major towns offer English‑speaking doctors, with costs comparable to US urgent‑care visits (US$50‑150). Because evacuation costs can exceed US$10,000, a policy covering medical treatment and repatriation is strongly recommended. Car rentals require proof of collision‑damage waiver; many insurers include this as part of the travel package.