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What to BringVisas to Costa Rica

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Stay Healthy While in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a modern country with modern medical facilities, but much of the country is forested and remote. Here are some helpful hints to keep yourself healthy while visiting.

General Safety:

• Don't walk around barefoot
• Check your sheets before sitting on the bed or getting in it
  
• Check your shoes for insects before putting your feet inside
• Several trees and palms have very sharp spines on their trunks and leaf undersides.  Always look before you grab a hold of a plant and do not walk barefoot in the forest.
• Remember you are in the jungle and it is simply not possible to keep every little creature out of your room. If you have food, make sure to keep it in sealed baggies, otherwise you will invite ants.
• Sun: remember you are in the tropics and the sun is strong, even on cloudy days.  Sunscreen should be applied before going out in the sun and up to an hour before snorkeling so that it is well absorbed into your skin. It is preferable to wear a long sleeve shirt instead since the chemicals in sunscreen are toxic to delicate coral and marine life.
• Ocean Safety: Swimming should be done with caution to hidden rocks and currents. Always treat the ocean with respect, it is very very powerful. 
• Tile is VERY slippery when wet and almost ALL floors in Costa Rica are made out of tile (inside and out)
  

Prevent Insect Bites:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on uncovered skin when outdoors, especially during the day. When using sunscreen, apply it before insect repellent.
• Use insect repellent that contains 30 - 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) It is recommended for adults and children over 2 months of age and is effective for several hours. Repellents with lower amounts of DEET offer shorter-term protection and must be applied more often. Remember, apply repellents outdoors and away from other people.
• Repellents containing up to 15% picaridin, which must be applied often, are available in the US. Repellents with higher concentrations of picaridin may be available in some regions outside the US.
• Protect infants less than 2 months of age by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when hiking in the forest or when outdoors.
• Stay in hotels with air-condition or well screened-in rooms. You could bring a mosquito net to hang over your bed for extra protection.
• Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active

A note about dengue fever

Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes (Aedes mosquitoes, usually Aedes aegypti). You can reduce your risk by protecting yourself from mosquito bites in the first place. Aedes mosquitoes are usually active in the morning for several hours after daybreak and in the late afternoon for several hours before dark, but may feed at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy. Unlike malaria, dengue is often transmitted in urban as well as in rural areas.

No vaccine is available. Acetaminophen products are recommended for managing fever. Acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (such as ibuprofen) should be avoided because of their anticoagulant properties.

A note about Malaria

Malaria is another mosquito transmitted disease. While not common in Costa Rica, there are several areas identified as 'risky' by the United States' Center for Disease Control (CDC). These risk areas include: Alajuela, Limon, Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces. There is no risk in Limon city. You can prevent this disease by taking antimalarial pills. The CDC recommends that IF you decide to take anti-malarial pills, you should purchase them before travel from your home country. Drugs purchased overseas may be dangerous, contain counterfeit medications or contaminants, or be combinations of drugs that are not safe to use.

Halofantrine (marketed as Halfan) is widely used overseas to treat malaria. The CDC recommends that you do NOT use halofantrine because of serious heart-related side effects, including deaths. You may want to avoid using antimalarial drugs that are not recommended unless you have been diagnosed with life-threatening malaria and no other options are immediately available.

Malaria symptoms will usually occur at least 7 to 9 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, though some cases have been reported up to a year after returning from a malarious area. Fever in the first week of travel in a malaria-risk area is unlikely to be malaria; however, you should see a doctor right away if you develop a fever during your trip.

Prevent Animal Bites & Scratches:

• Wild animals are best observed from a distance. DO NOT feed the wildlife, even if you see others doing it. Animals can become aggressive if they think you have food. They will bite!
• Do not touch or feed any animals, including dogs and cats. Even animals that look like healthy pets can have rabies or other diseases.
  
• If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound well with soap and water and go to a doctor right away. 
• After your trip, be sure to tell your doctor or state health department if you were bitten or scratched during travel.
• Snakes: There are venomous snakes in Costa Rica, but most lead reclusive lives.  A observant eye while hiking can help eliminate unintended encounters. Wear covered shoes when hiking in the forest. Please do not pick up logs and rocks as snakes like to hide under these things. Look before you step!
  

Be Careful about Food and Water

Diseases from food and water are a leading cause of illness in travelers. Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).
• In general, Costa Rica has potable water throughout the country, but it might still upset your stomach simply because it is different. Drink bottled water or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles just to be safe. If you are worried, avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Avoid eating food from street vendors, though unopened coconuts (pipas) are sterile inside until opened.
  
• Make sure food is fully cooked.

Diseases from food and water often cause vomiting and diarrhea. Make sure to bring diarrhea medicine with you so that you can treat mild cases yourself. Pharmacies in Costa Rica carry a wide variety of medicines and there is always a doctor present if the pharmacy is open. 

Avoid Injuries

Car crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, and Costa Rica is no exception. People drive with little regard for stop lights and road markings. Roads are often pot-holed and poorly marked.  There is little to no shoulder on the side of the road, so there is little room for error. Please drive cautiously!

Protect yourself from these injuries by:

• Do not drink and drive
• Wear your seat belt and use car seats or booster seats in the backseat for children
• Following local traffic laws, even if everyone else seems to ignore them
  
• Wear helmets when you ride bikes, motorcycles, and motor bikes
• Hire a local driver, when possible
• Avoid night driving

Other Tips

• To reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases always use latex condoms.
• To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, especially on beaches where animals may have defecated. Make sure to thoroughly dry your feet after showering, especially between the toes!