Travel vaccinations for Costa Rica: yellow fever rules, dengue and malaria

No vaccinations are required for direct travel from Germany to Costa Rica. The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all travellers along with up-to-date routine vaccinations, and hepatitis B and rabies for longer stays or particular exposure. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is only needed if you arrive from certain countries in South America or Africa. Mosquito protection is the main priority: dengue and Zika occur nationwide, there is a chikungunya outbreak in the north-west, and malaria occurs regionally.

Entry rules and yellow fever

According to the WHO, yellow fever is not transmitted in Costa Rica. There is nevertheless a certificate requirement for certain travellers. The Federal Foreign Office states that anyone aged nine months or over must show proof of yellow fever vaccination when arriving from a yellow fever endemic area, with the exception of Argentina and Panama. Colombia as a whole, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Tanzania and Zambia are named explicitly. Staying only in an airport transit area does not count.

This mainly affects tours through Central and South America. If, for example, you visit Colombia first and then Costa Rica, you will need proof on arrival, even if you only stayed in Colombian cities without a yellow fever risk. The vaccine is only given at approved centres, and protection applies from the tenth day. Details are in our guide to yellow fever vaccination.

Recommended vaccinations by type of trip

Costa Rica is a popular choice for nature and touring holidays with rainforest, volcanoes and national parks, as well as beach holidays on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Many visitors travel by hire car and spend a lot of time outdoors. The overview table on this page shows how the Federal Foreign Office classifies each vaccination.

For all travellers

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water, and the Federal Foreign Office recommends vaccination for any trip to Costa Rica. Check your routine vaccinations against the STIKO schedule, Germany’s national immunisation guidance, as well.

For long stays or particular exposure

The Federal Foreign Office recommends hepatitis B and rabies vaccination for longer stays or particular exposure. In Costa Rica, rabies is mainly transmitted by dogs. According to the Foreign Office, vaccines and immunoglobulins are only available to a limited extent in the country, which makes preventive vaccination more important for travellers who will be in contact with animals. For a first orientation, try the travel vaccine check.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika

According to the Federal Foreign Office, dengue can occur throughout the country all year round. STIKO currently recommends dengue vaccination only for people aged four and over who have had a laboratory-confirmed dengue infection in the past.

Since July 2026 the Foreign Office has reported a chikungunya outbreak in the north-west of the country. STIKO recommends chikungunya vaccination for people aged 12 and over travelling to an area with a current outbreak. As outbreak situations change quickly, check the latest position shortly before you travel. Zika occurs nationwide and is particularly relevant during pregnancy. All three viruses are spread by day-biting mosquitoes, so you need protection during the day as well. More in our guide to dengue and mosquito protection.

Malaria in Costa Rica

According to the 2026 DTG country table and the Federal Foreign Office, there is a moderate year-round malaria risk in the north of Alajuela province on the border with Nicaragua. A low risk applies in large parts of Alajuela and Limón and in parts of Puntarenas. San José and the rest of the country are considered malaria-free. The Foreign Office reports outbreaks in several provinces between 2023 and 2025. Protect yourself against mosquito bites at dusk and at night, and discuss with a doctor whether preventive medication or emergency standby treatment makes sense for your route. Our guide to malaria prevention has more detail.

Hygiene, seafood and nature

Pay attention to food and drinking water hygiene, wash your hands often and choose cooked or peeled food where possible. The Federal Foreign Office also advises against eating sea fish and seafood because of ciguatera. This type of fish poisoning is caused by algal toxins that are not destroyed by cooking.

Venomous snakes occur in rural areas. Wear sturdy footwear and long trousers when hiking and stay on marked paths.

Rabies and contact with animals

Avoid contact with stray dogs and wild animals, including monkeys. After a bite, a scratch or an animal licking broken skin, wash the area immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical help straight away, even if you are vaccinated. More in our guide to rabies and travel.

Medical care in Costa Rica

According to the Federal Foreign Office, care in the greater San José area is good. Private clinics are very expensive, however, and treatment is sometimes refused without confirmed cost coverage, including by private ambulance services. Travel health insurance with repatriation cover is therefore advisable.

When to book your consultation

According to STIKO and the DTG, travel vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before departure. If you need a yellow fever certificate for entry from South America, the ten-day period after vaccination applies as well. Mention your entire route at your consultation so that no certificate requirement is overlooked. Find a practice in our travel clinics directory.