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Costa Rica tourism attracts retirees and vacationers with its sunny beaches, lush rainforests and exotic wildlife. It’s a haven for extreme sports enthusiasts, boaters, ecotourists and explorers, too. But you can’t enjoy this Central American country’s quaint cafes and breathtaking coastlines if you’re ill or injured and don’t know where to turn for health care. That’s why it’s important to consider medical care and travel insurance for Costa Rica before you go.

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Costa Rica?

Smart travelers don’t leave home without travel insurance. The best travel insurance for Costa Rica will cover medical costs, personal liability in accidents and even costs from trip cancellations and stolen property.

Travel health insurance isn’t required to enter the country, but we recommend getting it. These medical policies cover unexpected costs including out-of-pocket medical expenses in Costa Rica and travel back to the U.S. if needed. You can also include trip cancellation insurance, which covers the unexpected costs of travel disasters such as canceled flights or cruises because of bad weather or other circumstances.

The travel insurance Costa Rica visitors need the most includes both types of coverage.

For US citizens visiting Costa Rica, the Safe Travels Voyager plan will be your best option.

Safe Travels Voyager

• Valid for U.S. citizens/residents traveling within the U.S. and/or internationally
• Comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and post-departure travel coverage
• Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) available

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What Do I Need to Know Before Traveling to Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with plenty of opportunities to take life slow. Adventures ranging from zip-lining to water sports are also attractions when traveling in Costa Rica. When considering Costa Rica travel advice, think at least as much about travel insurance as what to pack.

Accidents on the water or while exploring Costa Rican jungles can happen, but so can illnesses from mosquito bites and even from scratches or bites from wildlife or stray dogs in the country’s rural areas. Costa Rica’s tourist areas can be a magnet for pickpockets and property theft. Safety in Costa Rica is more likely if you keep an eye on your belongings, but travel insurance adds another layer of protection.

The cost of living in Costa Rica is lower than in the United States. Medical costs are lower, too, but that doesn’t mean health care is free. Costa Rica travel health insurance will help cover the costs of care in Costa Rican hospitals and clinics, prescriptions and travel for care.

How Much Is Travel Insurance for Costa Rica?

The price of Travel Insurance varies by policy and by the age and health of those insured. Policies range from around $100 a month to $1,000 or more per month. Excluding U.S. health care from your coverage can lower the price of premiums. Another factor that affects the cost of travel health insurance is the type of policy.

Typically, policies that cover accidents while enjoying extreme sports such as ziplining or mountaineering and those that are more flexible tend to cost more. Contact us for a free quote and to find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

How to Get Travel Insurance for Costa Rica

Before you pay your first premium for travel insurance, you should understand the coverage you’re paying for. Travel insurance typically covers a number of vacation mishaps that could become expensive.

Canceled flights, scheduling snafus and delays can become costly for travelers. Trip cancellation insurance will cover the cost of these issues. An illness before you leave for your Costa Rican vacation could result in the costs of flight changes and hotel fees, but trip cancellation insurance will cover those costs as well.

An emergency back home might mean scheduling travel back and reservations you can no longer enjoy. Cancel for any reason travel insurance, or CFAR, will cover the costs of cancellation for any reason, or no reason. This flexibility usually makes CFAR travel insurance a more expensive choice.

Travel medical insurance covers health care costs during your vacation to Costa Rica or other spots around the globe. What if your luggage ends up in Des Moines instead of Costa Rica? Lost luggage, stolen bags and the cost of replacing its contents can also be covered by some travel health insurance policies.

Extreme sports travel insurance covers accidents in activities such as bungee jumping, parasailing and treetop canopy walks that other travel insurance policies may not cover.

Some avid travelers take out annual travel insurance policies that provide coverage wherever they roam during the year.

Safe Travels Voyager

• Valid for U.S. citizens/residents traveling within the U.S. and/or internationally
• Comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and post-departure travel coverage
• Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) available

Plan Details

Get a Quote

Medical Preparation for Travel to Costa Rica

Those taking a Costa Rica vacation or moving there should make an appointment with a physician before leaving the U.S. While vaccinations are not required, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinations for a number of diseases in the region.

If you are traveling from countries in Africa, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and Guyana, you’ll need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination.The dose must be taken at least 10 days before you arrive.

What Vaccinations Do I Need to Travel to Costa Rica?

Americans planning a trip to Costa Rica should check their health records and get any vaccinations needed. The for the following conditions before going to Costa Rica:

Routine Vaccinations

Immunizations for chicken pox, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, polio and shingles should already be part of your health record.

COVID-19

Travelers should be up to date with their vaccinations and boosters for COVID-19.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for travelers ages 1 and older. Those who are allergic to the vaccine or are 6 months old or younger should get a dose of immune globulin, which will provide protection for about two months.

Hepatitis B

Travelers younger than 60 should get vaccinated against Hepatitis B before going to Costa Rica. Unvaccinated travelers older than 60 should get vaccinated before leaving home.

Rabies

Consider getting a rabies vaccination if you will be around feral dogs or wildlife while exploring rainforests and rural areas in Costa Rica. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal in Costa Rica, seek treatment for rabies if you are unvaccinated.

Typhoid

Vaccinations for typhoid are recommended for most travelers to Costa Rica who are planning to stay in rural areas where they could be exposed through food or water.

Malaria

Talk with your physician about medications you can take to prevent getting this mosquito-borne disease. Depending on the medication, you may have to take doses before you leave for Costa Rica and after you arrive.

Measles

Babies 6 to 11 months should get a dose of the measles vaccine before traveling to Costa Rica.

How to Bring Medications to Costa Rica

Bringing along your necessary medications is a must when traveling or moving to Costa Rica. Making sure your medications are labeled correctly and bringing along a doctor’s prescription for each of them, especially narcotics, sleeping pills, antidepressants and stimulants, is essential for bringing them into the country. Bring only the amount of medication needed for your stay.

How Visitors Can Access Medical Care in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has universal health care with public and private systems, and both are affordable. Because of the high quality health care available in San Jose and low costs, medical tourists visit the country for medical, dental and vision care.

Foreigners in Costa Rica can get care in hospitals and clinics in the country. Health care is only free to the country’s needy, but costs for medical care and treatment in Costa Rica are affordable. EBAIS, or Equipos Básicos de Atención Integral en Salud, provides treatments for minor illnesses and injuries.

Cities such as San Jose have more health care options than the country’s rural areas. Health insurance companies can help expats with translations and in finding the best clinics near them. English is spoken in clinics and hospitals in tourist areas, but there are fewer English speakers in smaller towns.

Also Read: Understanding the Costa Rican Healthcare System

Travel Warnings and Alerts for Costa Rica

Smart travelers know it’s important to keep up with travel warnings and alerts before heading overseas. The U.S. State Department offers up-to-date travel warnings and alerts related to health, crime, conflicts and environmental conditions to keep travelers safe, so you’ll know when there’s a Costa Rica travel advisory.

If you’re from the U.S., sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to stay up-to-date on advisories. The STEP program is a free program to keep U.S. citizens and nationals traveling or living abroad informed of travel advisories.

Travel Advisories for Costa Rica

• (USA Citizens)
• (Canadian Travelers)
• (Australians)

How Safe is Costa Rica?

The Costa Rican crime rate is rising. Violent crime, including robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, prompted the U.S. State Department to warn travelers to Costa Rica to take precautions such as being aware of their surroundings, keeping an eye on their belongings, and not showing signs of wealth such as wearing expensive jewelry and watches or flashing cash.

But is it safe in Costa Rica? While no country is completely crime-free, Costa Rica is among the safest in Central America, with most crimes being thefts of belongings. Just like in the U.S., visitors to Costa Rica should take crime-prevention precautions.

Is Costa Rica Safe for Tourists?

In Costa Rica, violent crimes happen less often, but it is still smart to travel with others and in well-lit areas. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian government offer these tips for traveling to Costa Rica:

• Don’t carry unnecessary cash or wear expensive jewelry or watches.
• Be cautious when getting cash from an ATM in Costa Rica. Guard your credit card information and be aware of anyone following you.
• Only change money at banks and official exchanges.
• Property crimes often happen in areas where tourists gather, so watch your belongings in restaurants, hotel lobbies and when sightseeing.
• Travel with others to reduce the risk of being a target.
• Avoid isolated areas.

Emergency Contact Information for Costa Rica

Costa Rica has responders ready to help citizens and expats in case of emergency. Response times vary, with the fastest help in cities. Knowing the numbers to call is essential for getting the help you need.

Emergency Assistance Numbers in Costa Rica

If you’re in Costa Rica on vacation or planning to retire there, it’s important to know a few numbers to call in case of an emergency.

• Call 911 for help in an emergency such as a fire, crime, accident or medical crisis.
• If an ambulance is needed, call 128.

Embassy Phone Numbers in Costa Rica

Expats in Costa Rica can look to their countries’ embassies for help in situations such as lost or stolen passports, being a crime victim or getting arrested. They can also assist in happier circumstances such as marriage or the birth of a child abroad. Knowing the number of your country’s embassy is the first step in getting the help you need.

• The number of the U.S. Embassy is +506 2519-2000.
• The Canadian Embassy can be reached at +506 2242-4400.
• Contact the French Embassy at +506 2234-4201.
• The Australian Embassy can be reached at +506 4081-8008.

7 Tips for Safe Travel in Costa Rica

Whether you’re just planning to be in Costa Rica for a week or several, you can have a safer and more enjoyable stay. These seven tips will protect your health and wealth.

1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Being aware of what’s going on around you is essential to safety in Costa Rica. Being distracted with electronics or listening to music through noise-canceling headphones can leave you vulnerable to crime or an accident.

2. Always Keep Your Belongings Secure

Most crimes in Costa Rica are crimes of opportunity. If you leave your purse on a cafe table or your laptop computer on a bench while you step away for a moment, it may not be there when you return. Limit bags to what’s necessary, and always keep them at hand. Leaving a wallet within view inside your car may result in an auto burglary. Consider leaving valuables locked up in your hotel or at home.

3. Remember That There’s Safety in Numbers

You may love an early morning run or a solitary evening stroll, but traveling in groups in Costa Rica is best. Women especially should avoid being alone in Costa Rica’s secluded areas. Evenings are safer when you share them with friends.

4. Consider Travel Insurance for Health and Trip Cancellations

Purchasing travel insurance in Costa Rica will protect you from the risk of losing money if your flight or cruise is canceled and will ensure the cost of care if you become ill or are injured in Costa Rica. A health insurance policy can even pay for transportation back to the U.S. for care or recovery.

5. Know Where to Get Help in an Emergency

The time to look up numbers to call for help in an emergency is before the emergency occurs. Make sure that you save contact numbers for emergency responders in your cell phone and write them down at home, too. Knowing the number of hospitals and clinics near you will make getting care easier.

6. Park Your Car in Secured Parking Lots

Your car is less likely to be stolen or broken into if you park in a lot with security guards or a gate. If you must leave valuables inside your car, make sure they are out of sight in the trunk or glove compartment to reduce the risk of a break-in.

7. Lock Your Home

Keeping the doors and windows of your lodging in Costa Rica locked at all times will reduce your risk of burglary. Leave valuables at your lodging out of view or in a safe.

What Are Some Things Tourists Should Be Careful About in Costa Rica?

Below are some other questions tourists to Costa Rica often have about specific places and types of travelers.