Costa Rica Travel Health and Vaccinations
Hep A, Typhoid, routine boosters, dengue prevention.
Pre-travel vaccines and ecotourism planning for Manuel Antonio, Monteverde and Tortuguero
Costa Rica is one of the more travel-health-friendly Latin American destinations — stable, well-developed tourism infrastructure, modern healthcare in San José, no Yellow Fever requirement, no significant malaria, and a focus on ecotourism (rainforest, volcanoes, both coasts, wildlife) that's straightforward from a vaccine perspective.
At Gunwharf Travel Clinic we run Costa Rica pre-travel appointments year-round. A typical appointment is 30 minutes covering vaccines, dengue prevention, and practical guidance for the ecotourism activities.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145).
For Costa Rica most travellers consider: Hepatitis A (recommended), Typhoid (often recommended), Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays, and Rabies for extended rural ecotourism stays. Yellow Fever is only required for travellers arriving from YF-risk countries.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
Costa Rica is one of the easier Latin America destinations
No mandatory vaccines (unless arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country). No significant malaria. Good infrastructure and healthcare. The pre-travel conversation is generally short.
Hep A and Typhoid — the standard pair
Hepatitis A recommended for almost all Costa Rica travellers — food and water exposure is real even in well-developed tourist areas. Typhoid often recommended particularly for travellers eating outside the main resort/restaurant circuit or staying longer than 2 weeks.
Routine boosters
Up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster if it's been more than 10 years — wound risk on ecotourism trips. Hepatitis B for longer stays or healthcare exposure.
Yellow Fever — only on transit grounds
Yellow Fever isn't required for travellers arriving directly from the UK. However, Costa Rica requires a Yellow Fever certificate from travellers arriving from a YF-risk country in the previous 6 days. This catches some travellers doing combined Costa Rica-Panama-Colombia or Brazil-Costa Rica routes.
Malaria — not a significant risk
Costa Rica has very limited residual malaria in some far-corner rural areas (parts of Limón province), and risk to typical tourists is essentially zero. We don't routinely prescribe malaria tablets for Costa Rica unless you're going to specific high-risk areas (rare).
Dengue — the headline mosquito risk
Dengue is present across Costa Rica with seasonal peaks during wet season (May–November). Cases occur including in tourist areas. Bite-prevention is the strategy: DEET-based repellent on exposed skin, long clothing where practical, particularly around dawn/dusk (and during the day — the dengue mosquito is a daytime biter).
Ecotourism specifics
Costa Rica's biggest tourism category is rainforest, volcano and wildlife travel. Practical guidance we cover: boots and long trousers for snake-bite risk on jungle trails (rare but real — fer-de-lance and others); sun exposure at altitude and in canopy walks; insect repellent for both dengue and chiggers; food and water care in remote eco-lodges.
Booking your Costa Rica appointment
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Hep A + Typhoid, routine booster, dengue prevention.
Pre-Costa Rica review
Ecotourism, beach, San José, family travel — the considerations are similar across these but we tailor advice.
Hep A + Typhoid
Standard Latin America bundle. Combined visit, single appointment.
Routine booster check
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster updated if more than 10 years.
Dengue prevention
Dengue is present, with seasonal peaks in wet season. Bite-prevention covered.
30-minute appointment
Quick, focused. Most Costa Rica travellers walk out with vaccines and a written summary.
Travel summary
Practical guide covering vaccines, food/water, dengue, sun exposure, and what to do if unwell.
30-minute appointment for Costa Rica pre-travel review.
Three steps from booking to Costa Rica-ready.
Book your appointment
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Tell us your dates and approximate route.
Pre-Costa Rica visit
24 Queen St, Portsea. Hep A + Typhoid and other relevant vaccines given. Dengue prevention covered.
Travel summary
Walk out with personalised written summary covering vaccines, dengue prevention, sun exposure, and what to do if you fall ill.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
"I find the staff polite..."
On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common Costa Rica travel vaccine questions
Do I need vaccines for Costa Rica?
Hepatitis A and Typhoid for almost all travellers. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster check. Hepatitis B for longer stays. No mandatory vaccines unless arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country.
Is there a malaria risk?
Very limited — some residual rural risk in far corners of Limón province. We don't routinely prescribe tablets for typical Costa Rica trips.
What about dengue?
Present across Costa Rica with seasonal peaks in wet season. No suitable UK vaccine for previously-uninfected travellers. Prevention is bite-avoidance — DEET, long clothing, daytime exposure care.
Do I need Yellow Fever?
Only if you've transited a Yellow Fever risk country (most of South America and Africa) in the 6 days before arrival. Direct UK travellers don't need it.
Is it safe in the rainforest?
Yes, with sensible precautions. Wear boots and long trousers on jungle trails (snake-bite risk is real but rare — fer-de-lance, bushmaster). Insect repellent for dengue and chiggers. Hydration and sun exposure care.
Is the tap water safe?
Generally yes in San José and major tourist areas. Bottled water is preferred in remote rural and ecotourism areas.
Can children travel safely?
Yes — Costa Rica is hugely popular for family travel. Vaccines licensed: Hep A from age 1, Typhoid from age 2. Family bookings welcome.
Where do I get my Costa Rica vaccines in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN. Same-day appointments. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Pharmaceutical
Council
FEVER
ZONE
Book your pre-travel vaccinations.
Same-day appointments. Ecotourism and dengue advice included.
- TravelHealthPro — Costa Rica travel health (accessed 2026-05-20)
- FCDO Travel Advice — Costa Rica (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book — Hep A and Typhoid chapters (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). We check current TravelHealthPro guidance at each appointment.
