cinepez

I checked the CDC website and they recommend typhoid vaccination for CR. Are most people doing this?

Also wondering about malaria. We are going to Osa, Arenal and one night in Alajuela area before we fly out. CDC does not recommend malaria meds for Osa/Arenal but does for Alajuela. It seems like a hassle to take the whole regime for one night in the Alajuela area but on the other hand, I want to be careful. What are other people doing? We will be driving down from Arenal and staying at the Buena Vista Hotel, then we fly home the next day.

tully

I stayed in Alajuela (at the Buena Vista actually) and in MA myself, did not get any vacs, nor felt I needed to. If it makes you feel better, do it.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I don't pretend to be a substitute for medical advice, but I don't know anyone who's ever taken malaria meds for travel between Arenal and Alajuela. The CDC website talks about a risk in "Alajuela province" which covers a huge area extending up to the Nicaraguan border. It's much more than just the city. I'm sure that's not the part of the province they're talking about.

As for typhoid, the CDC website says:

"Risk is greatest for travelers to ... low-income countries (in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America) who will have prolonged exposure to potentially contaminated food and drink. Vaccination is particularly recommended for those who will be traveling in smaller cities, villages, and rural areas off the usual tourist itineraries."

I stay up to date on the vaccine because I'm here long term, but, again, I don't know anyone on a short-term trip who's gotten the vaccine.

cinepez

Thanks for your responses. I am not going to do malaria for one night at the Buena Vista! As you point out, the province is huge and no doubt the CDC is referring to less developed areas of it.

As for typhoid, I am a little on the fence about that. We are going to Osa which I think does qualify as "rural". Maybe I will e-mail my hotel owner. I may end up doing it for my kids- but it's $40 apiece and not covered by insurance! But you make a good point about long term exposure- I didn't notice that in the fine print- so a week stay may not be what they are talking about.

shillmac

We've never felt the need for vacs anywhere in Costa Rica--including the Osa. Good point Tully makes--do it if it makes you feel better. As for need, I'd say no. The CDC is always going to err on the side of caution. Some travelers prefer to do that as well.

Trippie

Hi cinepez,
I have been to CR twice and I got the full meds the 1st trip but after seeing how nice and clean most areas are, didn't see the need on the next trip. I will be going again this Jan. If ever in doubt bottled water is always available and keep some deet with you when in the jungle or anywhere the Mosquitoes might be bad. Have fun.
TRIP

CiCi

I lived in Costa Rica 9 years and have gone back to visit many times. I never got a typhoid vaccination and I never had a problem. I always drank bottled water as did most of my local friends and relatives.

Jessie_

I have been traveling down there for many many years and have never taken any meds. Typhoid is extremely rare in CR and generally follows a huge natural disaster like Hurricane Mitch a few years ago in Nicaragua. Malaria does pop up occassionaly in little pockets here and there. A few years ago,3 or 4 there was a small pocket of it(only a very few cases) on the Central Pacific side.

I spend a lot of time on the Osa and haven't heard of any cases of anything including Dengue which is around in other parts of CR. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened but just haven't heard anything.

cinepez

Thanks to all who responded. I am not bothering with typhoid. My hotel owner in the Osa told me she has never heard of a typhoid case in the ten years she's been living there. I don't feel we need malaria either. My kids are up to date on everything else. I'll just make sure my husband gets a second hep A and he's set!

RufusTFirefly

Note that Hepatitis A is a problem in CR, though not as much as in the other Central American countries. It's not a bad idea to the Hep A shot (and the booster some time later) whether you're going to CR or not.

cinepez

I would say to EVERYBODY- it is worth getting Hep A! My kids and I already got vaccinated. A friend of mine's 4 year old kid caught Hep A eating seafood in Cape Cod. He was sick for 2 weeks and everyone around him had to get gamma globulin shots.

The vaccine is so easy and well tolerated and especially if you travel to Mexico or the Caribbean why take a chance since this disease is more common there. Plus in rare cases Hep A could destroy your liver and even a mild case is not pleasant!