Costa Rica Travel Advisory Updated by Canada

The Canadian government has issued an updated travel advisory for the Republic of Costa Rica, urging visitors to stay vigilant due to increasing civil unrest and natural hazards.

Published on June 9, 2025, the exercise a high degree of caution travel advisory also notes a rise in localized crime that may come as a surprise to tourists.

This advisory is essential, as Costa Rica attracts thousands of Canadians each year. Approximately 143,000 Canadians visited in the first four months of 2025, with an average stay of 14 nights.

From a health risk perspective, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that visitors may be exposed to mosquito-transmitted infectious diseases, such as chikungunya, dengue, malaria, and Zika, in June 2025.

Additionally, the Costa Rica Ministry of Health has reported an outbreak of Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) in the Tibas district of San José.

The CDC recommends checking the travel vaccine list and seeing a healthcare provider at least a month before visiting Costa Rica.

The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and the UK NHS have also issued recent health alerts when visiting this Central American travel favorite.