Arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport Has Enhanced Requirements

Arriving at the Republic of Costa Rica's Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) may include a few arrival requirements for Spring Break 2025. Last year, over 2 million people visited Costa Rica's beaches and mountains, many traveling from the United States.

As of February 8, 2025, the Costa Rican Ministry of Health and the U.S. Embassy in San Jose recently issued travel advisories to inform visitors of some changes.

Beginning in 2025, Costa Rica's Ministry of Health has enforced an expanded yellow fever vaccination requirement for all travelers from designated high-risk countries arriving at SJO. This enhancement is designed to bolster the country's public health defenses against the potential spread of the mosquito-transmitted yellow fever virus.

This yellow fever certificate (ICVP) requirement policy was first implemented in 2007, was enhanced on October 16, 2024, and became effective on January 11, 2025.

According to the Health Ministry, foreigners who arrive in Costa Rica and do not present the ICVP for either YF-VAX or Stamaril vaccination to the SJO immigration authority may not be allowed to enter the Central American country.

Countries now considered at risk and for which yellow fever ICVP is required include, but are not limited to, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and certain countries in Africa.

Since the YF vaccine is not part of the mandatory Costa Rican vaccination schedule, it must be purchased commercially at pharmacies or travel clinics.

In addition to YF, Costa Rica recommends that visitors protect themselves against the Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses.

Local chikungunya cases were confirmed throughout 2024 and already in 2025.

To prevent disease, Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® chikungunya vaccine has been approved and is available in numerous countries this year.

Furthermore, the U.S. Embassy recently announced travel incident reports have occurred near the SJO airport.

As of February 5, 2025, the Embassy recommends that visitors use caution when frequenting this area. If confronted on a trip to or from SJO, do not stop; continue progressing forward and contact 911 when it is safe.

Previously, the U.S. State Department issued a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory for Costa Rica, which states that visitors should exercise increased caution due to various civil unrest targeting tourists.

The local Embassy says that whether you reside in Costa Rica or are visiting for a week, you should enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so that we can better assist you in an emergency.