Costa Rica Visitors Confront Perpetual Tourism Rules and Infected Mosquitoes

Thousands of international travelers visit the Republic of Costa Rica each month, and many consider how long they can stay in this Central American paradise.

According to the Tico Times reporting on March 2, 2025, visitors have been extending their stays without changing their tourist status, a practice known as 'perpetual tourism.'

This unsanctioned practice is when tourists exit and quickly re-enter a country to reset their visa authorization. With Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Panama located close by, this task can easily be accomplished.

The local government intends to file legislation establishing monthly financial penalties or could face a re-entry bans to address this issue. 

Additionally, when visiting Costa Rica, the U.S. Embassy is interested in meeting with U.S. citizens to hear about their experiences living and traveling there, including those related to safety and security. 

The Embassy suggests enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital alerts and to help locate you in an emergency.

Other Costa Rica visitors are taking action to protect themselves from mosquito-transmitted diseases in 2025.

According to the Costa Rica Health Department's Boletín Epidemiológico N°7, Chikungunya, Dengue, Malaria, and Zika virus infections have been confirmed in 2025.

In early 2025, three Chikungunya cases were reported. Last year, about 405 Chikungunya infections were reported. 

Over 1,200 dengue cases were reported in 2025, and in 2024, about 31,200 cases were reported.

Six malaria cases were confirmed as of late February. In 2024, 232 locally acquired malaria cases were confirmed.

Furthermore, Costa Rica has reported five Zika cases in 2025 and 32 in 2024.

Since only a U.S. FDA-approved Chikungunya vaccine is available at travel clinics and pharmacies, the U.S. CDC says visitors should check the medicines list and speak with a healthcare provider at least a month before traveling abroad this year.

And be prepared to avoid mosquito bites while relaxing at the beach or exploring Costa Rica's mountains.