Costa Rica Travel Forum

I have seen on the Center of Desease Control website that there is a danger of malaria in most of Costa Rico. Has anyone had experience with this danger? Where could I go there where the danger is not acute? Would I need to take a preventive medicine? Thanks, Dres

I noted this too on some website and made enquiries before I travelled. No-one I spoke to in Costa Rica said it was a problem and I found that to be so in the areas I visited - the Caribbean Coast and San Jose.

Mosquitoes, Malaria and Dengue Fever.

This is a question that appears quite a lot here on VT.
You will hear from people who never take any kind of medication.
You will hear from those who do.

May I suggest that you contact your own doctor, practice nurse or travel clinic and ask for their advice?
If they recommend that you use some form of medication, get them to recommend the treatment.
You may find that some treatments you make you ill, if so, ask the doctor for an alternative.

Different anti malaria medication effects different people in different ways, what is good for one person is not always good for another. You won't know this until you have tried a particular medicine.

Also you must remember that any anti malaria treatment MUST start before you reach the country you are visiting.

At present, there is no cure for Dengue Fever.
Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

Is prevention better than the cure?
Of course it is.
DEET based products are the most effective way of repelling mosquitoes.
Available in different forms and strengths, users should always read the instructions carefully

“I will only be there 3 or 4 days, do I really need to take the medicine”
It does not matter, if it is an infected area, 3 or 4 minutes is all it takes to get Malaria.

Either way, you can return from your holiday with some great photographs, a sun tan and good memories or in a body bag.
The choice is yours.

True fact: - Malaria has killed more than half the people who have EVER lived.

This reply may appear to be a little melodramatic and over the top.
IT IS MEANT TO BE.
Too much irresponsible and bad information is given out over forums regarding the mosquito and its potential to kill.

I lived in San Jose for almost 4 years and never took any Malaria treatments. I never even knew of anyone having it.
If you will be staying at Sea level in the hot and humid tropical areas it might be a concern, but a minimal one at that.