Tamarindo Costa Rica Health Issues
Costa Rica has excellent heath care and sanitary standards are high. Hospitals and private clinics are similar in quality to those in the United States, but not as expensive. Some foreign health insurers have participating providers in Costa Rica. You may want to confirm with yours before you leave. Costa Rica's socialized medicine and public education has served to effectively control those illnesses and diseases that typically affect tropical countries.
Vaccinations are not required, nor are they considered necessary. If you are current with the prevailing preventative medical practice on your home country, you will likely be fine in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica can have seasonal outbreaks of Dengue Fever, which can be spread by mosquitoes. It is similar to a bad cold or flu and is treatable, but can be more serious, if you are infected more than once. While this may be unlikely in the case of tourists, it is best to be informed. There are active abatement programs and widespread public information efforts. Please look for descriptions of symptoms and wear insect repellents in mosquito-infested areas.
Be sure to bring with you a medical history if you have any health condition that would require special attention or consideration in the event of illness or accident. Costa Rica does use a 911 emergency call system that uses bilingual operators.
