San Jose, Costa Rica offers a multitude of rich cultural experiences including the Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture Museum, the National Theatre, the National Museum, and plenty of other excellent dining and entertainment venues. Whether you are solely visiting San Jose, or using it as a gateway to other popular destinations such as La Paz Waterfall, or the Monteverde Cloud Forest, there are some precautions worth mentioning for the sake of your health.
In 2026, Costa Rica reported double the amount of cases of Hepatitis A from 2025. In 2026, 562 cases of Hepatitis A were reported in the province of San Jose alone (Increase in Hepatitis A cases in Costa Rica in 2026 – Global Risk Atlas). So, should you cancel your Costa Rica vacation? Absolutely not. But it may be a good time to make sure your travel-health checklist is as prepared as your itinerary.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not typically become a chronic infection. Most people recover completely, although symptoms can last from weeks to months. The virus is primarily spread when someone ingests tiny amounts of the virus through contaminated food or water or through close contact with an infected person. And unfortunately, hepatitis A doesn’t care whether your vacation accommodations include a five-star hotel, a rainforest eco-lodge, or a vetted host family. Travelers can be exposed to the virus regardless of the quality of your accommodations and excursions.
How worried should I be?
The good news is that hepatitis A is vaccine-preventable. In fact, the CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travelers age 1 year and older traveling to Costa Rica. Infants 6–11 months may also receive a travel-related dose in certain circumstances. (Costa Rica – Traveler view | Travelers’ Health | CDC ).
So if you’re planning a Costa Rican adventure and aren’t sure whether you’ve received the vaccine, now is a great time to check. And if you’re thinking, “My trip is in two weeks, I’m already too late!”, don’t panic. Ideally, travelers receive their first dose before travel, but getting vaccinated even shortly before departure can still provide some protection. Certain travelers including older adults, immunocompromised people, and people with chronic medical conditions may need additional considerations if departure is approaching quickly.
Hepatitis A Prevention
Handwashing with soap and water is an important part of preventing hepatitis A, particularly after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Important precautions also include ONLY drinking from bottled water, and avoiding undercooked meat and fresh produce. As much as good hygiene is critical for your health, it is not a substitute for vaccination. Hepatitis A can spread through contaminated food and beverages, and contamination can occur at different points along the food-production and preparation process. You could be doing everything “right” and still encounter the virus.
Hepatitis A Symptoms
One of the tricky things about hepatitis A is that symptoms aren’t always obvious, particularly in young children. When symptoms do occur, they can include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, diarrhea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). In other words, it can look a lot like several other illnesses that travelers might encounter. If you become sick after your trip, especially if you develop jaundice, let your healthcare provider know that you recently traveled to Costa Rica. And remember: “I felt fine on vacation” doesn’t mean you weren’t exposed to the virus. Symptoms can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to appear (Symptoms of Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A | CDC ).
What should Costa Rica travelers do?
- Check your hepatitis A vaccination history. If you’re unsure whether you’ve been vaccinated, one of our travel-health experts can help determine what you need.
- Get vaccinated if you’re not protected. The CDC recommends at least one dose of the hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travelers to Costa Rica.
- Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
- Practice sensible food and water precautions. You don’t need to spend your entire vacation interrogating every taco, but be thoughtful about what and where you eat and drink.
- Don’t forget the rest of your travel-health plan. Hepatitis A isn’t the only consideration for Costa Rica, travelers may also need to think about routine vaccines, mosquito-borne illnesses, and other destination-specific risks.
- If you’ve recently been exposed to someone with hepatitis A, contact a healthcare professional promptly. Post-exposure vaccination can be effective when given within two weeks of exposure, with immune globulin sometimes recommended depending on the person’s circumstances (Hepatitis A Vaccine | Hepatitis A | CDC ).
Final Preparation
Costa Rica remains an incredible destination, from the vibrant energy of San José to cloud forests, tropical beaches, active volcanoes, and everything for the perfect rainforest getaway. A hepatitis A outbreak doesn’t mean travelers need to abandon their plans. It does mean it’s worth being proactive. The best travel medicine is often the least exciting kind: the vaccine you got before your trip, the handwashing you (hopefully) didn’t think twice about, and the conversation with your travel-health provider before you leave. A little preparation can go a long way toward keeping your vacation focused on the adventures, not the aftermath!
References:
Increase in Hepatitis A cases in Costa Rica in 2026 – Global Risk Atlas
Symptoms of Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A | CDC
Hepatitis A Vaccine | Hepatitis A | CDC
San José Costa Rica Photos, Download The BEST Free San José Costa Rica Stock Photos & HD Images (image from pexels)
Costa Rica Photos, Download The BEST Free Costa Rica Stock Photos & HD Images