Costa Rica has delayed new yellow fever vaccination rules for travelers to eight countries, giving you another month to get vaccinated before the requirements take effect. The Health Ministry announced yesterday that the new rules will now begin on October 1, 2026, instead of August 31.
The change applies to Costa Rican citizens and legal residents traveling to Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana. Starting October 1, travelers heading to any of those destinations will need to have received the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before leaving Costa Rica. They will also need a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever.
Health officials said the extra month is intended to help people who already booked trips but have not had enough time to get vaccinated and complete the required paperwork. The delay does not apply to every destination. Costa Rica’s existing yellow fever vaccine requirements remain in effect for people traveling to Colombia, Brazil and Peru, as well as African countries considered at risk for the disease.
Those heading to those destinations should continue following the current rules and the Health Ministry recommends arranging the vaccine well ahead of a trip because it must be given at least 10 days before departure for the certificate to meet the requirement. Travelers can get their vaccination certificate digitally through the Health Ministry’s online office, the EDUS health app and the government’s Pura Vida Móvil app.
Yellow fever is a viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes. It is found mainly in tropical areas of South America and Africa and can cause fever, headaches and other symptoms. Severe cases can be life-threatening. Costa Rica has tightened its yellow fever travel rules in recent years as health officials respond to cases and outbreaks elsewhere in the region. Costa Rica went decades without a locally reported case, although an imported case was confirmed in October 2025 involving a traveler who had visited Peru.
Anyone planning a trip from Costa Rica to one of the eight newly added destinations on or after October 1 should check their vaccination status now rather than waiting until shortly before departure. The Health Ministry also recommends checking the latest requirements before traveling, since health rules can change depending on conditions in destination countries.
