Basic Health and Safety

In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in Costa Rica and while traveling to other countries. The process of wellness starts before you go abroad with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get inoculations to protect you from various illnesses before traveling. You will also learn some tips about food and water safety.

• What to Know about Costa Rica: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of Costa Rica and the countries you plan to visit. This includes reading about the cultural and political climate of those countries, as well as learning about how others view people from your country, race, ethnic group, religion, gender and sexual orientation.
• Illnesses, Diseases, and Inoculations: Find out about the various illnesses that might be more common in Costa Rica or the regions and countries to which you will be traveling. Get the appropriate shots and pills, and take the appropriate medications with you if your doctor thinks it's necessary. Find out about any potential side-effects of shots and pills that you may take. For more information on illnesses that may be prevalent in Costa Rica, please see the CDC link in the Resources section of this Handbook.
• Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to Costa Rica. The quality of dental and medical care might be different in the various countries or regions you may visit. Also, care could possibly be more expensive than in the United States, or your health insurance may not cover your medical care abroad as well as in the U.S.
• Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is generally safe to drink in different regions of Costa Rica and in the countries to which you will be traveling. To avoid risk, many travelers drink bottled water. Remember that ice can also be unsafe, as well as the water you use to brush your teeth.
• Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. If you get diarrhea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As with any illness, consider seeing a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods you will be eating.
• Laws and Codes of Conduct: Make yourself aware of both the rules and regulations of your study abroad program sponsor, and the local laws and customs of Costa Rica and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Costa Rica, but also obey the codes of conduct required of program participants. Also recognize that certain laws may vary from region to region or even city to city.
• Mental and Physical Health: Consider your own mental and physical health issues when applying for a study abroad program, and make all your necessary health information available to your program's administrators so they can assist you with any special needs, or advise you on the risks you might face. Study abroad may include both physical and mental challenges for students, so make sure you establish a support network of program administrators, family and friends who can help you.
• Prescriptions: Get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to Costa Rica. Some prescriptions may need to be translated into Spanish if you wish to fill them in Costa Rica. Also include a copy of your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Bring an extra pair of glasses. Be advised that drugs and pharmacy establishments may not be as closely regulated in Costa Rica as they are in the United States. Medications may also not be equivalent in brand, strength or quality.
• First-Aid Kit: Consider a well-stocked first-aid kit as a first line of defense. Some items to include are: sunscreen, bandages, flashlight, sterile pads, insect repellent, adhesive tape, aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea tablets, anti-malarial medication, extra bottled water, feminine protection, condoms, rubber gloves, etc.
• Fitness and Exercise: Try to get fit in the time you have before departing for Costa Rica. A healthy body can help you fight off illness and recover faster if you do get sick. Even though it may be harder to follow a structured workout routine, try to stay fit while in Costa Rica. Exercise also helps to increase energy levels and combat depression.
• Walking: Get a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Without access to a car or public transportation in Costa Rica, you may have to do quite a bit of walking. Break in your shoes before you go.
• Emergency Contacts: Keep your program staff and your emergency contacts at home and in Costa Rica well informed of your whereabouts and activities, and provide these people with copies of your important travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, plane tickets, traveler's checks, and prescriptions, etc.).
• Air Travel: When you travel by air, drink a lot of non-alcoholic fluids, stay away from caffeine, eat light, and stretch often to avoid jetlag. Many airlines are now required to show an in-flight video of stretching exercises you can do on the plane in order to avoid the potential formation of blood clots, which can be caused by cabin pressure. A direct flight is usually easier for most travelers, but flights broken up by stops can also lessen jet lag.
• Transportation: Accidents involving in-country travel, whether by air, bus, train, taxi, car, etc., are a major cause of injury to students abroad. It is important to understand what the safe modes of travel are in Costa Rica and in the countries to which you plan to travel. For more information on transportation in Costa Rica, please visit the U.S. Department of State.
• Bus: As the majority of Costa Ricans do not own cars, the most popular way to travel from city to city in Costa Rica is by bus. However, bus routes between towns other than San Jose are limited and don't follow regular schedules, meaning you never really know exactly what time the bus will show up, where it will show up, or whether you'll have a seat. Bus rides in Costa Rica are uncomfortable and often confusing, but they are cheap.
• Train/Metro: San Jose has no metro or subway system. Most locals and tourists use the bus. Crowded buses and bus stations are tempting for criminals; beware of pickpockets who frequently distract tourists and work in teams. The country is thinking of building a high-speed electric train system, but currently, there is also no train network in Costa Rica. A 1991 earthquake severely damaged routes.
• Air: Within Costa Rica, air travel can be a good value compared to a long bus ride. If road travel is unsafe due to poor road conditions (mostly in the rainy season when flooding and mudslides are common), then you may want to consider domestic flights. The national airlines of Costa Rica are SANSA and Travelair.
• Cars (Driving): U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Costa Rica. Costa Rican insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in Costa Rica. If you choose to drive from the United States to Costa Rica, you will cross through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Peñas Blancas on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua is the main border crossing into Costa Rica. If a driver is involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, the driver may be arrested and detained by Costa Rican authorities until a settlement is arranged with the injured party. Furthermore, depending upon the extent of damages or injuries to the other party, you may face charges filed by the Costa Rican judicial authorities.
• Alcohol and Drugs: Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad can increase the risk of accident and injury. Many study abroad accidents and injuries are related to the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad. This is especially true in Costa Rica, which is fast becoming the "new Mexico" for young travelers, meaning that the country is now a popular beach and party destination. Violating drug laws in Costa Rica may result in very serious consequences. In some countries you may visit, being found guilty of violating drug laws can result in consequences as serious as death.
• Setting an Example: Set a good example. Remember you are like an ambassador for your U.S. college or university, as well as your culture and country. Behave in a way that is respectful of others' rights and well-being and encourage others to do the same.