The Ministry of Public Health has ordered that residents and tourists traveling to Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and certain nations in Africa must present proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Since May 2025, Costa Rica has required proof of yellow fever vaccination for travelers entering from Colombia. For travel to Peru, Bolivia and certain African nations, the new requirement will take effect March 16, 2026.

Officials said the measure responds directly to a yellow fever outbreak in those regions.

Yellow fever is a viral disease caused by the yellow fever virus, a Flaviviridae RNA virus transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pain, particularly in the back, and headaches.

Most infected people recover within five days. Severe cases, however, can lead to abdominal pain, liver damage, jaundice, an increased risk of bleeding and kidney complications.

Health authorities emphasized that travelers must receive the vaccine at least 10 days before departing Costa Rica. Proof of vaccination will be required to leave the country.

Officials warned that the vaccine is contraindicated for certain groups, including infants younger than 6 to 8 months, adults older than 60, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with severe immunosuppression (including those with symptomatic HIV) and individuals allergic to vaccine components.

In addition to the travel requirement, the government is conducting a targeted vaccination campaign for high-risk workers. The effort includes employees from the Ministries of Health, Public Security, Environment and Agriculture, as well as members of the Costa Rican Red Cross.

The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) is also offering free yellow fever vaccinations at public cantonal clinics, commonly known as Ebais.

Officials said vaccination requirements could expand in the future to include other high-risk countries, including Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Authorities said the policy remains subject to change depending on global conditions.

As of Monday, health authorities reported no active yellow fever cases in the country.

In October 2025, officials confirmed Costa Rica’s first yellow fever case in nearly 70 years. The patient was a 29-year-old U.S. woman who entered the country after traveling from Peru. She had not been vaccinated.

The Ministry of Public Health oversees both public and private health care systems and is responsible for implementing and enforcing health regulations.

A.M. Costa Rica encouraged readers to share the health advisory within their communities.