The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging citizens to avoid traveling to the Middle East due to escalating conflicts and worsening security conditions across the region.

In a statement, the ministry advised Costa Ricans not to travel to Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Qatar, citing unsafe conditions and the potential suspension of international flights.

The ministry warned that evacuation options from conflict zones are extremely limited, noting that Costa Rica currently lacks the resources to carry out evacuation operations for its citizens residing in countries affected by ongoing hostilities.

“Given the escalation of political conflicts, the possibilities for evacuation from war zones are very limited,” the ministry said.

Costa Rican nationals currently living in those countries or in neighboring nations were urged to remain vigilant and to stay in contact with the country consulates. The ministry provided the following contact information:

• Israel (Tel Aviv): Phone (00-972) 3613-5061; email concr-il@rree.go.cr

• Qatar (Doha): Phones +974 3142-7178 and +974 4498-0094; email concr-qa@rree.go.cr

• Lebanon and Abu Dhabi: Phones +971 2554-7458 or +971 5556-47098; emails concr-ae@rree.go.cr and conhcr-li@rree.go.cr

• Jordan: Phone (00-962) 6582-2684; email costarica@ak.com.jo

The travel advisory comes amid widening unrest in Iran. Beginning Dec. 28, 2025, demonstrations erupted across multiple Iranian cities as part of nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic government and a deepening economic crisis.

According to reports, a subsequent crackdown ordered by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior officials authorized the use of live fire against protesters. The violence resulted in mass casualties, described as the largest massacres in modern Iranian history.

As of Feb. 1, 2026, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency had documented 18,122 cases related to the unrest. Those figures include 6,842 confirmed deaths, of whom at least 6,425 were identified as protesters. An additional 11,280 cases remained under review.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees the country’s foreign policy and manages its diplomatic missions worldwide.