Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health has changed the start date for the yellow fever vaccine requirement, and now it will be needed to travel to 43 countries around the world starting February 11, 2025.
The one-month extension (the rule was going to take effect on January 11) is because the vaccine is out of stock across the country.
The ministry confirmed this in a press release.
“The yellow fever vaccine requirement isn’t new. Countries used to have zones with exceptions, but after a review, it was decided to do away with the exceptions and consider each country’s entire territory a risk zone,” the ministry said.
In the Americas, it applies to Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago, no matter which city you’re visiting.
The Ministry of Health has said that at Juan Santamaría International Airport and Guanacaste Airport, airlines will be required to check your vaccination card before you leave Costa Rica.
Also keep in mind that if you have a layover in one of these countries and don’t leave the airport, you don’t need the vaccine.
For the yellow fever vaccine to be valid, you have to get it 10 days before your trip and then go to the Ministry of Health to request your vaccination card. Note that the shot is given once in a lifetime.
