Costa Rica's Chikungunya, Dengue, Zika Cases Curtailed

A popular destination in Central America is making headlines with positive news for those planning a summer getaway.

The Republic of Costa Rica, renowned for its breathtaking mountains and pristine beaches, welcomed around 1.7 million American visitors in 2024.

And the Costa Rican Tourism Institute says the number should increase this year.

While concerns about mosquito-borne illnesses such as chikungunya, dengue, malaria, and Zika have lingered over the past few years, a recent announcement from the Ministry of Health on April 4, 2025, brings a wave of relief.

The Ministry says dengue cases have plummeted by an impressive 69.5% (1,802 vs 5,909) in early 2025.

The reduced number of dengue cases reported this year is concentrated in the South Central region, with 804 cases, followed by the North Central and the Central Pacific regions.

Three other serious diseases have reported decreases in 2025.

Only seven cases of chikungunya have been reported so far this year. In 2024, about 405 chikungunya infections had been reported.

Six malaria cases have been confirmed this year as of April 2025. In 2024, 232 locally acquired malaria cases were reported in Costa Rica; 544 were confirmed in 2023.

Furthermore, Costa Rica has only reported four Zika cases as of April 2025, 32 for all of 2024.

One reason for these decreases is that the Ministry of Health's vector control teams have eliminated 341,771 mosquito breeding sites and fumigated 136,058 houses.

This week, the Ministry reminded residents and visitors to continue being vigilant in avoiding mosquito bites and urged them to cooperate with fumigation efforts.

Another reason could be related to vaccine availability.

The Ministry and the U.S. CDC recommend both routine and travel vaccines before visiting Costa Rica in 2025.

The good news is that chikungunya vaccines are available at travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S., while Dengue, Malaria, and Zika await U.S. FDA approval.

As these diseases decline, the safety of this tropical paradise reaffirms Costa Rica's top choice for travelers seeking a memorable, worry-free vacation this summer.