by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 1:30 PM ET, Thu July 23, 2026
Playa Conchal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Thomas)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 precautionary warning for travelers heading to Costa Rica after an outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne illness.
The outbreak occurred in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, on the country’s Pacific Coast. Most cases, according to the CDC, were reported in Playa Langosta.
Travelers heading to Costa Rica or other locations where chikungunya is prevalent are encouraged to visit their primary care doctor and receive a vaccine against the virus.
Chikungunya is a virus carried by mosquitoes that, when infecting a human, can cause fever, joint pain, headaches, muscle pain, joint swelling and even rashes. Outbreaks have occurred across the globe, with most infected people developing symptoms within 3-7 days. Some people have severe joint pain for months to years following their illness. Deaths from chikungunya are rare.
Pregnant women can pass the virus to their children before or during delivery. Newborns are at high risk for severe illness and serious health outcomes from the virus, as are those over 65 years of age and people with medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
The CDC recommends wearing long-sleeved clothing, staying in an accommodation with air conditioning or screens and using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites and potential transmission.
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