Whats the risk of rabies in Costa Rica? Are a lot of dogs not vaccinated?

Question

I'm off to costa rica soon and was wondering if I should get the jab before I go (its very expensive) or are the hospitals etc good in costa rica? have most of the dogs been vacinated against rabies or not?

Thank you

Answer 1

First, where are you going?   If you are going to a rural area you might consider it--otherwise it is probably safe without them.  There are a lot of un vaccinated dogs, but rabies is not a huge risk but it is possible in rural areas.   I have brought student groups to rural Costa Rica for 10 years and so far (knock on wood) none have been bitten by a dog.  

Rabies shots are quite expensive $400-$500.  If you are going to be in a place so isolated that you cannot get to a clinic within a few hours to begin the course of rabies shots,  that is a different manner-- but there are very few places in Costa Rica that fit that description.

Answer 2

I have visited Costa Rica for over 15 years and lived there for 5 years and never have I even heard rabies mentioned.  And I am in rural areas as well as urban.

That being said, I will admit I suspect many dogs are not vaccinated.  Still, it is not a problem as far as I know.

If anything, I'll hear comments about dangerous or not so dangerous snakes.

Costa Rica does have a very good (and inexpensive) medical infrastructure.

Answer 3

I've lived here (in CR) all my life and I haven't seen or known  yet of a dog with rabies nor a person with it....

Hospitals are very high tech, you don't have to worry about that and they are not expensive either...

...Risk of rabies?.....None, just if you have  very very very incredibly bad luck!!