Eight diverse countries make up the isthmus linking Mexico to the northern tip of South America. Many travellers backpack via buses through multiple countries – visiting ancient Mayan ruins, beaches, rain forests, markets, volcanic lakes, or for cultural immersion learning Spanish.
The following information provides some broad and general guidelines about health risks and recommendations for travel to Central America. This should not be taken as a substitute for a personal consultation with one of our travel health doctors, whose advice will be specific for you and your trip and may include some things not mentioned here.
Six to eight weeks out from departure is a good time to have a travel health consultation. You may need blood tests to check immunity to diseases or need a course of vaccines like rabies for example, and this gives you plenty of time to get everything completed. If you are travelling sooner however it's not too late for an appointment, simply make one as soon as you can.
In Central America mozzies transmit a number of viruses which have been on the increase due to global warming, changing environments and human travel. These include dengue fever, and in the past few years chikungunya and zika. All of these viruses are preventable by taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Malaria occurs in some jungle regions and preventative measures may be recommended.
Travellers diarrhoea, giardia and dysentery are just some of the illnesses caused by contaminated food and water.
Yellow fever vaccination may be required (see below). As well as being up to date for routine childhood vaccines such as tetanus, measles and hepatitis B, the following vaccines are also often recommended – influenza, hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies. Decisions regarding which are most appropriate depend on duration and nature of travel, itinerary, age and underlying medical conditions.
This serious but very rare disease is also contracted from mosquito bites. Panama (areas east of the canal and Panama City) is the only region of Central America where Yellow fever is a risk. Proof of vaccination may be required if arriving in Central American countries after visiting Panama or South America, to reduce the risk of international spread. If so, an official international certificate of yellow fever vaccination should be carried with your passport. Advice should be sought from a travel health specialist based on your trip itinerary as the requirements for proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is complex.
Read MoreNo risk in the cities or highlands, patchy elsewhere through Central America. The pros and cons for preventative medication should be discussed with one of our doctors. Avoid mosquito bites from sunset to sunrise in risk areas. We have access to the most up to date malaria maps and the experience to help guide this decision making process. Any fever after travel to malaria areas requires assessment and an urgent blood test to exclude malaria, whether or not preventive medication has been taken.
Read MoreHepatitis A vaccination is usually recommended for travel to Central America.
Read MoreA food and water borne disease, typhoid vaccination is often recommended.
Because of the risk of zika virus causing birth defects, pregnant women should avoid travel to Central America and couples planning pregnancy should come and see us for specific and important advice.
Read MoreRabies occurs. Consider pre-travel vaccination for prolonged/ remote trips, well before travel. Thoroughly flush/disinfect animal wounds and seek prompt medical care of bitten or scratched.
Read MoreInfluenza is one of the most common vaccine preventable illnesses in travellers. In tropical climates there is no 'flu season', risk being all year round.
Read MoreObserve strict food and water safety precautions. Take a water filter and well stocked kit with guidelines for self-treatment.
Read MoreIncreasing in incidence in many parts of the world, dengue is a serious mosquito borne disease.
Read MoreSpread through mosquito bites, this viral illness can present similar to Ross River virus. Is usually less severe than dengue but may cause long term aches and pains.
This annoying worm from dog faeces can penetrate your skin if walking barefoot on beaches, it migrates under the skin causing intense itching for about a month. Wear thongs and lie on a beach towel to prevent.
As there is no non-essential overseas travel at this time this article will simply remain as an information resource for COVID-19. See our main COVID-19 page for more detailed information. We hope to be able to inform our travelers once again after this crisis passes. The links below remain trustworthy
Over 48,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Sri Lanka since 1st October 2019, a significant increase in incidence. Travellers should observe strict mosquito avoidance measures, particularly during daylight hours.
As a result of recent outbreaks of measles in various countries, the Solomon Islands' will be requiring arriving travellers from/via American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, or Tonga to show proof of measles vaccination, effective December 28th 2019. Vaccination needs to have been at least 15 days prior and
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