Central America offers a diverse range of experiences, from the vibrant culture of Guatemala to the pristine beaches of Costa Rica and the luxury resorts of St Lucia. Before embarking on your journey, it’s essential to prioritize your health and safety.
The first step is to make a travel health appointment to learn more about the health risks present at your destination. Every destination, and every traveller, needs tailored advice and vaccine recommendations. That’s why we’d like to see you at our Calgary travel health clinic six to eight weeks before your departure.
Here’s a guide to some of the vaccines and travel health tips that we might recommend for your Central American adventure.
It’s quick and easy to make a travel health appointment with Canadian Travel Clinics – just use our clinics page to select your closest branch.
Vaccines commonly offered to travellers going to Central America
These are some of the vaccines that travellers to Central American might consider ahead of their trip abroad:
Hepatitis A: This vaccine protects against a liver infection transmitted through contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis B: This vaccine protects against a liver infection primarily transmitted through blood and bodily fluids.
Typhoid: This vaccine protects against a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food and water.
Rabies: If you plan to engage in activities that may bring you into contact with animals or are visiting a remote area, our travel health expert may recommend the rabies vaccine.
Malaria and travel in Central America
Malaria: Depending on your destination and travel plans, malaria prophylaxis may be recommended. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Yellow Fever: If you’re travelling to areas with a risk of yellow fever transmission, a vaccination certificate may be required.
To maximize your protection, you will also need to support your yellow fever shot and your malaria prophylaxis by avoiding mosquito bites.
Beyond vaccines: travel health tips for Central America
Mosquito bite prevention: There are various mosquito-borne diseases present in Central America, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Vaccines for these are not available so it’s important to take precautions against mosquito bites. Some anti-mosquito-bite precautions include:
- wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, especially during dawn and dusk
- use insect repellent containing DEET or other effective ingredients
- sleep under mosquito nets or in spaces with air conditioning
Food and water Safety: To reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, follow these guidelines:
- drink only water that you know is safe
- avoid raw or undercooked food, especially seafood
- choose fruits and vegetables that have been peeled or cooked.
- practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and water
To learn more about health and healthcare at your destination, use the Government of Canada’s travel advisories.
Planning your travel health consultation
We recommend you schedule a travel health consultation at least six to eight weeks before your departure. A healthcare professional can assess your itinerary, medical history, and risk factors to provide tailored advice and recommendations.
Six to eight weeks before departure will leave enough time to schedule vaccines that need to be given in multiple spaced doses. But if you are travelling on shorter notice to Central America, we can still help with travel vaccines, as some shots are available on an accelerated schedule.
By following these guidelines and consulting with a healthcare provider, you can significantly reduce your risk of illness and enjoy a safe and memorable trip to Central America.