Mosquitoes in Costa Rica are everywhere all year long and it’s a huge concern for travelers. I’ve noticed that every person who comes to visit brings at least 3 or 4 different kinds of lotions and sprays to protect against mosquitoes and it is indeed a legitimate concern.
Quick Facts about Mosquitoes in Costa Rica
- Dengue: Since the mosquitoes in Costa Rica are present all year long (tropical country), it is true that there have been many cases of dengue fever. Unfortunately, Costa Rica is the leading country in Central America with over 14,000 reported cases in 2013 and nearly 8,000 in 2016 so far.
- In Guanacaste, cases of dengue fever have increased in the past few years and there is no vaccine available. There are 4 different types of this viral disease and it is carried mostly by the Aedes mosquitoes. It is treatable for acute or mild cases but many of those affected with the most severe type, hemorrhagic dengue, are fatal.
- Malaria: Malaria is not as common in Costa Rica as dengue fever. According to the Ministerio de Salud (department of health), there have been 93,030 cases of malaria since 1957 with 8 cases in 2012. They’ve reduced malaria over 90% since 2000.
- Chikungunya virus: Also present in Costa Rica and doesn’t have a vaccine or cure. It was found for the first time in the Americas in 2013, before it was only in Africa, Asia and Europe. Symptoms. The most affected provinces are Puntarenas and Guanacaste with symptoms of fever, joint paint and headache. However, a person can be infected and not know, but symptoms show up 3-12 days after getting bit.
- Zika: Zika has been around but is now making international headlines due to its symptoms in women. As of February 2016, there has been a reported and confirmed case of a tourist falling ill with Zika after visiting Playa Samara but it is not as prevalent as the news makes it to be in Costa Rica.
Do note that mosquitoes generally do not live above elevations of 6,500 feet (2,000 meters), so the worse areas are at the beach and the jungle and during rainy season as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
Best Insect Repellent Against Mosquitoes in Costa Rica
Here are the best products we tried and recommend that you bring for your trip to Costa Rica. We recommend bringing mosquito repellent for your trip because it is expensive in Costa Rica and there aren’t a lot of options, particularly if you prefer natural products.
Spray
Many sprays come with 10%-30% DEET but I found that I still get bit with those. You can find sprays up to 100% and the one we used was 98.11% which worked amazing! There is a brand called Jungle Juice you can buy at REI or this brand, Repel 100 which we really like. It’s a little bottle but you don’t need much and it’s the perfect travel size.
Whenever we go to the national parks or into the jungle for hiking, we always use this one and we don’t get bit at all.
Another one we like is Ben’s Max. This one contains around 30% DEET and worked great when we were hiking in Turrialba. I could see the bugs hovering over my arm but never got bit !
For those who don’t want to use DEET, this is one of my favorites because it does work and smells like lemon. It doesn’t last as long as the DEET spray but does the trick for about an hour so make sure you reapply frequently.
I’m finding myself leaning more towards natural products but it takes some experimenting as I’ve found not all of them have worked for me as well as DEET but this one does.
Mosquito Repellent Wipes
These are great for those who don’t like to use sprays especially for the face and neck. It is also very convenient to carry and you can take them on on the plane with you. These are 30% and lasts up to 10 hours.
We tried these on our legs and arms and they worked very good for us but not a full 10 hours. Luckily it barely takes up any space so it’s easy to reapply and when you’re hiking, it’s much easier and lighter to carry than bottles and spray cans.
Insect Repelling Bands
This one doesn’t contain DEET so it is also ideal for those who don’t like spraying chemicals all over their body. It contains Geraniol, a plant based material that repels mosquitoes. These bands are for your wrists and feet and you can just snap it on and leave it for a couple days. They are water friendly and works up to 120 hours as advertised.
We used them on our ankles but we also combined it with a little bit of spray and it was quite effective. It smells good and it’s awesome because you don’t have to wash bug spray off of yourself at the end of the day. I suggest combining products if you don’t want to wear a band on each arm and leg.
Mosquito Repellent Lotion
I prefer this lotion in particular because it comes with a sponge so you can rub in the lotion with that instead of your hands. It’s good up to 12 hours (time release) with 33% DEET and it worked great for us. The lotion was a tad heavy so you definitely feel like you’re wearing it, it’s not as light as I’d like.
I only used it on my legs and arms, none on my face (I used the wipes) and even those annoying little gnats stayed away. This one isn’t as quick as putting on a spray but you can make sure that you got all exposed areas covered.
Mosquito Coils
We use these whenever we spend an extended period of time sitting outside like for dinners, hanging out or working by the pool. These are coils that release a mosquito repelling incense when burned. You just light the end of the coil and it releases a smoke made from pyrethrum powder.
Each one lasts quite some time at around 8 hours and it’s good for keeping mosquitoes away from an area but not specifically each individual. The statistics say that each one provides around 80% protection against mosquitoes. We usually place one every few meters around the dining area outside.
Mosquito Swatter
I remember when I was a kid watching my dad use one of these. He would run around the house swatting the flies and you could hear a “Zzzz!” each time he got one. These are more common in Asia but are actually kind of fun. You run around with this racket, waving and swatting and it feels pretty satisfying when you hear the zap!
It does the trick and kills bugs in one light touch. You need to be careful when using it as not to give yourself a shock as well so these work great for inside the house.
Mosquito repellent clothing
Quite a few outdoor sports brands have developed an insect repellent technology that they put in some of their clothes. They have jackets, shirts (long and short) and pants. I don’t recommend depending on solely the clothing to keep bugs away if it is a short sleeve shirt or capri pants since part of your skin will still be exposed. Cover the exposed areas with something light like a wipe or a moderately low DEET spray.
I know a couple people who have used the shirts and swore by it, saying you don’t need to use any other products. Since there are several brands, it’s good to read reviews or talk to the salesperson before you invest in buying the clothing since they can get quite expensive. A couple of my German friends swear by Columbia.
There are also sprays that you can use on your clothes that last up to 6 weeks or 6 washings. You can save yourself money by buying the spray and using it on all your normal clothing instead of buying specific bug repelling clothes.
Mosquito Repellent Lamp
This one is also useful for when you are sitting outside for a long period of time. You just hang up the lamp, light the candle and it’ll keep the bugs away. It works by releasing a repellent from the strip being heated from the candle. It lasts a full 4 hours and it really keeps the bugs away!
You don’t need extra repellent to spray on yourself (unless you’re leaving the 15 X 15 area which it works in) and it makes a nice evening outside with friends much more enjoyable.
DEET Alternative
This repellent contains Picaridin, a DEET alternative. It’s a chemical synthetic compound, so it is still a chemical and treat it as such – don’t rub it in your eyes, on broken skin, etc. I recently discovered this and it’s much more pleasant than DEET and it WORKS! It doesn’t work for that long though, you have to reapply every hour or so.
Afterbite Itch Eraser
Oh no! You got some mosquito bites. This isn’t for repelling but for getting rid of the itchiness and the relief is oh-so-wonderful.
It also works well on bee stings and other bites and we found that it took away the itchiness pretty fast. You just dab a little bit on and let it do it’s magic. I also love hydrocortisone cream, that stuff takes the swelling and itchy down within a day or two. Both do wonders in taking away swelling and itchiness.
These are only a small sampling of the myriads of products out there to repel mosquitoes but these are ones that we have tested and worked for us. Always be sure to read the labels first and read reviews to see which ones will work best for you and your needs.
For the best protection, cover up. Wear long pants and long shirts especially in the national parks and forests. Don’t give mosquitoes any more reason to snack on you when you’re the only one wearing shorts and tank top hiking in the jungle!
Need some tips on what to bring for Costa Rica? Check out our ultimate packing list.
Need some tips about sunscreen? Here are the best sunscreens for Costa Rica plus the different ones you can find here.
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Hi! I love all of your blogs. I am coming to CR on Thursday for a week and staying in Arenal and Jaco. I am getting worried about the mosquitoes this time of year. I bought 100% deet and 30% wipes. Should I apply it any time I am outdoors? Even at the pool in jaco? I appreciate any advice you have!!
Hi Becky, I recommend using mosquito repellent every time you go outside. You don’t need to wear repellent into the pool since you’ll be in the water but if you’re going to be laying out, I do recommend having it because mosquitoes like water – they breed in stagnant water actually and the pool is one of the worst places since there are usually always a lot of mosquitoes around.
My daughter will be doing work at the field station (hatchery for the leatherback turtle) in La Tortuga the first part of June. Because DEET will kill the embryos of the eggs they collect, they have to use something else.
They will be patrolling the beach 4 hours each night so sand fleas are also a big issue.
Looking for good mosquito nets that can be used with bunk beds.
Looking for ideas on products without DEET for the times they will be handling eggs.
Should she be taking any particular vitamin to make herself less tasty?
Worried about various mosquito born illnesses as well as sand fleas.
Hi there! Thanks for all of the great info! I am traveling to CR in December, and I am a total mosquito magnet. I was going to get the Repel 100, but have heard issues with it melting the plastic cap, and the ziplock bag if you carry it in one. I was going to go with a 30% formula instead. What are your thoughts on this? Is the stronger formula that much better? Or does it just last longer?
Hi Serene! Yes the 100 is pretty intense haha. I’m a huge magnet for mosquitoes and I only use the 100 when I am going into the dense jungle such as Corcovado National Park. The rest of the time I use the 30-40% deep forest one and it works alright, but I need to reapply like every hour since mosquitoes loooove me. With the 100, I just put a tiny bit on and it works like magic but I do only use it when I’m going to places I know that are really bad for mosquitoes. 30-40 should be fine if you’re just going to be at the beach or not going into the deep jungle, and make sure you reapply 🙂
I was in distressed for the bites the first week in CR. We are in Panama now, will return to CR and stay until the end of August.
There were not only mosquitos, some tiny black insects too. A week ago, one of the bites swelled up and started to have nerve pain around the muscle. I almost went to a clinic to get shots, but it was a National holiday, so the clinics were closed. A pharmacist in Maxi Pali ( chain grocery store) recommended a topical gel that stopped the intense itch and pain effectively.
I read the blogs before I came to CR. As I am a mosquitos magnet, ( I heard they like Asians.) My husband wasn’t affected at all.( he is Caucasian) . So I was prepared. However, I don’t like to use chemicals. If Deet can melt plastic and rayon, what will it do to you?!
I mixed my own bug repellent. Using Neem oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil and coconut oil. It worked wonders in Oregon when we hiked. Especially, because there are many chiggers and ticks in some regions.
Obviously, my repellent didn’t work here. The bugs are too aggressive in Central America.
So, I concentrated the potions. With all the essential oils that I’d mentioned above, I added just a little bit of coconut oil . This time it worked! I have to reapply, of course, because it’s all natural products.
I also used Vicks, yes Vicks, for chest congestion when people have a cold. It also works wonders. But it’s too goopy. There’s a lot of applying and reapplying whenever you are outdoor. I felt exhausted from the process.
I wore a long sleeved top and pants and I tucked the legs under my socks.
Its ridiculously hot, what can you do !
Hi Ashley, mosquitoes will be around no matter what but just make sure to spray them every time you go out and reapply after going in the water, etc. The clothing spray will help a ton. Millions of tourists visit Costa Rica every year including kids and newborns, it’s actually not very common to get mosquito illnesses (all the very few people I know who have gotten dengue are those who live in CR) and as long as you’re putting on repellent, you are being responsible and doing everything you can for your kids. Costa Rica is a huge family destination and kids of all ages come here and have an amazing time!
As for safety, honestly don’t read the US embassy website because it’ll have all these warnings for every single country in the world, whereas the US has actually gotten more dangerous to be honest. Over a million tourists travel to Costa Rica every year, including solo female travelers and the crime here is very minimal for tourists. Since tourism is one of the biggest resources for Costa Rica, crime against tourists is quite low. Also, Manuel Antonio is a very touristic area, probably the most touristic destination in all of Costa Rica so you’ll see hundreds of other tourists and everyone is super friendly. Hundreds of thousands of American tourists come to Costa Rica every year, they actually make up the majority of the tourists and it’s very rare to hear of crime towards a tourist here. Like any other country in the world, use your common sense (don’t leave your belongings unattended, don’t accept strangers offers to watch your stuff, etc.) and be extra aware but on the whole, Costa Rica is very safe. They don’t even have an army! Costa Rica is one of the most recommended countries for travelers when it comes to safety actually. Here are some safety tips you can read: Costa Rica safety tips
The most important thing is to use your common sense. Petty theft is probably the most common crime but most of the cases, it is because the person left their purse on the table unattended and went to the bathroom. Or left their stuff on the beach and went swimming for 2 hours. So always keep an eye on your stuff, use your common sense and never leave your belongings unattended.
Thank you for your mosquito advice. We are traveling to Manuel Antonio at the end of the month for 10 days. We have a 10 month old, 3 and 4 year old. I am so worried about them catching one of these awful mosquito borne illnesses. I am going to treat all of our clothing with permethrin beforehand and will be diligent with bug spray (although the strong deet scares me on our small children). I’m just worried because even if I’m very diligent I just don’t know how I can keep them covered 24/7 every single day. If the mosquitos are this big of an issue maybe we should cancel our trip? Are we being irresponsible for taking them? The reason for the trip is our four year old son has a profound love for nature. His love for animals is so strong that we wanted to take him to the rainforest and foster his passion.
Now I am also worried about the crime. When you go to the us embassy website for CR it has a posted warning about violent crime toward American tourists and talks about kidnapping and armed robbery!
Any thoughts and reassurance are much appreciated. At this point I think I’m going to be so scared for their safety I’m not going to enjoy the trip anyway.
Thank you!!
We will be in Arenal and Tamarindo next week. Which location is likely to have more Mosquitos? And does the spray for clothing have a lingering scent is it really effective. Also do you know if the private transports between resorts are relatively safe.
Definitely Tamarindo since mosquitoes don’t generally live above elevations of 6,500 feet (2,000 meters), so the worse areas are at the beach and the jungle. There are still mosquitoes in Arenal but not as much. As for the spray, I didn’t notice a lingering scent and I think it works fairly well. Yes, private transports between resorts, if you mean private shuttles, are safe. If you take a taxi, take an official taxi
We will be in Guanacaste and Arenal mid March. We are pale people so will be using sunscreen and bug spray. Our favorite sunscreen when not in salt water is Bullfrog Gel. Do you have any advice with mixing sunscreen and bug repellent?
I’ve never mixed them together, usually I’ll put on sunscreen first since we use lotion kind, rub it in completely and then spray with bug repellent. Seems like it works pretty well
Hi,
are there any good evaporators for the socket to keep a sleeping room mosquito free?
I thought about bringing one with me but here in Germany you only get it for 220V.
So I think it’s better to purchase them in Heredia.
But what and where?
Thanks
Alfred
HI Alfred you can find something similar that works very well we call it “Plaquitas” this are little electric devices that you plug at night and they work very well, they cost from $7 to $10 USD.
Where are the Plaquitas sold?
You can find them at the supermarket
Can these products be purchased in CR?
Majority of them, I am not sure about the bands or wipes, haven’t seen those but definitely the coils and basic mosquito repellent. Haven’t seen the Repel 100 either. It is really expensive here though, which is why I always recommend to bring it.
Thanks for writing this! We are going in July (I have been chatting with you and Yeison about hiking clothing and tours to Nicaragua) and I am a little nervous about dengue.
Do you put bug spray on every day? Or just days that you hike in the jungle?
If we wanted to use Repel 100, how many bottles would you buy for 2 people and 10 nights in Costa Rica?
Hey Rachel! I only put bug spray on whenever I go outside so even if I’m going for a walk or having dinner outside, I always put some on. They’re going to get a lot more intense now that it’s rainy season especially up here in Guanacaste (they reproduce in stagnant water which is common here). My advice is to always have a bottle with you, I can’t tell you how many times we ended up walking in the forest or somewhere and we were just attacked by those little buggers.
For the Repel 100, you can probably do fine with one bottle for two people since you’ll also be in Monteverde/Arenal and the mosquitoes aren’t bad there but there are still some other annoying bugs. However, mosquitoes are terrible in Guanacaste and Nicaragua so you can buy a 4 oz and a 1 oz extra just in case.
So would you still wear the bug spray in Monteverde and Arenal? It makes sense that it would be worse on Guanacaste. I think I need to stop reading about dengue, though, because it freaks me out too much!
I always wore long pants and jacket there but I wouldn’t worry too much about mosquitoes in those areas. I’ve never put on mosquito repellent there personally. But there are still other bugs so you can put some on for those just in case, and I don’t want you to tell you to not put it on and then you get bit by other insects haha.
Thanks, askmo. I don’t usually get bitten, not sweet enough I guess 8)
I will try the skin so soft first and also have deet as a backup just in case.
Anyone have good results using Skin So Soft bath oil spray? I hate the idea of putting poison on my body!
I haven’t heard of that but when it comes to the natural products, I find it doesn’t product as good of results. So if you try it and it works well, let me know! I’d love to find something that isn’t pure DEET as well
Skin so Soft, Eucalyptus Oil, and Vinegar with a splash of water works good on animals. I’ve used it in my house, and have used it on my clothes.
Wow thanks for tip, we might try it one day!
Skin-so-soft as a mosquito repellent works great. I’ve been using it for more than 2 decades while hiking in the woods, and as an after-splash for showers in the summer-time to keep mosquitoes away. It’s repellent concept was introduced and heavily used among Military members decades ago, and has a higher safety and effectiveness rate because of the ‘oil’ vs. any other mosquito repellent that has aerosols and chemicals that can be more disruptive to the upper respiratory system. Hope this helps.
That is great to know! I’m always looking for something less chemical and better for the body. I’ll have to try it out, thanks!
we use it on our farm for the horses; repels flies, especially the biting kind…. if you know anyone with horses, tell em to spray it on the horses tail and belly, top of the fly mask around the ear holes, and on the horses hooves to keep bot flies from laying eggs in their hoofs. I use equal parts of skin so soft large bottle, with white vinegar, equal parts of eucalyptus oil and water (about 2 tbsp.) .
Glad you re-shared this one on email! We’re moving to Thailand in mid October, and I’ve been wondering what was the best stuff to use. Like Costa Rica, I’ve been told that Chiang Mai (where we’re going), it’s not so much about malaria as it is about dengue fever.
Oh I can imagine they have a ton of mosquitoes too! No matter what it’s always important to protect yourself. I’m not sure about chiang mai but October is the rainiest month in Costa Rica and the mosquitoes are the worst during that time. Stay safe and have fun in Thailand! That’s so exciting!
I am also a big target too mosquitos and I don’t eat that much Asian food. Maybe we just have sweet blood? Who knows, but we have tons of mosquitos here in Louisiana. I even have one of those electric tennis rackets hanging in my kitchen. They can be quite fun to play with at times.
The rackets can be more than bug killers but entertainment and mild exercise as well. Pretty funny! I can imagine Louisiana has a good chunk of mosquitoes, annoying things are everywhere!
The only ones I have used are the OFF spray/candles and some coils but I dont know what brand. The key is not having on scents I think. Whenever I am outside and have cologne on its like they send out a search party. Never even knew they made repellent clothing. Thats not a swatter its a tennis racquet! lol
The swatter is called “The Executioner” Isn’t that awesome? You can get more bugs because of the bigger surface area. The repellent clothing is pretty nifty and it doesn’t cost that much more than a regular hiking shirt (depends on the brand). I get bit even if I go outside and I just showered, I’m a magnet for those guys!