Well, we're really getting such conflicting opinions. My husband's dr. also said yes to malaria and typhoid pills. I talked to a travel clinic in San Francisco and they said yes to typhoid; didn't necessarily think malaria was necessary. I'm wondering how many people a year actually contract these illnesses in c.r. (not necessarily tourists)?

I guess thats why it's just a personal decision to take the meds or not.

Cases - 1289 cases of malaria in 2004, 2411 cases in 2005 (thru Nov). 70% of malaria cases are reported from Limon Province on the Atlantic coast.

I think part of the confusion among travelers and that of doctors are the areas where malaria is occuring. From the cdc website: "Risk in Alajuela, Limón, Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces". Now, take for instance Alajuela province, look where it is on a map. If your Doctor is a strictly by the books guy, and you tell him you will be visiting the city of Alajuela, then he would feel it is his duty to tell you are that you are going to an at risk area. And technically, you are, as Alajuela city is in Alajuela province. The problem is that, for ease of warning travelers, the entire province has been deemed as a risk area, but the majority of cases are at the North border of the province (along the border with Nic.) So it's kind of a CYA by the cdc, doctor's etc,as they do say the risk is there. I hope that made sense Again, it all comes down to what you're comfortable with.

I agree w/ Tully. When I went to the travel Doc he said we needed malaria pills because "Guanacaste" was in a malaria zone and we were going to Tamarindo. Whan he does not really mention is that the few cases of malaria ever reported there were in some remote jungle on the Nicaraguan border where not many people actually live. Lots of people live in the MA and Central Valley areas and I am sure they are not all on malaria prophylactics.

The Typhoid you get from contaminated drinking water.

Tully--Interesting....Where did you find your stats?

www.amcostarica.com & www.travmed.com

fyi - interesting story today on front page about a problem they're having with the internet - might want to keep in mind for those trying to make reservations and wondering why people aren't getting back to you!