US Embassy Issues New Travel Alert For Costa Rica

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Costa Rica has seen a myriad of issues over the past couple of years, ranging from questionable security around San Jose's busy airport to crime levels reaching uncomfortable levels throughout the nation.

What's normally one of Latin America's most popular vacation spots has seen tourism numbers dwindle.

Whether it's due to a digital nomad influx pushing prices higher or aforementioned safety concerns, the proof is in the pudding that Costa Rica has lost some of its luster.

As such, we at Travel Off Path hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yet another travel alert was just issued by the US Embassy — and this one is a doozy!

Surprising Health Hazard Triggers New Alert

Before you let your mind go there — yes, there — pandemic-related health alerts are in the rear-view mirror.

Suffice to say, this one is completely out of left field. The US Embassy has been made aware of risks involving aluminum phosphide poisoning.

That's not exactly what your resort bartender had in mind when they insist, “pick your poison”…

So, what is aluminum phosphide?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this cheap and frequently used pesticide is ‘one of the most common causes of poisoning among agricultural pesticides'.

Adding, “It liberates lethal phosphine gas when it comes in contact either with atmospheric moisture or with hydrochloric acid in the stomach.”

That last bit is the big worry as a colorless toxic gas is released into the air, which can ‘quickly cause severe respiratory symptoms or death', according to the Embassy.

How To Detect Aluminum Phosphide

For a seemingly invisible gas that can be fatal, it's important to know what to look out for to ensure your safety.

The Embassy's advice may seem odd, but it's actually one of the best ways to know if you should get out of dodge.

What may seem more like a cheesy Romanian horror flick to keep Dracula away, one surefire way to detect aluminum phosphide is to watch (or rather, sniff) for the telltale odor of garlic.

But there are also reports that it can smell like rancid fish, too. Keep in mind, aluminum phosphide is commonly used in rodent fumigations.

Being a world-renowned vacation destination, the last thing places such as hotels and restaurants want tourists to see are unsightly critters.

Putting two and two together, if you're not whipping up a garlicky dish or letting your seafood go bad, you could possibly be at risk if you catch a waft of garlic or fish past its prime.

3 Locations Have Been Reported For Aluminum Phosphide Poisonings

This alert is for the entirety of the country, and one has the right to be concerned regarding regulations, so it doesn't get more out of hand.

The Embassy specifically listed 2 destinations that have been affected more than others: 

• Real Cariari, Heredia, Costa Rica 
• Tempate, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica  

Real Cariari is mostly known for its shopping center on the outskirts of San Jose, the most popular entry point into Costa Rica.

Tempate is a small rural community of inland Guanacaste, another popular region laden with posh beach resorts.

So far, there's no news of poisonings spreading to coastal communities, and the good news is that Tempate isn't on the traditional tourist path.

Tips To Stay Safe

The Embassy has released a laundry list of insightful tips for preemptive actions to take:

• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more info on treatment
• Immediately vacate the premises if you smell fishy or garlicky odors
• Don't solely rely on odor alone to judge safety; moving to an odorless area nearby may still leave you exposed
• If you experience respiratory or digestive symptoms, seek medical attention immediately
• Inquire with your accommodations if fumigations have recently occurred and/or if aluminum phosphide has been used recently
• Avoid areas where visible fumigations are ongoing
• Refer to the Embassy's list of medical providers.  
• Discuss evacuation options with the travel insurance provider should you fall ill

For what it's worth, no current or past alert has deterred me from booking a Costa Rica vacation.

Careful planning goes a long way. See you soon, Secrets Papagayo!