Costa Rica tours for seniors – should I worry about snakes? That’s actually a question I get all the time from my friends in North America when they know I’m heading down to Nosara, Costa Rica. The answer is yes, but not too much.

Costa Rica Tours For Seniors 2023 – Should I Worry About Snakes?

Author, Cynthia Ross Tustin – December 29, 2022

No one likes snakes, at any age. And it’s hard to remember the old adage that snakes are “more afraid of us than we are of them” when confronted with a large Boa Constrictor.

But in this post, I’ll provide you with some of the facts that I’ve learned while traveling down there and dispel some of the myths. I’ll share some practical things that Costa Ricans do every day to live harmoniously with these reptiles.

So, Should Senior Travelers Worry About Snakes While In Costa Rica?

One of the best places to get reliable information about snakes in Costa Rica is the University Of Costa Rica – Universidad de Costa Rica. and more specifically, the Instituto Clodomiro Picado. This is reliable information, whose sole purpose is:

“Part of the important research work at the Clodomiro Picado Institute consists of the identification of the species of venomous snakes found in the country. Its purpose is to know the characteristics and composition of their venom, which will help develop antiophidic or antivenom serums to treat the effects of snakebites.”

They will tell you that there are 140 species of snakes here. And of those 140 snakes, 23 are venomous. But what I find oddly comforting, is that the Instituto believes that only two are “possibly lethal” to humans.

And if that really doesn’t make you feel better, then take comfort in the Instituto’s mission to develop antivenoms.

What snakes are Commonly found in Costa Rica

The question is what snakes are commonly found, not what snakes are commonly seen. That’s because snakes aren’t roaming the streets in Costa Rica. They’re generally in their own habitat, minding their own business. The snakes pictured below, and the one at the top, are the most commonly found venomous snakes.

The vast majority of these animals are found in the jungles. So be cautious on hiking trails, and stay out of the dense brush or low-hanging trees. Take care around fruit trees…birds like fruit and snakes like birds!

Venomous Snakes

And the Fer de Lance, the one on the bottom right is by far the most common and the most dangerous according to the experts. Part of the reason is that they are the most abundant.

The snake with the wicked-looking fangs is a Bushmaster, and it’s one of the most lethal, but it’s much rarer than the Fer de Lance. And FYI, the Bushmaster is found all over the world.

So, what’s the deadliest snake in Costa Rica? Probably the Fer de Lance.

Despite the fear that poisonous snakes cause, it’s important to know that on average, there are approximately 600 cases of snakebites (envenomings) documented on humans in Costa Rica each year. And those “envenomings” have only resulted in one or two human deaths.

Non-Venomous Snakes

After venomous snakes, most people are freaked out by Boa Constrictors. Too many movies with Boa Constrictors strangling children in their sleep. It’s the stuff of nightmares.

Boa Constricors are carnivores. They eat a large number of animals including rodents, birds, felines, reptiles, amphibians, and bats. They are primarily nocturnal, however, you may come across them basking in the sun when temperatures are too low.

It’s not uncommon for people to have Boa Constrictors as pets. WTF! No thank you! These are wild animals and should be given the respect, and distance, they deserve.

Boa Constrictors are the most aggressive when shedding their skin (I too am grouchy if someone watches me exfoliate!) This is because their vision is impacted, and are therefore more defensive (I’m just embarrassed).

I took this picture of the Fire Chief of the Bomberos de Nosara, back in August 2021. This small-town emergency response team is trained to remove both snakes and crocodiles from homes and neighbourhoods. Catch and release.

How To Prevent A Snakebite in Costa Rica

It’s reassuring to have the Bomberos around and to have the stats to know that death is not imminent. But like most things, prevention is the real trick to not worrying or getting bitten. People living in Costa Rica take measures to prevent snake bites.

How Do Costa Ricans Avoid Snake Bites?

This means your hotel operator or B&B host takes precautions and is following best practices. I take great comfort in knowing that my hosts at Casa Vitality are meticulous about these things. Here are some practical tips they use, and things you can do if you’re a senior taking advantage of seasonal rental.

Snakes are most prevalent during the rainy season when their habitats are disturbed. This is the time for extra caution on the trails.

If you’re doing yard work or hiking, always use closed shoes (like boots), knee-high is best, and preferably made out of rubber or leather. Snakes bite when threatened. Most bites occur on the feet, or legs when someone accidentally steps on or over these animals. Make noise while walking on trails.

Do not put your hands or feet directly inside hollow trees, caves, or under rocks or branches (I just wanna say, duh, don’t you?). Use some sort of instrument to remove rubble or weeds, snakes tend to hide in these places. Further, be careful when picking fruit, some snakes live or can be found, in trees and bushes.

If you come across a snake on the field just walk away. Nothing needs to be done. Don’t do things alone if you don’t have to. If an accident occurs, the other person can come to your aid. If you are alone, let people know where you’re going. And when you’re expected to return.

Around the House

Property owners go to great lengths to control rodent populations in cellars, farms, and empty plots. This is because snakes feed on these types of animals. Costa Ricans don’t compost as Canadians do. Treat your garbage with care, and don’t leave food lying around. Pretend those snakes are bears!

Make sure you share these suggestions with children and young ones so they know how to avoid snakebites.

FYI

There are several species of snakes here that are not venomous. The Mussurana (Clelia Clelia) for example is not poisonous. In fact, this snake is a natural predator of several venomous snakes. It eats them for lunch.

Other animals like the armadillo and certain birds of prey (e.g. sparrow hawk) are natural snake predators. Protecting these animals contributes to the control of local snake populations.

In Costa Rica, snakes are protected by law # 6919, Wildlife Conservation Act. Do not kill snakes indiscriminately. Contribute to the protection of the environment in general, this will guarantee the natural balance of snake populations and all living beings in the ecosystem.

What to do in case of snakebite?

First and foremost, remember not to panic and that Costa Rica is quite well known for its treatment of snake bites. There’s a plan, and they are prepared. After all, they’ve been living with snakes for centuries.

Snakebite Treatment In Costa Rica

“The health care system in Costa Rica is considered well developed, in terms of geographical accessibility and insurance coverage. This country has made important achievements in public health, such as long life expectancy and low infant mortality rate. Antivenom is available in all clinics and hospitals and, according to a recent decision by the state social insurance administration that runs all public health services in the country, it can also be distributed to primary health care teams of which there are approximately 1 per 5,000 inhabitants.”

Erik Hansson ,Mahmood Sasa,Kristoffer Mattisson,Arodys Robles,José María Gutiérrez

Tips For Surviving Snakebites

🐍 Calm the person down and lay them on the floor.
🐍 Clean the bitten area with disinfectant soap.
🐍 Remove the tourniquet (if any).
🐍 Keep the person well-hydrated.
🐍 Immobilize the bitten extremity.
🐍 And most importantly: take the patient immediately to the nearest hospital or health center so they can be administered the antivenom serum as soon as possible.

What You Should NOT Do in case of snakebite?

🐍 Do NOT cut the site of the bite; there is a higher risk of infection or bleeding.
🐍 Do NOT make any tourniquets. Tourniquets stop blood flow, causing damage to the muscle tissue.
🐍 Do NOT place cold compresses, they could worsen the local lesions caused by the venom, especially bites by species from the pitviper family.
🐍 Do NOT administer any chemical substance or plant/animal extracts by any route to the patient, so far their efficacy has not been scientifically proven and the time lost trying to use these types of treatments is counterproductive for the affected person.
🐍 Do NOT administer alcoholic beverages.
🐍 Do NOT suck out the venom with your mouth. This could favor infections at the site of the bite.

What Happens At The Hospital in Case of Venomous Snakebites?

🐍 It is not necessary to take the snake to the hospital to be identified, the medical personnel will determine which treatment to administer based on the signs and symptoms of the patient.
🐍 If the snake that caused the bite is a coral snake (Elapidae family), THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL WILL ADMINISTER AN ANTICORAL SERUM.
🐍 If the snake that caused the bite belongs to the Viperidae family, THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL WILL ADMINISTER A POLIVALENT SERUM.

Costa Rica Tours For Seniors – Should I Worry About Snakes? No!

The long and the short of it is – go enjoy your vacation! The motto of Costa Rica is Pura Vida. Literally meaning pure life. It means to relax! Enjoy! Live your life to the fullest!

No one who lives the Pura Vida lifestyle spends time worrying about snakes. They practice prevention and common sense, and carry on with a smile!

Cheers,
Cynthia

Let’s say hypothetically that you like snakes. Especially the poisonous kind. Australia has 20 out of 25 of the world’s most deadly snakes. One of the best places to see those safely, in their own habitat, is Kakadu National Park. You can check that out in one of my other posts call Kakadu Tours for Seniors!