Aim:

To analyze the achievements made in Costa Rica in confronting the problem of snakebite envenomings, and to identify pending tasks to further reduce the impact of this pathology.

Methods:

A review of the literature on snakebite envenomings in Costa Rica was carried out, identifying the main achievements reached in the country. In parallel, issues that require renewed attention in the management of this neglected tropical disease were identified.

Conclusions:

Since the first decades of the 20th century, significant advances have been made in Costa Rica for understanding and confronting the problem of snakebite envenomings. An integrative perspective has been implemented, which includes scientific and technological research, production and distribution of antivenoms, prevention campaigns, training of health professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of envenomings, and teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels. Costa Rica has had a leading international role in this topic at the academic level, and by providing antivenoms to many countries. Nevertheless, there are issues that require further efforts, especially regarding the attention to the biomedical, psychological, social and economic consequences suffered by people affected by snakebites.