Costa Rica Healthcare
Costa Rica is the top medical tourism destination in Latin America outside Mexico — 100,000+ patients/year, mostly US + Canadian for dental + cosmetic. San José clinics rival US quality at 50-70% below US prices. Emergency healthcare in tourist zones is good.
Medical tourism: ExcellentEmergency care: GoodTravel insurance critical
Emergency: 911
Get travel insurance before you go — an ER visit here can cost more than your entire trip.
2 English-speaking hospitals
Hospital Clínica Bíblica
San José · international private
Foreign insuranceEnglish-speaking
Specialties: General · Cardiac · Oncology
Hospital CIMA San José
San José · jci accredited
Foreign insuranceEnglish-speaking
Specialties: Cosmetic · Bariatric · Cardiac
Popular medical tourism procedures
Prices are approximate + include hospital + surgeon + anesthesia. Add flights + hotels.
Dental implant
dental
USD 700-1,200
Save 60-75%
Bariatric surgery
weight loss
USD 8,000-12,000
Save 50-60%
Cosmetic surgery (facelift)
cosmetic
USD 4,000-7,000
Save 55-65%
Costa Rica combines medical procedure + jungle/beach recovery — many US patients book procedure + Manuel Antonio or Arenal recovery package.
Common health risks in Costa Rica
- Traveller's diarrhoea in rural areas
- Dengue in Caribbean coast
- Sunburn + heat
Tap water
Safe to drink
Vaccines REQUIRED
Yellow fever (if arriving from at-risk country)
Vaccines recommended
Hepatitis A