Guides
Medical care in Costa Rica, explained
Short, practical answers to what visitors, expats and insurers actually ask — written by an Emergency Medicine specialist who treats these cases every week.
Guide · VisitorsHealthcare in Costa Rica for tourists and visitorsHow medical care works for tourists in Costa Rica: public vs private hospitals, costs, insurance, English-speaking doctors and emergencies.Read the guideGuide · EmergenciesThe emergency room in Costa Rica: what to expectThe ER in Costa Rica as a visitor: 911, public vs private emergency rooms, costs, wait times and how an emergency physician coordinates it.Read the guideGuide · HospitalsPrivate hospitals in San José, Costa RicaThe main private hospitals in San José — Clínica Bíblica, La Católica, CIMA, Metropolitano — what they offer, costs and how insured patients are admitted.Read the guideGuide · HealthGetting sick in Costa Rica: what visitors actually getThe illnesses visitors actually get in Costa Rica — dengue, stomach infections, sun, altitude, surf and hiking injuries — and when to see a doctor.Read the guideGuide · RepatriationFit-to-fly certificate in Costa RicaHow to get a fit-to-fly certificate in Costa Rica after illness, surgery or injury: airline and insurer requirements, MEDIF forms, timing, escorts.Read the guideGuide · InsuranceUsing your travel insurance for medical care in Costa RicaUsing travel or health insurance for medical care in Costa Rica: assistance lines, guarantee of payment, direct billing and what to send your insurer.Read the guideGuide · RegionsUrgent care across Costa Rica: region by regionUrgent care in Costa Rica's tourist regions — Tamarindo, Nosara, Liberia, Jacó, Quepos, Uvita, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna — and when to transfer.Read the guideGuide · ExpatsHealthcare for expats living in Costa RicaHow expats get medical care in Costa Rica: CCSS enrollment, private insurance, English-speaking doctors, hospitals, chronic care and emergencies.Read the guide
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