Medical tourism is the process of traveling abroad to obtain medical treatment. The reasons behind this decision are numerous, from looking for cost-effective options or affordable medical treatments, to accessing medical treatments that are more innovative or not available at home.  

The decision-making process behind a healthcare or wellness treatment a patient has to follow is not easy, especially when the treatments are abroad; therefore, it is crucial to make a well-informed decision when considering Medical Tourism as an option. 

There are different companies like Costa Rica Health & Connections you can trust, whose purpose is to support patients with all the information they need, including but not limited to the healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics accreditations, travel arrangements, cost, and secure payment methods, among others. 

There are also worldwide organizations like the Medical Tourism Association (www.medicaltourismassociation.com)  and Patients Beyond Borders (www.patientsbeyondborders.com) that can provide more information on Medical Tourism benefits and challenges. 

Costa Rica has many internationally accredited hospitals and clinics, with highly trained medical staff, specialized doctors, and modern technology, positioning the country as an ideal destination for Medical Tourism. Costa Rica ranks between the top 35 countries with the best health care system in the world, and one of the best in America, has one of the highest life expectancies (81.12 years) vs global life expectancy ( 73.4 years).  

Costa Rica is gaining recognition worldwide in medical specialties that include sports medicine and recovery,  wellness, stem cells, fertility, and healthy aging alternatives. 

Costa Rica's natural treasures, including rainforests, beaches on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, nearly  6% of the world's known biodiversity, vibrant culture, and warm people, place it as one of the most popular places for tourism in America.  It is also considered on of the happiest countries in the world according to the World Happiness Report (https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2024/). 

Costa Rica  has one of the world's recognized Blue Zones, a geographic area with longer life expectancy and lower rates of chronic diseases  (https://www.netflix.com)

Costa Rica's government implemented several policies to promote Medical Tourism, including the  # 8788 law, which aims to facilitate interinstitutional cooperation to develop programs and opportunities to support health tourism services in the country.

We will guide you through the entire process and will help you design your medical tourism experience in 3 steps:

1. Tell us what you need and what you want. 

2. Our Medical staff and Concierge team will present, at no cost, our proposal with the best healthcare professionals' profiles and top wellness programs that can better fit your health expectations and your recovery needs.

3. Our concierge team can help you design your trip and build the experience you are looking for with guidance on airline schedules, accommodation, local transportation, tourism, and more. 

Additionally, our medical staff can meet with your healthcare physician for medical consultations.

Costa Rica is located in Central America, borders Nicaragua to the North,  Panama to the South, the Pacific Ocean to the West, and the Caribbean Sea to the East.  

Costa Rica has two international airports, Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), located in the Central Valley, and Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), also known as Liberia International Airport, located in Guanacaste (North Pacific).

Visitors can find many flight options from various airlines connecting the US and Canada with Costa Rica. Weekly, there are more than 10 direct flights from different states to Costa Rica and several options with local and international connections. 

Pura vida, a characteristic Costa Rican phrase, literally means pure life,  suggesting references such as ¨life is good¨ or  ¨all good¨.  Pura Vida can be used as a greeting, farewell, to give thanks, or to express that things are going well.

Costa Rica is a democratic country with approximately 5.2 million people, where the army was abolished in 1949. Its primary economy includes sectors such as finance, corporate services, medical devices, and ecotourism. Being tourism one of the main incomes, visitors will find the infrastructure and experience they expect: accommodation, transportation, and more.

Costa Rica´s native language is Spanish; nevertheless, many locals speak English, including many specialized doctors, wellness & medical professionals. 

Cuisine: most popular dishes are rice & beans (gallo pinto), casado (meat protein, vegetables, salad, rice, beans, plantains), and Chifrijo (rice, beans, tomato, cilantro, onions, and pork). A variety of delicious tropical fruits and vegetables can be tasted every day.  The influence from international cuisine has also arrived in Costa Rica, allowing tourists to enjoy different alternatives. 

Costa Rica's currency is colones.  Most businesses will accept credit and debit cards and US dollars. There are also many ATM´s that accept international credit or debit cards ( a fee can be charged depending on the card or bank).  You can check exchange rates at Banco Central de Costa Rica: www.bccr.fi.cr  or  www.exchangerate.com.

Sales local taxes include a 13% rate,  and a 10% service tax is customary and applies to restaurants, bars, and similar establishments, where tipping is not mandatory, however appreciated. You can always ask and check your bill for the tax fees. Tourism and some services normally do not include 10% service, and tips are always welcome.

Citizens from the USA and Canada normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica when planning to stay for less than 90 days.  Citizens from other countries are recommended to check migratory requirements and status before traveling. The passport must be valid before traveling to Costa Rica. 

All year round, you can find different options….  During every month, you can find a sunny day or some rain during the day. There are two tropical seasons: the dry season and the green season. From December through April is the dry season and from May through November is the green season.