Best Hospitals in
Costa Rica
Discover top-rated hospitals, treatment costs, and medical tourism in Costa Rica — trusted by 19,259+ patients.
Medical Tourism Cities in Costa Rica
Explore top medical tourism cities in Costa Rica
Why Choose Costa Rica for Medical Tourism?
Costa Rica has established itself as a premium medical tourism destination in Central America, attracting over 70,000 medical tourists annually. Known for its stable democracy, high literacy rate, and "Pura Vida" lifestyle, the country offers excellent dental care, cosmetic surgery, and orthopaedic procedures at 40-60% less than US prices.
Why Costa Rica for Medical Tourism?
CIMA Hospital in San José holds JCI accreditation, and the country's healthcare system consistently ranks among the best in Latin America. Costa Rica is particularly popular with North American retirees and dental tourists.
Medical Treatments in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the medical hub for international tourists for the following medical treatments
Cardiology
Orthopaedics
Oncology
Neurology
Gastroenterology
Ophthalmologists
Psychiatry
Dermatology
Nephrology
Otorhinolaryngology
Neonatology
Pediatrics
Stomatology
Podiatry
Urology
Hepatology
Proctology
Rheumatology
Otolaryngology
Pulmonology
Venereology
Gynaecology
Microbiology
Perinatology
Anaesthesiology
Cost of Living in Costa Rica
Real-world costs to help you plan your medical trip — from hospital stays to daily meals
on average
savings vs USA
per day
per night
Food & Dining Costs (₡)
| Item | ₡ | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Business Lunch | 7,000 | 25% less |
| Budget Meal | 4,000 | 36% less |
| Cheap Restaurant | 4,500 | 42% less |
| Water Bottle (1.5L) | 700 | 33% less |
| Coffee (Café) | 2,000 | 23% less |
| Groceries (Weekly) | 35,000 | 44% less |
Food & Nutrition
Most hospitals in Costa Rica include meals in their room charges. For companions, local restaurants offer nutritious meals at very affordable prices. Grocery delivery apps are widely available for longer stays.
Accommodation Costs (₡)
| Item | ₡ | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Hotel / Night | 25,000 | 47% less |
| Mid-Range Hotel / Night | 60,000 | 36% less |
| Luxury Hotel / Night | 180,000 | 13% less |
| Airbnb / Month | 380,000 | 71% less |
| Apartment (City Centre) | 500,000 | 56% less |
| Apartment (Outside Centre) | 280,000 | 66% less |
Stay Smart
For recovery stays of 2+ weeks, an Airbnb or serviced apartment near your hospital can be significantly cheaper than a hotel. Many hospitals also have tie-ups with nearby hotels offering discounted patient rates.
Healthcare Costs (₡)
| Item | ₡ | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Consultation | 25,000 | 76% less |
| Hospital Room / Day | 150,000 | 92% less |
| Basic Medicine | 5,000 | 36% less |
| Travel Health Insurance / Day | 4,000 | 69% less |
| Nursing Care / Day | 50,000 | 73% less |
| Physiotherapy Session | 25,000 | 68% less |
| Dental Checkup | 20,000 | 81% less |
Medical Tourist Tip
Healthcare in Costa Rica costs up to 88% less than the US. A hospital room is just ₡150,000/day compared to $3,500+ in the US. Many hospitals offer all-inclusive packages that cover room, nursing, and meals.
Transport Costs (₡)
| Item | ₡ | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport (Monthly) | 20,000 | 45% less |
| Airport Taxi | 18,000 | 37% less |
| Taxi per km | 700 | 33% less |
| Fuel / Litre | 800 | 54% more |
| Local SIM + Data | 5,000 | 76% less |
Getting Around
Ride-hailing apps (Uber, local alternatives) are widely available and affordable. Many hospitals offer airport pickup services. Buy a local SIM card with data on arrival for navigation and communication.
Daily Life Costs (₡)
| Item | ₡ | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Internet / Month | 15,000 | 56% less |
| Laundry / Load | 3,000 | 44% more |
| Mobile Prepaid / Month | 6,000 | 77% less |
| Clothes (Avg.) | 20,000 | 4% less |
| Haircut | 5,000 | 62% less |
| Movie Ticket | 3,500 | 55% less |
| Gym / Month | 25,000 | 13% less |
| Beer | 2,000 | 45% less |
Daily Essentials
Day-to-day expenses in Costa Rica are very manageable. Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and hospitals. Laundry services, pharmacies, and convenience stores are easy to find near major medical centres.
Spending Breakdown
* Costs are approximate averages based on 2024–2025 data. Actual prices may vary by season and location.
Costa Rica has established itself as a premium medical tourism destination in Central America, attracting over 70,000 medical tourists annually. Known for its stable democracy, high literacy rate, and "Pura Vida" lifestyle, the country offers excellent dental care, cosmetic surgery, and orthopaedic procedures at 40-60% less than US prices.
Why Costa Rica for Medical Tourism?
CIMA Hospital in San José holds JCI accreditation, and the country's healthcare system consistently ranks among the best in Latin America. Costa Rica is particularly popular with North American retirees and dental tourists.
What Our Patients Say
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