Healthcare in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a well-regarded healthcare system that consistently ranks among the best in Latin America. The country has both a public universal healthcare system (CCSS/CAJA) and a growing private healthcare sector. Many doctors are trained in the US or Europe, and medical tourism is a significant industry. Emergency services can be reached by dialing 911.
Is healthcare good in Costa Rica?
Yes. Costa Rica's healthcare system consistently ranks among the best in Latin America. The country has both a universal public system (CAJA) and high-quality private hospitals with English-speaking doctors. Medical tourism is a significant industry, with costs far below US prices.
Public Healthcare (CAJA)
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), commonly known as 'la CAJA,' is Costa Rica's universal public healthcare system. It operates a network of hospitals, clinics (EBAIS), and specialized medical centers throughout the country. All legal residents and workers contribute to the system through payroll deductions (approximately 10.5% of salary, split between employer and employee). The public system covers everything from routine checkups to major surgeries, including medications. Wait times for specialists and elective procedures can be long (weeks to months), but emergency care is provided immediately to everyone, including tourists, regardless of insurance status.
Private Healthcare
Costa Rica's private healthcare sector offers high-quality care with shorter wait times, English-speaking staff, and modern facilities. Private hospitals are concentrated in the San Jose metropolitan area (Central Valley) but private clinics exist in most tourist areas. Out-of-pocket costs are significantly lower than in the United States. A doctor's visit may cost $50-$100 USD, and even complex surgeries cost a fraction of US prices, making Costa Rica a popular medical tourism destination.
Emergency Care for Tourists
Emergency care is provided to everyone at public hospitals, regardless of insurance status or nationality. You will not be turned away in an emergency. Dial 911 for ambulance services.
Private Hospitals
Private hospitals offer shorter wait times, English-speaking staff, and modern facilities. They are concentrated in the San Jose metropolitan area.
Hospital CIMA San Jose
- Phone
- +506 2208-1000
- Website
- www.hospitalcima.com
- Address
- Escazu, San Jose (next to Multiplaza mall on the Prospero Fernandez highway)
Clinica Biblica
- Phone
- +506 2522-1000
- Website
- www.clinicabiblica.com
- Address
- Downtown San Jose (Calle Central and Avenida 14-16); also a location in Santa Ana
Hospital Metropolitano
- Phone
- +506 2521-9595
- Website
- www.metropolitanocr.com
- Address
- San Jose (La Uruca, near La Sabana park area)
Private Hospital Specialties
| Hospital | Location | English | Key Specialties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital CIMA San Jose | Escazu, San Jose (next to Multiplaza mall on the Prospero Fernandez highway) | Yes | Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Neurology |
| Clinica Biblica | Downtown San Jose (Calle Central and Avenida 14-16); also a location in Santa Ana | Yes | Cardiology, Orthopedics, Oncology, General Surgery |
| Hospital Metropolitano | San Jose (La Uruca, near La Sabana park area) | Yes | General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Orthopedics |
Public Hospitals by Region
Public hospitals are located throughout the country. Emergency services are available 24/7. English-speaking staff is limited at public facilities.
| Hospital | Location | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital Mexico | La Uruca, San Jose | +506 2242-6700 | One of the largest public hospitals in Costa Rica, operated by the CCSS. Serves as a major reference hospital for the public system. Handles complex cases and has specialized units. Emergency room can be very crowded with long wait times for non-urgent cases. Limited English-speaking staff. Free for CAJA-insured patients; emergency care provided to all. |
| Hospital San Juan de Dios | Downtown San Jose (Paseo Colon area) | +506 2547-8000 | Costa Rica's oldest hospital, founded in 1845. A major public hospital operated by the CCSS. Located in central San Jose. Large emergency department. Teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Costa Rica. Can be very busy; long waits for non-emergency care. |
| Hospital Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia | Barrio Aranjuez, San Jose (northeast of downtown) | +506 2212-1000 | Major public hospital operated by the CCSS. Named after the former president who established Costa Rica's social security system. One of the three large public hospitals in San Jose. Emergency care available 24/7. Teaching hospital. Very busy emergency room. |
| Hospital La Anexion | Nicoya, Guanacaste | +506 2685-8400 | Main public hospital serving the Nicoya Peninsula area (Samara, Nosara, Santa Teresa region). Limited specialist services; complex cases are transferred to San Jose. Important facility for travelers in the Guanacaste/Nicoya area. |
| Hospital Enrique Baltodano Briceno | Liberia, Guanacaste | +506 2690-2300 | Public hospital serving the Liberia area and northern Guanacaste. Closest hospital for many beach towns including Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, and Playas del Coco. Emergency services available 24/7. |
| Hospital Max Peralta | Cartago (east of San Jose) | +506 2550-1999 | Major public hospital serving the Cartago province and Orosi/Turrialba region. Full emergency services. Located about 30 minutes east of San Jose. |
| Hospital Monsenor Sanabria | Puntarenas (Pacific coast port city) | +506 2663-0033 | Main public hospital for the Puntarenas province. Serves the central Pacific coast area including Jaco, Montezuma, and nearby beach communities. Emergency services 24/7. |
| Hospital Tony Facio Castro | Puerto Limon (Caribbean coast) | +506 2758-2222 | Main public hospital for the Caribbean coast. Serves the Limon province, including Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Tortuguero area. Emergency services available 24/7. Complex cases may be transferred to San Jose. |
| Hospital de Quepos | Quepos (near Manuel Antonio) | +506 2777-0922 | Small public hospital serving the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area. Basic emergency services. More serious cases are transferred to Hospital Monsenor Sanabria in Puntarenas or to San Jose. Several private clinics in the Manuel Antonio area cater to tourists. |
| Hospital San Carlos | Ciudad Quesada, San Carlos (nearest to La Fortuna/Arenal) | +506 2401-1500 | Public hospital serving the San Carlos/northern zone area. Closest hospital to La Fortuna and Arenal (about 45 minutes away). Small private clinics in La Fortuna can handle minor issues. Emergency services 24/7. |