Medical Tourism in Costa Rica

Costa Rica - A Country with Affordable Healthcare Tourism and a Holistic Experience

Medical Tourism in Costa Rica sees over 50,000 visitors every year, which is less compared to the rest of the global healthcare tourism industry but is one of the highest in Latin America. Despite such less traffic annually, Costa Rica happens to have the most revenue per case, which is $8,500 in Latin America. Most of the tourists are residents of the North American region.

Overall, Healthcare Tourism in Costa Rica is not a top-notch and luxury-filled experience, unlike Medical Tourism in Singapore or Canada, but it is definitely like-able in its own way. Having some of the most breathtaking views, beautiful mountain ranges, beaches, etc., adds a soothing essence to one’s recuperation process.

Over the years, Costa Rica has generated enough attraction that today, almost 13% of its foreign arrivals are listed in the list of Medical Tourists. It also has two Joint Commission International (JCI)-certified hospitals and 30+ internationally certified facilities.

Moreover, the Costa Rican Government's involvement in maintaining fairness also embraces the naturally scenic country to see growth in its healthcare tourism.

Reasons why Costa Rica is opted for Healthcare Tourism

Costa Rica is chosen for its affordable tourism and breathtaking experiences. It does have only two JCI-approved hospitals, but it has plenty of other reasons for medical tourists to choose Costa Rica. Like- CCSS (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) is a government-established institute that helps the only locals of Costa Rica to conduct their particular procedure free of cost. Though it comes with its own disadvantage, which is long-waiting queues (up to 1.5 years at times).

If you PAY CASH, you get your WORK DONE EARLIER. It is basically a street-level method understood to avoid long queues because of CCSS. Over here, you have to pay the private players in cash to get your procedure done within a short period of time.

Holistic Experience is also one of the reasons for an increase in Medical Tourism in Costa Rica. Beautiful sceneries, like beaches, mountain ranges, greenery, etc., are preferred a lot during recuperation.

Visa Convenience is quite a lot, as tourists already get 90 days on arrival, and if you need more time, the hospital writes a letter (for which you pay $ 100); further, this will provide you with a stamp of 90 more days without any visa renewal or application.

Popular Medical Procedures in Costa Rica

Medical tourism in Costa Rica is primarily driven by affordable, high-quality cosmetic and dental treatments. Nearly 13% of the country’s annual foreign arrivals visit for medical purposes.

Dental Implants & Dental Care

Dental treatments attract the highest number of medical tourists in Costa Rica. Nearly 30% of all medical travelers visit the country for dental care.

• Dental implants & crowns
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Long-term affordable care

Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic surgeries account for nearly 25% of all medical procedures performed for medical tourists in Costa Rica.

• Facial aesthetic surgeries
• Body contouring & liposuction
• Breast procedures

Orthopedics & Fertility Treatments

Orthopedic procedures and fertility treatments are the third most preferred medical services sought by international patients.

• Joint replacement & sports injuries
• IVF and fertility treatments
• Rehabilitation and recovery care

A Comparative Example Between Costa Rica and Other Major Countries

This comparison highlights some of the most preferred medical procedures in Costa Rica and their approximate prices compared to other major healthcare tourism markets.

Note: All procedures listed are cash-paid treatments, the most common option for international medical tourists.

Medical Procedure	Costa Rica	USA	Other Countries
Dental Implants / Full-Mouth Rehabilitation	Under $1,000	$4,500	Mexico – $1,500
IVF & Fertility Procedures	Under $5,200	$15,000	Greece – $4,200
Cosmetic Breast Procedures	Under $6,800	$15,000	Colombia – $3,400

Dental Implants / Full-Mouth Rehabilitation

• Costa Rica: Under $1,000
• USA: $4,500
• Other: Mexico – $1,500

IVF & Fertility Procedures

• Costa Rica: Under $5,200
• USA: $15,000
• Other: Greece – $4,200

Cosmetic Breast Procedures

• Costa Rica: Under $6,800
• USA: $15,000
• Other: Colombia – $3,400

Costa Rica offers an excellent balance between affordability, quality healthcare, and internationally trained medical professionals—making it a preferred destination for cost-sensitive medical tourists.

Major Hospitals Medical Tourists Opt for in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s medical tourism ecosystem is built around high-quality boutique hospitals and specialty clinics, supported by internationally trusted accreditation bodies.

Costa Rica has only two hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), which may appear low compared to global leaders such as India, the USA, or Singapore. However, this gap exists due to the structural nature of Costa Rica’s healthcare system.

JCI mandates large-scale hospital infrastructure, including hundreds of beds, 24/7 blood banks, stroke units, and multiple specialty departments under one roof. In contrast, Costa Rica’s medical tourism industry operates through lean, 20–30 bed specialty clinics that focus on same-day dental, cosmetic, orthopedic, and fertility procedures.

As a result, Costa Rica relies heavily on alternative yet highly trusted accreditation bodies such as AAAASF, ISO 9001, and Promed. These certifications prioritize outpatient surgical safety, medical tourism workflow, English fluency, and North American safety standards. Importantly, these authorities receive similar government support and tax benefits as JCI.

The outcome is a balanced ecosystem: two flagship JCI hospitals for complex care, complemented by 30+ AAAASF / ISO / Promed accredited clinics handling dental, cosmetic, bariatric, orthopedic, and fertility treatments.

JCI-Accredited Hospitals in Costa Rica

CIMA Hospital

Location: Escazú, San José

• JCI accredited since 2008
• Approximately 150-bed capacity
• Specialized in Bariatric Surgery
• Hip & Knee Replacement
• Cardiology & Cardiac Care

Clínica Bíblica Hospital

Location: San José & Santa Ana

• Largest private hospital in Costa Rica
• Over 90 years of healthcare history
• JCI accredited since 2000
• Oncology & Neurosurgery
• Full-mouth dental rehabilitation

AAAASF / ISO / Promed Accredited Hospitals & Clinics

Nova Dental

Santa Ana

Pino Plastic Surgery Clinic

San José

Fertility Institute of Costa Rica

Escazú

Oasis Medical Retreat

Manuel Antonio

Overview

Costa Rica combines trusted medical care, affordability, and exotic beauty—making it a top-tier choice for individuals seeking quality healthcare abroad. Whether you’re restoring your smile or rejuvenating your body, Costa Rica offers a safe, scenic, and satisfying medical tourism experience.