Costa Rica has an excellent healthcare system; only Colombia and Chile are ranked higher than Costa Rica in healthcare quality in Latin America. Life expectancy is 76.3 years for men and 79.8 years for women. The infant mortality rate of less than 11 in 100,000 live births is lower than the United States.  Doctors in Costa Rica are well-trained and normally speak English. Both public and private hospitals are clean and well run and have he latest technology: you can have just about any operation done in Costa Rica that you could have done in the U.S. or Europe.  In short, Costa Ricans are comfortable and proud of their “womb to the tomb” healthcare system. The public healthcare system is also open to foreigners so just because you are a foreigner doesn’t mean you’ll be turned away if you need medical care. 

One important element as far as your heath goes in Costa Rica is water. Costa Rica unlike many other countries in the region – think Mexico - has a reputation for abundant and clean sources of water. Rarely, do you hear of people complaining of diarrhea or stomach aliments due to the bad water in Costa Rica. Only in the deep countryside should you be concerned about the quality of water in Costa Rica. 

Another important consideration when thinking of healthcare in Costa Rica is cost: how expensive is it when you get sick in Costa Rica? First off health insurance isn’t expensive in Costa Rica. You will pay less than a $100 a month for private insurance. And many hospitals will offer monthly plans for something like $24. Medical procedures are also less expensive than in the U.S. or Europe. Here’s an approximate list of prices: 

Spinal Fusion $25,000

Heart Bypass $27,000

Angioplasty $10,000

Hip Replacement $13,000 

Hysterectomy $4,000 

Knee Replacement $11,000 

Brazilian Butt Surgery $3,000

Heart Valve Replacement $18,000

Facelift $5,000 

Tummy Tuck $3,500 – $4,100

Rhinoplasty $3,500 

Breast Lift $3,000 

Breast Augmentation $2,900 

Facelift $4,500 – $5,000

Laparoscopic Gastroplasty $10,700 

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y $14,500

Dentistry

Bridges $410 per tooth 

Crowns $420 per tooth 

Implants $975 per tooth 

Porcelain Veneers $575 per tooth

Root canal $325 

Teeth whitening $235

Doctors’ visits in Costa Rica can range from $15 for a family doctor to $50 for an appointment with a specialist. Medical fees are generally lower as there is no malpractice suits in Costa Rican civil courts so doctors don’t need to pay malpractice insurance. Hospital stays are also cheaper. The best private hospital in Costa Rica is the Hospital CIMA - a room here costs anywhere between $150 and $200 a night. 

Some U.S. insurance companies work with Latin American counterparts to provide health insurance to retirees. Blue Cross Blue Shield is now providing health insurance in Latin America. If you’re a U.S. military veteran Tri Care Latin

America has a relationship with a number of clinics in Costa Rica to provide healthcare to U.S. veterans. Overall you’ll find healthcare in Costa Rica is good and affordable and open to foreigners.