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Costa Rica Low Coast Medical Care

The last thing anyone wants, is to get sick on your Costa Rica vacation. Travelers to Costa Rica are at extremely low risk of catching tropical maladies. Costa Rica's excellent medical system keeps diseases in check, through public education programs and preventive medicine. Free, universal health care means that people do not hesitate to visit the doctor when needed. The system covers everything from dentistry, to maternity care, to open-heart surgery. As a result, Costa Rica's population is very healthy and enjoys a longer life expectancy than North Americans. 
 
Such good health care is one of the many reasons visitors feel so comfortable visiting Costa Rica. World travelers should always be cautious of water and food. Costa Rica is no different. Just as you would at home, feel free to enjoy the wonderful salads, Costa Rica dishes & delicious tropical fruit. Avoid street vendor foods and, in rural or remote areas, inquire about the water and ice source before quenching your thirst. Remember to always drink plenty of fluids in the tropics to avoid dehydration. 
 
If you do happen to need medical attention, first rate care is available at any one of Costa Rica's public hospitals or private clinics, throughout the country. In San José, Costa Rica capital, private hospitals even accept credit cards. Except in remote areas, you are never far from medical care. 
 
Visitors to Costa Rica should inform their tour guide prior to the adventure, if they have specific medical conditions, such as allergies or diabetes and advise in case of an incident. 
 
Costa Rica's doctors receive excellent training from the University of Costa Rica medical school or one of the many private universities across the country. These universities attract students throughout Latin America. A large percentage of Costa Rica doctors have taken additional training in North America and Europe, and speak English. 
 
There are many pharmacies that carry a full range of over the counter medicines. Costa Rica is the headquarters for many international pharmaceutical companies. 
 
Costa Rica's health care system is comparably lower than the US. The combination of excellent personal attention and low cost health care has spurred a rapidly growing trend of medical tourism in Costa Rica. Tourists are combining their vacation with inexpensive, high quality dental work, correcting vision problems or having cosmetic surgery. There are many tour packages available which include a retreat at a 5 star hotel with private nursing care, while you recuperate from your treatment. It's not just the rejuvenating force of Costa Rica's nature that sends people back from their vacation looking relaxed and ten years younger!