Medical care in San Jose is adequate, but may be more limited in areas outside of San Jose.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. 

A list of local doctors and medical facilities can be found at the website of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, at http://usembassy.or.cr.  An ambulance may be summoned by calling 911.  The best equipped ambulances are called “unidad avanzada.”