Healthcare in Costa Rica

Costa Rica punches well above its weight in healthcare, ranking 36th globally by WHO—above the United States. The country has invested in healthcare since abolishing its military in 1948.

The CAJA System (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social)

Overview:

Universal healthcare since the 1940s
29 public hospitals and 250+ clinics nationwide
Mandatory for all legal residents
Covers everything: doctor visits, surgery, medications, maternity

Cost for Expats:

Residency Status	Monthly Cost
Pensionado/Rentista	9-10% of declared income
Digital Nomad	~$100-200 (private required)
Permanent Resident	$45-100 per family
Temporary Resident	$50-400 depending on visa

Pros:

Comprehensive coverage at low cost
Prescription medications included
No pre-existing condition exclusions
Good preventive care

Cons:

Long wait times for non-emergency procedures
Crowded facilities
Limited English-speaking staff
May need to travel to San José for specialists

Private Healthcare

Private hospitals in Costa Rica offer world-class care with minimal wait times. Many doctors trained in the US or Europe.

Top Private Hospitals:

CIMA Hospital (Escazú) - JCI accredited
Hospital Clínica Bíblica (San José) - JCI accredited
Hospital La Católica (San José)

Private Insurance Costs:

Basic plan: $100-200/month
Comprehensive: $200-400/month
International coverage: $300-500/month

Common Expat Strategy

Most long-term expats use a hybrid approach:

Maintain CAJA subscription for coverage
Use CAJA for routine care and prescriptions
Go private for diagnostics, specialists, or when needed quickly
CAJA prescriptions work at CAJA pharmacies—even if diagnosed privately

Medical Tourism

Costa Rica is a major medical tourism destination, especially for:

Dental work (50-70% savings vs. US)
Cosmetic surgery
Orthopedic procedures
Fertility treatments

Pharmacies

Pharmacies (farmacias) are everywhere. Many medications available over-the-counter that require prescriptions in the US. Chains like Fischel and Farmacia La Bomba are reliable.

Emergency Care

Emergency number: 911
Public hospitals cannot refuse emergency care regardless of insurance
Private ambulance services available (Cruz Roja is public)

Pro Tips

•CAJA enrollment is mandatory for all residency applications
•Use CAJA for prescriptions even if you see private doctors
•CIMA and Clínica Bíblica are JCI-accredited private hospitals
•Many medications available OTC that need prescriptions elsewhere
•Emergency care available to everyone regardless of insurance

Healthcare