San Jose - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
There are occasional threats or water impurity, but generally it's not a problem. Tap water is fine to drink in developed, urban areas. I wouldn't drink it way out in the countryside/mountains. Dengue and malaria have seen an uptick in the past 6-9 months as business largely don't report it in order to not scare away tourists, so it's not reported until it's a real problem. Medical care at the private hospitals is generally quite good. You wouldn't want to have a heart transplant here (or other major surgery), but routine medical care is quality and doctors are internationally educated. - May 2024
No particular health concerns, but some risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Great medical care, with US educated doctors. - Sep 2020
Medical care is great. Other than volcanic ash issues, not much. - Jul 2018
Zika is a concern. Medical care is excellent and affordable. Lots of plastic surgery options available at good prices. - Dec 2016
The CDC has noted that Zika has reached Costa Rica, though the Costa Ricans are denying it, fearing the impact on tourism, I suppose. Medical care is fine, though if you needed an ambulance it could take a long time to get to a hospital, due to traffic. - Feb 2016
The biggest health concern is road safety. There is the occasional poisonous snake, Dengue case, or inexplicably swollen bug bite. Health care is excellent, especially at the private Cima hospital. - Apr 2014
Dengue fever in the coastal areas. Medical is on par with U.S. standards, and almost all doctors are U.S. trained. Additionally, this is a huge medical tourism country. There is excellent dental care at about half the cost in the U.S. - Jun 2013
Doctors are good in Costa Rica. We go to Sima hospital and so far, the experiences with doctors have been positive. Many speak English. - Feb 2010
Great health care facilities at a fraction of the cost of the US. - Jan 2010
