Public Health in Costa Rica

Public health care in Costa Rica is rated very highly on an international level, and the nation’s citizens enjoy the health and life expectancy equal to that of more developed countries.  Serious diseases in Costa Rica are very unlikely.  During the wet season there’s usually a surge of the mosquito-born disease ’Dengue’, however, reported cases of the more serious hemorrhaging Dengue is rare. 

Epidemic diseases have been eradicated throughout the country; therefore, there are no vaccinations required to enter Costa Rica.  Some of the diseases that are common in Central America, such as infectious Hepatitis, are reported only rarely in Costa Rica. 

There are several private hospitals in San José, offering emergency medical services to foreigners at low costs, including Clínica Biblica, Hospital Cima and Clínica Católica.  Private insurance is available to foreigners through Costa Rica’s social system; the coverage can be purchased at travel agencies and language schools.