Costa Rica Healthcare Guide
Everything you need to know about healthcare as an expat in Costa Rica.
Healthcare System Overview
Costa Rica operates a universal healthcare system (CCSS/Caja) established in the 1940s, providing comprehensive coverage to over 90% of the population. The system ranks 36th globally by WHO (ahead of the United States) and places in the UN's top 20 for healthcare. Life expectancy exceeds US levels at 78.7 years. The combination of excellent public healthcare and affordable private options makes Costa Rica one of the world's top medical tourism destinations.
Public Healthcare
Full name: Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (commonly "La Caja") ENROLLMENT FOR EXPATS: - Must have legal residency status (DIMEX card) - Register at nearest regional CCSS office - Monthly cost: $50-$455 based on age and declared income - Pensionado average: ~$100-150/month - Family coverage included at no extra cost COVERAGE (COMPREHENSIVE): - Doctor visits and specialists (with referral) - Surgeries and hospital stays - Emergency services - Prescription medications (free at CAJA pharmacies) - Lab work and diagnostics - Maternity care - NO pre-existing condition exclusions WAIT TIMES (REAL-WORLD): - EBAIS routine appointments: Same-day to next-day - Specialists: 3-6 months - Elective procedures: Several months to over a year - Emergencies: Immediate EBAIS clinics are community-based primary care centers serving as first point of contact. Everyone is assigned to a specific EBAIS by location.
Private Healthcare
MAJOR PRIVATE HOSPITALS: CIMA Hospital (Escazú): - JCI accredited; only Central American hospital accredited by US VA - Most popular with North American expats - 50% of physicians US-trained - Bilingual staff throughout Clínica Bíblica (San José): - Largest private hospital; founded 1929 - First JCI accredited in Costa Rica - 80+ specialties; affiliated with Tulane/Ochsner Hospital La Católica (Guadalupe): - Well-regarded; known for warmth of staff - Generally less expensive than CIMA Private care costs 40-70% less than comparable US treatments while maintaining excellent quality.
Healthcare for Expats
Access & Eligibility
Expats with legal residency (DIMEX card) must enroll in CAJA—it's mandatory. Enrollment provides comprehensive coverage with no pre-existing condition exclusions. Digital nomad visa holders cannot access CAJA and must maintain private insurance with minimum $50,000 coverage. For tourists and non-residents, private healthcare is available on a pay-per-service basis. Many expats use a combination of CAJA for routine care and private insurance for faster specialist access.
Recommended Approach
Most expats use a combination approach: 1. CAJA ($60-200/month): For routine care, medications, and non-urgent needs 2. Private insurance supplement: For faster specialist access and specific hospital preferences This hybrid approach maximizes value while ensuring timely access to care when needed. For those wanting all-private care, international insurance (Cigna Global, IMG, etc.) provides full coverage at Costa Rican private facilities.
Typical Costs
| Service | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Mri Scan | undefined - |
| Dental Crown | undefined - |
| Emergency Room | undefined - |
| Dental Cleaning | undefined - |
| Hip Replacement | undefined - |
| Overall Savings | undefined - |
| Knee Replacement | undefined - |
| Specialist Visit | undefined - |
| Hospital Per Night | undefined - |
| General Doctor Visit | undefined - |
| Dental Implant With Crown | undefined - |
Health Insurance
Requirements
CAJA enrollment is mandatory for all legal residents (DIMEX holders). Monthly costs range from $50-455 based on age and declared income. Digital nomad visa requires minimum $50,000 private insurance coverage. Tourists should carry travel medical insurance.
Recommended Insurance Providers
- CAJA (mandatory for residents, $50-455/month)
- INS (government insurer, $50-250/month, not available over 70)
- Cigna Global ($321-648/month for 30 y/o)
- IMG Global ($115-475/month)
- GeoBlue
- Allianz ($300-700/month)
Medical Tourism
Costa Rica is a premier medical tourism destination, particularly for dental work, cosmetic procedures, and orthopedic surgeries. CIMA Hospital is the only Central American facility accredited by the US VA. JCI-accredited hospitals ensure international quality standards. Many physicians are US-trained and bilingual.
Popular Procedures
Recommended PartnerDon't skip health insurance
Cost estimates are great for budgeting, but real coverage protects you when something goes wrong.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Compare Healthcare Systems
See how Costa Rica's healthcare compares to other countries.