Costa Rica’s lower cost of health care and positive reputation for medical specialists and clinics entices many foreigners to come here for their health care needs instead of facing the extremely high costs that some treatments can have in their country.

Last year more than 25,000 foreigners, the majority of them from the United States, came solely for medical treatment to Costa Rica. With a nearly 10% year over year increase since 2003, this trend does not seem to be slowing.

Since many procedures require long stays, medical visits also generate demand for hotel services and a long list of related services for both the patient and their companions.  All in all, this practice is becoming a new key driver of revenue in the tourist and service industries of the surrounding areas.

Given that Guanacaste is a more desirable tourist destination, renowned medical centers from San Jose such as The Clínica Bíblica and CIMA Hospital (both certified to North American medical standards) are opening branches in this province, while some international clinics have already set their sights on the area and have plans for future facilities.

The Pacific Plaza  Health and Living will be the first pioneer of the medical-hotel concept in the Guanacaste region.  The  Pacific Plaza will consist of a modern CIMA Hospital, hotel, condominiums, commercial centers and an ample variety of tourist and residential services adapted to the special needs of their guests.

Interestingly, not all of the recent influx in medical tourism is due to critical illness. Recently, the number of those coming to the country for dental treatment, cosmetic surgery and vision correction surgeries has skyrocketed.

Dr. Randall Ulate, of the Clínica Laser in Liberia that specializes in laser treatments confirms: “Year after year the number of patients who come to have their bust size increased or wrinkles removed as part of their vacation plans, doubles.”

Among the most popular treatments are the esthetic dental and cosmetic surgeries like liposuction, breast implants and Botox treatments as well as eye surgery, especially for the correction of myopia and presbyopia.

“It isn’t only a matter of a lower cost but the post-surgical privacy they enjoy.  Many patients also reveal that they enjoy the more one-on–one and caring treatment they receive here”, explains the doctor.