Costa Rica Medical Tourism: Affordable Care Close to the US

Medical Tourism Guides · 2 · September 16, 2025

Costa Rica treated approximately 70,000 medical tourists in 2025 — small by global standards but growing 25% annually. Its appeal: 3-hour flights from Miami, no visa required for US citizens, a stable democracy, and healthcare costs 40-65% below the US.

CIMA Hospital: Costa Rica's JCI Flagship

CIMA Hospital San José (affiliated with International Hospital Corporation) is Costa Rica's only JCI-accredited hospital. It offers 24/7 emergency services, an ICU, and specialist coverage in orthopedics, cardiac surgery, and general surgery. International patients account for 30% of CIMA's volume. The facility looks and operates like a mid-tier US community hospital — which is both its strength (familiar standards) and limitation (not an academic powerhouse).

What Costa Rica Does Best

Dental tourism is the largest segment — Costa Rica's dental pricing runs 50-65% below the US with well-trained prosthodontists and cosmetic dentists, many trained in the US or Europe. Orthopedic surgery (knee/hip replacement) at CIMA: $12,000-$18,000 vs $40,000-$60,000 in the US. Cosmetic surgery has a strong local market with experienced surgeons charging 40-60% less than US equivalents.

Practical Considerations

San José — not the beach towns — is where medical care happens. Post-procedure recovery at a beach resort (Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo) is a 3-4 hour drive away. The rainy season (May-November) doesn't affect medical care but impacts travel comfort. Costa Rica's universal healthcare system (CCSS) means local doctors are well-trained but may have limited experience with complex cases seen at high-volume medical tourism hospitals in India or Turkey.

Cost Comparison

| Country | Cost Range (Knee Replacement)

| United States | $40,000–$60,000

| India | $5,000–$9,000

| Turkey | $8,000–$15,000

| Mexico | $12,000–$18,000 (Costa Rica)

Key Takeaways

- Costa Rica is a 3-hour flight from Miami with no visa requirement for US citizens

- CIMA Hospital San José is the country's only JCI-accredited facility

- Dental and orthopedic procedures offer 40-65% savings versus the US

- Medical care is in San José — plan a separate trip segment for beach recovery

Compare real-time pricing using our global cost calculator.