Plastic Surgery Costa Rica

Each year a growing number of tourists visit Costa Rica to receive cosmetic surgery on what have been dubbed ¨medical vacations¨. In an era of rising health care costs and decreased medical coverage, the concept of combining surgery with travel has taken off, and a number of agencies now specialize in medical tourism.
Roughly half a million Americans partake in medical vacations each year, and thousands are drawn to Costa Rica’s modern hospitals and private clinics which have Board Certified surgeons, many professionally trained in North America or Europe. They offer patients a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures using the latest technology, at affordable prices.

A face lift in Costa Rica generally costs $3, 000 while the same procedure in the States costs anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000. International hospitals like CIMA and Clínica Biblica are staffed with fully certified bilingual surgeons that cater to foreigners seeking superior medical care. Additionally, the Costa Rica Board of Plastic Surgery offers prospective clients a list of certified and credentialed physicians who are members of the association

While cosmetic procedures (both surgical and non-invasive) are the main draw, Costa Rica is also renowned for excellent dental work including bridges, crowns, orthodontics, whitening and veneers. Dental fees are usually 60% lower than in the States. Patients typically fly down for one or two weeks and plan a mini-vacation around their procedure. Several hotels feature comfortable recovery rooms with 24-hour care and will coordinate day trips to local attractions. Another option is to book a medical vacation package that includes the doctor's fee, recovery room at a hotel, all hospital expenses, meals and transportation.

The total cost of a medical vacation in Costa Rica, including airfare, accommodations and a few days of sightseeing, is often far less than the procedure alone would cost in the United States. Of course, travelers considering a medical vacation should research their prospective physician and facility thoroughly. With a wealth of skilled surgeons and state-of-the-art medical facilities, Costa Rica is now widely recognized as a top-notch health tourism destination.