PLASTIC SURGERY IN COSTA RICA

It's estimated that 95% of all medical tourists come from the United States but more and more are traveling to this little Latin American country from Canadian and European countries because, in some instances, the technology may be better than in their home countries.

And, of course, there's the price differential.

The impact of dramatically increasing health care costs is affecting every household and every company that pays for or contributes to health care costs of employees. For more and more Americans, the costs have become so exorbitant as to be completely out of reach.

Gone are the days when Americans simply accepted the argument that medical care in the United States is the best on the planet and paid whatever the medical establishment demanded.

Today, more than 20,000 medical tourists travel to Costa Rica annually and, stunningly, nearly 39% of Americans say they would go abroad for an elective medical procedure if they could save half the cost and be assured quality was comparable.

And, they are often saving big while getting the same quality of care as they would in the States.

Internationally Accredited Costa Rica Hospitals

Currently, there are three Costa Rica hospitals with JCI Accreditation: La Catolica and Clinica Biblica in downtown San Jose and Cima, the newest, located in upscale Escazu (just outside San Jose).

And, as of this writing, Clinica Biblica is building a $40 million hospital in Liberia, just off the country's famed Pacific Gold Coast.

Medical Care Cost Comparisons: Costa Rica and U.S.

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

Costa Rica $ 3,600

U.S. $10,000

Acne Treatment

Costa Rica $ 150

U.S. $2,700

Body Sculpting/Contouring

Costa Rica $3,500

U.S. $9,000

Breast Augmentation

Costa Rica $3,600

U.S. $8,000

Cellulite Treatment

Costa Rica $1,500

U.S. $5,000

Facelifts

Costa Rica $ 3,500

U.S. $12,000

Gastric Bypass

Costa Rica $13,000

U.S. $24,000

Lasik Eye Surgery

Costa Rica $1,800

U.S. $5,000

The above list is neither a complete listing of available cosmetic surgery services nor meant to imply or be the costs of care for any person. Like anything else in this world, your own costs of plastic surgery in Costa Rica may, and likely will, vary but the representative comparisons give a good starting point if you are contemplating elective surgery while on vacation in Costa Rica.

Go to Medical Tourism Main Page

Go from Plastic Surgery in Costa Rica to Costa Rica Vacations homepage