Costa Rica—located between Panama and Nicaragua— is home to lush tropical forests, exotic birds and wildlife, and beautiful relaxing beaches.  It has often been considered a top tourist destination for those desiring to visit nature at its best, to see the places that are untouched by man.  And with miles of coastline, there is plenty of hiking, surfing, relaxing, or shopping for tourists of any age to enjoy.  More recently Costa Rica has drawn a new type of tourist—medical tourist.

Critics of medical tourism have questioned the safety and quality of care patients receive when they venture abroad to receive treatment, but Costa Rica has met that challenge head on.  Not only does Costa Rica offer top of the line facilities and hospitals, but many of the doctors and nurses were trained in North America and Europe.  With private rooms in modern facilities and medical personnel that is well trained and speaks both Spanish and English, you are sure to receive the best of care.

The most popular service offered in Costa Rica is plastic surgery.  From liposuction and breast augmentation to face lifts and tummy tucks Costa Rica does it all, and often at a quarter of the price in the U.S.  While a tummy tuck in the U.S. can cost as much as $ 14,000 (if not more), the same procedure in Costa Rica is only about $4,500. The Costa Rica Board of Plastic Surgery can supply of list of certified, highly trained surgeons that will help ensure you receive the best, most satisfactory, results.
Once the surgery is complete, Costa Rica offers many ways to recover.  Depending on the type of procedure you have received, many medical facilities offer a room and meals as part of their cost.  They don’t rush the recovery process.  For those requiring additional care before heading home, there are medical retreats.  These facilities offer comfortable rooms, meals, and trained nursing staff that keeps in contact with your surgeon to make sure that their instructions are followed and that you are on the road to recovery.  If the procedure was minor and the recovery minimal, one of the many Costa Rican hotels offer a nice way to relax for a few days before heading back.  With luxurious beaches and gorgeous views, relaxing in the sand or by the pool is great way to recoup.

With the cost of health care continuing to rise, medical tourism is becoming an option for people who had not previously considered it.  Many are beginning to realize that there is another option to paying the high premiums and costs of procedures in the U.S. and Canada. And with international certification boards such as the Joint Commission International keeping track of the best doctors and facilities, medical tourism has never been a safer option.