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Costa Rica has universal health care and one of the best health systems in Latin America. The main drawback to this service is the red tape and waiting lines, but once you receive treatment or medicine, it will be of high quality. Employees pay 9% tax for this health insurance and the employer pays an additional 18%.

Private care providers are very reasonably priced and world class, with many doctors that speak excellent English and who have studied abroad in Europe, Canada or the US. There are 3 large, private hospitals that most expatriates use: CIMA hospital in Escazu [ http://www.hospitalsanjose.net/ ], Clinica Biblica in San Jose [www.clinicabiblica.com], and Clinica Catolica in San Jose (Guadalupe) [www.clinicacatolica.com]. Consultations begin at $60 and rooms have a basic rate of $180 per night.

Pharmacies are called Farmacias and are mostly private with limited hours, often 8 am to 8 pm. Pharmacies associated with the private clinics or near public hospitals may be open 24 hours. NOTE: if you take regular prescribed medication in your home country, bring a translation of your prescription to Costa Rica. The full name of the medicine should be written out - NOT its brand name, in case this is not available.

Plastic Surgery and Dental Care - Prices for treatment in Costa Rica can be as much as 50% less than what you will find in the U.S., with the quality being the same. Every year, more and more tourists coming to Costa Rica are health tourists, combining a vacation with cosmetic treatments because of the attractive prices and quality.

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