Costa Rica – Emergencies

What is the single emergency number in Costa Rica, and does it cover all services?

Costa Rica’s primary emergency hotline is 911 — the same number used in the United States — and it functions as a unified access point for police, fire, and ambulance response across the entire country. This is the number to use in any life-threatening situation, and it costs nothing to call from any type of phone.

According to Costa Rica’s official 911 portal, bilingual Spanish-English operators are on duty to assist the significant volume of foreign visitors who may need help, and the line is accessible via landlines, prepaid and postpaid mobile phones, and VoIP connections. For most emergencies, 911 is the most straightforward and practical first call to make.

Alongside 911, each emergency service also has its own dedicated direct number. These include the police (117), fire brigades and rescue teams (118), rural police (127), and the Red Cross (128). These direct lines can be particularly useful if you already know which service you require, or if 911 becomes congested during a major incident.

If you are located in a remote or rural part of the country and need urgent assistance, dialling 127 will connect you to the rural police, who are trained and equipped to respond in areas beyond the reach of urban services. Always confirm these contact numbers remain current by checking with authoritative Costa Rican government sources, as they are subject to change.

How do you call for emergency medical assistance, and what should you expect?

When a medical emergency arises that requires immediate attention, dialling 128 will connect you directly to the Red Cross, which provides frontline emergency medical services and can arrange transportation to hospital when needed. Calling 911 will route you through the same dispatch network and is equally effective.

Once connected, emergency staff will ask you a series of questions to assess the situation and ensure the right responders are sent. Remain on the line until the operator tells you it is safe to hang up. Be as clear and precise as possible about your location, the nature of the emergency, and how many people are affected.

It is important to understand that ambulance coverage across Costa Rica can be uneven. Much of the country’s remote coastal and rural terrain is not serviced within internationally recognised response time standards. If you live or spend time in isolated areas, it is highly advisable to have a backup plan — for example, the contact details of a nearby private clinic or a neighbour who could provide transport in an emergency.

While 911 can be used to request an ambulance, local Red Cross units typically handle emergency callouts, whereas private providers generally manage transfers between medical facilities. For situations involving remote locations or the need for medical evacuation, air ambulance services exist through private operators — these tend to be costly and usually require advance authorisation from your insurer.

What should you do in a mental health crisis in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica’s 911 emergency line covers mental health crises in the same way it covers physical medical emergencies. If you or someone near you is experiencing suicidal thoughts, a severe psychiatric episode, or acute psychological distress, calling 911 is the recommended course of action. Operators will direct the appropriate response.

Costa Rica does not have a prominent dedicated national mental health crisis line comparable to those found in certain other countries. That said, both public and private hospital emergency departments are equipped to receive patients experiencing mental health emergencies, just as they would for any other urgent medical situation. Private facilities tend to offer a higher standard of amenities, though at considerably greater expense.

Mental health services are integrated into the CCSS (Caja) public healthcare framework, including psychiatric care. Residents who are enrolled in the CCSS system are entitled to access these services as part of their standard coverage. Visitors and tourists are best advised to use private facilities or contact 911 directly. For the most current information on crisis support services, consult the Costa Rica Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) or your home country’s embassy, as available resources may be updated over time.

Where can you go for emergency medical treatment in Costa Rica?

The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), commonly referred to as the Caja, is the government body that oversees a network of 29 public hospitals and around 250 clinics distributed across the country. The most specialised facilities are concentrated in the Central Valley. In a genuine emergency, any public CCSS hospital is obligated to treat you regardless of whether you hold insurance.

Leading private hospitals — including Clínica Bíblica, Hospital CIMA, and Hospital La Católica — offer modern infrastructure and international affiliations, typically at a fraction of the cost of comparable institutions in North America. These establishments are widely favoured by the expatriate community for both planned procedures and urgent care.

Hospital CIMA in Escazú, situated just off the Autopista Próspero Fernández, has close to 200 physicians across dozens of specialties. CIMA (Centro Internacional de Medicina) is affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and maintains a 24-hour emergency department. Clínica Bíblica, with locations in San José and Santa Ana, is a nonprofit private hospital recognised particularly for its surgical, paediatric, and maternity services.

Private clinics are also found in popular coastal and highland areas, often co-located with pharmacies and capable of providing emergency treatment alongside diagnostic services such as X-rays. For injuries or illnesses that are urgent but not life-threatening, these can offer a faster and more accessible option than attending a full hospital.

To locate your nearest public CCSS facility, visit the official CCSS website (ccss.sa.cr). Your home country’s embassy in Costa Rica may also keep an updated list of vetted private hospitals and clinics for reference.

Is emergency medical treatment free in Costa Rica, or is there a charge?

At public CCSS hospitals, emergency treatment is provided at no cost to anyone who presents, regardless of residency or insurance status. This guarantee extends to tourists and visitors as well as residents — no one is turned away from a public emergency room for inability to pay.

There are no fees associated with using public hospital emergency departments. The position is markedly different at private hospitals, however, where substantial advance payments may be demanded before a patient is admitted. This distinction is critical: the free-at-the-point-of-access guarantee applies only within the public CCSS network.

For those enrolled in the CCSS as residents, the broader benefit is access to very low-cost or entirely free care across the public sector. Coverage encompasses hospitalisation, medications, and ongoing treatment, and extends to the spouses and dependent children of insured individuals.

Non-residents receiving care at private hospitals must meet costs directly. While healthcare prices in Costa Rica are considerably lower than in many other countries, private hospital bills must generally be settled in advance, and facilities may require evidence of financial means before proceeding. Always verify the specific fee structure with any hospital or clinic beforehand, as charges vary between establishments and procedures.

Do expats need travel or health insurance to access emergency care, and what happens if they turn up without insurance?

For long-term residents, enrolment in the CCSS has been a compulsory requirement for all residency applicants since 2010. Legal residents gain access to the full spectrum of public healthcare — from routine consultations and prescription medications to surgical procedures — through monthly contributions based on approximately 6% to 11% of their income. In effect, healthcare coverage is built into the legal residency framework.

The situation differs for tourists and short-term visitors. While travel insurance is not strictly required for those staying fewer than 90 days, the potential financial burden of hospitalisation makes comprehensive coverage strongly advisable. There have been discussions around mandatory travel insurance requirements for visitors to Costa Rica — always verify the current entry conditions through the Costa Rica Immigration (DGME) before travelling.

If you arrive at a public CCSS hospital without insurance and are unable to pay, you will not be turned away from emergency treatment. Since 1989, this guarantee has been extended to include undocumented individuals as well as uninsured residents. That said, billing processes may follow for non-residents after the fact.

It is worth noting clearly that in a medical emergency, your embassy or consulate bears no responsibility for organising or funding your repatriation or treatment. Without adequate insurance, you could face bills running into tens of thousands of euros. At a minimum, any expat or visitor to Costa Rica should hold a policy that includes emergency hospitalisation and repatriation assistance.

Are there bilateral health agreements entitling some nationals to reduced-cost or free emergency treatment?

Costa Rica does not maintain the kind of extensive bilateral healthcare treaty network seen among European Union nations — where the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides reciprocal access to state-funded care — nor does it have Commonwealth-style reciprocal health arrangements with most countries. As a result, the majority of foreign nationals cannot rely on an automatic entitlement to free or subsidised emergency care based on their nationality alone.

Costa Rica is party to various inter-American social security conventions, which may offer some portability of pension contributions for nationals of certain Latin American countries. However, these agreements rarely translate into immediate access to free emergency healthcare for visiting citizens of those states. The exact scope of any arrangement depends on the specific treaty and the countries involved.

If you wish to determine whether a bilateral agreement exists between Costa Rica and your home country that might affect your healthcare entitlements, the most reliable resources are your home country’s embassy or consulate in San José and the CCSS official website. Never presume that any reciprocal arrangement is in place without confirming it before you travel or relocate.

In practice, the most dependable protection for any expat — whatever their nationality — remains either enrolment in the CCSS as a legal resident, or holding comprehensive international health or travel insurance as a visitor. These options provide far greater certainty than any bilateral agreement could realistically offer.

How does Costa Rica’s emergency healthcare system compare to other systems?

Costa Rica’s healthcare model combines universal public coverage with a well-developed private sector, creating a hybrid system that is both accessible and affordable for residents and foreigners alike. This dual structure is one of the reasons Costa Rica consistently ranks among the most attractive destinations for retirees and long-term expats, offering a middle path between fully state-managed systems and purely market-driven ones.

By comparison with a system like the UK’s NHS — where emergency care is universally funded through general taxation and no ongoing enrolment or monthly contribution is required — Costa Rica’s public healthcare requires active registration with the CCSS and regular income-based payments to unlock the full scope of benefits. That said, the same core principle applies: anyone who walks into a public CCSS emergency department will be treated, regardless of their ability to pay at that moment.

Unlike countries where private insurance is the primary mechanism — such as the pre-reform United States model — Costa Rica establishes the public CCSS system as the legal foundation for all residents. Universal healthcare and social security have been embedded in Costa Rican society since the 1940s through the Caja, providing citizens and permanent residents with comprehensive coverage spanning medical appointments, hospital stays, and prescription medications.

Many expats adopt a pragmatic dual approach — using public CCSS facilities for ongoing or routine care, and turning to private hospitals for faster access or more specialised treatment. Healthcare costs in Costa Rica remain substantially lower than in many comparable countries; consultations, diagnostic tests, and even complex surgical procedures can cost a quarter to a third of what the same services would cost in the United States. For those accustomed to high premiums or significant out-of-pocket expenses, relocating to Costa Rica often represents a meaningful financial improvement.

What emergency services exist beyond medical — how do police and fire services work?

Costa Rica’s national police force, known as the Fuerza Pública, is responsible for law enforcement and public order throughout the country. For any criminal incident or security emergency, you can reach them by dialling 911. If you prefer to contact police directly without going through the main dispatch system, the dedicated police number is 117.

For major criminal investigations — including homicides, significant robberies, and other serious offences — the relevant authority is the OIJ (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), which functions as Costa Rica’s criminal investigative branch. The OIJ can be reached on their hotline at 800-8000-OIJ (645). This agency operates more like a detective or investigative unit and is not typically the appropriate first contact in an immediate emergency.

For fires and urgent rescue situations, dialling 118 connects you to the Cuerpo de Bomberos — Costa Rica’s fire service — which is administered under the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) and responds to both urban and, to a degree, rural incidents. Fire crews are trained across a range of emergency types beyond structure fires, including vehicle accidents and rescue operations.

Expats may find that the dynamics of police interaction in Costa Rica differ somewhat from what they are accustomed to at home. In the event of a road traffic collision, for instance, the correct procedure is to remain at the scene and contact the transit police (Policía de Tránsito) on 2222-9330, rather than the standard Fuerza Pública. It is also advisable to keep a photocopy of your passport and residency documents with you at all times, as officers may request identification.

Are there country-specific emergency risks in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica’s geographical position exposes it to a broad spectrum of natural hazards, including volcanic activity, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and landslides. The country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire and within an active hurricane zone, which means that understanding local natural hazard risks is an essential part of living here safely.

The body charged with coordinating disaster preparedness and response is the CNE — Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias. The CNE maintains active social media channels and updates its official website at cne.go.cr with current alerts and guidance. Bookmarking this site and following the CNE online is strongly recommended as your primary source for disaster warnings and evacuation instructions.

Beyond natural hazards, dengue fever is endemic in parts of the country and is spread through mosquito bites. The Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) publishes regular updates on disease activity, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The US CDC and equivalent health authorities in other countries also issue ongoing travel health advisories for Costa Rica — it is worth consulting these both before arrival and periodically throughout your stay.

Crime is another consideration, particularly in tourist areas and urban centres. While Costa Rica is widely regarded as one of the more stable countries in Central America, petty theft and opportunistic crime do occur. Remaining alert, securing valuables, and promptly reporting incidents to the Fuerza Pública via 911 or 117 are all sensible precautions.

What should expats do to prepare for emergencies before they arise?

1. Register with your home country’s embassy or consulate. Most countries operate a voluntary registration scheme — such as the UK’s LOCATE service, the US STEP programme, or equivalents elsewhere — enabling your government to reach you during a significant emergency. Identify your country’s embassy in San José and register promptly upon arrival. Embassy contact details can be found through your home government’s foreign ministry website.
2. Save all emergency numbers in your phone. Before you need them, store 911, 118 (fire), 117 (police), 128 (Red Cross), and 127 (rural police) in your contacts. Also include the number of your nearest CCSS hospital, your preferred private hospital, and the emergency line of your home country’s embassy.
3. Enrol in the CCSS system as soon as possible if you are a resident. Since 2010, enrolment in the Caja has been a mandatory step in the residency application process. Completing this early gives you uninterrupted access to the full public healthcare system, including emergency treatment, from the outset.
4. Take out comprehensive health and travel insurance. For scenarios involving emergency hospitalisation, medical evacuation, or serious illness, a private international insurance policy tailored to expatriate needs is strongly recommended. Ensure that medical evacuation is explicitly included in your cover.
5. Learn about the natural hazard risks in your specific area. Find out whether your neighbourhood lies within a flood plain, on the slopes of a volcano, or in a landslide-prone corridor. Acquaint yourself with local evacuation routes and the CNE’s alert system at cne.go.cr.
6. Keep copies of your essential documents somewhere safe. Store photocopies of your passport, residency card (cédula), insurance documents, and emergency contact information in a secure but easily accessible location. Keep original documents at home rather than in bags or wallets that could be lost or stolen.
7. Acquire some basic emergency phrases in Spanish. While bilingual operators staff the 911 line, medical and police personnel in rural areas may have limited English. Being able to say “Necesito ayuda” (I need help), “Llame a una ambulancia” (Call an ambulance), and “Hay un incendio” (There is a fire) could prove critically important in the right situation.

Where can expats get official and up-to-date emergency information for Costa Rica?

For emergency contact numbers and general security matters, the Costa Rican government’s official 911 portal and the Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública) at msp.go.cr are your principal references. For healthcare-related information, including hospital locations and CCSS enrolment, consult the CCSS (Caja) official website alongside the Ministry of Health.

For information on natural disaster preparedness, current hazard alerts, and evacuation protocols, save the CNE (Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias) website as a browser bookmark. The CNE also uses social media platforms to issue real-time warnings during active emergencies.

Your home government publishes regularly refreshed travel advisories for Costa Rica that are worth consulting both before departure and periodically throughout your stay. These include the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica and the US Department of State at travel.state.gov. These advisories detail current safety conditions, entry requirements, and local emergency contacts including embassy after-hours lines.

The US Embassy in Costa Rica maintains a comprehensive directory of healthcare facilities, practitioners, and specialists — and most major embassies provide similar resources for their citizens. Check your country’s embassy website to access this list and keep it available for reference.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main emergency number in Costa Rica?

911 is the central emergency number, connecting callers to police, fire, and medical services simultaneously. It is free to call from any phone, and bilingual operators are on duty. Each service also has a direct line: 117 for police, 118 for fire, 128 for the Red Cross ambulance service, and 127 for rural police (as of 2025 — confirm with official sources before relying on these).

Will I be treated in a Costa Rican public hospital if I have no insurance?

Yes. Public CCSS hospitals provide emergency treatment free of charge to everyone who presents, including tourists and visitors without insurance. You will not be refused life-saving care at a public facility due to inability to pay. Private hospitals, however, may demand payment upfront before admitting patients for non-emergency care.

Do I have to join the CCSS (Caja) as an expat resident?

Yes. Since 2010, enrolment in the Caja has been a mandatory requirement for all residency applicants. You cannot finalise the residency process and obtain your cédula (residency card) without completing this step. Monthly contributions are calculated as a percentage of declared income, typically between 7% and 11% — consult the CCSS website for the latest rates.

Are ambulance call-outs free in Costa Rica?

Red Cross ambulances dispatched via 911 or 128 are generally provided at no direct cost to the caller for emergency response. Inter-facility transfers and private ambulance services may incur charges. Air ambulance and medical evacuation services are typically only covered by specialist insurance policies — review your policy carefully before you find yourself needing these services.

What should I do if I am a victim of crime in Costa Rica?

Contact the police without delay by calling 911 or 117 and provide your location along with as much detail as possible about what occurred. For serious crimes such as homicide or major theft, the investigative police unit OIJ can be contacted on 800-8000-645. Once you are safe, reach out to your embassy for consular support and guidance on next steps.

Is Costa Rica at risk of natural disasters, and how will I be warned?

Costa Rica faces a variety of natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tsunamis, and landslides. The official disaster management agency is the CNE (Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias), which publishes alerts at cne.go.cr and through its social media channels. Monitor these regularly, particularly during the rainy season from May to November.

Can I use my home country’s health insurance in Costa Rica?

Most standard domestic health insurance policies do not extend coverage beyond national borders. Unless your policy is explicitly valid for international use, it will not cover treatment received in Costa Rica. Before travelling or relocating, confirm your coverage with your insurer and strongly consider purchasing an international health insurance plan or travel insurance policy that expressly includes emergency medical treatment and evacuation cover in Costa Rica.

Are there English-speaking doctors available in Costa Rica?

In private hospitals and clinics, many physicians are fluent in English and sometimes other languages, having trained at medical institutions in the United States or Europe. In public CCSS hospitals, some doctors may have working English, but other staff generally do not. In rural parts of the country, language support is considerably less consistent. It is advisable to learn key emergency phrases in Spanish and to carry a written summary of your medical history and current medications wherever you go.