Living in Costa Rica Retirement Relocation Tours.

Which of Costa Rica’s Hospitals Private Hospitals is the Best for Retirees?

Quality health care is a major concern of anyone moving to Costa Rica. On my monthly relocation/ retirement tours I get asked a lot of questions about doctors and hospitals here. Inevitably someone always asks, “What is the best private hospital in Costa Rica?”  This is an important question since the public hospitals or CAJA hospitals do not provide the same quality care as the three private hospitals.

The three best private hospitals in the Central Valley’s San José area are: The Clínica Bíblica, Cima Hospital and the Clínica Católica.  All three offer excellent healthcare.

Let’s start with the Clínica Bíblica since I have had more experience with it (Tel: 506 2257-5252, 800-911-0800, Fax: 506 2255-4947,E-mail:asoserme@racsa.co.cr). Bíblica is the Costa Rica’s oldest private hospital located six blocks to the south of downtown San José. To meet the demands of a growing foreign community and competition form the two other private hospitals  in the area, the Bíbliica has expanded the size of its facility twice in the last coupe of years. The hospital now takes up two whole city blocks. It boasts a 24-hour pharmacy, laboratories, doctor’s offices, operating rooms, an emergency room, several restaurants and a whole lot more. All but one of my specialists have their offices at the Clínica Bíblica. My son was operated on there and I have had three minor surgeries and we are both still alive and kicking. One of their new ventures is in the growing field of health tourism. Scores of foreigner visitors are now using the hospital for all types of surgery from hip replacements to cosmetic surgery. The reason is because surgical procedures are affordable and the results are excellent.

Hospital CIMA (Tel: 506 2231- 2781, E-mail cimahsj@racsa.co.cr ) in Escazú, right off the highway, is the newest private hospital in the San José area.  Cima is a full-service hospital that boasts the latest health care technology, state-of-the-art medical equipment and the most sophisticated physical plant in Central America. It offers complete services including X-ray, ultrasound, emergency and intensive care, as well as an advanced coronary unit. I have talked to many people who have had surgery there and all are pleased with the results. I have an excellent urologist who practices there. He is as good or better than any of his counterparts in North America.

The Clínica Católica (506 2246-3000) in Guadalupe, a suburb of San José rounds out the list of the country’s finest private hospitals.  It offers complete hospital and emergency services 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. However, is not as popular with foreigners as the Clínica Bíblica or Hospital CIMA.  The whole hospital was recently remodeled. Like the two medical facilities above Clínica Católica takes private insurance, like Blue Shield and Blue Cross. During an acute asthma episode, I spent three days in this hospital and found the care very good.

As you can see from above all of your serious medical needs are covered by Costa Rica’s private hospitals.

On my relocation/ retirement tours I show the participants all three private hospitals as well as a couple of public ones.