On my monthly relocation and retirement tours I am always asked about the country’s public health care system (known as La Caja). I make it a point to explain how this system works and its advantages and disadvantages.

Those of you who choose to live in Heredia and join the Caja will have the privilege of being treated at the New San Vicente de Paul Hospital. It is the largest public hospital in Central America and cost $485 million to build.

The new medical center has six buildings: one for consultations, another for emergencies, a third for x-rays, another for Cat scans and lab work, a fifth building with 10 operating rooms and a pharmacy and a sixth for hospitalization, nutrition and cardiology. The hospital will boast 7,000 pieces of state-of-the-art medical equipment.

It is expected that the hospital will be used by 500,000 persons. The doors will open officially in June.

One more thing..I have driven around the block where the hospital is located and from the outside it is very impressive. Once the hospital opens I will arrange a tour through my contacts to see the facilities from the inside.