Medical Tourism in Costa Rica: Get more bang for your buck!

• February 13, 2012
• Costa Rica - Travel Tips, Places to Stay
• arleen

We all hate going to the doctor. We all hate getting sick. We kick and scream and drag our feet all the way to the doctor’s office. The truth is that it’s usually an unpleasant experience.

What if a hospital was actually hospitable? This is no longer a dream. For many who can’t afford proper medical care in their home countries, Costa Rica is a medical haven. San Jose is home to many excellent private medical centers that cater to foreign patients, but one star that shines particularly bright is Hospital Hotel La Catolica.

At La Catolica patients can actually enjoy their stay without wondering what that weird stain on the wall is or whether the food is actually safe to eat. The process is pretty simple. Arrive at the airport where La Catolica staff will pick you up. Have your procedure and recuperate at the hotel inside the hospital. Sounds weird right? Well, it’s actually awesome. The hotel wing is called El Convento (the convent) and it is decorated in the colonial style. If you didn’t know any better you’d think you’re in a four star hotel not a hospital. The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing. Each room comes with all the amenities of a regular hotel room. Cable (with some channels in English), WiFi, and phone service are included with all packages. Some packages even include breakfast. You may also request room service or dine in at Los Helechos , the on-site restaurant.

During your recuperation stay you can head over to the hotel’s physical therapy room, the spa or even the beauty salon.  As soon as you’re feeling better you can even head over to the tourism counter and work some sightseeing into your schedule. What about the language barrier? Many members of the medical and hotel staff speak English and all members of the international insurance claim department are fluent English speakers.

Don’t spend tens of thousands of dollars. Come to Costa Rica and experience medical care the way it should be: comfortable, relaxing and healing.

Enjoyed your stay at Hospital Hotel La Catolica? Tell us about your experiences.