Health Care System in Costa Rica
Public Hospitals

As you already know, public hospitals and clinics are found in most parts of the country, with the three major facilities in the San José area. Although public hospitals are generally crowded and waits can be long for appointments, there is no problem when it comes to emergency treatment.

I can personally vouch for the care at Costa Rica's public hospitals. After many hours in labor my wife gave birth to my son by cesarean section at San Juan de Dios Hospital. He was taken to the Children's Hospital next door because he required some special care and was placed in an incubator while my wife recovered. About three days later both mother and baby were released without any complications. Today I have a healthy 18-year old son.

The country's three major public medical centers in San José are:

Hospital San Juan de Dios .................................Tel: 257-6282
Hospital Calderón Guardia................................Tel: 257-7299
Hospital México ................................................Tel: 232-6122
Hospital de Niños (Children's Hospital)............... Tel: 222-0122

Major public medical facilities in other areas of the country:

Heredia San Vicente de Paul ......................................... Tel: 237-5944
Alajuela Hospital San Rafael........................................... Tel: 440-1333
Cartago Hospital Max Peralta.......................................... Tel: 550-1999
Guanacaste Hospital Dr. Enrique Baltodano .................... Tel: 666-0011
Limón Hospital Dr. Tony Facio ....................................... Tel: 758-2222
Puntarenas Hospital Monseñor Sanabria ........................ Tel: 663-0033

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