Plastic Surgery in Costa Rica

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that more than 1.6 million Americans had plastic surgery in 2011. This is less than .005% of the population. This statistic, however, only accounted for those receiving surgery within the United States. In addition to that figure, thousands of Americans have gone abroad to receive plastic surgery. As most insurance plans do not cover elective cosmetic surgery, Americans have to pay out of pocket to receive treatment. Previously, this meant that elective cosmetic surgery was exclusively for the upper class. Medical tourism has changed that and made cosmetic surgery more affordable for the average American. Costa Rica is a hot tourist destination for medical procedures including plastic surgery.

Reasons to get Plastic Surgery in Costa Rica

There are many reasons why Americans and other foreigners opt to get cosmetic surgery in Costa Rica. Some of those reasons include:

·         Affordability. The cost of most plastic surgeries in Costa Rica is far lower than it is in America. Traveling to Costa Rica can save a patient thousands of dollars, even after including the price of air tickets and stay.

·         Proximity. There are many medical tourism destinations around the world, but Costa Rica is a good option for Americans because it is only a short flight away from most major cities in the United States. 

·         Reliability. The presence of a large number of internationally-accredited hospitals has bolstered medical tourism in Costa Rica. This helps a patient verify the credibility of the hospital with ease.

·         Quality. These hospitals have well-educated doctors and nurses on staff who are ready to administer quality healthcare.

·         Hospitality. Because there is such an influx of foreigners receiving medical care in Costa Rica, most hospital and clinic staff are very understanding to your situation. They realize that you have traveled away from your home to receive medical treatment and they do everything they can to make you feel comfortable during your stay.

Traveling to Costa Rica for Plastic Surgery - Things to Know

If you plan on traveling to Costa Rica to receive plastic surgery, then you should know the following:

·         Costa Rica is a foreign country. Though this may sound obvious, far too many people take it for granted that because Costa Rica is close, it is very similar to the United States. Whenever you are in a foreign country, you should take extra precautions like:

o   Don’t walk around alone at night.

o   Even if you are with someone, don’t walk around in places with few or no people at night.

o   Take care of your belongings both on your person and in your hotel room.

o   Don’t carry large amounts of cash.

o   Don’t drink local water, as it may cause you to have stomach problems.

·         90 day entry. If you are traveling from America to Costa Rica, you will not need to apply for a visa ahead of time. Upon entry into Costa Rica, you will be allowed to stay for 90 days.

·         International airports. The best way to get to Costa Rica from the United States is by plane. You can fly into Juan Santamaria Airport or Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport. Santamaria Airport is closer to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.