It makes sense that the country with the unofficial slogan “pure life” would be home to a thriving medical tourism industry. “Pure recovery from medical procedures” doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as nicely as pura vida, but let’s be honest – patients who travel to Costa Rica for medical procedures want a nice, relaxing place to recuperate. Luckily for medical tourists, Tiquicia has plenty to offer in terms of recuperative lodging. Here are a few of the many options Costa Rica offers.
Costa Rica Secluded Retreat (www.costaricasecludedretreat.net, 2228-2191 or 8316-0710), located in the hills of Esaczú just west of San José, is a new bed and breakfast that offers up five rooms for those seeking a laid-back, reasonably priced spot to rest up after a visit to Costa Rica’s medical facilities. Rates start at $50 for a single room ($5 per night for an additional person) and run up to $75 a night for larger rooms. All guests have access to Costa Rica Secluded Retreat’s gardens and common areas, which include lounges and a full kitchen. For patients who wish to be accompanied by their four-legged companions during recovery, Costa Rica Secluded Retreat is also dog friendly.
Located in San Pedro de Alajuela northwest of San José and about 25 minutes from the Juan Santamaría International Airport, Refugio de Montaña has been offering both national and international patients customized recovery options since 2009. The facility specializes in the care of patients post-clinical, elderly and people with some kind of temporary and permanent disability” according to its website. Facilities include wheelchair-accessible rooms with TV and Internet, hospital beds and views of the Central Valley. Optional services include ambulance service, nutritional advising, gym access, hydrotherapy, medical monitoring and spa services. Rates, according to the website, start at $110 per night with $60 per additional guest per night. For more info visit www.refugiopoas.com or email info@refugiopoas.com or call 2448-5781.
Nestled in the hills of San Antonio of Escazú on 5.5 acres west of San José, Paradise Cosmetic Inn provides a relaxing environment for guests looking for a quiet spot to recover from medical procedures. On-site nursing care is available at this 32-room facility that also offers access for the shopping and dining nexus of Escazú for travelling companions or recovering guests feeling up for an excursion. Paradise Cosmetic Inn is part of the Best Western International hotel company and provides recommendations for plastic surgeons as well as spa services and a bilingual staff. Rates start at $85 per night (tax not included) and run to $195 per night for larger rooms. There are some discounts for weekly stays and the inn’s website is currently advertising a $65 per night special. For more info visit www.paradisecosmeticinn.com or call 2252-3530 in Costa Rica or (786) 228-9148 in the U.S.
Costa Rica Recovery, a non-profit alcohol and drug recovery center located in the western San José district of Pavas, offers a place to relax for folks struggling with addictions. Costa Rica Recovery offers treatment plans from 30 to 90 days with costs starting at $3,500 for a 30-day program and $2,750 for each additional 30-day period after that. Treatments include one-on-one counseling, gym sessions with personal trainers and individually tailored fitness regimens, transportation to 12-step meetings and day trips to some of Costa Rica’s many attractions. For more info visit www.costaricarecovery.net or call 8348-6369 in Costa Rica or 1-866-804-1793 toll-free from outside the country.
Another option for drug and alcohol addiction recovery and individually tailored programs for stress-related and emotional issues is Costa Rica New Hope (www.costaricanewhope.com, 1-866-918-8302 from outside Costa Rica or 2213-1954 inside Costa Rica), which offers recovery options specifically for executives in need of some healing. Located in the mountains of the Orosi Valley, Costa Rica New Hope provides a relaxing environment to focus healing with walking trails, a thermal pool and a fishing pond. Treatment programs are holistically based and include individual counseling, fitness activities and recreational activities like hiking, fishing and more. For more info and rates, call the numbers above or email info@costaricanewhope.com.
For facilities that cater to a more general state of wellbeing, AmaTierra Retreat and Wellness Center offers an opportunity for whole-body well-being in the mountains about an hour west of San José. AmaTierra offers daily Hatha yoga classes and wide range of spa options including aromatherapy massages ear-candling and more to help you relax as well as a wholly organic menu at the on-site restaurant. For more info, visit www.amatierra.com, call toll-free 1-866-659-3805 outside Costa Rica or 2419-0110 inside Costa Rica or email amatierra@gmail.com.
Costa Rica Body and Spirit offers up a selection of Costa Rica yoga retreats for adults who want to relax, practice yoga and meditate in a selection of some of Costa Rica’s loveliest spots. Costa Rica Body and Spirit gives tours that include accommodations, food and yoga sessions in rain forests and attractions on either the Caribbean or Pacific coasts. According to Costa Rica Body and Spirit’s website, rates for the seven-day Caribbean Journey and Pacific Journey packages are $2,400 and $2,200, respectively. For more information, visit www.costaricabodyandspirit.com, or email bookings@costaricabodyandspirit.com.
