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Public health

Exacerbated by pandemic, Costa Ricans face long hospital wait times

The waiting time for a non-emergency surgery at Costa Rica's public hospitals has reached more than 520 days, up considerably compared to before the pandemic.

Costa Rica issues sanitary alert over enhancement products

Costa Rica's Health Ministry has issued a sanitary alert regarding sexual enhancement products sold here under the name Poppers.

Costa Rican diet contains too much salt, Health Ministry says

The average Costa Rican adult consumes twice the recommended value of salt each day, according to the Health Ministry.

Costa Rica’s public health care system facing financial strains

Costa Rica’s Social Security System, which manages the country’s socialized health care, is facing serious financial strains.

Costa Rica’s public health system welcomes first IVF baby

Her birth is a milestone that follows years of struggles to legalize IVF and offer it within the Costa Rica Social Security System (CCSS, or Caja). 

Costa Rica confirms four new coronavirus cases

The Health Ministry on Saturday night confirmed four new cases of the novel coronavirus in Costa Rica. 

Costa Rica requiring more signage and less touching to prevent coronavirus spread

The Health Ministry says it is not yet recommending the suspension of large, public gatherings, but that may be considered if COVID-19 spreads in Costa Rica. 

Costa Rica says it now has lab kits to test for COVID-19 coronavirus

Coronavirus has killed over 2,700 people and infected more than 80,000, the vast majority in China.

Second person this year contracts amebic meningitis after visiting Costa Rican hot springs

A second person has contracted a potentially deadly infection caused by amebic meningitis after visiting hot springs in Costa Rica, the Health Ministry says.

More than 30% of teenagers in Costa Rica are overweight or obese: Ministry of Health

More than 30% of teenagers in Costa Rica are overweight or obese, according to a study released by the Ministry of Health. 

Still no suspected cases of coronavirus in Costa Rica, Health Ministry says

Costa Rica does not have any suspected cases of coronavirus, the Health Ministry said Monday.

Ministry of Health supporting initiative to ban the use of vaping devices in public spaces

The Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, on Tuesday endorsed an initiative to ban the use of vaping devices in Costa Rica's public spaces. 

No suspected cases of coronavirus in Costa Rica, Health Ministry says

Costa Rica does not have any suspected cases of coronavirus, the Health Ministry said Monday.

15-year-old dies of amebic meningitis after visiting Costa Rican hot springs

A 15-year-old has died in Costa Rica of amebic meningitis after contracting the rare infection at a hot spring, the Health Ministry said Monday. 
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Two of Every Three Dairy Imports in Costa Rica Now Come From the US

Costa Rica imported $66.4 million in dairy products from the United States in the first eight months of 2026, nearly four times the $17.5...

American Pilot Overturns Mother’s Costa Rica Will Over Missing Interpreters

Costa Rica's Supreme Court has upheld the annulment of an American woman's will because she signed a Spanish-language document without the two interpreters the...

Scarlet Macaws Start Nesting in Costa Rica, and You Can Watch Live

Scarlet macaws are pairing off on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Watch 11 live nest cams, with first chicks due by January.

Expect Gusts Up to 85 km/h and Rain in Costa Rica This Weekend

Gusts could reach 85 km/h in Costa Rica's mountains and northern Guanacaste today, with rain in the Caribbean and storms in the South Pacific.