There are a lot of people that would love to retire to a sunny climate but are hesitant to leave the United States for a variety of reasons. They are concerned about language barriers, how far their money will go and most of all they worry about access to quality health care and how much it will cost.

There are a lot of misconceptions about the quality of medical care in Costa Rica as well as the number of medical facilities available. In the last thirty years there have been a number of innovations and improvements in the quality and quantity of health care available both in large cities and in small towns.

Most of the doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel that you’ll be dealing with speak English very well and many have been educated in the United States. You’ll find that Costa Rica has the best medical care in Latin America; the hospitals are modern, clean, plentiful, and equipped with the latest technology.

Preventative care is emphasized in Costa Rica and people are encouraged to take advantage of low cost clinics located in nearly every town if they cannot afford a private physician.

These clinics are staffed by doctors and nurses versed in the latest medical techniques and diagnostic methods and equipped with modern laboratories and medical equipment.

One of the few differences you’ll find in Costa Rica is that the doctors actually make house calls on a routine basis!

Affording a doctor is of little concern for most Americans who retire to the area and indeed, Costa Rica is a prime destination for “medical tourism” because of the low prices and quality care.

For example, a person can get a new crown for a tooth under $100, a fraction of what it would cost in the States. The dentists do fine quality work and you’ll find that they are the equal, if not better, than their peers in other countries.

Prescription drugs are very inexpensive in Costa Rica, too. You can get the same quality medications that you get in the States for a fraction of the price.

In fact, people who retire to Costa Rica are often in better health than their friends in the U.S. because the preventative and restorative medical care is so affordable. They don’t delay going to a doctor or skip medication to stretch their dollars.

The lifestyle in Costa Rica is healthier so you’ll probably find yourself visiting your doctor infrequently. It might take some adjustment, but you’ll like the food and may notice a marked improvement in how you feel.

Most of the food you’ll be eating does not contain preservatives and other chemicals, nor is it genetically modified like so many of the foods and meats in the States.

Eating foods that are grown or raised as nature intended will add years to your life. In fact, many people who retire to Costa Rica find that digestive problems that bothered them for years disappear once they are free of food additives in their diets.

You can live a much healthier life in Costa Rica that will let you enjoy your retirement years more than you ever dreamed.

Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1: How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 2: Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore and 3. ¿Cómo Comprar Bienes Raices en Costa Rica, Sin Perder Su Camisa?

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.