State of the Art Medical Facilities are Attracting a New Variety of Tourist to Costa Rica.

It’s a well-known fact that Costa Rica is a popular vacation spot, but the small country is also a favorite for real estate investments, medical tourism, and even high-tech needs. In fact, CNBC and ABC have called it “the hottest country” on the planet for these services, a title that simply explains a very complicated phenomenon.

Cosmetic surgery in the United States is a very expensive proposition, and many procedures cost well into the 5-digits. On the other hand, Costa Rica’s highly-educated and specialized medical professionals can offer the same procedures at 60 percent less. “It’s much less expensive than in the United States and the doctors are very able. I got a face lift and liposuction… Without a doubt, I will recommend Costa Rica to my friends and family,” 62-year-old Kay Demars said.

Demars is an example of the country’s growing pool of medical tourists, who come to Costa Rica in search of high-quality, but less expensive, plastic surgery accompanied by luxury recovery centers in a beautiful environment. With its pristine beaches, lush forests, and up-to-date facilities, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for these needs, and several facilities have already dedicated themselves completely to attending to foreign patients. “We try to make [our patients] feel at home. The attention that they receive, care, special diets, and tranquility is what we call holistic service,” owner of Las Cumbres Inn recovery center, Elke Arends, explained.

Tourists don’t just come for a bit of cosmetic refreshment; many come to Costa Rica for serious medical procedures, including joint replacements and dental surgery. Such surgical procedures are much less expensive here, and many patients are attracted to Costa Rica for the same reason as their cosmetic surgery counterparts. Agencies around the world, but mostly centered in the United States, dedicate their time and purpose to finding suitable international hospitals for the procedures. “Everyday more people get involved in this. It’s more than medical tourism, I call it trips for health,” Clínica Bíblica orthopedist, Óscar Oeding, said.

In addition to investing in themselves, many Americans head down to check out the Costa Rica Real Estate market to consider making an investment. In fact, CNBC’s On The Money called the nation “the hottest real estate market in the world,” which is certainly believable after a quick review of the country’s home market. Areas like San Jose, Libera, Santa Cruz, Sámara, Jacó, and Quepos are among the hottest markets, both in the Central Valley and along the coast. “Some come to sell, others come to live,” vice president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Real Estate Agents, Francisco Barquero, explained.

Most medical patients and investors leave Costa Rica happy and satisfied, a good indication for future business. Good deals, good service, good quality: all the characteristics that Americans (and others) are taught to value are offered by both the medical and real estate industries. Now that’s a match made in paradise.

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Filed under: Business on September 9th, 2008