Costa Rica has wealth of recovery, rehab, wellness centers
With medical tourism big business in Costa Rica, the number of health-oriented facilities throughout the country is growing in tandem. Whether you’re looking for a secluded place to relax and recover after surgery, a treatment facility for drug or alcohol addiction, or a wellness retreat to honor your body’s physical, mental and spiritual needs, Costa Rica is sure to have a place that’s right for you.
The Tico Times compiled the following sampling of recovery, rehab and health and wellness centers around the country.
With medical tourism big business in Costa Rica, the number of health-oriented facilities throughout the country is growing in tandem. Whether you’re looking for a secluded place to relax and recover after surgery, a treatment facility for drug or alcohol addiction, or a wellness retreat to honor your body’s physical, mental and spiritual needs, Costa Rica is sure to have a place that’s right for you.
The Tico Times compiled the following sampling of recovery, rehab and health and wellness centers around the country.
Refugio de Montaña in San Pedro de Poás, northwest of the capital in the Alajuela province, provides post-surgery care to medical tourists and also specializes in care for the elderly and for people with temporary or permanent disabilities. The facility is 20 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport and the San Rafael de Alajuela Hospital. Services and amenities here include medical care, transportation to and from the airport and medical appointments, all meals, monitoring and supervision of patient health conditions, a gymnasium and doctor office. Refugio de Montaña also can arrange tours, spa and beauty salon services, physical therapy and massage therapy. Prices listed on the website ($110 per person and $60 per companion per night) have been lowered to $90 per person and $40 per companion per night. The facility also offers wireless Internet access, free local calls, private bathrooms, laundry service and cleaning service. For information, visit www.refugiopoas.com, e-mail info@refugiopoas.com or call 2448-5781.
Paradise Cosmetic Inn, in the hills of San José’s western Escazú suburb, caters especially to surgical patients. The facility, which is part of the Best Western hotel chain, offers on-site nursing care, free 24-hour professional care and recommendations of qualified plastic surgeons in Costa Rica. It works directly with private hospitals CIMA and Clínica Bíblica, both accredited by the Joint Commission International. All-inclusive rates range from $75 for one patient in a standard room to $195 for a patient and a companion in a presidential suite. Prices include transportation to and from the airport and surgery appointment, three meals per day, nursing assistance, wireless Internet, private bathrooms, DirecTV and free calls to the United States and Canada after 5 p.m. Basic rooms without all the services start at $59 per patient per night. For information, see paradisecosmetic inn.com, e-mail info@paradisecosmeticinn.com or call 2252-3530 in Costa Rica or (786) 228-9148 from the U.S.
CheTica Medical Recovery Ranch, in the mountains northeast of San José, is run by husband-and-wife team Lorena and Ruben Martin. Guests stay in independent cottages surrounded by 80 acres of pristine land while they recover from surgery. Patients receive around-the-clock nursing assistance, three home-cooked meals a day, help with doctor’s appointments, travel information and tours, transportation to and from the patient’s main doctor and hospital, and free airport transfers between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. The private cottages have over 450 square feet of living space and come equipped with cable TV and DVD player, private bathroom, stereo system and CD player, bottled water, microwave, refrigerator and wood-burning fireplace. Guests can also take advantage of free Internet and international phone calls. A single surgical guest is charged a flat rate of $85 per day plus tax, with discounts offered for additional guests sharing a cottage. A lowered rate of $75 per night applies for dental guests. For information, visit www.cheticaranch.com, e-mail info@cheticaranch.com or call 2268-7771.
Villa Le Mas aftercare facility in the mountains of Escazú offers private villas and 24-hour specialized care. Decorative pools and waterfalls surround the premises, which feature a solar-heated swimming pool and a spa offering relaxing massages, manicures, pedicures and hair services. Tours of the area are also offered. Suites and villas include bottled water, cable TV, DVD access, telephone, kitchen appliances, wireless Internet, laundry service and free calls to the United States and Canada. Rates including tax start at $99 per night for a standard villa for surgical guests and $149 per night for a luxury suite. Nonsurgical guests receive a reduced rate. For information, see www.plasticsurgerycostaricaaftercarefacility.com, e-mail villalemascostarica@yahoo.com or call 2289-3767.
The more people become involved in the hectic life cycle of personal and professional lives, the less they start caring about health and wellness issues in their life. Beyond the world of job oriented targets, goals and ambitions is a completely separate space dedicated to your family and friends who form a special place in your heart. If you take some time out from your busy schedule, you can make a lot of difference to the lives of people all around you. Sometimes, all it takes is just a genuine feeling of care and concern to bring a smile on the faces of those who are suffering a lot.