{"id":13164,"date":"2026-01-17T12:56:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T04:56:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/?p=13164"},"modified":"2026-01-17T15:26:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T07:26:39","slug":"international-health-insurance-in-costa-rica-for-expats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/international-health-insurance-in-costa-rica-for-expats.html","title":{"rendered":"Health Insurance for Expats in Costa Rica: A 2026 Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expats in Costa Rica may qualify for public health insurance, or they may secure a private health insurance plan to better suit their healthcare needs. While the country\u2019s public system is known for its quality and affordability, long wait times make private healthcare a preferred option for expats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like any other country around the world, before you relocate, it\u2019s important to consider your healthcare needs and ensure that you are financially protected in the event of medical emergencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Pacific Prime article goes into detail on public and private healthcare in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/country\/americas\/costa-rica-health-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Costa Rica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, how to register for public healthcare in Costa Rica, the importance of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/health-insurance-plans\/international-health-insurance-plan\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private health insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and how to get private health insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><div class='code-block code-block-73' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<link rel='stylesheet' href='https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/readable-child\/blog-banner\/compare-box\/css\/compare-73-new.css?v1.67' type='text\/css' media='all'\/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/compare-quotes\/step-one-name\/?campSource=PP-Blog&utm_campaign=Blog\" class=\"inserter-73-link CompareNowbutton\">\n  <div class=\"inserter-73-new\">\n    <div class=\"inserter-left-box\">\n        <h3>Kickstart Your Search for the Perfect Insurer<\/h3>        \n        <div class=\"inserter-compare-box\">\n            <p>Compare over <br>50,000 Plans <br>from Top Insurers<\/p>\n            <button >Compare NOW<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    \n    <div class=\"inserter-img-box\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/readable-child\/blog-banner\/compare-box\/img\/mobile.png\" alt=\" \" class=\"banner-img-mobile\">            \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n<style>\n\n.inserter-73-new .inserter-img-box amp-img {right: -31%;}\n@media (max-width: 1199px) {\n  .inserter-73-new .inserter-img-box amp-img {\n    right: -20px;\n  }\n@media (max-width: 991px) {\n  .inserter-73-new .inserter-img-box amp-img {\n    right: -10px;\n  }\n}\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n  .inserter-73-new .inserter-img-box amp-img {\n    height: auto;\n    width: 30%;\n  }\n}\n@media (max-width: 512px) {\n  .inserter-73-new .inserter-img-box amp-img {\n    height: 200px;\n  }\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Public Healthcare in Costa Rica<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-27862 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/aerial-view-of-modern-church-in-liberia-costa-rica.webp\" alt=\"Image of Aerial View Of Modern Church In Liberia, Costa Rica with text overlay of &quot;Public Healthcare in Costa Rica&quot;\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/aerial-view-of-modern-church-in-liberia-costa-rica.webp 1280w, https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/aerial-view-of-modern-church-in-liberia-costa-rica-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/aerial-view-of-modern-church-in-liberia-costa-rica-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/aerial-view-of-modern-church-in-liberia-costa-rica-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/aerial-view-of-modern-church-in-liberia-costa-rica-150x84.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the management of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ccssdecostarica\/?locale=es_LA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Costa Rican public healthcare provides access to free treatment in the country\u2019s public hospitals and facilities. The medical staff at these facilities is second to none, and many have received their training in the United States.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expats or foreign residents also have access to public healthcare on the same basis as Costa Rican nationals by making payments in the form of monthly contributions, which are deducted from their salaries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Pros and Cons of the Costa Rican Public Healthcare System<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An example of the advantage of the Costa Rican public healthcare system is that pre-existing conditions are covered, and a disadvantage is the long wait times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below is a table denoting the pros and cons for better comparison:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Pros<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Cons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coverage of pre-existing conditions.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The public healthcare system has long wait times.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no age limit for enrolling.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public hospitals and clinics are understaffed.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly payments decrease with age.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a lack of specialists for rare and complex conditions.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"3\"><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a lack of English-speaking staff.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You do not get to choose your medical practitioner.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will mostly receive generic drugs.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><b>Registering for Public Healthcare in Costa Rica<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registering for Costa Rican public healthcare under the Caja requires valid documents such as your residence card, passport, a notarized photocopy of your passport ID, evidence of residence, and registration request forms. You will then be required to visit a local <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccss.sa.cr\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caja<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to register for public healthcare:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>1. Prepare Your Documents<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upon entering Costa Rica, you will need to prepare the following documents:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A residence card from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.migracion.go.cr\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Costa Rican Immigration Authority<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including copies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your passport<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A notarized photocopy of your passport ID<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evidence of residence: Utility bills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registration request forms from your employer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>2. Visit a Local Caja Office<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve prepared your documents, visit a local Caja office to submit an application and make payments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>3. Collect Your Card<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upon processing your application, go to the Caja office and retrieve your medical appointment card. Be sure to take note of the expiration date so that you can renew beforehand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><div class='code-block code-block-3' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><button class=\"mo-modal-open\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-4632\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SEO-Baner-Family.jpg\" alt=\"Family health insurance banner\" width=\"1138\" height=\"493\" \/><\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Private Healthcare in Costa Rica<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clinicabiblica.com\/es-cr\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cl\u00ednica B\u00edblica Hospital<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/metropolitanocr.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospital Metropolitano<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hospitalcima.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospital CIMA San Jos\u00e9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are just a few of the private healthcare networks in Costa Rica that provide fast, high-quality medical treatment with short wait times. They can also assist you with expat issues like language barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Advantages of Private Healthcare in Costa Rica<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the quality of the public healthcare system, many people opt for private healthcare to make the most of the shorter wait times, access to specialists, and to choose their preferred general practitioner. Currently, around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.internations.org\/costa-rica-expats\/guide\/healthcare\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30% of Costa Rica\u2019s population<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has private health insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below is a table denoting the advantages of Costa Rica\u2019s private healthcare:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><b>Advantages of Costa Rica\u2019s Private Healthcare<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessibility<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private healthcare in Costa Rica offers convenient access to highly trained physicians and dentists who work in both the public and private sectors. This means that patients can receive care in the afternoons and evenings, accommodating various schedules.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Affordability<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While private healthcare in Costa Rica is more expensive than the same services offered through the public healthcare system, the cost is still significantly lower than the average office visit in the United States.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Superior and cheap dental care<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private dental care in Costa Rica is provided at a considerably lower cost than in the United States. This affordability has led to the rise of \u201cmedical tourism,\u201d where patients travel to Costa Rica specifically for dental procedures such as implants and teeth whitening.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern facilities<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private hospitals, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clinicabiblica.com\/es\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cl\u00ednica B\u00edblica<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hospitalcima.com\/en\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CIMA Hospital<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hilc.cr\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospital La Cat\u00f3lica<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These hospitals offer first-class, ultra-modern services. These hospitals are associated with American hospitals and have received <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jointcommissioninternational.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint Commission International certification<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, guaranteeing high-quality care.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Availability of private clinics<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are numerous private clinics throughout Costa Rica. These clinics cater to expats and offer a range of services, including emergency care, x-rays, bloodwork, ambulatory services, and wellness care.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to specialized treatment<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tourists from across the globe travel to Costa Rica to receive medical treatments such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orthopedics: Hip, shoulder, and knee replacement surgeries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgery: Bariatric surgery and gastric band placement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dermatology: Laser applications for skin stain and wrinkle removal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ophthalmology: Cornea transplant, cataract surgery, refractive surgery<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plastic surgery: Liposuction and face-lifting procedures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dentistry: Various dental procedures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fertility treatments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance addiction recovery (wellness tourism)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flexibility and reduced wait times<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many expats choose to use a combination of public and private healthcare in Costa Rica. This allows them to avoid long wait times for certain procedures and treatments in the public system.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><div class='code-block code-block-7' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><button class=\"mo-modal-open\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-4628\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SEO-Baner-04_updated-1.jpg\" alt=\"Health insurance quote banner\" width=\"1138\" height=\"493\" \/><\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why You Should Get Health Insurance From a Broker<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before relocating to Costa Rica, it\u2019s important to consult with your brokers about your medical needs, pre-existing conditions, and budgetary constraints, as this allows them to provide you with personalized coverage, specialized guidance, policy and claims assistance, and post-sales assistance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below is an exhaustive list denoting the key advantages of taking out insurance from a broker:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Personalized Coverage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through the analysis of a client\u2019s pre-existing conditions, budget, and needs, brokers are able to recommend the best plans for their expatriate and travel needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Specialized Guidance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The duty of a broker is to ensure that clients know the types of coverage that they are entitled to and the limitations. This means that you\u2019ll receive the most out of every dollar spent.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Policy and Claims Assistance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going it alone when filing and following up on claims can be a highly tedious process. With a broker, you can expect to be reimbursed in a timely manner and with a guarantee.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Post-Sales Assistance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purchasing an insurance plan doesn\u2019t mean your collaboration ends there. A broker\u2019s duty is to guide and assist their clients throughout their insurance journey around the globe.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Looking Ahead to Your Travels<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relocating to Costa Rica requires you to carefully consider your healthcare needs and whether or not you\u2019ll want to rely on the public healthcare system. Given the long wait times and understaffed clinics and hospitals, it is strongly recommended to take out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/health-insurance-plans\/international-health-insurance-plan\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private health insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can make a well-informed choice and have a rewarding expat experience in Costa Rica by thinking about things like the community, healthcare, infrastructure, natural beauty, cost of living, and safety. You can also read more about this in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/top-15-locations-in-costa-rica-for-expats-to-live\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Places to Live in Costa Rica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> article.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re still unsure, there are numerous online resources available to assist you in understanding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/health-insurance-plans\/international-health-insurance-plan\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private health insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> choices for expatriates and locating the most suitable <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/health-insurance-plans\/international-health-insurance-plan\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">international health insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/health-insurance-plans\/expat-health-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expatriate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By collaborating with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pacific Prime<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a highly regarded insurance brokerage, you\u2019ll gain access to a team of experts who can provide impartial advice and help you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/compare-quotes\/step-one\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compare plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/insurers-and-partners\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leading insurers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Costa Rica and worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reach out to us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today to begin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><div class='code-block code-block-72' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<link rel='stylesheet' href='https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/readable-child\/blog-banner\/compare-box\/css\/compare-72-new.css?v1.47' type='text\/css' media='all'\/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/compare-quotes\/step-one-name\/?campSource=PP-Blog&utm_campaign=Blog\" class=\"inserter-72-link CompareNowbutton\">\n        <div class=\"inserter-72-new\">\n            <h3>Start by Comparing <br>Insurance Plans Online<\/h3>\n            <div class=\"inserter-img-box\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/readable-child\/blog-banner\/compare-box\/img\/desktop.png\" alt=\" \">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"inserter-compare-box\">\n                <p>Browse and Compare 50,000+ <br>International Health Plans<\/p>\n                <button>Compare NOW<\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Why should I consider private health insurance in Costa Rica?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private health insurance in Costa Rica offers advantages such as convenient access to highly trained physicians and dentists, shorter wait times, access to specialists, the ability to choose your preferred general practitioner, and modern facilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How do expats get health insurance in Costa Rica?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expats in Costa Rica can get public health insurance by enrolling in <\/span><b>Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as part of the residency process. For private health insurance, expats can purchase a plan from international or local insurers through licensed brokers who help compare benefits and costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Why should I get health insurance from a broker when relocating to Costa Rica?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brokers can provide personalized coverage by analyzing your pre-existing conditions, budget, and needs and recommending the best plans for your expatriate and travel needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Expats in Costa Rica may qualify for public health insurance, or they may secure a private health insurance plan to better suit their healthcare needs. While the country\u2019s public system is known for its quality and affordability, long wait times make private healthcare a preferred option for expats. Just like any other country around the &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":27861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[570,217],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-insurance"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Health Insurance for Expats in Costa Rica: A 2026 Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the overview of public and private healthcare systems in Costa Rica, plus why you\u2019ll need a private health insurance plan in this article.\" \/>\n<meta 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