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"Health Tourism" Up 15%
The number of foreigners who
come to Costa Rica to undergo
medical treatments increased by
15 percent last year, as
compared to 2004, according to
the Instituto Costarricense de
Turismo (ICT) - Costa Rican
Tourism Board.
People from abroad come because
they find medical services which
cost a lot less than in their
homeland, even though they are
of the highest quality and
professionalism.
Of these visitors, 33 percent
came with another person,
according to the ICT, which adds
that 95 percent of the patients
come from the United States to
subject themselves here to
treatments not covered by their
insurance at home.
These tourists save from 50
percent up to 70 percent of the
cost in their country.
The most sought surgeries
include breast enhancement. A
breast augmentation costs an
average of $2,700 in Costa Rica
while the same operation can
cost $7,500 in the United
States.
Foreigners also come to Costa
Rica for dental work, weight
loss and plastic surgery, which
can cost a fraction of the cost
in the United States and Canada.
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