Doctors in San José
18 listings for expats in San José
Listings last reviewed: March 2026
San José offers the best healthcare access in Costa Rica — period. Clínica Bíblica's flagship hospital is in the city center, Hospital Metropolitano serves the western districts, and Hospital CIMA in Escazú is 15–20 minutes away. Every medical specialty is available: oncology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, fertility, and cosmetic surgery. English-speaking physicians are the norm at private hospitals and clinics. The CAJA public system operates Hospital San Juan de Dios and Hospital México within the city. If you have a complex or chronic health condition, San José is the safest place to base yourself in Costa Rica. The doctors listed below represent the city's top-rated medical professionals across general practice and specialties.
San José is the commercial and legal capital of Costa Rica. The highest concentration of licensed professionals — lawyers, accountants, doctors — operate out of the greater San José metro area.
Clínica Plaja
Costa Rica Anti-Aging Experts
Walk in Clinic Costa Rica
Dr. Andrés Gamboa Sanabria
Security Doctors Costa Rica
Clínica DR Sánchez Ospina Medicina y Fisioterapia en Costa Rica
Clínica Bíblica Hospital
Dr. Kenneth Loáiciga Vega
Clínica Médica del Este
DR.MED SAN JOSE
Torre Medica
Hospital Metropolitano
Medico a Domicilio / Costa Rica
Clinica Americana
Clínica del Varón
Hospital La Católica
Medical Specialties Clinic Asembis
Moreno Cañas Clinic
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private doctor visit cost in Costa Rica?
A private general practitioner consultation typically costs $50 to $80, and a specialist visit runs $80 to $120. These prices are a fraction of US costs, which is why many expats pay out of pocket for private visits rather than relying solely on the public CAJA system.
Do doctors in Costa Rica speak English?
Many private physicians, especially in the Central Valley and major towns, trained abroad and speak fluent English. English is common in private clinics serving expats. In the public CAJA system, Spanish is the working language, so bilingual expats or a facilitator can help with important appointments.
Is private healthcare in Costa Rica worth it?
Private care offers fast specialist access and your choice of doctor, which the public CAJA system rations through wait times. Most expats use both: CAJA for catastrophic and ongoing care, and affordable private visits for speed and convenience. This dual approach costs far less than US private insurance.
What should I know about finding a doctor in San José?
San José is the capital and commercial center, home to the largest pool of licensed professionals in Costa Rica. That shapes your options: in areas with a larger professional pool you will have more choice and more English-speaking providers, while smaller or more remote locations may have fewer listings and sometimes require travelling to a larger town. The verified listings on this page reflect providers active in and around San José.