Emergencies in Costa Rica – Important phone numbers, hospitals and embassies

Even in a beautiful country like Costa Rica, emergencies can happen. An accident, a sudden illness, a theft, or another unforeseen event can happen to anyone.

Especially if you are a foreigner living in Costa Rica or spending your holidays here, it is important to know the right contacts and phone numbers.

We have therefore compiled an overview for you with important emergency numbers, hospitals and diplomatic missions.

Costa Rica Real Estate – Personal assistance in emergencies

We are also happy to assist our customers and acquaintances with urgent problems.

In case of genuine emergencies, you can also contact us outside of normal business hours and on weekends, where possible.

Depending on the situation, you can reach us via the agreed contact options:

• phone
• Whatsapp
• e-mail
• Skype, if available

We will try to assist you within our means with advice and practical help, to establish contacts or to provide suitable contacts.

Please understand that we do not operate an official rescue or on-call service and cannot guarantee immediate availability at all times.

Important: In case of medical emergencies, accidents, fires or acute danger, please first contact the relevant emergency services directly via the number 911.

If you are unable to reach us by phone and only the answering machine answers, please be sure to leave a message with:

• Your full name.
• Your callback number.
• Your place of residence.
• A brief description of the problem.

We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Important emergency numbers in Costa Rica

Emergency number: 911

The most important telephone number in Costa Rica is the nationwide emergency number. 911.

You can reach the following emergency services, among others, via this number:

• Police (Fuerza Pública).
• Red Cross (Cruz Roja Costarricense).
• Firefighters (Bomberos).
• Traffic Police (Policía de Tránsito).
• Other responsible emergency services.

The emergency call center can also help you coordinate appropriate assistance.

When you receive a call, you should remain as calm as possible and provide the following information:

1. Where is the emergency located? Please state the location, street, municipality, or a known landmark.
2. What happened?
3. How many people are affected?
4. Are there any injured persons or people in immediate danger?
5. What is your phone number?

If possible, speak Spanish or ask a Spanish-speaking person for assistance.

Our tip: Save the number 911 in your mobile phone before you arrive.

Public hospitals in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a nationwide public health system operated by the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS).

Major public hospitals include:

Hospital San Juan de Dios

Paseo Colón, San José

Telephone: +506 2547-8000

Hospital Mexico

La Uruca, San José

Telephone: +506 2242-6700

National Hospital of Children

San Jose

Telephone: +506 2523-3600

Calderón Guardia Hospital

San Jose

Telephone: +506 2212-1000

Hospital Enrique Baltodano Briceño

Liberia, Guanacaste

Tony Facio Castro Hospital

Lemon

Monsignor Hospital Sanabria

Puntarenas

The telephone numbers of the regional hospitals should be checked via the official CCSS website before contacting them directly.

Further information and hospitals: https://www.ccss.sa.cr/

Private hospitals

In addition to public hospitals, there are various private hospitals and medical facilities in Costa Rica.

These are used particularly by foreigners, private patients and people with appropriate health insurance.

Hospital CIMA

<PRIVATE_URL>

Autopista Próspero Fernández, Escazú, San José

Telephone: +506 2208-1000

Website: https://hospitalcima.com/

Hospital Clínica Bíblica

Avenida 14, between Calle Central and Avenida Primera, San José.

Website: https://www.clinicabiblica.com/

Please note that private medical services can incur significant costs depending on your insurance, the treatment, and the facility. For non-life-threatening situations, please clarify cost coverage in advance whenever possible.

However, in life-threatening emergencies, the necessary medical assistance should not be delayed by administrative or financial clarifications.

Embassies and diplomatic missions in Costa Rica

If you are a German, Swiss, Austrian or other foreign national living or staying in Costa Rica, your embassy or consulate can provide assistance in certain emergencies.

These include, for example:

• Loss or theft of the passport.
• Accidents and serious illnesses.
• Arrests and legal difficulties.
• Deaths and the notification of relatives.
• Missing persons cases.
• Crisis situations and disasters.

Consular assistance is limited, however. Embassies, for example, cannot settle private debts, cover legal fees, or finance medical treatments.

German Embassy in San José

Torre La Sabana, 8th floor, Sabana Norte, San Jose.

Telephone: +506 2290-9091

Emergency number outside opening hours: +506 8381-7968

Email and contact: https://san-jose.diplo.de/

The emergency number is exclusively for urgent consular emergencies outside of opening hours.

Swiss Embassy in San José

Edificio Centro Colón, 10th floor, Paseo Colón, San José.

Telephone: +506 2221-4829

Email: [email protected]

Consular matters: [email protected]

Website: https://www.eda.admin.ch/costarica

Swiss citizens can also contact the helpline of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs:

• +41 800 24-7-365
• +41 58 465 33 33

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Edificio Centro Colón, 7th floor, Paseo Colón, San José.

Telephone: +506 2221-4306

Website and current contact details: https://www.rree.go.cr/

Please note that an honorary consulate cannot offer all the consular services of a full-fledged embassy.

Spanish Embassy in San José

Calle 32, between Paseo Colón and Avenida Segunda, San José.

Phone:

• +506 2222-1933
• +506 2222-5745
• +506 2221-0534

Email: [email protected]

Consular emergency number (24 hours):

+506 6050-9853

Website: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/sanjosedecostarica/

Embassy of the United States of America

Calle 98, Vía 104, Pavas, San Jose.

Telephone: +506 2519-2000

Emergency number outside opening hours: +506 2220-3127

Website: https://cr.usembassy.gov/

Other embassies and consulates

Citizens of other countries can also contact their respective diplomatic missions.

The Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides an up-to-date overview of foreign embassies and consulates in Costa Rica:

https://www.rree.go.cr/

There you will find the official contact details of the diplomatic missions, sorted by country.

What you should prepare for an emergency

Especially if you live permanently in Costa Rica, we recommend that you keep some important information readily available.

• Save the emergency number 911 in your mobile phone.
• Note down the address and GPS coordinates of your place of residence.
• Keep contact details of the nearest hospitals.
• Keep your insurance company's phone number handy.
• Save the embassy and consular emergency numbers.
• Keep a copy of your passport and residence permit in a safe place.
• Create a list of important medications and medical information.
• Provide contact details of relatives and trusted persons.
• For remote residential areas, have precise directions available for emergency services.

Especially outside of major cities and in rural coastal regions, it can be helpful to be able to describe your location as accurately as possible.

A few words in conclusion

Costa Rica is a beautiful country, offering an excellent quality of life, work, and vacation opportunities. Nevertheless, it's advisable to be prepared for unforeseen situations.

We certainly hope that you will never need any of the telephone numbers listed here.

Should you ever need help, we hope you find the right support quickly.

Costa Rica IMMO – We are happy to be there for you even after you have purchased your property.

¡Pura Vida!