Medical Care Manuel Antonio and Quepos
Medical Care in Manuel Antonio and Quepos
Costa Rica, with its breathtaking landscapes, lush rainforests and diverse landscape, has become a popular destination for travelers of all kinds. While the many exciting experiences, tours and the simple beauty that can be found within the country tend to steal the spotlight while planning the trip, thinking about where to go if a medical emergency occurs is equally important.
When traveling to Quepos, a charming coastal town on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, or also just to the Manuel Antonio area, you will find various pharmacies, different kinds of doctors and medical facilities, as well as emergency care facilities. To make your life easier while traveling, here are our recommendations on where to go if things don't go as planned:
Pharmacies
If during your travels you're not suffering from a medical emergency, but simply need to purchase some painkillers, something for a sore throat, or other over-the-counter medication, there is three main pharmacies located in downtown Quepos. Keep in mind that you are likely to find a doctor at most pharmacies during normal hours. These Doctors can help diagnose your illness or recommend medications. If you don't have a medical emergency, visiting a pharmacy is the best place to start.
Basica Quepos Limitada
This pharmacy is located on the waterfront facing the Malecon of Quepos. Here you will be able to find everything from skin care and cosmetic products, to baby care products, pain killers and prescription medicine. The staff is super friendly and helpful with any matter that you might need support with. When asking for over-the-counter medication such as anti-inflammatory pills to treat a throat or any other kind of infection for example, don't be surprised you'll get asked for how many days you'd like the treatment. The staff will most likely ask you this question and then give you the number of pills accordingly, sometimes even without the packaging. Make sure to ask about pricing beforehand, since medication here can be more expensive, especially if you are not a local. This is also why it is important to get a travel insurance before going on vacation.
At this pharmacy you will most likely not find a doctor for a 'consulta medica', but at the staff will gladly point out the nearest doctors, if you ask for help.
If you need specific medication or simply would like to know if this particular pharmacy has it in stock or whether they are open, here is their phone number for you to call in advance:
Phone number: (506) 2777 0038
Farmacias Maral
Almost right around the corner from the pharmacy Basica Quepos Limitada you'll find Farmacias Maral. Compared to Basica Quepos Limitada, this pharmacy has a more limited offering of medications, but they do offer a medical consultation. Here, a 'consulta medica' costs $ 100 USD plus the medication you might get prescribed in order to get better. If you need prescription medicine after the consultation, you can directly purchase it from the pharmacy itself. If needed for your insurance, the staff will also gladly print the receipt with your name printed on it and send you your medical report per email or whatsapp. Depending on the length of your stay and the medical issue in question, the doctor will offer you a free of charge follow-up appointment, to see if you are getting better and whether the treatment is working or not.
Hours: 8 am - 10 pm
Phone number: (506) 86273434
Farmacia Económica
While traveling on a budget, becoming sick or needing medical attention can kill the mood of the vacation. Therefore, if you are in need of painkillers, allergy pills or any other non-prescription medicine and don't want to spend a fortune or simply don't have a travel insurance, Farmacia Económica offers most medication to a cheaper price. This doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the pills they will give you or the pharmacy in general, they simply offer medication for an affordable price. Here one can also find dietary supplements or protein powder, for those who don't want to loose their gains while on vacation. Farmacia Económica is located one block away from Farmacias Maral.
Hours: 7 am - 8 pm
Phone number: (506) 2777 3212
Other
If the mentioned pharmacies do not offer the specific medication or product you are looking for, don't worry! There are more pharmacies to choose from.
Other pharmacies in Quepos:
Farmacia Drs Serrano, phone number (506) 6486 2851
Travel Insurance
Whether traveling for an extended period of time or just for a week; a travel insurance is always a good thing to have! You never know what might happen on the exciting adventures you're going on while traveling. Especially since Costa Rica, Quepos and the Manuel Antonio area generally are offering so many adrenaline filled tours and activities, such as white water rafting, jungle night tours, waterfall tours and zip-line experiences, it is better to be safe and insured than sorry and facing medical bills. Also keep in mind that besides accidents, also other medical emergencies, such as malaria-, rabies- or dengue fever infections, can occur.
When choosing your travel insurance for Costa Rica, make sure it includes the following:
- Medical Coverage: Make sure your insurance provider covers medical emergencies, hospitalization, doctors visits and prescription medication.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: In severe emergencies you may need to be transported to a better equipped facility, which can be expensive.
- Emergency Assistance Service: If included, this shall cover 24/7 assistance in emergency situations, such as medical referrals, legal help and translation service.
- Adventure and Recreational Activities: Experiences such as rafting, surfing or zip-line might need additional coverage, but they are often also covered trough the tour operator.
Additionally, we recommend adding the following coverages, if needed:
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Most travel insurances do not automatically cover the treatment of pre-existing conditions. Make sure to get the right insurance plan, if this applies to you.
- Personal Liability: This covers you in case you caused damage to someones property or a third party and are held legally accountable.
- Rental Car Coverage: In order to rent a car you will either have to show that your insurance policy covers car-related issues such as damage, theft or accidents, or you will have to get an insurance for that trough the rental car company. This coverage is mandatory in Costa Rica.
Keep in mind that exact rates and policy terms and details vary from one provider to another. Carefully read the terms and conditions of your individual travel insurance policy, before entering the contract.
Medical Treatment
No one wants to think about going to a doctor, a hospital or some other emergency facility whilst on vacation in a tropical paradise such as Costa Rica. However, when worst comes to worst, one should be prepared and know where to go. In the following we listed the best known medical care facilities and doctors in the Quepos and the Manuel Antonio area, so that you can enjoy yourself to the fullest while traveling.
Farmacias Maral
If you need to see a doctor, one of our recommendations is the going to the doctors working at Farmacias Maral. At this pharmacy, a 'consulta medica' costs $ 100 USD plus the medication you might get prescribed in order to get better. If you need prescription medicine after the consultation, you can directly purchase it from the pharmacy itself. If needed for your insurance, the staff will also gladly print the receipt with your name printed on it and send you the medical report per email or whatsapp. Depending on the length of your stay and the medical issue in question, the doctor will offer you a free of charge follow-up appointment, to see if you are getting better and whether the treatment is working or not.
This pharmacy
works together with most travel insurance companies. However, talk to your travel insurance before about the
reimbursement process, in order to see if the insurance pays the pharmacy / doctor directly, or if you need to pay in advance and get reimbursed later on, either directly from the insurance or through the pharmacy. The pharmacy might send a different bill to the insurance in order to receive more money back than that was actually spent.
Express Medical
Being on vacation and getting sick or hurt and needing medical attention definitely ruins the mood, especially if traveling without a car. But no worries! With Express Medical the doctor comes directly to your hotel, AirBnB or vacation rental. Express Medical is like a doctor on wheels, a well equipped van offering quality healthcare in order to get you back to the beaches as quickly as possible. The van is operated by American doctors and offers mobile routine and urgent medical services, such as prescriptions, IV fluids/ lab work, pediatric care, cold-flu treatment and they even have a helicopter transport available in case the medical emergency requires transportation to a better equipped facility.
To get in touch with Express Medical, you can call, text or whatsapp them using the following numbers:
CR: +506-8836-2669 (88-DOCNOW)
USA: +1(530)636-2669 (6-DOCNOW)
Or send an email to: info@expressmedicalcostarica.com
Hours: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
After Hours Emergency: Call 24/7 to check for after hours availability
Click here to check their website
Urgent Care Quepos
Urgent Care Quepos is a hospital-like medical facility and is located right in front of the church in Quepos. If you need to see a doctor here, it is best to schedule an appointment or at least call beforehand, because otherwise you might find yourself waiting for a long time to be attended or you will be told to come back later, when the doctor is free. A 'consulta medica' costs $ 120 USD and pretty much all health and travel insurances are accepted. Urgent Care Quepos is part of Medired Costa Rica, a group of physicians and health professionals that specializes in emergency care. Therefore, they also offer domestic and international air and terrestrial transportation, in order to provide you with the best medical treatment possible.
Hours:
Monday - Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday & Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone number: (506) 2777 1727
Whatsapp (506) 8353 7676
If you are suffering from a medical emergency and cannot get ahold of anyone at Urgent Care Quepos, make sure to contact the emergency phone number of Medired Costa Rica, which is:
CR:
+506-8303-6655
USA:
+1-954-2781466
Click here to check their website
Hospitals
Hospital Metropolitano
There are two hospitals close to Quepos, one being Hospital Metropolitano Quepos, which is located within the Marina Pela Vez. Other branches can also be found within the country. The one in Quepos offers a wide range of medical services, such as medical emergencies & check-ups, primary medical care, general consultation, dentistry, x-rays, clinical laboratory and pediatric consultation, amongst others. However, it is not like a traditional hospital like the one you might have in mind. It. is better described as a doctors office, that offers similar services like a hospital. Within the hospital you can also find a pharmacy, to directly get the prescribed or recommended medication needed and also an ambulance service can be offered, if necessary. To see, if your travel or health insurance will cover your treatment at Hospital Metropolitano, check their website before or give them a call.
Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Saturdays: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Sunday: closed
Pharmacy hours
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Saturdays: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Phone number: (506) 4070 4040
General Medicine: ext. 9850
Medical Specialties: ext. 9854
Click here to check their website
Hospital Max Terán Valls
If you feel more comfortable or your medical emergency simply requires going to a proper hospital, the Max Terán Valls Hospital is the closest one to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. It is located outside of central Quepos, on the main road number 34. The hospital operated by the Costa Rican Social Security Department (CCSS) and offers a total of 53 beds. Doctors here are certified for trauma and emergency medical services, and some of the staff also speak English.
Hours:
24 / 7 daily
Phone Numbers
(506) 2774-9500
(506) 2777-1401
(506) 2777-1402
(506) 2777-0922
Click here to check their website
LOCATION
Corporation: Bosque Perfecto SA
RECEPTION
Daily from 7 AM to 10 PM
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