Information checked 24 October 2026.
Choosing addiction treatment in Costa Rica involves decisions about clinical care, communication and support after you return home. Start with the level of treatment you need, then compare the people, facilities and practical arrangements that can provide it. This guide introduces two residential providers and the questions to resolve before booking.
Start with a clinical assessment
Discuss overseas treatment with your current clinician or an addiction professional. Explain the substances you use, prescribed medications, previous withdrawal experiences and any mental or physical health conditions. Ask whether residential care is appropriate and whether you need medical stabilization before traveling. The CDC’s guidance on care abroad recommends discussing plans with your regular healthcare professional and arranging follow-up before departure.
Our guide to addiction treatment can help you understand the questions to bring to that assessment.
Residential providers to investigate
The descriptions below reflect the providers’ published information. Confirm the exact location, proposed treatment, current admissions criteria and availability directly with each service.
Costa Rica Recovery, San José
Costa Rica Recovery describes residential programs for adults aged 18 and older, with 30-, 60- and 90-day options. Its program page includes individual treatment planning, support for co-occurring mental health conditions, family involvement and aftercare planning. Ask which clinicians would manage your care, how any withdrawal would be assessed and what the discharge plan would include.
Costa Rica Treatment Center, San José and Atenas
Costa Rica Treatment Center describes residential care at its San José and Atenas locations, with programs lasting 30, 60, 90 or 120 days. It reports individual and group therapy, psychiatric input and family participation. Confirm which location would receive you, which services are included there and how any detoxification or hospital transfer would be arranged.
Verify the program and the people providing care
Costa Rica’s Instituto sobre Alcoholismo y Farmacodependencia, or IAFA, explains that it approves public and private substance-use programs. Its authorized-program directory lists Costa Rica Recovery Sociedad Anónima as an approved short-term residential program. Confirm that a directory record covers the specific legal entity, address and program you are considering.
Request current program-approval details and ask which other health-authority permissions apply. Also request the names, qualifications and professional registration details of the clinicians responsible for treatment. Clarify who is physically present overnight, how a doctor is reached and which hospital receives patients who need a higher level of care.
Use written answers to compare services. A description such as “24-hour support” needs clarification about the roles and qualifications of the staff available during those hours.
Discuss detox, medication and language before admission
Ask the clinical team to explain whether withdrawal management can be provided at the residential address or requires another facility. Describe any previous withdrawal complications during assessment. Agree on a medical plan before changing prescribed medication or arranging a journey that could interrupt treatment.
If you take medication for a substance use disorder or another condition, confirm how it can be continued, prescribed and supplied during the stay. The CDC’s guidance for travelers with substance use disorders highlights that medication rules differ between countries, including transit destinations.
Ask which language is used in individual therapy, groups, medical appointments, consent documents and emergency situations. Request an interpreter where needed. Speaking with an admissions adviser in English does not establish that every part of the program is delivered in English.
Get a complete written cost estimate
Request a quote for the proposed length of stay and room arrangement. Ask whether it includes assessment, medication, medical tests, psychiatric appointments, individual therapy, meals, transfers and aftercare. Clarify the charges for extra treatment days, hospital care, early departure and cancellation.
Confirm coverage directly with your insurer, including any authorization requirements and whether payment is upfront or reimbursed later. Include travel and follow-up care in your budget. Our guide to rehab costs explains questions to ask about quotes and inclusions; obtain a Costa Rica-specific quote from the provider. The CDC recommends checking overseas coverage and the full scope of quoted services.
Plan travel around the agreed treatment
Before paying for flights, review the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s official entry requirements. Passport and visa requirements, proof of onward travel and the permitted length of stay need to fit your circumstances. The immigration officer determines the authorized stay; a treatment booking does not establish permission to remain for its full duration.
Check medication documentation and applicable health requirements before departure, including any transit countries. Confirm arrival arrangements, the actual treatment address and the plan if your flight is delayed.
Arrange care for the return home
Ask who will coordinate continuing treatment and schedule the first follow-up appointment before discharge. Request a written treatment summary, medication list and contact details for the clinical team. If remote appointments are offered after you leave Costa Rica, ask whether they can be provided where you will live.
Discuss how family or other trusted supporters can participate with your consent. A useful discharge plan identifies practical next steps: appointments, medication arrangements, local support and whom to contact if difficulties return.
Other resources and comparisons
IAFA’s orientation service provides information and referrals about substance-use concerns. Within Costa Rica, its free number is 800 4232 800.
Use our treatment-center selection guide to prepare questions for providers. Our treatment destinations guide also explains how to plan international care, check professional and facility information, and arrange the journey and handover. Compare clinical suitability, total costs and continuity of care across the options you consider.