Prepare for Your Dental Vacation

Planning your dental trip with Smile Design Costa Rica is simple and convenient when you know what steps to follow. That’s why we’ve prepared this complete guide with essential recommendations to ensure your experience is comfortable, safe, and successful.

Valid Passport

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Costa Rica.

  • If your passport is about to expire, renew it before traveling.

  • Visa: If you are traveling from the United States, Canada, the European Union, or most Latin American countries, you do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica as a tourist.

Travel Insurance

While optional, you may purchase travel insurance to cover unexpected events such as:

  • Flight cancellations or delays

  • Lost luggage

  • Illness or accidents

  • Extreme weather (rain, hurricanes, etc.)

Medical Tourism Insurance

For extra peace of mind, some patients choose specialized medical tourism insurance, which covers emergencies during treatments abroad.

  • If you suffer an accident or incident, private medical care is accessible in Costa Rica—so this option is not mandatory.

What to Pack

Costa Rica has a warm, tropical, and variable climate, especially in San José and the Central Valley, where our clinic is located. We recommend packing:

  • Light, comfortable clothing

  • Shorts and T-shirts

  • A light sweater or jacket (A/C in hotels and clinics can be chilly)

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Swimsuit and sandals

  • Umbrella or rain poncho (especially May–October, green season)

  • Sunscreen and insect repellent

  • Sunglasses

  • Camera or smartphone to capture your experience

💡 Distances are short, and you can easily find anything at supermarkets like Walmart.

Currency & Exchange

  • The local currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC).

  • U.S. dollars (USD) are widely accepted.

  • You can withdraw both colones and dollars from ATMs at hotels, malls, and banks.

  • Credit and debit cards are accepted in most stores and restaurants.

  • Avoid exchanging money at the airport (rates are less favorable). Prefer national banks.

Medical & Dental Documentation

Bring the following with you:

  • Recent dental X-rays (last 6 months)

  • Previous reports or diagnoses

  • Information about past treatments or surgeries

  • Your medical summary (illnesses, allergies, current medications)

📧 If you’d like to send us this information before arrival, you may email it to: smiledesignsabana@gmail.com

Medications

  • Carry all personal medications in your hand luggage.

  • Bring enough for twice the length of your trip, in case of unexpected delays.

  • Protect them from heat and humidity.

  • Include a copy of your prescriptions, or at least the names of each medication.

Health & Vaccines

No vaccines are required to enter Costa Rica.

Additional Recommendations

  • Bring an extra pair of glasses (in case they break or get lost).

  • Make copies of your passport and important documents; keep them separate from the originals.

  • Leave valuables at home.

  • Notify your bank that you’ll be traveling, to avoid card blocks due to unusual activity.

  • Supermarkets do not provide plastic bags—bring a reusable tote bag for your purchases (souvenirs, groceries, etc.).

Assistance in Costa Rica

Our team will be happy to assist you at any time. If you need help with:

Airport transfers

Lodging or dining recommendations

Tourist advice or free-time activities

Appointment coordination or schedule changes

You can contact us at:
📞 Local phone: +506 6060-1411
📞 Emergencies/after-hours: +506 7106-3318
📧 Email: info@smiledesigncr.com

At Smile Design Costa Rica, we are committed to making your dental vacation a transformative, safe, and high-quality experience. Thank you for trusting us with your dental care abroad—we look forward to welcoming you soon!