Costa Rica (CR)
Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy — a small, lush republic that abolished its army in 1948 and instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment.
Capital: San José
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: CRC (₡)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 48)
Emergency: 911
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Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before you need them.
General Emergency
911
Police
911 / 2222-1365 (OIJ — judicial police)
Fire Brigade
118
Ambulance
911 / 128 (Cruz Roja — Red Cross ambulance)
Poison Control
2223-1028 (Centro Nacional de Intoxicaciones, Hospital Nacional de Niños)
Mental Health
CCSS Mental Health: 800-0843-843 (free, Mon–Fri 7am–10pm) | Crisis line: 2256-4949 (ASEMECO, 24/7)
Domestic Violence
INAMU: 800-800-4628 (Instituto Nacional de la Mujer, free, 24/7)
Child Protection
PANI: 800-900-6000 (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia, free)
Road Assistance
INS Road Assistance: 800-800-8000 (mandatory INS vehicle insurance covers basic roadside assistance). AUTOS 24h towing: widely available in cities.
CCSS Emergency Rooms (Emergencias)
911
All CCSS hospitals have 24/7 emergency rooms open to enrolled members. Private clinic emergency rooms (CIMA, Clínica Bíblica, Hospital La Católica) are open 24/7 for fee-paying patients.
24 hours, 7 days a week.
How to call emergency services in Costa Rica
For 911: works from any phone, free, 24/7. State your location, the type of emergency, and how many people are involved. The operator will dispatch the appropriate service. Cruz Roja (128) is the primary ambulance service and is often faster than 911 for medical emergencies outside San José.