Headed to Costa Rica. Can't get much info from the internet. Any do's or do not's? Can I get refills on my meds if I have the bottle or do I need a DR's note?

I doubt you can get a legal refill out of the country. Some docs will refill you early if you are going out of the country. I would try that first.

Have fun, I know I had a blast there on my last visit!

I want to go to Costa Rica. My dh has been there a couple of times on fishing trips. Great pics; great place.

Lately the US has not seemed so great to me.

(((SIGH)))

Very relaxing place indeed!!

a very good place

Hope you have a good trip
Try a couple of pharmacies first, just ask for what you want... and if it does not work ask the pharmacists to recommend a doctor... should work for most but not all meds...

In Costa Rica you can buy 1 pill if that is all you need or can afford... the same goes for cigarrillos...

You should take with you the meds you will need just in case you can not get them there.

Please report your experience while you are there or when you return...

I had a friend (and not me, in all seriousness) go down there and show him his medical card (insurance card), and claim he was a doctor and then got them to prescribe medicine for him...and i'm talking some hyrdo's and valiums....so it depends on where you go.

Personally I'd never do that, but this guy might be the most arrogant person i know (don't know why i called him a friend, really).

however, they'd probably just say no and leave it at that. You can show them them the bottle, or try the insurance thing...or give them 50 extra bones....if desparate. I just want to go to Costa Rica. I hear it great. At least on the Pacific side. is that where you're going?

best

I was under the impression that it is fairly easy in Costa Rica. Some pharmacies will just dispense it, but more often then not they will charge you a consultation fee for a doctor they are affiliated with. More common, they will refer you to a doctor who really just writes scripts of what you ask. But, and strong medications are really not an option and are rarely prescribed for someone, even a legit person unles it is an emergency. So benzos, tylenol with codeine, etc are an easy option if that is what you were inquiring about.

Back in the states. I read all of the posts while there and most are accurate. Very friendly and warm atmosphere. Just did not want to post as everything is Wi-Fi and I'm a bit cautious even logging into e-mail, though that is another subject. You can get scripts filled to an extent if you'll pay the charges for your doctor to verify that you are the one being treated, and remember you will be seeing your doctor again when you get home. Was not an issue though good to know. Turns out the Dr. and the pharmacist are the same person in the smaller towns, most of the country. If in pain you can get an injection of a codiene mixed with some type of benzo. I saw a few locals stumble out though Doc said tourists will be turned away unless it is a TRUE emergency and you have a health card that you purchase before entering the country. Doc vists are $10-25 depending on what you need. You can buy tylenol 4 and some benzo's though don't expect to fill grocery bags. Dental work is very cheap and if you ever need serious work it is worth looking into as an alternative. Everything was very clean, one doc was an American who said he was fed up with the American Health system. Go figure. For those looking for the party material, it's like any place you visit, " Do you want to get ripped off and sit in jail?" The jails were not as clean and in plain sight. I'm sure as a deterent. The old saying" A lock only keeps honest people out". The people, food and everything was just wonderful. It is a very good system and if you do not abuse it your stay will be a fine one.