Costa Rica · Americas · Medical Relief Missions

Costa Rica

This Medical Mission Has Been Completed

December 27, 2020 — January 2, 2021

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Mission Archive · January 2021

Our Work

You can expect a crowd in clinic! With 24% of the population under 15 and 11% over 60, you will care for patients of every age. You will treat infections, skin conditions, common stomach issues, general pain, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory conditions every day in clinic. The dental team will be extremely busy caring for patients in need of extractions and treating the many abscesses that show what happens when dental care is not available. Your team will also provide general health education for every patient during community education classes and specific education at the provider stations to help patients prevent future illness. This is going to be a great trip!

This Mission

Costa Rica’s charm lies in its lush rain forests, unspoiled beaches and abundance of wildlife. Posted in one of the most ecologically diverse environments in the world, Upala and the surrounding area is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The town is a supply center for the cattle ranchers and rice growers that call this beautiful region home. Your team will travel to small communities near the Nicaraguan border to treat patients in great need of care. You will provide medical care, dental care, and health education to Nicaraguan refugees and Costa Ricans with little or no access to care.

Lodging/Transportation

You will stay in safe and comfortable hotels with bottled water and excellent meals cooked to American standards provided by IMR throughout your stay. Transportation is provided for your team by professional drivers in safe vehicles. You will be in a remote area of Costa Rica caring for patients with little or no access to care so be prepared for a little jungle time!

Highlights

Families will be the highlight of your clinic days. Multigenerational families will be the heart of every clinic. You will be able to provide care for the entire family, ensuring their health and well-being for years to come. There will be lots of opportunity to provide education around well-baby care, nutrition, and hygiene – which fits well with Costa Rica’s ongoing efforts to increase the effectiveness of hand washing. Ziplining, jungle walks, bird watching, perfect beaches, waterfalls, adventure parks, volcanos, hot springs, surfing, horseback riding, monkeys, and more await your exploration in this beautiful and wild country.

Extend Your Stay

You’re journeying halfway across the globe. Have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Costa Rica’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!

Explore the unique town of Puerto Viejo, situated on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica
Discover Cahuita National Park, home to the largest coral reef system in Costa Rica as well as many animals
Walk along lush and lively rainforest trails of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge

Click here to view the itinerary!

Ready for the adventure? Connect with Worldwide Navigators today!

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 · December 27, 2020

Arrivals and Transfer to Upala, Costa Rica

Day 2 · December 28, 2020

Clinic

Day 3 · December 29, 2020

Clinic

Day 4 · December 30, 2020

Training Day & Mini Team Departures/Arrivals

Day 5 · December 31, 2020

Clinic

Day 6 · January 1, 2020

Clinic

Day 7 · January 2, 2021

Departures

Gallery

Your Journey

Full Itinerary

This itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Please note: You will be notified about the group flight option prior to the Early Bird deadline. Domestic flight arrangements should not be made until after the group flight is booked.

If you choose to fly independently, transportation between your arrival airport and your IMR accommodation is not included. If you wish to arrange transportation, you can contact flights@worldwidenavigators.com.

If you have any questions regarding flights, please contact flights@worldwidenavigators.com. Thank you.

27 December 2020

Arrivals and Transfer to Upala, Costa Rica

Day 1

You and your team will fly into the Liberia Airport (LIR). You are required to arrive by 2:00pm on December 26th to travel to our clinic location as a group. Upon arrival, your team will travel to Upala, a small town just south of the Nicaragua border. After you check in to your hotel, you’ll attend the team orientation to prepare for the upcoming week of clinic. Your team leader will assign roles for clinic, address IMR’s clinic protocols, and discuss the communities you will be serving in small towns surrounding Upala. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your team.

28 December 2020

Clinic

Clinic days will be busy! After breakfast you will depart for clinics located in small towns near Upala. Clinics are held in community centers, schools, and churches. Hundreds of Nicaraguan families cross the border each day and many seek care at IMR clinics.