Most patients fly in, see Dr. Sibaja within a day of landing, and are home within a week. Here is exactly how the trip works, so there are no surprises.
At a glance
FlightsNonstop from Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Denver and Toronto — about 3 to 6 hours
EntryNo visa for US or Canadian citizens. A valid passport and a return ticket are all you need
Airport to clinicJuan Santamaría (SJO) to Santa Ana is about 25 to 40 minutes by car
Time zoneCentral Standard Time all year — no daylight saving
MoneyUS dollars are accepted almost everywhere; cards work in hotels, restaurants and Uber
Plugs & waterSame outlets and voltage as home. Tap water in Santa Ana is safe to drink
LanguageSpanish, with English spoken at the clinic, hotels and most restaurants in the area
Your contactOne WhatsApp number for everything, before, during and after your visit
How the trip works
01
Before you book a flight
Message the clinic on WhatsApp. Dr. Sibaja reviews your goals and history, often on a short video call, and sends you a written plan with pricing. Only then do you choose dates — so you know what you are coming for, how many days it takes, and what it costs before you spend anything on travel.
02
Landing at SJO
After immigration and customs you walk out into the arrivals hall. The official airport taxis are orange, metered and licensed; the stand is right outside the exit. Uber is not officially allowed to pick up at the airport — an insider's tip: walk up to the upper-level parking area and request one from there; a driver almost always comes. Confirm the plate in the app. Either way, Santa Ana is about half an hour west on Route 27.
03
Your first appointment
Usually the day after you arrive. Dr. Sibaja confirms the plan in person, answers anything that has come up, and treatment begins the same day when it is appropriate. Nothing is done that was not agreed in writing beforehand.
04
Treatment days and rest days
Most plans run two to five days at the clinic with rest in between. Santa Ana and Escazú are quiet, green suburbs with good restaurants and walkable malls, so a rest day is a pleasant one.
05
Follow-up and flying home
A final check with Dr. Sibaja before you leave, with written aftercare. Once home, the same WhatsApp number reaches the clinic for questions, photos and follow-up — you are not on your own after the flight.
Where to stay
The clinic is in Santa Ana, on the west side of the San José valley. Stay in Santa Ana to be closest, or in neighbouring Escazú for more choice — the two are ten to fifteen minutes apart.
Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana — in the clinic's own complexDr. Sibaja's first recommendation: the hotel sits in the same shopping complex as the clinic, so every appointment is a short walk with no transport at all.
Bee Suites Santa Ana — five minutes awayPrivate furnished apartments with a pool, gym, sauna and cold plunge. Ideal for a week or more, or if you would like a kitchen.
Escazú — 10–15 minutes awayEster's Place is the well-located, budget-friendly pick. For a full-service hotel: InterContinental at Multiplaza or Sheraton San José Escazú. Avenida Escazú and Multiplaza for restaurants and shopping.
UberReliable across Santa Ana, Escazú and San José, paid by card in the app, usually a few dollars a ride. Have mobile data: an eSIM set up before you fly is easiest, or a local SIM at the airport.
TaxisOfficial taxis are red with a yellow triangle and run a meter. Orange taxis are the airport service.
Rental carsNot needed for a treatment trip. Traffic in the valley is heavy at rush hour and parking is scarce; Uber is simpler.
A free day
If your plan leaves a free day, Poás Volcano and the coffee highlands are a morning away, San José's museums and markets are twenty minutes east, and the Pacific beaches at Jacó are about an hour and a half down Route 27. Ask Dr. Sibaja first what is sensible after your treatment — some procedures mean no sun, no beach and no altitude for a few days.
Common questions
How many days should I plan?
It depends entirely on the plan Dr. Sibaja writes for you. Many aesthetic and regenerative plans fit in four to seven days including travel; some single treatments fit a long weekend. You will know before you book a flight.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Most patients do. If a treatment calls for someone to accompany you afterwards, the clinic tells you in advance.
Can I combine treatments in one trip?
Often, yes — that is one of the main reasons people travel. Dr. Sibaja sequences them so recovery from one does not interfere with another.
Is Santa Ana safe?
Santa Ana and Escazú are among the most settled areas of the country, home to many international residents and embassies. Take the ordinary precautions you would in any city.
What if I have a question after I'm home?
Message the same WhatsApp number. The team replies within hours, and Dr. Sibaja reviews photos and follow-up questions herself.