Costa Rica is becoming a growing destination for Stem Cell Therapy. But is it legal, or is it even safe to visit for Stem Cell Treatment?
Costa Rica’s come a long way since 2010 when the Health Minister, Maria Luisa Avila ordered the Institute of Cellular Medicine in San Jose to shut down. At the time she claimed:
This isn’t allowed in any serious country in the world
Now, that was a long time ago, but we look at if Costa Rica has moved on & changed its stance on Stem Cell Therapy. We also break down costs & things to watch out for if you are thinking about treatment here.
Is Stem Cell Therapy legal in Costa Rica?
Yes, Clinics can legally offer commercial stem cell treatments in Costa Rica if they have received specific Ministry of Health approval under Decreto Ejecutivo 39986-S.
They must comply with strict conditions:
- Licensed facility
- Licensed physicians
- Patient informed consent
- Safety/efficacy evidence
- Reporting of adverse events.
However, from our initial checks, most clinics don’t have official approval & there’s no public register.
Enforcement is also quite lax, so even if clinics don’t have approval, they will still provide Stem Cell Treatment.
Thinking about Stem Cell Therapy in Cost Rica?
Our personal concierge team can help you figure out differences between treatment options in different countries and how to find the right clinics.
Get Free GuidanceWhat Stem Cell Treatments can I get in Costa Rica?
If a Stem Cell has authorization to provide Stem Cell Treatments, they can legally cover most conditions, ranging from orthopedic, neurological, anti-aging/cosmetic etc.
But it doesn’t mean treatments have been approved. Only hematopoietic stem cell transplants for blood disorders have been actually approved.
All other treatments are legal but still considered experimental. Similar to how Japan & South Korea are operating.
If you have a specific condition you’re looking at, check out our Research Section. We’ve collated all the latest research on Stem Cell’s treating each condition.
How do Stem Cell Clinics get authorization in Costa Rica?
To get authorized, clinics must submit their stem-cell treatment protocol to the Ministry of Health, show it is safe and effective & obtain approval from a Ministry-recognized ethics committee.
Once authorized, they must operate in a licensed facility, use licensed doctors, get patient consent and report any adverse events.
Based on Costa Rica’s Authorization for Regenerative Therapies with Adult Stem Cells & the BioMedical Research Regulatory Law this is the full workflow:
1. Prepare a Submission to the Ministry of Health
The clinic must submit a formal request to the Ministerio de Salud specifying:
- The type of stem-cell therapy (cell source, cultured/expanded or not).
- The indication (orthopedic, neurological, cosmetic, etc.).
- Scientific evidence demonstrating safety and efficacy (preclinical studies, clinical data, or literature).
- The treatment protocol, including how cells are processed, stored & administered.
The request is submitted to the Dirección de Regulación de Establecimientos de Salud, the Ministry unit responsible for health service regulation.
2. Clinic Licensing
The facility must have a valid health facility license (habilitación) under Decreto 39728-S. This ensures the clinic meets technical standards: sterile processing, qualified staff, proper equipment and overall safety infrastructure.
3. Ethical Review
The Ministry evaluates the submission to ensure that the proposed therapy has demonstrated safety and efficacy through preclinical or clinical evidence (Decreto Ejecutivo 39986-S, Art. 6–7). Only therapies with sufficient supporting data can proceed toward approval.
4. Ethics Committee Approval (if experimental)
For therapies considered experimental (i.e., outside HSCT), the protocol must be reviewed by a Ministry-recognized ethics committee in accordance with Ley 9234/2014, Art. 2–5 and its Reglamento (Decreto 39061-S). Approval is required before the Ministry grants authorization.
5. Issuance of Ministry Authorization
Once the Ministry verifies:
- Facility licensing
- Safety and efficacy documentation
- Ethics committee approval
The Ministry issues formal authorization under Decreto Ejecutivo 39986-S for the clinic to provide the specific stem-cell treatment.
6. Ongoing Obligations After Authorization
- Treatments must be administered by licensed physicians.
- Clinics must obtain informed consent from all patients (Decreto Ejecutivo 39986-S, Art. 8).
- All adverse events must be reported to the Ministry’s pharmacovigilance system (Decreto 35244-S).
- The Ministry may audit the facility to ensure continued compliance.
Can I get cultured Stem Cell treatments or “High Dosage treatments” in Costa Rica?
Yes, you can get cultured Stem Cell Treatments in Costa Rica. Again, to legally offer high dosage treatments, clinics need to receive ministry approval.
It’s the same situation for receiving umbilical cord derived Stem Cells.
In summary, approved clinics can legally offer high dosage, umbilical cord derived Stem Cell treatments for a wide variety of conditions, but they are still classed as experimental.
Some people might say the laws are quite vague & not very specific, so something to take into consideration.
Costa Rica Stem Cell Therapy Cost 2025
From our early research, we’ve seen Stem Cell Therapy costs in Costa Rica start at circa $7,000. Bear with us as we collate more data on this.
We’ve gathered our pricing data in a few different ways & we’re always updating it!
Best Stem Cell Therapy clinics in Central & South America
We don’t let any clinic just sign up or pay to be listed.
We speak to every clinic directly and review their medical team, the treatments they offer, how their stem cells are sourced and how they follow up with patients after treatment.
We also review licensing documents to confirm they meet the legal and medical standards of the country they operate in. For example, whether cells are processed in a GMP-certified facility or if they provide documentation on stem cell quality.
Clinics must also agree to let us collect and publish independent patient reviews. Both positive and negative.
Why Use Alt Treatment?
We don’t just list clinics, we help you choose the right one, get the best pricing and support you through the entire journey. For free.
Compare with Confidence: Get clinic matches based on your condition, location, and budget.
Ask the Right Questions: Know what to ask before committing
Save on Treatment: Unlock exclusive discounts on vetted clinics and follow-up care.
We’re With You After Treatment: We check in post-treatment and help resolve any issues.
Travel & Visa Help: Need to travel for care? We can help with logistics, documents, and local tips.
Found a Clinic Elsewhere? We’ll check their licensing and track record for you, free of charge.
No Strings Attached: Even if you choose a clinic we don’t partner with, we’re still here to help you make the best decision.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Central & South America
We’ve vetted Stem Cell Therapy clinics across Central & South America. Information on their processes, standards they follow & prices are on their profiles.
Compare ClinicsStem Cell Therapy prices across Central & South America
Costs across Mexico, Colombia & Panama range from $1,320 to $35,000. We’ve broken down pricing and provided specific links to our pricing guides in this table. To compare costs globally, our article on Average Costs Around the World might be useful.
| Country | Price Range $ (USD) | Cost Guide |
| Colombia | $5,000 to $25,000 | Colombia Cost Guide |
| Panama | $9,000 to $35,000 | Panama Cost Guide |
| Mexico | $1,320 to $15,000 | Mexico Cost Guide |
Risks of Getting Stem Cell Treatment in Costa Rica
Yes, for some clinics it’s legal but…
- Yes, some clinics are legally allowed to perform treatments, but these are few & far between. For those not approved, there’s risks of low quality medical staff, no idea what standards they’re following etc.
Too-Good-To-Be-True Promises
- Some clinics market stem cell therapy as a miracle cure, claiming it can reverse chronic conditions or even aging. The reality? While stem cells have potential, no treatment comes with guaranteed success. If a clinic is promising 100% effectiveness, that’s a red flag.
Medical Tourism Challenges
- If something goes wrong, Costa Rica doesn’t have the same malpractice laws as the U.S. or Canada.
General Travel Warnings
- As of September 2025, both the US & Canada have warned Costa Rica has a medium risk warning. Both countries warn of extreme caution if visiting.
Not sure which country’s right for you?
Browse verified stem cell clinics in Colombia, Japan, Thailand and more that we’ve already personally vetted.
Browse Verified Stem Cell ClinicsHow to Stay Safe in Costa Rica for Stem Cell Therapy
Talk to us at Alt Treatment! We’ve vetted clinics personally across the globe, vetting their medical team, processes they follow, lab certifications & more.
We help you figure out if Stem Cell Therapy is actually right for you, walk you through all the data and latest regulations. Your personal concierge supports you post treatment too, whilst securing you exclusive pricing as an Alt Treatment user. All for free!
To compare countries around the world for Stem Cell Therapy, our article on Best Countries for Stem Cell Therapy might be a good read for you.
Do I need a Visa to get Stem Cell treatment in Costa Rica?
No, for most countries, citizens can enter Costa Rica for up to 180 days without a visa. For Stem Cell Treatment, this is more than enough time. Most people are in and out of Costa Rica within two weeks. We’ve broken down visa requirements for a few countries below:
| Country | Visa Required | Reading Material |
| United States | No: 180 Day Visa Free | Department of State |
| Canada | No: 180 Day Visa Free | Embassy of Canada |
| United Kingdom | No: 180 Day Visa Free | Gov.uk |
Should I get Stem Cell Therapy in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica should definitely be in your list of destinations for Stem Cell Therapy. It’s one of the few countries in Central & South America that actually has legalized Stem Cell treatments for commercial applications.
But, not all clinics are authorized & operate to the same standards so it still carries huge risks.
And remember, just because the government has legalized Stem Cell Therapy, doesn’t mean it’s been approved or it’s proven to work.
If you’re deciding which country is best for you, or want to talk about clinics we’ve already vetted, fill out our form below. Our team will guide you with clear, honest answers.
Alt Treatment is a free, independent platform that helps you understand stem cell therapy & decide if it’s right for you.
We break down complex information into clear, honest guidance. When you’re ready, we can connect you with verified clinics that meet your needs, in the right location & often with exclusive discounts.
There’s no charge to use our platform. No hidden fees. No pressure. Our main aim is to genuinely help you figure out if treatment is right & the best places to consider.
If you want to talk, fill out our form here & our personal concierge team will reach out.
Common side effects of getting Stem Cells are fever and local pain/swelling at the injection site. We go into all of the side effects in more detail in our Stem Cell Therapy Side Effects Article
Yes, Stem Cell Treatment can help your knee pain by reducing inflammation and supporting the body’s natural healing process. There’s a few different types of Stem cell treatments for knee issues, our article on Stem Cells for Knee conditions goes into more detail.
Or if you’re interested in reading about any other condition Stem Cells can treat, check out our Areas of Treatment section. It has individual articles on each specific condition & if Stem Cells can help.
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