Emergencies in San José

Good to Know

• 911 is the single number to remember for any emergency in San José — police, fire, and ambulance are all dispatched through it, and English-speaking operators are frequently available.
• If you're more comfortable calling a specific service directly, Bomberos (fire) is 118 and Cruz Roja (ambulance) is 128 — these skip the general dispatcher.
• For crimes that have already happened (not in-progress emergencies), you'll eventually need to file a formal report with the OIJ at 800-8000-OIJ — this is required if you plan to make an insurance claim.
• San José has a dedicated Tourist Police dispatch hub connected to 911, so bilingual officers can be sent specifically to help foreign visitors.
• Save the Emergencias 9-1-1 CR app before you need it — its panic button and geolocation can help responders find you faster, especially if your Spanish is limited.
• Response times can be noticeably slower outside San José and other major tourist centers, so having 118/128 saved as backups is a practical habit even though 911 covers everything.
• Costa Rica does not use the US-style Level I-IV trauma center system; instead hospitals are described as being 'certified for trauma and emergency medical services' or having trauma-capable emergency departments.
• Public CCSS hospitals (México, Calderón Guardia, San Juan de Dios) must stabilize anyone in a life-threatening emergency regardless of insurance status, but non-CCSS members/tourists may later be billed for services.
• Private hospitals (CIMA, Clínica Bíblica) offer faster, generally bilingual emergency care but typically require payment or proof of insurance; a private ER consultation alone commonly runs roughly ₡50,000–₡126,000 (about $100–250 USD), before tests or imaging.
• For a life-threatening emergency, dial 911 nationwide; ambulances are operated by the Cruz Roja Costarricense (Costa Rican Red Cross).
• Costa Rican addresses are often given as descriptive directions (e.g., 'next to the bridge,' 'in front of the highway') rather than numbered street addresses — this is normal and not a data gap.