1. Before flying

• Confirm your appointment at CIMA Hospital at least 4 weeks in advance: book the OR and anesthesiologist without last‑minute stress.
• Ask the surgeon for the post‑operative prescription in PDF format—customs love clear paperwork.
• Pre‑pack loose clothing, compression socks and a lumbar pillow.

2. Where to stay near CIMA

Hotel	Distance	Recovery‑friendly amenities
AC Hotel by Marriott	0.2 km	Hourly airport shuttle; low‑sodium room‑service menu
Courtyard Escazú	0.5 km	Microwave & mini‑fridge to keep your soft‑food diet on track
Wyndham Garden	1.4 km	Packages with light physiotherapy and “light” breakfast included
Las Cumbres Inn	2 km	24/7 nursing staff and reclining armchairs in every suite

3. Hassle‑free transfers

• Airport → Hotel: Authorized taxi (USD 35) or hotel shuttle—no haggling.
• Hotel ↔ Hospital: Uber costs < USD 4; enable “Share trip” for extra safety.

4. Day 0: the big day

• Store everything in the safe (passport, cash and cards).
• Have reception arrange your post‑surgery pick‑up.
• Make sure your companion has their visitor pass printed.

5. Recovery week checklist

• Nutrition: Green purées and vegetable soups twice a day; ask for chamomile tea to reduce bloating.
• Mobility: Walk 5 minutes every hour to prevent blood clots.
• Mindset: Download a meditation app; Ester’s Place offers 200 Mbps Wi‑Fi for HD streaming.

6. Discharge & check‑out

• Request your medical record in English and stamped.
• Photograph your prescription before storing it: a digital copy means zero pharmacy hiccups.