Costa Rica Medical Trip

We partner with Ray & Lidia Zirkel and the Methodist Church of Costa Rica ( zirkelministrycostarica.com).

• Where? The Wesley Clinic, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.
• What? A three-day medical clinic.

We will fly via United Airlines from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Juan Santamaría International Airport, the primary airport serving San José, located in Alajuela Province about 20 kilometers northwest of downtown San José. We will be transported via ground transportation (bus) to Hotel El Bambú outside of San José, Costa Rica.

Yes, you will need a passport that does not expire within six months from the date of your return. There is no visa required.

Participants must be adults (18+). This trip is open to physicians with an active medical license, who serve as clinicians, as well as PAs and nurse practitioners, who serve in triage, equipment sterilization, or pharmacy support roles. Please send your medical license to Lauren Burnham (lburnham@twmc.org) when you register for the trip.

• Day One: Meet in front of the Loft at 6:00 a.m. to take the church vans to the airport. Arrive in San José, settle in at Hotel El Bambú, and attend an instructional meeting/cultural training.
• Day Two, Three, Four: Medical Clinic.
• Day Five: Travel back to Houston.

• Morning devotional and coffee
• Breakfast at Hotel El Bambú
• Lunch on site at the church by the Wesley Clinic
• Work on projects
• Dinner at Hotel El Bambú
• Time of reflection and sharing

Two same-gender team members will share a hotel room with two beds and a bathroom.

At Hotel El Bambú, we will have buffet-style meals for breakfast and dinner. Church staff will prepare lunches for teams to eat at the Wesley Clinic. Please let us know of any dietary needs when prompted on the trip registration form. We also encourage team members to bring a reusable water bottle; five-gallon bottles will be available on site to refill personal bottles.

No. A translator will be provided for all events when necessary. We also encourage you to download Google Translate to help with Spanish conversations.

Hotel El Bambú does have wifi. Check with your wireless carrier about an appropriate international plan if you'd like data access elsewhere.

Recommendations can vary by doctor, but we generally suggest team members be up to date on their tetanus shot and receive the general hepatitis vaccine. A few cases of malaria have also been reported in the Caribbean Coast region, where Puerto Viejo is located, so ask your doctor or a travel clinic about malaria prevention as well. Please consult your doctor or a travel clinic for guidance specific to your health history.

This is included as part of your TWMC trip fee; see the general mission trips FAQ for full coverage details.

The trip cost covers airfare, ground transportation, meals, and lodging, so any personal purchases (souvenirs, snacks, etc.) are separate. Bringing a modest amount of cash is recommended — no bills larger than $20. Team members are also welcome to bring a small thank-you gift for local workers and hosts; any additional personal gift-giving to individuals in the community should go through your team leader rather than being given directly.

• At the clinic: scrubs or a t-shirt/work shirt with long pants. Tank tops, sleeveless shirts, and cut-off shirts are not appropriate by local standards.
• For church/worship: a nice shirt with khakis or jeans for men; a skirt, pants, or crop pants with a blouse for women.

A full packing list will be provided, including:

• Bible
• Journal
• Comfortable work clothes
• Closed-toe shoes
• Work gloves
• Sunscreen
• Toiletries
• Reusable water bottle

The cost is $1,500 and includes airfare, ground transportation, meals, and lodging.

• Attend the pre-team meeting
• A passport that doesn't expire within six months of the date of your return
• Notarized TWMC Medical and Liability Waiver, provided at your pre-trip meeting (TWMC Missions staff can notarize this for you free of charge)
• Sign the Code of Conduct, which includes abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs; abstaining from unapproved personal gift-giving to individuals in the community; and maintaining a servant posture toward our hosts throughout the trip
• Complete the pre-trip training videos and discussion guide