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Browse our carefully curated FAQs to find answers related to our recovery center’s services, policies, and more. From treatment options to insurance coverage, we’ve got you covered.
YES, you will not enter Costa Rica without a Passport properly updated.
It takes approximately 5 weeks, (visit your local Post Office) to obtain a Passport.
This is a list provided by our good friend Shelly !!
Chetica is up in the mountains so the temperature is considerably cooler than in San José. Mornings are cool enough for a light jacket or maybe even a heavy one. We used the fireplace and had morning fires to take the chill away in the early hours. It warms up after noon but still it is not hot. And, there is not much humidity. So, pack long pants, long sleeve shirts and a jacket or sweater along with a few lighter items.
If you are having liposuction performed, there are some special concerns:
You may have additional areas done that you had not planned on. For example, I did not expect to have my inner knees done and after the consultation with the doctor, we decided that I would have that area done as well as the upper thighs and hips. Since a ‘garment’ (girdle type item) must be worn after the surgery (and for several weeks), it will be long enough to cover the whole area done. In my case, the garment went from just above my waist to a few inches below the knees. Therefore, the shorts I packed could not be worn. So, make sure to have enough long pants.
You will not be wearing underwear under the garment. So, no need to pack all that underwear! The garment is made so that you can use the bathroom without disturbing the garment. Sounds strange but it is true.
Your size will be different but probably not very different. So, pack comfy pants – sweat type pants are great. If they are a bit snug before the surgery they will be fine after the surgery.
There is some ‘leaking’ from the sites where they insert the instruments for the liposuction. This is not blood but some of the fluid that is injected during the procedure. This leaking lasts for several days – from 2 days to as long as 2 weeks. The leaking fluid is pink or red. Stay away from packing white slacks like I did.
Hats! If you are having any surgery done to the face, you will need to avoid sun on the face. And even if you are not having facial surgery, the sun is intense even if it is not real hot. Pack or wear a hat that will shield you from the sun.
Shirts that go over the head may be difficult to put on and take off depending upon your procedure. Buttoned or zippered front shirts would be easier.
Raincoat or small umbrella… Good idea if you have room in your luggage.
Yes, we do.
Yes, you are more than welcome, this is a family operated business and we have kids of our own and they will enjoy nature’s lessons at it’s best!! we’ll be sure there will be no interference with your healing process and peaceful rest, there is plenty of space and some cottages are big enough to keep them occupied.
YES, twice a week at $10.00 the load.
Your surgery garments will be washed daily as needed at absolutely no charge.
No need to worry about it, we have been serving vegetarians and low carb. meals for the length of our business and have learned to make delicious dishes. Just ask Lorena while making the reservation or remind us at your arrival.
No, the cost of each massage is $30.00 for the lymphatic and $90.00 for a whole body massage, payable directly to her.
We do not make any profit on this, we love her and appreciate very much this superb service to our guests
YES, you are more than welcome, as long as your friends will respect our home and other guests.
YES, you will have easy access from the comfort of your cottage using your own.Our Internet Service is Wi-Fi-Fast Internet- Wireless and FREE.
ALSO WE PROVIDE FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS FROM OUR VONAGE STATION & MAGIC JACK.
Use the antibacterial soap, provided by CheTica Wellness & Recovery Center prior to the surgery, the night before and the a.m. before. This will decrease the bacterial load on your skin and hair. And then you can use it for a couple of weeks afterwards. Some studies do not recommend using them on a daily basis in general, but after surgery it should be o.k. to do so for that short a period of time.
Shower daily!! Make sure that you wash your hands prior to changing your dressings and or use an alcohol product for skin “degerming” prior to touching your wound or dressings.
Avoid as much contact with people touching your body, especially those areas where there are new incisions.
Wash your hands well after going to the bathroom or performing other bodily tasks.
Touch your incisions as little as necessary.
When handling a new dressing, either pinch the dressing from the outside to lift it up and place the clean side against the wound or only touch the corner of the dressing. The less you touch them, the less bacteria there is to be on the dressing to possibly get into your wound. But always touch it with washed hands or with gloves.
Do not let others (professionals or those helping at the recovery places) touch your wound/dressings without first washing their hands and wearing gloves.
Change dressings as soon as possible when they become wet with drainage or blood. Wet dressings can cause bacteria to grow quickly.
Avoid sexual contact for at least 4-6 weeks depending on the type of surgery you have had done and according to your doctors recommendation. I always say, “You can look, but don’t touch!” Pressure from sexual activity exerted against new incisions can cause trauma to the tissue and small, even microscopic areas, may open allowing bacteria to enter in. Saliva and sweat can harbor bacteria.
Take all the antibiotics the doctors give to you.
Make sure your nutrition is healthy prior to and after surgery.
Eat plenty of protein to improve the healing process. Article furnished by Betty Pappas Registered Nurse in the U.S.A. Certified in Gerontology Certified in Infection Control
You won’t see any barbed wires in top of the walls or bars in the windows of the cottages at the ranch, fortunately being away from the city, we don’t have their problems.
The transfer to the airport for your departure, is included FREE of charge, within our time stated in our site and ONLY from CheTica Ranch. If you have other appointments for massages or Hyperbaric Chamber, etc. the day of your departure, the transfer to the airport is $45.00, payable cash to the driver, not to CheTica.
When you book your stay for recovery at CheTica, we block those days for you, if you decide or need to stay overnight at the Hospital, that day is considered as part of your blocked reserved days and consequently, paid for. We can not give refunds for that night.
We monitor your health conditions while staying at the ranch, some people react differently to antibiotics or medicines, and after 18 years in the business, we’ll know how to take care of your needs with the proper professionals. You may also order Xango, Noni juice or yogurt drinks, you may also request, to help you with your daily antibiotics, adding healthy bacteria into your system.
Costa Rica does not welcome Traveler’s Checks; it takes up to over a month for merchants to receive the funds.
Global weather is changing everywhere, in Costa Rica we have two seasons: Dry and Green seasons, Green or we could call it rainy season, goes from May to November and the rest of the year is supposed to be Summer time. Since Costa Rica is a tropical country, weather may change dramatically. Just be prepared with the packing list and you’ll be fine.
NO, once your reservation is made for you, at the time of booking, the total amount should be paid upon arrival.
YES, but you must be sure that they have the proper documents to travel, many regulations will affect your pet traveling with you, like a vet’s release, customs papers, airfare ticket, etc. However, we do not recommend this while you are recovering, to prevent any kind of infections
Our daily rate doesn’t include these extra trips. There are plenty of City buses at about $3.00 each way or local taxicabs that’ll charge you about $20.00 to the City and if we are available, there will be a charge of $20.00.
CheTica, fortunately, does not use City water, we provide our own, from our deep mountain spring source, tested periodically as the purest and healthier drinking water.
NO, we don’t allow smoking, except outside your cottage and with an ashtray by you. Although, Doctors, strongly, do not recommend smoking while recovering.
Our CheTica Wellness & Recovery Center driver will be waiting for you at the International airport exit with a WELCOME sign and your name in it, please be sure to turn to your RIGHT when crossing the last double glass doors into the awaiting crowd outside.
If by any chance your flight is delayed or there is any kind of problem with your luggage or for whatever other reason or if you happen to come out earlier or you can’t find us in the sea of people arriving at the same time, please go toward your RIGHT where you’ll find 4 public phones on the wall, if you don’t see us, please dial the FREE NUMBER 110, wait for the automatic response in Spanish.
Dial 1 and any of these phone numbers: 2268-7771 or 2268-6133 or 2268-7472 and somebody at the ranch will inform you what to do.
VERY IMPORTANT
DO NOT ACCEPT ANY TAXI RIDES FROM STRANGERS, EVEN IF THEY TELL YOU THEY KNOW US OR THEY KNOW OUR PLACE, THEY ARE ILLEGAL, UNOFFICIAL CAB DRIVERS AND DON’T HAVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION LICENSE NOR INSURANCE, IT COULD BE VERY
DANGEROUS, WE’LL BE THERE FOR YOU WITH THE SIGN AND YOUR NAME IN IT!! Once you are with us, you won’t have to worry about anyhting else, as you will be under our caring wings!!!
We serve breakfast at about 7:00AM, lunch at 12:00 Noon and Dinner at 6:00 PM.
We are between 10 and 12 miles from all the clinics we’ve serve and it takes between 20 and 30 minutes according to traffic, enjoyable scenic drive in one of our comfortable 7 passenger’s vans, where we share stories, laughs and breathtaking views of the mountains.
We do not have any established rules for tipping, one gives what the heart dictate and according to the service provided. Tips are welcome under these circumstances. If you decide to tip, please do it at the end of your stay.
We have now new electric heating, as well as LP gas tanks in some of the cottages, included in your daily rate at no extra charge.
We invite you to explore our Testimonials Zone and witness the transformative power of our recovery center. If you’ve been a client at our facility, we encourage you to share your own testimonial, as your story can inspire and offer hope to others.
This place is magical and is THE ideal spot for anyone looking for a safe, refuge to recover from surgery. Let's see...where do I begin.
What a beautiful place!! The surgery was successful. The aftercare was phenomenal. Everyone including the owners, Ruben and Lorena, have become family.
What an awesome safe secure place to recover from surgery with all the help and support needed to ensure a healthy recovery.
My stay here at the ranch has been amazing! This is the first time I have ever had surgery, and I was scared...
Sherrine Washington