Archive for the ‘Medical Tourism’ Category
The Satori World Medical Cross Border Network™
Written by Satori on February 18, 2010 – 11:06 am -By, Keith Mendoza, Director of Sales of Satori World Medical
Approximately 1 million Californians cross the border every year to seek medical and dental care in Mexico, as reported in a study done by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research. Many U.S. Hispanic employees living along the border have taken advantage of the increasingly popular option of accessing health services in Mexico, given that procedures can cost as low as one third of the price in the U.S. Cultural and linguistic preferences are also other strong motivators for Hispanic employees seeking medical care across the border.
Through The Satori Cross Border Network™, employees will gain access to high quality providers which include SIMNSA – Sistemas Medicos Nacionales, S.A. de C.V. SIMNSA physicians and clinics in Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito and Tecate. Members can choose over 200 certified physicians across the U.S.-Mexico border. This gives U.S. Hispanic employees & their dependents, who prefer to receive their care in Mexico, access to quality medical care at a reduced cost. Moreover, all network claims are submitted to the plan sponsor in English using U.S. insurance industry standards.
Additionally, employees can choose Satori Global Network™ hospitals for non-emergency surgical procedures at our contracted JCI accredited hospitals, located in the Western Mexico and Costa Rica. Some of the surgical procedures available are Cardiac, Orthopedic, Bariatric and Spine.
Features & Benefits
• Over 200 primary care physicians and specialists along the California/Mexico Border
• Medical clinics are in close proximity to border
• Grupo Medyca, a state-of-the-art outpatient surgical center
• Provides practical and economical healthcare to both employers and their cross border workforce
• Online Lab Results through InterLab , one of the most modern and technically advanced laboratories in Mexico
• Digital Records give any participating physician the capability to view patient’s medical records online, 24 hours a day
• Information Safeguards meets specific HIPAA and other electronic medical record standards
Significant cost savings combined with the access to high quality, culturally sensitive facilities in Mexico makes a Cross Border program an attractive option to the California workforce.
For more information about The Satori World Medical’s Cross Border Network™, visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/crossborder or email Keith Mendoza at k.mendoza@satoriworldmedical.com
Tags: California, cost saving solutions, cross border, Financial Savings, Global Healthcare, Medical Tourism, Medical Travel, Satori, Satori World Medical, SIMNSA
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Hospital Spotlight: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Written by Satori on February 11, 2010 – 10:00 am -
With over 10,000 beds in 43 hospitals, a string of nursing and hospital management colleges and dual lifelines of pharmacies and diagnostic clinics providing a safety net across Asia, Apollo Hospitals is a healthcare powerhouse you can trust. Apollo Hospitals unites exceptional clinical success rates and superior technology with centuries-old traditions of Eastern care and warmth, “as we truly believe the world is our extended family – something our 14 million patients from 55 countries can warmly affirm”.
http://www.apollohospdelhi.com/

Apollo Hospitals Group is the acknowledged leader in bringing world-class specialty healthcare to India. It is presently the largest integrated healthcare company in Asia, and employs over 4,000 specialists and super-specialists, and 3,000 medical officers spanning 53 clinical departments in patient care. It has performed over 7,500,000 major surgeries and over 10, 00,000 minor surgical procedures with exceptional clinical outcomes, including over 55,000 cardiac surgeries (one of only 10 hospitals in the world to achieve these volumes), and achieved a 99.6% success rate in cardiac bypass surgeries.

The hospital group has accomplished several “firsts,” including: first Indian hospital group to introduce new techniques in Coronary Angioplasty, Stereotactic Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery, first hospital group to bring the 64 Slice CT-Angio Scan system, first hospital group in South-East Asia to introduce the 16 Slice PET-CT Scan, and first to perform liver, multi-organ and cord blood transplants in India. Furthermore, the hospital group has pioneered orthopedic procedures like hip and knee replacements, the Illizarov procedure and the Birmingham hip re-surfacing technique.
View The Apollo Hospitals Brochure PDF
View Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on the Satori World Medical Website
You may enjoy reading this related post:
What To Experience In New Delhi During Your Medical Stay
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Hospital Spotlight: Anadolu Medical Center, Istanbul
Written by Satori on February 3, 2010 – 12:26 pm -Anadolu Medical Center is located outside of the beautiful city of Istanbul. It is one of the most comprehensive, modern, and respected hospitals in the region. This multispecialty medical complex is not-for-profit, and is unique in Turkey, and much of the world, by virtue of affiliation and agreement with world renowned Johns Hopkins Medicine. Anadolu Medical Center and Johns Hopkins have combined in partnership encompassing all aspects of Quality Health Care and Continuous Medical Education.

“The patient rooms are homey, and comfortable with a beautiful sea view. Patient bed capacity is 209. There is an intensive care unit consisting of 59 beds and 8 operating rooms. The parking lot holds over 300 vehicles. Lighting, spaciousness, sea view, a manmade pond, natural plant life environment, abundance of green trees are part of the well thought details for a positive effect on patient care and treatment duration.”

Anadolu Medical Center has been designed with a focus on aesthetics, with special attention given to lighting, space, and the surrounding natural and manmade environment. These attributes were set in place with the intention of having a positive effect on patient care and recovery time. The award winning hospital was designed by the U.S. company, Rees. The center is serene and relaxing, and is located on a 42 acre piece of land. It is outside the reach of Istanbul’s big-city commotion and offers patients a quiet and nurturing place to receive care.

Anadolu Medical Center is home to both US board certified and trained physicians, and the foremost academicians of Turkey. The Center employs over 200 skilled physicians and serves over 3,000 international patients every year from over 50 countries. AMC has an outstanding nurse to patient ratio and the quality of care received is world-class. The Center’s multi-lingual nurses and staff are constantly improving their skills through training by Johns Hopkins faculty and provide excellent care for patients.
At Anadolu Medical Center, only the latest and state-of-the-art technology and equipment is used to assure the best possible treatment for patients. AMC is the first in Turkey with Cyberknife Radiosurgery®, the latest technology in cancer. The Center hosts clinical programs on special cases such as cancer, back pain, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia and breast health, and is always breaking new ground with a revolutionary, multi-disciplinary approach. Medical subspecialties include: PET-CT (Nuclear Medicine), New Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Quality Assurance:
AMC is an institute that has ISO 9001 – 2000 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environment Management System), OHSAS 18001 (Work Health and Safety) and has JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation and quality certificates.
Certifications: European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO)
Tags: Global Healthcare, JCI, Joint Commission International, Medical Tourism, Medical Travel, Satori, Satori World Medical
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Top Plastic Surgery Procedures for Medical Tourists
Written by Satori on January 13, 2010 – 2:39 pm -By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Customer Service
Due to the high costs of plastic surgery in the U.S., many Americans are now packing their bags and heading to exotic destinations to have surgery at a fraction of the cost of what they would pay here in the states.
Countries all over the world such as Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico, and Brazil are world-renowned for their medical care. Plastic surgery is no exception. What’s the difference between cosmetic surgery in the U.S. and say in Thailand? One word, cost. The U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world, including plastic surgery. Average savings on care can be as much a 50% when compared with the U.S., while the quality of the care delivered rivals that of top U.S. hospital institutions.
The trend of medical tourism, Americans traveling outside the U.S. for medical care is becoming more common. Let’s look at the top plastic surgery procedures for these medical tourists:
• Breast augmentation: Involves using implants for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume due to a mastectomy following breast cancer or other illness.
• Tummy Tuck: A tummy tuck, also commonly referred to as abdominoplasty, is whereby excess fat and skin from the abdominal area is surgically removed. Tummy tucks are a type of procedure typically for medical tourists seeking weight loss and a tighter, slimmer waistline.
• Facelift: Facelifts are another common procedure for those looking to reduce wrinkles and the aging of the face and neck. Facelifts are popular among both men and women.
• Eyebrow Lift: An eyebrow lift is a surgical procedure designed to make an individual’s brow line and forehead regions more youthful. Both men and women (45-70 years of age) are common candidates for an eyebrow lift.
• Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is a procedure sought after by women and men of all ages who want to improve the shape and look of their nose. Rhinoplasty involves reshaping an individual’s nose surgically to achieve a more attractive look. Rhinoplasty is commonly performed in many hospitals and cosmetic surgery specialty centers around the world.
If you are interested in saving as much as 50% on your next cosmetic procedure, consider becoming a medical tourist. You can get the same high quality care you desire without breaking the bank.
For more information about Satori World Medical’s Plastic Surgery Global Network, visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/plastics/
Tags: cosmetic, cost saving solutions, Financial Savings, Global Healthcare, Medical Tourism, Medical Travel, Plastic Surgery, Satori, Satori World Medical
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Hospital Spotlight: Acibadem Healthcare Group, Istanbul
Written by Satori on December 24, 2009 – 12:15 pm -
In this blog post, we will be highlighting one of our hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey – Acıbadem Healthcare Group. “Turkey’s leading healthcare institution Acıbadem Healthcare Group, provides extensive healthcare services with state-of-art medical technology since 1991. Acıbadem, operates with over 8,000 employees of which 1,580 are physicians, in 9 General Hospitals, 8 Medical Centers, 1 Laboratory and Genetic Diagnostic Center.”
- http://www.acibademinternational.com/



A quick highlight of this hospital’s achievements:
- First and only Healthcare Group in the private healthcare sector to acquire ‘Gamma Knife‘ known as Golden Standard for brain tumour surgeries
- First Healthcare Group to enter into a cooperation with Massachusetts General Hospital who is developing special software programs for advanced MR technology
- PACS Systems are available all through the facilities
- First digital radiology and paperless hospital in Turkey
- First Healthcare Group recently approved by the Ministry of Education to open its own academic health sciences university
- First and only Healthcare Group to own health and life private insurance company called “Acıbadem Insurance”
- First and only Healthcare Group to receive “the most well – known brand” award in 2004, 2005 and 2006 in private healthcare according to AC Nielsen Research Report.
- First and only Healthcare Group to be within the top 50 largest companies in the last 3 years
- First and only Healthcare Group that owns ‘Project Management Company’ offering services such as planning, implementation, supervision and consultancy
- First Health Group to establish its healthcare chain of hospitals, outpatient clinics and medical centers within Turkey
- Acıbadem Healthcare Group has the highest number of teaching physicians according to a research done by “Turkish Time”
- Acıbadem Healthcare Group including International Hospital facilities serves 23% of all the private medical services in the country.
Tags: Acibadem Healthcare Group, Global Healthcare, Istanbul, Medical Tourism, Medical Travel, Satori, Satori World Medical, Turkey
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What To Experience In Monterrey During Your Medical Stay
Written by Satori on December 16, 2009 – 2:42 pm -By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel of Satori World Medical
Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.
The fifth of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is Monterrey, the capitol of the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon.

Your ‘to do list’ while in Monterrey:
- Visit the Serengeti Safari wild animal park
- Experience the rich cultural heritage by taking a tour of the city
- Experience live music at the Municipal Palace: Open air concerts every Sunday evening
- Shop for jewelry or arts & crafts at the local markets
- Visit the Planetario Alfa art museum, science exhibits, and IMAX theater

Transportation
Monterrey is connected to its neighboring cities and the United States by many highways and a few freight lines. Transportation in while in Monterrey is quick, either via taxi or the Rapid Transit System called the Metrorrey. The Metrorrey currently has two lines and covers a wide area of the city. There are also a few old fashioned trolleys rolling around the city.
Tours
Speaking of Trolleys, why not catch one for a first hand glimpse of what the city has to offer? There are many trolley tours available, and tourists can usually catch them right outside their hotels. If you enjoy a cold beer now and again, check out the Tecate Group beer garden in the center of the city for some cold, fresh Carta Blanca, for free! There are many tours in the city that cover the main areas of interest, including the Gran Plaza, which offers weekly open air concerts, and plenty of cultural activities throughout the year.

Shopping
Travelers from the United States will quickly notice some familiar store chains, which can make it easy to pick up an item that was forgotten at home, without having to search far and wide. There are also almost a dozen large shopping malls throughout Monterrey, with department stores, cinemas, and food courts. Here, many tourists can find great prices on the same items they could find at home, all while shopping through familiar stores and brands. Monterrey has many souvenir and art stores which feature everything from postcards, to rugs, pottery, and beautiful handmade glass items.

Culture
Monterrey is home to many art museums, both contemporary and historical. Also of note are the many history museums, which include artifacts from Monterrey, and offer a deep look inside the history of Mexico. There are planty of interesting displays, from old treasures, to breathtaking glass art.
Monterrey is a city in which music holds a high importance. There are many places throughout the city that feature live music, of all types. Barrio Antiguo is the center of all of Monterrey’s nightlife, and tourists can easily find one of the many venues, featuring jazz, salsa, Nortena – as well as many big name entertainers that pass through the area. You’ll never know what famous concerts you might see in Monterrey!

Dining
Monterrey’s most traditional dish is cabrito, which is kid goat cooked whole over burning embers. It is based on the cuisine of the Jewish founders of the city. There are a number of other traditional dishes with this influence, and also a noticeable absense of pork dishes. Carne asada is a well known favorite, and is largely popular among Monterrey families. This is often served with grilled onions or baked potatoes.
Once again, travelers from the United States will feel very comfortable with the familiar chain restaurants which can be found throughout the cities, but why not try something new? The local restaurants (even the fancy ones), are very reasonably priced when compared to the U.S. Monterrey also offers a variety of international cuisine, with local flavor infused, for a very unique, and unforgettable taste.
View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterrey
[2] http://www.allaboutmonterrey.com/
Tags: Destination, International Center of Excellence, Mexico, Monterrey, Plastic Surgery, Satori World Medical
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What to Experience in Singapore During Your Medical Stay
Written by Satori on December 9, 2009 – 11:59 am -By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel of Satori World Medical
Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.
The fourth of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is Singapore, an island located at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula.

Your ‘to do list’ while in Singapore:
- Visit the Orchard Road shopping disctrict
- If you are traveling in the summertime, go to the Singapore Food Festival
- Catch a concert or a show at Esplanade
- Go on a Night Safari at the world’s premier night zoo
- Relax at East Coast Park

Transportation
Singapore has a wonderful public transport system that has special pricing for those visiting the island. Tourists can purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass which provides unlimited travel. For a current ticket price of $8 per day, visitors can travel via Singapore’s buses and an extensive railway systems. Due to Singapore’s tropical climate, buses are air conditioned, and provide a comfortable ride. The railway systems are very fast, and provide 5 lines with over 80 stations.
Tours
Singapore has many attractions for tourists, and it’s easy to just explore the island yourself and find a day’s worth of adventures. However, for those who like to relax and watch the scenery, there are many great options available! For those wanting to spend time with a companion on their medical travel experience, there are numerous harbor and river cruises around the islands of Kusu, St. John’s, Sisters and Lazarus. Lunch, dinner, and tea is available on these tours of the waterways, and they are a great opportunity to relax and see new sights. For those feeling more adventurous and looking to catch a glimpse of the culture, trishaw tours are also available through Little India and Chinatown. Take a ride on three wheels and see some of Singapore’s hidden delights from a different prespective!

Shopping
Singapore is a mecca for shopping – and the avid buyer can find great deals on some of the world’s finest designer brands with just a bit of searching. Orchard Road is the main focus of the Singapore shopping experience. Here, shoppers can find anything from electronics to designer clothing, even rare antiques and imports, as well as very upmarket and custom tailored designer wear. Shopping in Singapore goes further than the main shopping districts though, deals can be found all around the city. Bargains can be found on useful every day items in the financial district, and all around the city and suburban areas there are lesser known shopping centers that offer some amazing items at even more amazing prices.

Culture
Singapore’s rich cultural heritage can be seen in many areas including Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam. Chinatown has recently been renovated, however some historic buildings and sites have been conserved. Chinatown is home to many shop houses, temples, mosques, and great places to eat, and gets quite festive around the Chinese New Year. Little India is a great place to shop for Indian goods and eat delicious Indian food. Traditional Indian goods such as spices, jewelry, silverware, and fabrics can all be found at great prices, and restaurants featuring fine North and South Indian Cuisine. The Kampong Glam is set in what used to be a fishing village and is just a few minutes southeast of Little India. Here, you can find the Istana Kampong Glam, which is ‘the Sultan’s Palace’, and also the Sultan Mosque. There are also a variety of merchants selling fine fabrics, Muslim merchandise, and foods.

Dining
Singapore’s unique blend of cuisine stems from the surrounding areas that have traded goods through this area since the early days of Eastern and Western trading. With heavy influences from both Chinese and Indian heritage, there are many different varieties and hybrids of some already classic food preparations. Singapore holds a high importance to eating, and eating well – you can find multiple course, fine meals 24 hours out of the day. In fact, the popular greeting in Singapore translates as “Have you eaten?”! Not only does the food have incredibly unique taste, and is available at all hours – but Singapore has extremely high standards for hygiene and preparation of food. You really can’t go wrong when dining in Singapore!
View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore
[2] http://www.newasia-singapore.com/
Tags: Asia, Destinations, Financial Savings, Global Healthcare, Medical Tourism, Medical Travel, Plastic Surgery, Satori, Satori World Medical, Singapore
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Brad H. saves thousands on a facelift through Satori; the quality of care was exceptional
Written by Satori on December 3, 2009 – 3:11 pm -
Brad H., a 63-year-old man from Palm Springs, California traveled to Bangkok, Thailand in September to undergo a facelift. Below is a recap of Brad’s medical travel experience:
I had heard about medical tourism through friends and the media, and I knew that people were traveling to exotic destinations to have medical procedures. When I heard about Satori World Medical in San Diego, I really felt like this was the best company for me.
I contacted Satori and spoke with Kevin Poling, the company’s Director of Customer Service. Kevin was very knowledgeable and helpful. Initially, I had some reservations about the care I would receive but after I spoke with Kevin, I felt assured I would have a positive experience.
I decided to go to Samitivej Hospital in Thailand for my facelift. I can’t say enough about Satori’s staff, their customer service was outstanding. They handled every aspect of my trip and medical procedure, making all my travel arrangements and transferring my medical records. The service and support I received really helped me understand and feel comfortable about the process and what to expect from the experience.
I traveled to Thailand in September. I was really impressed with the quality of the hospital. I had never before seen a hospital room with so many amenities. My room even had a flat screen TV. The service at the hospital was exceptional. The medical and nursing staff were very attentive and my surgeon was great. He took the time to explain my procedure and the recovery process. I had my facelift and saved over $7,000 on my procedure! Overall I had a great experience and I wouldn’t think twice about doing it again.
Tags: California, cost saving solutions, Medical Tourism, Medical Travel, Plastic Surgery, Satori, Satori World Medical, Testimonial, Thailand
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What to Experience in Bangkok During Your Medical Stay
Written by Satori on November 25, 2009 – 8:00 am -
By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel of Satori World Medical
Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.
The second of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is Bangkok, the capitol and largest city of Thailand.
Your ‘to do list’ while in Bangkok:
- Visit some of Bangkok’s many temples, palaces, and mansions
- Experience the Bangkok Waterways
- Visit Bangkok’s prominent museums and monuments
- Browse the art gelleries – Bangkok has some of the most striking art galleries in the world!

Transportation
Most of Bangkok’s downtown area can be quickly navigated via the Bangkok Skytrain. There are two main lines which cover a large metropolitan area and are relatively cheap when you buy multiple ride passes – if you are planning on doing a lot of exploring. Bangkok also has an MRT train system which provides close access to chinatown and a lot of popular tourist destinations.
If you are looking to travel via the waterways, there are many aquatic busses and river taxis running throughout the canals and Chao Phraya River. Canal boats are quick and cheap, and avoid the large amounts of traffic throughout Bangkok. Most routes throughout the canals include English signage, so you can be sure you are getting off and on at the right stop.
There are also plenty of taxis, tuk-tuks, and mortocycle taxis. Tuk-tuks are small three wheeled contraptions that can be a lot of fun, but also be a bit uncomfortable. Motorcycle taxis are extremely fast, dangerous, and should probably be avoided, especially on a medical stay!

Tours
Bangkok offers a variety of tours, including river tours, Thai temple and palace tours, and dinner cruise tours. Start off with a city and temple tour covering the very ornate and breathtaking Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Benjabophit temples, and concluding at the infamous Grand Palace. If you feel like being outdoors, spend the morning exploring temple ruins and spend your afternoon aboard a luxury cruiser on a day trip to Ayutthaya. Bangkok offers a number of learning experiences which do not require as much walking and exploring such as the Bai Pai Cooking School. Teach yourself (and your companion) how to make your favorite Thai dishes at home!
Shopping
Bangkok is home to all types of shopping malls and street markets. One of the best parts about shopping in Bangkok is that prices are a lot cheaper than we are used to in the United States. Clothing, electronics, and medicine can all be bargained down to a fraction of the cost of what one would pay in the US. A great place to go shopping is Sukhumvit, which is a main road lined with a lot of boutiques and shopping plazas.
Culture
If you are near the Grand Palace, you will surely want to visit the Bangkok National Museum. This museum holds a wealth of Thai history, art, and artifacts – the largest in the country. To experience some more recent Thai history, check out the Royal Thai Air Museum. This museum displays some of the most rare antique military aircraft, as well as modern jets and royal helicopters. There are also many houses throughout Bangkok that are open to the public, such as the Kamthieng House or M.R. Kukrit’s home, that can offer a first hand insight to the culture of Thailand.

Dining
You guessed it – the best Thai food can be found in Bangkok! There are also a variety of restaurants featuring world-class international cuisine. There are many places where tourists can find top quality meals, at relatively cheap cost when compared to the rest of the world. Some even more exotic tastes can be found throughout Bangkok, such as deep fried insects! One can easily find some scorpions, grasshoppers, or other varieties that are said to be quite tasty with a bit of soy sauce. It all depends on what you are willing to explore!
View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok
[2] http://www.bangkok.com/
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What to Experience in San Jose During Your Medical Stay
Written by Satori on November 18, 2009 – 8:00 am -
Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.
The second of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is San Jose, the capitol and largest city of Costa Rica.

Your ‘to do list’ while in San Jose:
- Visit some of the botanical gardens – or even the Butterfly Farm
- Experience the rich cultural heritage by taking a tour of the city
- Experience live music at one of the many venues the city has to offer
- Shop for jewelry or arts & crafts at the local markets
- Visit one of the many museums featuring gold or jade treasures from the past

Transportation
Aside from Satori World Medical’s concierge services, there are many transportation options in San Jose. It is quick to hail a taxi, catch a bus, or even rent a car for traveling farther distances. Many of the attractions are spread throughout the city however, so you will always be close to a new adventure!

Tours
There are a lot of tour busses traveling throughout the city on any given day. Most will pick you up directly from your hotel, and many of them lead to some of the famous museums, the volcanoes, coffee farms, or even the Butterfly Farm. The Butterfly Farm is home to 80 species of butterflies which live in a large enclosed garden, similar to an aviary. By paying admission price, you are guided on a 2 hour tour of the gardens, and can see the many stages of butterfly life – all while the butterflies float and flutter around you!

Shopping
There are many art galleries throughout San Jose, as well as jewelry studios. Some studios and galleries also incorporate schools, so there is a wide variety of styles and quality available for purchase. Jewelry ranges from 18-karat white and yellow gold, to pure silver – as well as some other works which focus on gemstones, or less expensive alloys focusing on metalwork. There are many markets throughout the city in which you can find some one-of-a-kind items that cannot be purchased anywhere else in the world.

Culture
Aside from the vivid nightlife and various tours, San Jose offers a great amount of museums and parks to explore. Some notable museums include the Museo de Jade Marco Fidel Tristan (Jade Museum), which features a very large collection of jade artifacts from the pre-Columbian cultures of Mexico and Central America, and the Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica (Gold Museum), which displays one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold in the world. INBio Park is an educational center in which visitors can tour two large pavilions which house trails that re-create the ecosystems of rainforests and dry forests. INBio Park is a great way to get a taste of the tropical climate, without having to do all that rigorous hiking!
Dining
There are a great deal of restaurants in San Jose, offering fine international cuisine. Dishes range from a wide variety of meat and fish, but also include some tasty vegetarian options. San Jose is home to some of the greatest coffee you will ever taste! Most restaurants in San Jose also offer a great selection of South American wines, ranging from the renowned Mendoza malbec from Argentina, or fine pinot noir from Chile.
View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose,_Costa_Rica
[2] http://www.frommers.com/
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