Las Cumbres Inn (a recovery hotel in Costa Rica)
A few months ago my father was traveling around Costa Rica and had to get dental work done
He kept carrying on about how inexpensive it was.....
Since I had much deferred work to be done - at an expense that was too big to conquer now, I thought it was worth checking out.
I went to a local dentist (who had a coupon for dental exam, digital xrays and cleaning for $ 79.00) - Vista Ridge Dental. Great dentist, by the way - right here in Erie off of Hwy 7.
The cost to have everything done was $ 7,500 (3 crowns, 1 implant, 1 root canal, and 1 filling). The same thing in Cost Rica was $ 2,500.
Dad and my two brothers and Larry's mom contributed to the 'cause', my friend Barb gave me free miles to use for the trip, and Larry researched and found me a great dentist (trained at Baylor University in TEXAS) - must be good. He also found a recovery hotel in Costa Rica - Las Cumbres Inn. that ran $ 75/night.
The hotel picks you up at the airport, takes you back and forth to the dental appointments, serves 3 gourmet meals per day, and has a nurse on staff from 9am to 9pm each day. The owner of the hotel, Elke is very sharp, works out a zillion logistics to keep the place running smooth and efficiently. Sonya the night nurse was a jewel... I saw her take impeccable care of the other patients and always asked me how I was doing. She brought me an ice pack, dinner one night when I came back after dinner had been served, and was thoughtful to many of the guests. She surely has crowns waiting in Heaven for her. God sees it all - and rewards.
I traveled alone, so to see them at the airport before 6am to pick me up was refreshing. They took me to the hotel (just outside of San Jose, Costa Rica) - on a hill with a delightful view - especially at night with the lights.... I put my things away (had a great corner suite with two twin beds, windows on both sides, a bathroom with a shower, fresh flowers on the table, a TV & phone).
After walking around the grounds and exploring the pool, cabana, gorgeous tropical plants, banana tree, etc, we had breakfast. Scrambled eggs, toast, cereal, fresh fruit, coffee, etc.
I felt at home immediately and called Larry to let him know I arrived safely.
In the lobby on the first and second floor, the phones are hooked up to Magic Jack, and all calls from these phones are free. Beautiful! :)
Lunch was a blast, and I met many new friends - who were doing face lifts, body lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction.... getting dentures, etc. One man from Florida was getting 16 implants!!! People were there from all over the us, and some were bandaged up, others were getting their procedures done that day - or were scheduled for Tuesday. Some were bandaged up.... Boy, did I learn alot at the hotel!
That afternoon I had my dentist appointment, and he started work right away for the 3 crowns. The next day I had the root canal done and a filling done. The following day I had the implant done, and then had Thursday day off. On Friday I had the crowns fit (they made them in their office). All dental work was done!
Part of my dental package included a 1/2 day excursion. On Saturday morning I went to the volcano and the coffee plantation. Back in the afternoon to pack and rest.
Left the next morning at 4:00am for the airport. Frontier had a flight home at 6am and I arrived back in Denver around noon.
Frontier has a 5 hour flight. From Denver to San Jose... You leave shortly after midnight, sleep on the way, and arrive before 6am. Coming back, we left around 6:20 and arrived in Denver around noon. Sweet. Did not miss a day.
Talk about an efficient trip! Dental work complete (right quadrant was still sore since most of the work occurred there), but after a couple of days and rest, it was fine. My brother Greg (in Sheybogan, WI) wanted a photo of the new 'choppers'. I can send him one now.
Happy, thankful, feel like I have a healthy mouth again. In about 4-6 months, I can go into Vista Ridge Dental and get an abutment and crown put on top of the titanium implant post and it will look like virgin teeth again. (HAPPY DAYS!!!)
Very thankful. Feel loved by my family, and much more confident with a healthy mouth again.
Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Family!
