A short time later my friend Julio’s father was visiting from Peru and hurt his arm during a fishing trip. We thought is was broken, or at least dislocated at the shoulder. We rushed him to a close hospital where they took him immediately into emergency then to x-ray. 

After about an hour we began to be concerned because we hadn’t heard what was wrong with him. After searching several places, we finally found him sitting having coffee and flirting with the Doctor.  I could see why  - and nicknamed her “Doctor Goodbody”. Turns out he was o.k., just badly bruised. They had taken 3 x-rays, given him anti-inflammatories and pain pills plus a prescription for more. At the ‘checkout’ the fee was “0”! As we left, everyone at the hospital bid him a fond farewell and wished him an enjoyable stay on Margarita.

KC had been having increasing vision problems over the last few years.

Last I remember, she looked pretty good for a lady with all those birthdays. A normal Doctor’s visit is usually Bs. 50,000, or about $20. Downtown at a clinic it’s less than half that price, and the doctors don’t rush you. During my last appointment with our general practitioner he spent about 25 minutes with me, wrote orders for some lab tests and said to return to his office in 3 days with the lab results.

The first visit was $20 and the lab tests cost another $20. The two follow-up visits to the doctor were free. If I need a prescription refill, I just stop by his office and pick up the prescription - no charge.

Dental

I needed some dental work last year and some cosmetic dentistry. I had checked with my dentist in the U.S. and he estimated the cost of the work at about $22,000. Here on Margarita I went to the most renowned and expensive dentist (he’s a graduate one of the most respected dental colleges in the U.S. plus additional schooling in Caracas, has given seminars around the world, and speaks excellent English) and had all the work done for $5,800. This included two permanent bridges, all silver amalgam fillings removed and replaced with white porcelain, all ‘smile’ teeth capped and others crowned with German porcelain. The entire process took 7 visits and numerous follow-ups until everything was completed, all this included in the original estimate. I could have spent much less at many other dentist but I’m not sure the quality of work would have been as good...possibly it would have been.

Want To Look Younger? Improve Your Figure?

There are a couple of Plastic Surgery Clinics here that specialize in ‘buttocks augmentation’ surgery. Want a cute little Janet Jackson booty or Pamela Anderson breasts? Since I haven’t needed either, I don’t know the rates, but I’m told that these clinics are very reasonable. Butts are more expensive than boobs, for some reason. If you want an extreme make-over, the cost would be much less than stateside or Europe. The money you save would pay for your vacation with money left over. Just think, you could get a “Stepford” wife or hubby at a bargain price!

Other Medical

There is a free booklet “Medi-Salud” available at most doctors, dentists, and clinic offices that is published every month and contains ads for all sorts of medical specialties and services. Of course, it is in Spanish but still easy to read as most medical terms are Latin and similar in English.

Prescriptions

Most are a lot cheaper here than in the U.S. My son has asthma and one inhaler he uses costs over $30 in the States.  t’s about $4.00 here. Another inhaler he uses only occasionally costs $40 US, about $6 here. And you don’t need a prescription for many medications here. You are responsible for your own medical files and carry all your records with you when you go to the doctor, clinic, etc. Then they are returned to you. If you go to a lab for tests, you get your results and take them to your doctor - the same with x-rays. Plus, you get to keep your prescription, except for a few medications that are controlled substances. In that case, the pharmacist does not return your prescription to you. Things like sleeping pills, Valium, Codeine and other types of pain pills must have a doctor’s prescription. 

If you do need medicine often you can just call your doctor, tell him your symptoms and he will tell you what to take, thus saving the cost of an office visit - if it’s something simple that doesn’t require tests or an examination. All medications come pre-packaged from the factory so there is no chance of tampering or pharmacist error. All in all, we have found the medical care quite good here, no long waits for appointments and very affordable. Medical insurance is available here. The cost depends on various factors such as age, pre-existing conditions, etc. Most ex-pats here self-insure because the costs are so reasonable.

If your considering any medical procedures you might want to check out Margarita as it is much less expensive here. Where to stay well - We have a beautiful Condo/w pool or a 4 bedroom house w/pool for rent within walking distance of Doctors, Dentists, Plastic Surgeons, Ophthalmologists, Medical Labs, and Pharmacies. The properties are located in one of the most prestigious areas on the island. For more information about living and working on a Caribbean island at a pace that won’t kill you before your time, check out my website www.retirecaribbean.com

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The following is the first article Scott wrote for the magazine:

• Margarita Island ~ Cheapest Vacation Spot In The Caribbean
• Live On Margarita Island On $800 A Month? - Answers To Questions
• Beaches Of Margarita Island - Venezulean Beauty