The report on rehabilitation and special education in Costa Rica covers the history of special services, with emphasis on medical, educational, and vocational efforts. Future priorities for each field are noted. A second section discusses the institutions that are the main national organizational forces in rehabiliation and special education, as well as internationally oriented programs and university affiliated services. The third section briefly summarizes programs serving specific types of disabilities: visual problems, speech and hearing problems, physical disabilities, mental retardation and emotional impairments, and learning disabilities. (CL)