Affordable Medical Procedures in Mexico: Recommended Facilities & Destinations

Are you in need of a medical procedure that’s not covered by your health insurance? Or is the cost of surgery too high, even with insurance? Perhaps you don’t have insurance at all? If any of these situations apply to you, you might consider joining the 1.2 million people who sought medical procedures in Mexico in 2023.

The practice of getting medical care outside your home country is known as medical tourism or healthcare. Mexico’s first-class hospitals and surgery centers make it a leading destination for those seeking affordable and high-quality healthcare, offering savings of up to 75%.

Thanks to its proximity and affordability, traveling to Mexico from the U.S. is highly accessible. An added appeal of seeking medical treatment in Mexico is the opportunity to combine your procedure with a vacation, particularly in popular tourist spots like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City. Since it’s recommended to arrive a few days early for pre-op testing, and recovery for many procedures can take up to several weeks, you’ll have time to enjoy inviting locations during your stay.

Before you decide to seek medical treatment in Mexico, you should know what procedures are available and which hospitals and medical facilities offer them. It’s crucial to choose institutions that are either internationally accredited or highly recommended. We’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Mexican Medical Care

In the last twenty years, the government of Mexico has prioritized developing the country’s medical infrastructure. Today, Mexico has state-of-the-art hospitals and surgery centers staffed by certified and experienced doctors and professionals. The private hospitals and clinics in Mexico are similar in quality to those in the U.S., and practitioners, nurses, and support staff speak English widely.

Popular Medical Procedures

Medical tourists from the U.S. can anticipate advanced care and significant cost savings, particularly with the most popular procedures listed below:

• Dental Work

  • Implants, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry

• Bariatric Surgery

  • Includes gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures

• Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery

  • A wide range of procedures, from facelifts to breast augmentations
  • Mexican plastic surgeons are known for their skill and artistry

• Orthopedic Procedures

  • Joint replacements, particularly knee and hip surgeries

• Cardiac Procedures

  • Complex surgeries, including bypass operations

Top Medical Tourism Destinations in Mexico

Mexico’s best hospitals are found in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Yet, because of the growth of the medical tourism industry, new surgery centers and clinics have also been established in popular tourist and border destinations.

Here’s why the following destinations in Mexico are popular hubs for medical tourism.

• Tijuana

  Located across the border from San Diego, California, Tijuana is one of the most accessible destinations for American medical tourists. Its proximity to the United States makes it ideal for those seeking quick and convenient medical treatments, particularly for bariatric surgery and dental procedures. The city’s tourist zones are safe, and it’s known for its Baja Med cuisine that combines Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian culinary influences, showcasing fresh produce and seafood from Baja California.

• Los Algodones

  Known as “Molar City,” Los Algodones is famous for its concentration of dental clinics. This small town near Yuma, Arizona, attracts thousands of patients annually, primarily for dental procedures. There are more than 300 dental offices in a few square blocks, allowing patients to compare prices and services easily. Because medical tourism is the city’s lifeblood, your safety is paramount to residents, so you can park in the U.S. and walk across the border to your dentist’s office with no issues.

• Cancun

  As a popular beach resort destination, medical tourism in Cancun offers a unique combination of high-quality medical facilities and luxurious recovery environments, making it a popular choice for cosmetic surgeries. The beaches in Cancun are legendary for their bright-white sand and turquoise waters, and their resorts and restaurants cater to every budget.

• Puerto Vallarta

  The seaside city of Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is another attractive destination for medical tourists. It provides various medical services in a beautiful setting, allowing patients to combine their treatments with a relaxing vacation. The city is known for its orthopedic and cardiac care facilities, as well as its gourmet restaurants, high-end resorts, and golden-sand beaches.

• Mexico City

  As the country’s capital and largest city, medical tourism in Mexico City offers some of the most advanced medical facilities. It is home to significant hospital networks. Patients seeking complex treatments or specialized care often choose Mexico City for its world-class medical infrastructure. The city is also one of the country’s top tourism destinations, with five-star accommodations, gourmet restaurants, luxury shopping, and hundreds of museums—on par with Paris and London.

Recommended Medical Facilities in Mexico

Joint Commission International (JCI), is a global organization specializing in healthcare accreditation. As of August 2024, JCI has accredited 10 Mexican organizations.

• Cancun

  • Hospital Amerimed Cancun: Hospital, Accredited since 2018
  • Hospital Galenia: Hospital, Accredited since 2012

• Cozumel

  • Centro Médico de Cozumel: Hospital, Accredited since 2019

• Culiacan

  • Salud Digna Noroeste: Outpatient Medical Care Program (MedPAC), Accredited since 2024
  • Salud Digna Centro: Outpatient Medical Care Program (MedPAC), Accredited since 2023

• Mexico City

  • The American British Cowdray Medical Center IAP - Observatorio Campus: Hospital, Accredited 2008
  • The American British Cowdray Medical Center IAP - Observatorio Campus: Primary Stroke Center, Certified since 2019
  • The American British Cowdray Medical Center IAP - Santa Fe Campus: Hospital, Accredited 2008
  • The American British Cowdray Medical Center IAP - Santa Fe Campus: Primary Stroke Center, Certified since 2019

• Tijuana

  • Hospital BCN: Hospital Program (Bariatric & Plastic Surgery), Accredited since 2022
  • Obesity Control Center: Bariatric Care, Accredited since 2016

• Tlalpan

  • MedicaSur: Hospital, Accredited since 2014

Other highly rated medical programs include:

• MedicaSur: Hospital, Mexico City
• Hospiten: Hospital Network, Puerto Vallarta
• NewCity Medical Plaza: Complete Medical Tourism Facility, Tijuana

Facebook expat groups are a great resource for finding healthcare information. Reviews on Google, Facebook, Bing, Reddit, and others can also be useful for determining which organization to use.

Typical Recovery Times

Remember that most, if not all, surgeries require recovery time, which you’ll need to factor into your visit. These are sample general recommendations; please consult your surgeon before scheduling your surgery.

• Dental Work
  • Fillings, Crowns: 1-2 days recovery
  • Dental implants: 3-7 days before returning home, complete healing in 3-6 months
• Bariatric Surgery
  • Hospital stay: 1-3 days
  • Return to normal activities: 2-4 weeks
  • Full recovery: 4-6 weeks
  • Plan for a 7-10 day stay in Mexico post-surgery
• Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery
  • Facelift: 10-14 days before returning home
  • Breast augmentation: 5-7 days before flying
  • Full recovery can take several weeks to months
  • Plan for at least a week’s stay in Mexico post-surgery
• Orthopedic Procedures
  • Hospital stay: 1-3 days
  • Return to normal activities: 6-12 weeks
  • Full recovery: 3-6 months
  • Plan for a 10-14 day stay in Mexico post-surgery, arrange for physical therapy upon return home
• Cardiac Procedures
  • Hospital stay: 5-7 days
  • Return to normal activities: 6-8 weeks
  • Full recovery: 3-6 months
  • Plan for at least two weeks in Mexico post-surgery
  • Arrange for cardiac rehabilitation upon return home

General advice for all procedures:

• Ensure clear communication with your medical team
• Arrange for proper travel insurance and be sure it covers you for medical traveling
• Plan for potential complications and extended stays
• Bring all medical records and continue follow-up care at home

When considering medical procedures in Mexico, it’s crucial to thoroughly research both the procedure and the service provider. Be sure to read reviews and ask plenty of questions. Our Guide to Medical Tourism in Mexico provides detailed information on planning and paying for healthcare in Mexico.

As Mexico continues to invest in its medical tourism destinations, the opportunities for affordable healthcare will keep expanding. We hope this guide helps you take advantage of these opportunities and be one of the many who recover under the Mexican sun!