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Writer's pictureGeordie Seed
May 8, 20234 min read

Medical Tourism in Mexico


Have you heard the phrase “Medical Tourism”? Have you wondered exactly what that phrase means? Basically, medical tourism refers to people traveling outside of their own home countries to receive medical procedures. In this post, we’re going to discuss medical tourism in the Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay region. Each year, over a million people/patients travel to Mexico to receive the highest quality medical care and services in the hands of the most qualified doctors. Hospitals in the Puerto Vallarta area respond to the international demand for touristic health care with the highest level of hospital infrastructure, best quality of medical equipment, connectivity, a favourable geographic location, and less costs than their countries of origin.


Medical tourism is often understood as people traveling abroad for the specific purpose of taking advantage of the hospital infrastructure in another country. However, in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit this concept is redefined thanks to the vast community of expatriates and snowbirds from the United States and Canada who do not travel specifically for that purpose but may need medical attention.


Why Travel abroad for your procedures?

With the rise in health care costs in the United States, long wait times for procedures in Canada and other countries, medical tourism is a growing trend for patients in the Puerto Vallarta area who are seeking affordable and quality medical procedures. Lower costs aren’t the only reason to travel out of country for a surgery. Access to specialized surgeons, shorter wait times, and a more positive recovery experience round out the list.

Is it worth going to Mexico for plastic surgery?

The truth is that plastic surgery in Mexico is safe and effective when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon at an accredited facility. In order to become a plastic surgeon in Mexico, doctors must complete extensive training and pass rigorous exams. There are also stringent practices that ensure surgery facilities are properly disinfected, cleaned, and checked regularly. Add in the ability to save money and recover in a beautiful warm climate and the answer to the question is a resounding yes. But there is more. Vallarta is one of the most famous and enchanting tourist destinations in the world. Year after year thousands of visitors arrive on the shores of this beautiful city looking to relax, enjoy gourmet food, and to find premium medical treatments performed by the most experienced doctors in Mexico.


The community of Nuevo Vallarta is just 5 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta, allowing you to experience two cities for the price of one. You will find luxurious resorts and traditional hotels to fit every budget in Nuevo, while enjoying a selection of fine restaurants on every corner. Travel another 15 minutes north up the coast from Nuevo and you will land in the popular expat town of Bucerias, where a brand-new medical facility has been built to accommodate the influx of tourists looking to capitalize on the lower cost medical treatments during their stay. While in Bucerias, you can walk for miles along the best beaches in the bay. Nature may be the greatest charm in Puerto Vallarta, with 8 distinctly different and unique beaches. The beaches closer to city central allow you to experience myriad of art exhibits and museums, while the ones a bit further away tend to be more private, exhibiting a strong tropical vibe.


Here are some of the top medical services sought by foreigners:

  • Bariatric Surgery

  • Plastic Cosmetic Surgery

  • Botox and fillers

  • Liposuction and weight loss surgery

  • Stem cell therapy

  • Laser eye surgery

  • Organ and tissue transplant

  • Dental braces Note: Recently, my wife and daughter got full braces (top and bottom teeth) in Mexico. In Canada, we were quoted between $7,000 to $10,000 for each person. The total cost in Mexico for both sets of braces cost $1400, and that included monthly visits over a span of 14-months.

  • Dental implants

  • Orthopedic Procedures

  • Cataract Surgery

  • Treatment for Lyme Disease

  • Cancer treatments

  • Fertility treatments

  • Check-ups

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • Colonoscopy

  • Endoscopy

Savings

The cost of medical procedures in Mexico can be upwards of 85% less than in the USA. Due to the cutting-edge technology to meet the needs for preventive treatment packages, medical check-ups, and specialized surgeries at a low cost, Puerto Vallarta’s Medical Tourism industry has exploded in the last few years.


With world-class hospitals offering top-notch services at a fraction of U.S. prices, Puerto Vallarta makes an excellent destination for travelers looking to have elective surgery or cosmetic procedures performed while they’re on vacation. The services offered in Puerto Vallarta allow you to treat yourself to a much-needed procedure without worrying about paying off the debt for years afterward.


General Health Care Costs in Puerto Vallarta

The cost of health care in Puerto Vallarta is substantially lower than in other first world countries. A combination of quality doctors, facilities, procedures offered, and price, have people traveling to Puerto Vallarta in droves to receive quality care at a much lower price.


Health insurance providers in Puerto Vallarta

For health insurance in Puerto Vallarta, there are generally 2 options: private or public health care insurance. The IMSS is the Mexican Social Security Institute which oversees the public health care system. For private health insurance options, the most popular companies are:

  • Mapfre

  • Metlife

  • Allianz Seguros

  • AXA Seguros

  • Seguros Inbursa

  • Seguros Monterrey New York Life

  • GNP

Did you know that most travelers’ insurance covers only emergency situations while the person is vacationing at the destination. Only some of them include air evacuation policies, which can be purchased separately in short, medium, and long-term plans. Two companies to consider are SkyMed and MedjetAssist.


There are medical tourism policies that provide greater coverage than travelers insurance. In Puerto Vallarta, Novamar Insurance Mexico offers plans that include direct payment to hospitals and doctors, bilingual care and full coverage in Mexico, USA, Canada, and Europe.

Here are some of the top Hospitals in Banderas Bay area:

Wow, we’ve covered a lot. But it is important to have the facts and understand your options so you can make an informed decision that will leave you feeling comfortable and empowered.


We hope to see you soon in paradise.


Geordie and Louise


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