Mexico Ranks Second as Health Tourism Destination

Mexico ranks second as a health tourism destination due to its proximity to the US, low costs, and the high quality of service provided. This activity has become an important revenue source for the country, which is expected to continue growing in the coming years.

Over the past 10 years, the country has received 1.2 million foreign patients per year. The country ranks second worldwide after Thailand, which receives 1.8 million visitors per year. Bariatric surgery and dental and rheumatological treatments are the most requested medical services by foreigners in Mexico. Sonora is the state with the highest rate of health tourism in Mexico, followed by Baja California, Baja California Sur, Mexico City, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Yucatan, according to the National Bank of Foreign Trade.

Humberto Ceballos, President, Mexican Association of Medical Tourism Specialists, said that health tourism brings in three to five times more revenue than average tourism, as patients need to pay for services, such as rehabilitation and post-surgical care. Ceballos said that currently, the Tijuana border is the world capital of bariatric surgery, while Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit are hubs for oral and trauma services.

Ceballos pointed out that foreigners who come to Mexico save up to 70% on procedures, while benefiting from high-quality hospital and rehabilitation services. However, experts stressed that the country still lacks a strategy to attract more foreign patients. "Mexico has an exceptional geographic location and low prices compared to the United States, but it has not taken advantage of all that potential," said Jorge Azpiri, Director of Development and Expansion, TecSalud.

The US is the most important market for health tourism in Mexico, generating around 70% of the income generated. The increase in demand for healthcare services in Mexico by US residents is due to the proximity of the country and the high costs of this country’s healthcare system, which has led them to seek more affordable alternatives. Compared to Canada, waiting times to schedule and complete healthcare procedures are shorter in Mexico.