Mexico has become the second most popular destination for health tourism, with an average of 1.2 million foreign patients visiting the country annually. Patients are primarily seeking dental, ophthalmological, or cosmetic treatments.
Thailand remains the number one destination for health tourism, with 1.8 million visitors. According to Euromonitor data, health tourism in Mexico has become a key part of the country’s economy, generating up to $3.9 billion in revenue. Patients from across the globe are drawn to Mexico for its high-quality medical care at affordable prices.
Mexico is mainly known for offering world-class medical treatments in dentistry, ophthalmology, and cosmetic surgery. Mexican states stand out as leading health tourism destinations, including Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Yucatan.
The National Bank of Foreign Trade (Bancomext) reports that medical tourism became popular in the 1990s when people sought high-quality medical treatment in emerging countries. These countries offer top-notch medical services at much lower costs than their home countries. The trend continued during the last economic crisis in the United States, when people looked to Cuba and Mexico for affordable medical care.
Health tourism in Mexico has seen significant success, mainly due to three key factors. Firstly, highly trained doctors and specialists are readily available. Secondly, a modern medical infrastructure is in place. Finally, Mexico's medical treatment costs are highly competitive.
Patients who choose Mexico as their medical destination can save between 36% and 89% compared to the U.S., France, Germany, Canada, and Italy. This makes Mexico an attractive option for those seeking quality medical treatment while maintaining their financial resources.
Mexico has become a popular destination for health tourism due to the neighboring United States as a primary source market. About 70% of the revenue from health tourism in Mexico comes from American patients seeking more affordable medical treatments. The high costs of healthcare in the U.S. and the proximity of Mexico have contributed to this trend. In addition, medical procedures in Mexico have significantly shorter waiting times than in countries like Canada, which can take up to three months.
