Medical Tourism in Puerto Vallarta

Dr Adrian Octavio Lomeli

By Dr. Adrian Octavio Lomeli

Puerto Vallarta, above other Mexican destinations, has become number one in Medical Tourism. This is because of the high quality of its medical services, advanced technology and its first-tier hospital infrastructure as well as reasonable prices compared to the United States and Canada. It’s also a beautiful, growing beachside city.

Dental services are the highest demand among tourists and foreign residents in Puerto Vallarta. This circumstance has motivated many Mexican dentists to move to PV from other cities and establish their practice since they see it as a place of opportunity.

Because of this professional opportunity, some local dentists are highly qualified, but others are simply acceptable in their performances. Accordingly, it is recommended when someone requires dental services they ask for referrals from friends who have had some dental work done. Dental prices for cleanings, whitening, fillings and inlays are very reasonable. Even endodontics, crowns, bridges, rehabilitation, implants and aesthetic dentistry, while requiring the highest level of training and experience by the dentist, are considerably cheaper than in the US or Canada, and many times just a third of what they would cost in the US and Canada for a similar service.

Since the 1970’s, many Americans and Canadians have come to PV exclusively for dental treatments with numbers growing year by year to the point that recently the Secretary of Tourism has paid special attention to this developing niche opportunity and is preparing a major promotion worldwide to give information about hotels and the medical infrastructure for travelers who would come to PV for medical services in general.