Medical tourism in Colombia
Medical tourism in Colombia for U.S. patients
Colombia draws U.S. patients mainly for cosmetic surgery and dental work. Bogotá and Medellín have nonstop flights from several U.S. hubs, and prices are usually far below U.S. levels. xcuro lists dental clinics in Bogotá, Medellín and Barranquilla and a plastic surgery practice in Bogotá, using only facts published by the clinics themselves and independent Google ratings.
What Americans travel to Colombia for
- Liposuction, Brazilian butt lift and tummy tuck
- Rhinoplasty, facelift and breast surgery
- Dental implants, crowns and veneers (smile design)
Safety of cosmetic surgery in Colombia
The U.S. State Department says Colombia has many elective and cosmetic surgery facilities comparable to those in the United States, but that quality varies widely, that U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications and even died after cosmetic or other elective surgery, and that legal options in case of malpractice are limited. It advises researching the doctor and the recovery facility, confirming that emergency care is available, and buying supplemental insurance that covers medical evacuation (State Department, Colombia).
Checking a surgeon in Colombia
Ask for the surgeon's specialist degree in plastic surgery and the hospital or clinic where you will be operated on. The Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reconstructiva publishes a search of its members (SCCP surgeon search).
Getting there and how long to stay
U.S. citizens need a valid passport and no visa for stays of up to 90 days, and should complete Colombia's free online Check-Mig form within 72 hours before flying. The State Department rates Colombia Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, and says not to travel to Arauca, Cauca (except Popayán), Valle del Cauca (except Cali) and Norte de Santander. Plan on 1 to 2 weeks for body contouring surgery and about a week for most dental work.
Whatever the destination, the CDC recommends seeing a travel-medicine provider before you go, bringing copies of your medical records, arranging follow-up care at home before surgery, and waiting 10 to 14 days before flying after major surgery. Complications treated after you return may not be covered by U.S. insurance.
Travelling from the United States
U.S. citizens need a valid U.S. passport and no visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days (180 days in total per calendar year). Colombia asks travelers to complete the free online Check-Mig form within 72 hours before the flight, and entry may be refused without a return ticket.
Nonstop flights reach Bogotá and Medellín from several U.S. hubs, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Atlanta and New York; from South Florida the flight is about 3 to 4 hours. Colombia stays on UTC−5 all year, the same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
Entry rules change without much notice. Confirm them with the authority above before you book anything.
Top clinics in Colombia
Dental clinic in Riomar, Barranquilla, led by oral surgeon and implant dentist Dr. Carlos Acevedo, offering guided implant surgery, smile design, orthodontics and CEREC, per the clinic.
Dental center in Laureles, Medellín, offering implants including All-on-4, orthodontics, veneers and oral surgery, with services for travelling patients, per the clinic.
Dental practice of aesthetic oral rehabilitation specialist Dr. Roberto Támara in Bogotá, offering veneers, crowns and implants with starting prices in USD, per the practice.
Dental clinic in Usaquén, Bogotá, founded by Dr. Sonia Osorio, offering smile design, implants and other specialties, with airport pickup for foreign patients, per the clinic.
Dental clinic in Usaquén, Bogotá, offering implants, smile design, Invisalign and other specialties, with airport transfers for foreign patients, per the clinic.
Plastic surgery practice of Pitanguy-trained surgeon Dr. Darío Juris in Bogotá: liposuction, buttock augmentation, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty and facelift, per the practice.
Compare all 6 hospitals and clinics in Colombia: ratings, accreditation and prices →