Medical tourists
The medical tourism market in Latin America was estimated at almost eight billion U.S. dollars in 2019, and it was expected to surpass the ten billion mark by 2021. Among the countries with the highest number of medical tourists in the region, Colombia was one of the main destinations in 2019, having hosted over 21 thousand health tourists. Costa Rica was also among the most visited nations for this reason, with nearly 20 thousand travelers that same year.
Price comparison
Cost savings is the most important reason for seeking healthcare abroad among U.S. tourists. Surgical procedures, especially, tend to be offered at a lower price in Latin America, making this type of medical procedure one of the most sought-after by foreign medical tourists. Recent data shows that undergoing a heart valve replacement was the medical procedure with the highest price difference between the United States and selected Latin American countries, with a price difference reaching almost 160 thousand U.S. dollars if we compare it to Colombia, or 140 thousand U.S. dollars in the case of Costa Rica.
Medical Tourism Index
There are more aspects to consider when looking for a travel destination to receive healthcare. In this regard, the Medical Tourism Association offers an index that contemplates three main features in order to evaluate different medical destinations, including its environment, the medical tourism industry, and the quality of facilities and services. Based on this index, Costa Rica was the leading Latin American destination for medical tourism, with an overall score of 71.73. Dominican Republic came in second place, with a score of 66.32, followed by Argentina, with 66.26.
