Colombia: The Best in Latin American Medical Treatment

Just a few hours flying time from mainland USA, Colombia is at the forefront of the rapid development in South American medical tourism. Medical services and facilities offered in Colombia are comparable with the best in the West but offer much greater value for money.

Why choose Colombia for travel and treatment?

Colombia is a vibrant multi-ethnic country with Spanish and French colonial influences melding with the local indigenous cultures. Colombia’s coastlines boast gorgeous beaches and its lush tropical rainforests offer fantastic eco-tourism options. The capital of Bogota is readily accessible via daily flights from many US and European cities. Flight time from the US is as little as three hours.

Sometimes referred to as the Athens of South America, Bogota is a bustling city with beautiful colonial architecture but a very modern, Western outlook and some of the best healthcare services to be found anywhere, all at a fraction of the cost in North America. Most of Colombia’s doctors are bi-lingual and many studied medicine in the USA. All of the medical staff in Colombia’s hospitals are trained to international standards.

Medical Facilities in Colombia

A number of companies offer specialized medical tourism packages to Colombia. Most medical tourists will undergo treatment in Bogota’s international-standard hospitals and medical centers. The most popular treatments for visitors are cosmetic and laser eye surgeries, ophthalmology, dental and orthopedic procedures.

Colombia's Hospitals and International Standards of Care

The top hospitals in Bogota are large and modern, boasting the latest technology and at the cutting-edge of global developments in cosmetic surgery. In fact, Colombia ranks among the top global destinations for plastic surgery with its prices for cosmetic procedures like gluteoplasty around USD5,000 - anywhere from 15 - 35% of the cost in the USA. Nearly 10% of all visitors to Colombia are traveling to undergo cosmetic surgical procedures with thousands of these medical tourists coming from the USA. Surgical and other procedures in the best Colombian hospitals are conducted by board-certified surgeons.

Convalescence in Colombia

Bogota is a cosmopolitan city with all modern conveniences and is great for convalescence. Most of the major medical tourism service providers will liaise directly with your hotel to ensure smooth follow-up services. There is excellent downtown accommodation available close to the top hospitals while many other luxury hotels can be found just north of downtown and in the historic La Candelaria district.

Colombia Travel Information

Bogota’s reputation as a safe destination has improved drastically in recent years. It is as safe as most major Western cities and the government makes visitors’ safety a priority. The city is clean and friendly and its beautiful mountain location, vibrant cultural scene, modern shopping malls and great year-round weather make it an excellent destination to spend some time recuperating from medical procedures. However, it should be noted that Bogota sits at 2,600 meters above sea level so altitude sickness is possible. Visitors should take a couple of days to acclimatize before undergoing treatments. Most visitors from Western countries do not require visas to enter Colombia. Spanish is the primary language but plenty of English is also spoken, especially in Bogota. Regarding electrical voltage, Colombia uses 110 volts which is compatible with the USA with outlets accepting a two-pronged flat blade plug.

Colombia Quick Facts
Location:	Languages Spanish, (English in hospitals) Population 1,321,851,888 Currency Colombian peso (COP) Capital Bogotá Major Airports El Dorado International Airport(BOG) Electricity 110 volts 60 Hz