Panama: Quality Low-Cost Health Care Close to USA

The Republic of Panama, bordered by Costa Rica, Columbia, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, one of the world’s best coastal locations for a tropical vacation and trusted health care.

Why choose Panama for travel and treatment?

The optimum tourist season to visit Panama is from December to April, when there is constant sunshine and a comfortable temperature. There are a host of different carnivals and fairs to look forward to such as the Panama Jazz Festival or Carnivale. Perhaps the most attractive feature of this country is the vast number of beaches of pearly-white sand and coconut trees across its coasts and nearby islands. Panama has more than a thousand species of birds and over ten thousand kinds of plants, making it an attractive site for ecotourism. It is in very close proximity to the United States and Canada. It is a mere 4 to 5 hour flight from Toronto or New York. A good number of surgeons working within Panama are trained within the US, and numerous hospitals are internationally recognized. Medical tourists often choose Panama due to its close proximity to home combined with expertly performed medical procedures for a remarkably low costs.

Medical Facilities in Panama

Panama is a world-renowned location for cosmetic and plastic surgery. Hospitals in Panama also specialize in other areas such as dental surgery, orthopedic surgery, fertility treatments, stem-cell research and cancer treatment to name a few. Famous hospitals in the region include Hospital Punta Pacifica and Clinica Dental Corro Maduro.

Panama's Hospitals and International Standards of Care

Hospital standards in Panama closely follow those of the United States. A large number of surgeons are trained in the United States and the hospitals are kept as technologically advanced as possible. Joint Commissions International has accredited hospitals here. Johns Hopkins Medical International of the United States manages the Hospital Punta Pacifica. Hospitals in Panama are certified by the Panamanian Government or have affiliations with world-renowned institutions such as Harvard Medical Faculty. The cost of services through Panamanian health care facilities attracts hundreds of visitors seeking medical attention each year. Lower prices for neck lifts (platysmaplasty) in the US run at about $6,000, while the same procedure in Panama is $3,000, which is a saving of 50% against low-range costs in the US and up to 70% against average prices in the US. Pacemaker surgeries in the US can run to $40,000, whereas in Panama, the average price is $8,500, a savings of nearly 80%.

Convalescence in Panama

After having saved plenty from the procedure, travelers can enjoy luxurious spa facilities that focus on convalescence. This tourist haven has spas with elaborate facilities such as enzyme therapy & allergy desensitization, diet programs, professional hydrotherapy, detoxification therapies and many recovery treatments. The beaches of Panama are invigorating and are ideal locations for recuperation.

Panama Travel Information

The currency in Panama is the balboa, but US bills are also used so there is no need to exchange US currency in Panama. Spanish is the official language, but English is wide spread and it is the used for communication in the medical realm. Electricity is 110/220 volts, as is the norm in the Americas. For North Americans and Japanese, a visa is not required, but a tourist card, valid for 30 days and extendable for up to 90 days, must be purchased on arrival.  Europeans do require a visa, which allow stays of up to 90 days

Panama Quick Facts
Location:	Languages Spanish (official), English 14% (many Panamanians bilingual) Population 3,360,474 Currency Panamanian Balboa (PAB) US Dollar (USD) Capital Panama City Major Airports Tocumen Intl Airport (PTY) Electricity 120 volts 60 Hz Time Zone UTC/GMT -5