Last fact-checked: 15 November 2023

Thinking about taking advantage of significantly more affordable cosmetic or plastic surgery prices in Cancun? Medical Departures is here to help you find quality clinics and surgeons that you can trust, using our extensive listings.

Find out why Cancun could be the place for your surgical trip with this destination guide, including price estimates, tips for when you are there, practical travel advice, and more.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, Cancun attracts holidaymakers from around the world thanks to its white sandy beaches and warm, aquamarine waters. It is, in fact, a fairly new city, since its development as a tourist resort in 1974. The resort has already surpassed Acapulco as the favored Mexican holiday destination for international visitors. 

The region sees millions of visitors each year and now thousands are flocking to Cancun for its reliable, reasonably priced medical facilities, including plastic surgery, minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, elective surgeries, and dental care.

In Cancun, medical care and services are available at affordable rates. Two large multidisciplinary hospitals offer state-of-the-art facilities, with well-trained, well-established doctors and a standard of care similar to that available in the best facilities in the U.S., Canada, and other industrialized countries.

Cancun is also a great place for a holiday with its beaches, sunshine, natural ecology, beautiful landscapes, and great weather.

Where Is Cancun?

Cancun is situated in the southeastern part of Mexico, on the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is in the north of the Caribbean coast.

Low Cost:

More than ever before, people are conscious of their looks and their physical features. This is partly fuelled by the media, including social media, and partly on the general emphasis on looking good. People often don’t think twice about getting a nip and tuck or an anti-aging treatment these days, once only within reach of celebrities. However, these treatments and surgeries can be pretty expensive and unaffordable, and this is where medical tourism and places like Cancun score. They offer excellent treatments at reasonable prices.

Some examples of the cost savings for plastic surgery in Cancun:

• Breast enlargement in Cancun: average cost USD 4,000; against USD 7,500-12,000 in the US and CAD 15,000 in Canada.
• Eyelid/Eye bag surgery in Cancun: average cost USD 2,500; against USD $6,000 in the U.S. and  CAD 7,700 in Canada
• Facelift in Cancun: average cost USD 4,500; against USD 10,000 -15,000 in the US and CAD 12,000-15,000 in Canada

High-Quality Medical Facilities:

Because tourism (including medical tourism) is the main industry here, Cancun maintains a number of world-class hospitals that offer treatments and surgeries of all kinds, as well as smaller clinics that specialize in certain procedures or non-invasive treatments only.

You'll also find hospitals that have Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation or other international accreditations, offering high-quality medical facilities, operations theaters, staff, and all other aspects that you would want in a medical center of excellence.

These can all be found on our main Cancun listings page here.

Doctor Training and Qualifications:

In Mexico unlike in the U.S., medical studies start after school. However, this does not mean that education is less intensive since medical students need to study for eight years. This is followed by one year of compulsory rural work or government service. It is only after successful completion of all this rigorous training and experience that the doctor can go on to study for a specialty like plastic surgery. Mexican physicians and specialists serving international patients are often trained in the US, Canada, or the EU, and are American board-certified.

Tourist Locations for Pre and Post-op Recovery:

Cancun is full of hotels so you have plentiful accommodation options. In the area known as Hotel Zone, a long strip houses a huge range of hotels and resorts, some of which offer all-inclusive packages that may work out more affordable for you.

Elsewhere, you can opt for rooms in the so-called "Party Zone," full of restaurants, eateries, nightclubs and bars. The beach also has some great dining options along with breathtaking sunsets.

You can stay at a beach resort or in lodging that is close to your clinic or hospital. Patients opting for a quieter stay can book lodging in one of Cancun's quiet residential or commercial districts. This largely depends on the treatment that you are having done; for major surgery, it is always a good idea to stay close to the hospital so that you can make follow-up visits easily, as long traveling times may make you uncomfortable post-surgery and during rehabilitation. 

Some of the hotels are specifically geared towards medical tourists; they have large doorways, are wheelchair accessible, and have grab bars and telephones in the bathrooms.

If you don’t need to make too many visits or you are only undergoing non-invasive or minimally invasive treatment, you may want to take advantage of your surroundings and stay in one of the many beach hotels; here, you can enjoy the landscape, scenery, and beaches without having to travel too far. In the Hotel Zone, too, you can find hotels and stay options at various price points that suit your budget, starting at just USD 35 and going up to several hundred dollars.

How Safe Is Cancun?

Cancun is one of the safest areas in Mexico. The crime rate here is low although you'll want to be mindful of occasional petty street crimes.

Otherwise, use normal common-sense precautions that you would use in an unfamiliar place. Try to be aware of your surroundings at all times and not flaunt your cash or jewelry. If you withdraw money from an ATM, you may have to pay additional charges unless your bank has a tie-up with the local bank.

The human body and its reactions can be quite unpredictable in the best of times. Even if you go to the most experienced doctor at the best medical facility in the world, there is no 100% guarantee of a fully successful outcome.

However, you can take steps to ensure your doctor, hospital, and clinic have a good track record of similar surgeries and procedures. Apart from that, there should always be a doctor on call if you have to stay in a hospital overnight or longer. Surgery can never be 100% guaranteed, but at least if you go to a good-quality surgeon and clinic you will have a good chance of a rewarding outcome..

When you book through Medical Departures, you are already minimizing your risk. That is because we carry out a thorough investigation into the qualifications, credentials, and experience of the doctors, see the hospitals and clinics offer good facilities, and that they follow international treatment protocols.

Take a look now at three of our most highly-rated partner facilities in Cancun, offering a range of cosmetic treatments and have picked up glowing praise from patients booking through our site: 

– The Riviera Institute for Plastic Surgery

– Dr. Jose Manuel Pastrana Figueroa

– Panama Plastic Surgery

What Happens if Something Goes Wrong?

Despite all the due diligence, if something does go wrong and you face a problem related to your procedure or treatment, Medical Departures will step in to help you get a resolution.

For an additional small premium, you may wish to consider insurance in case of medical complications, which covers additional travel and accommodation charges you may incur if you have to stay longer than expected or be required to return to your clinic.  

Do Doctors Speak English in Cancun?

Though Spanish is the main language among locals, because the economy is dependent on tourism, you can be assured that almost everyone speaks relatively good English and you will face no communication problems when it comes to talking with your surgeon.

You may be somewhat apprehensive about going to a foreign destination for surgery of any kind. In fact, for some people, it can be unnerving to be in unfamiliar surroundings even if you're just sightseeing! That's why it is always a good idea to take a companion with you, more so if you are going for surgery and not just some noninvasive treatment. In any case, you will always feel better if you have some company.

If you are going for complex surgery, then it is best to take your partner, a sibling, a close friend, a parent or even an adult child with you; anyone who has your best interests at heart and will look after you and be there for you if that is what you need. At the same time you, should ensure that your companion has things to keep him or her occupied, so make sure that you are either staying in a central place or your hotel has options for activities.

In the case where you are only having a minor procedure, you may be up and about after a day or two of rest, or there may be no downtime involved at all. However, depending on your procedure, you may be advised to keep out of the sun and water, not drink alcohol, and do remember to take any post-op prescribed medication on schedule. If there are any dietary restrictions, your hotel should be able to give you the food you require. Apart from that, you should also be able to spend time resting if necessary.

There is definitely more to Cancun than just its beaches. The region is also known for its flora and fauna and you can visit one of the many eco-parks there like Xcaret Eco Theme Park, Xplor Park, or Rio Secreto. You can also explore Mayan villages, and the ruins of Tulum, check out adventure parks, rain forests, jungle tours, and more, or check out nearby islands like Isla Mujeres. Chichen Itza is one of the most recognizable Mayan sites and a UNESCO world heritage not too far away and worth a trip.

Another must-do in Cancun is shopping, with a plethora of malls and local flea markets from where you can do a great deal of bargain hunting. Mercado 28 is a huge souvenir market in downtown Cancun where you can buy all sorts of local trinkets and other interesting stuff, including silver, handicrafts, leather, hand-painted pottery, jewelry, and other handicrafts.

Cancun International Airport sees hundreds of daily international flights from all over the US, and other global destinations, as well as charter flights. Most hotels are 30-40 minutes away.

Transport in Cancun:

Local transport in Cancun consists of buses and taxis. You can get local buses or buses that take you to nearby attractions. You can hail taxis on the road, but it is best to negotiate the fare before getting in. Otherwise, Uber is a safe bet (if available when you are there). Overall, taxis are usually cheaper than the ones you will get outside your hotel. You can also get ferries to the islands.

Approximate Flight Times from Other Destinations to Cancun:

Flight times can vary and depend on the length of stopovers, if any:

• Los Angeles to Cancun – 4 hours 35 minutes
• New York to Cancun –4 hours
• Toronto to Cancun – 4 hours
• London to Cancun – 10.5 hours
• Ottawa to Cancun – 7 hours

These times will depend on the airline and the route.

Visa Requirements:

You don’t need a visa for Mexico but do need your passport and you will get a visa-free entry for 180 days if you are coming from the U.S., Canada, or U.K. Otherwise just check online if you have a different country’s passport.

What Payment Methods Are Accepted in Cancun?

International credit and debit cards are usually accepted for payment in hospitals, clinics, hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls. It is wise to carry some local currency for tips and for small purchases at hawker stalls or flea markets, though the US dollar is universally accepted.

When Is the Best Time to Visit for Plastic Surgery in Cancun?

You can go any time of the year to Cancun for plastic surgery. The weather is mostly tropical and ranges from warm to very warm. August to November is low season so prices are cheaper (hotels and travel), but it is also hurricane season. Peak season is mid-December to February when the weather is pleasant and there are many activities on offer, particularly during Christmas and New Year. Around Easter, too, hotels may be full.

Our partner clinics are open all year round save for major holidays, like Christmas.

Look below for easy ways to contact us. Browse through our quality-checked clinics in Cancun or contact our Customer Care Team (free of charge) to obtain a no-obligation quote for treatment at your chosen clinic. 

Or if you are ready to book your appointment, you can do so right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.

Sources:

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza. UNESCO. Website accessed: 13 November 2019.  http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/483

Joint Commission International. Website accessed: 16 November 2020.  https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/

Karsten, Matthew. 30 Fun Things To Do In Cancun: Mexico’s Gateway To The Yucatan. Expert Vagabond. 5 November 2019. https://expertvagabond.com/cancun-things-to-do/

Hryhoriw, Venessa. 21 Things To Do in Cancun That Aren’t The Beach. Goats on the Road. 22 June 2018.  https://www.goatsontheroad.com/things-to-do-in-cancun/

Drillinger, Meagan. Medical tourism on the rise in Cancun. Travel Weekly. 29 January 2019.  https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Insights/Medical-tourism-on-the-rise-in-Cancun

Best Hotels in Hotel Zone, Cancun. U.S. News. Website accessed: 13 November 2019.  https://travel.usnews.com/Hotels/Cancun_Mexico/n-hotel-zone/