FAQ · Updated October 2026
Medical treatment in Colombia: your questions answered
Straight answers for international patients, and how this directory works. Information only, not medical advice.
Using ColombiaHealthcare.com
What is ColombiaHealthcare.com?
An independent English-language directory of clinics, hospitals and specialists in Colombia for international patients. You can compare providers by specialty and city, read their real Google reviews and contact them directly.
Is it free for patients?
Yes. Searching, comparing and contacting clinics is free. We do not sell treatments or packages and we never add a fee to your treatment.
Do you take a commission from clinics?
No. Clinics can list for free. Some pay a flat monthly fee for extra visibility; those placements are always labeled as Featured or Verified. We never take a percentage of your treatment, which also keeps our listings independent.
Are the reviews real?
Yes. Ratings and reviews on listings come from each clinic's public Google Business profile. We do not write, buy or filter reviews.
How do I contact a clinic?
Every listing has direct Call, WhatsApp or Website buttons, so you talk to the clinic yourself without a middleman. You can also send a free quote request from the listing and we pass it on to the clinic.
What does the Verified badge mean?
A Verified clinic has confirmed its details with us and we checked its registration in Colombia's official health registries (REPS for the facility and ReTHUS for the professionals) before showing the badge.
Is ColombiaHealthcare.com a medical tourism agency?
No. We are a directory, not an agency or facilitator. We do not book surgery, flights or hotels and we do not give medical advice. You choose and contact the clinic yourself.
Choosing a clinic or doctor
How can I check that a doctor is qualified in Colombia?
Search the doctor's name or ID in ReTHUS, the national register of health professionals run by the Ministry of Health, and check the clinic in REPS, the register of licensed health providers. For plastic surgery, also check that the surgeon is a member of the Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica.
Who are the best plastic surgeons in Colombia?
There is no official ranking. Shortlist board-certified surgeons who are members of the Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica, operate in a licensed clinic, show many real Google reviews and give you a written plan. Our directory lets you compare plastic surgeons by city with their reviews.
Which cities are best for medical treatment?
Medellín, Bogotá and Cali have the largest choice of private clinics and specialists, and Cartagena, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga also have well-reviewed providers. The right city depends on the specialist you choose, flights from home and where you want to recover.
Is Medellín good for plastic surgery?
Medellín is one of the most popular Colombian cities for cosmetic surgery, with many private clinics and surgeons who treat international patients. Compare surgeons by their credentials and reviews, not by the city alone.
Plastic surgery clinics in Medellín →Plastic surgeons in Medellín →
What are the best hospitals in Colombia?
Several Colombian private hospitals hold international accreditation and appear in Latin American hospital rankings, mostly in Bogotá, Medellín and Cali. Our guide explains which ones international patients and expats use most.
Do clinics speak English?
Many clinics that treat international patients have English-speaking staff or coordinators. Ask the clinic on WhatsApp before you book, and ask for your treatment plan and quote in writing.
What should I ask a clinic before I book?
Ask who performs the procedure and their registration, a written quote with everything included, what happens if there is a complication, how many days you must stay before flying home, and which follow-up is included after you leave Colombia.
Can I have a video consultation before I travel?
Many Colombian clinics offer a free or paid online consultation and a preliminary quote based on photos or X-rays. The final plan is confirmed at the in-person consultation in Colombia, so ask what could change the price.
Costs and insurance
How much does treatment in Colombia cost?
Prices vary by clinic, surgeon and city. Many patients choose Colombia because private prices are often lower than in the United States, but always compare written quotes. Our cost guide lists advertised prices with their dates and sources.
How much is a BBL in Colombia?
About $3,000 to $6,500 USD for a Brazilian butt lift, compared with roughly $8,000 to $15,000 in the United States. A BBL combined with 360 liposuction is about $4,500 to $8,500. These are approximate 2026 estimates from our cost guide; your written quote decides.
How much are veneers in Colombia?
Porcelain veneers cost about $250 to $500 per tooth and composite veneers about $120 to $250 per tooth. A full smile of eight porcelain veneers is often around $2,000 to $4,000, compared with $8,000 to $20,000 in the United States. These are approximate 2026 estimates from our cost guide; your written quote decides.
How much are dental implants in Colombia?
A complete single implant (fixture, abutment and crown) costs about $1,100 to $1,500, against roughly $4,500 in the United States. For a single tooth, travel costs can cancel out the saving. These are approximate 2026 estimates from our cost guide; your written quote decides.
How much is All-on-4 in Colombia?
About $6,500 to $9,500 per arch with an acrylic bridge and $10,000 to $12,500 per arch in zirconia. These are approximate 2026 estimates from our cost guide; your written quote decides.
How much does liposuction cost in Colombia?
Single-area liposuction is about $2,500 to $4,500 USD and 360 or high-definition liposuction about $3,500 to $5,500, compared with roughly $6,000 to $12,000 in the United States. These are approximate 2026 estimates from our cost guide; your written quote decides.
How much is a rhinoplasty in Colombia?
Primary rhinoplasty is about $3,000 to $5,500 USD, ethnic rhinoplasty about $4,000 to $6,500 and revision rhinoplasty about $4,500 to $7,000. These are approximate 2026 estimates from our cost guide; your written quote decides.
How much is a gastric sleeve in Colombia?
About $4,500 to $8,000 USD, compared with roughly $15,000 to $25,000 in the United States. A gastric bypass is about $6,000 to $10,000. These are approximate 2026 estimates from our cost guide; your written quote decides.
What is usually included in a surgery package?
It differs per clinic. Packages often include the surgeon, anesthesia, operating room, a hospital night and a compression garment, and sometimes airport transfer, a recovery house or lymphatic drainage sessions. Ask for a written list of what is and is not included.
Why is surgery cheaper in Colombia?
Mainly lower local costs: salaries, rent and hospital fees are lower than in the United States, and the peso exchange rate favors dollar and euro payers. A lower price does not by itself mean lower quality or higher quality, so vet the surgeon and clinic.
Will my insurance cover treatment in Colombia?
Usually not for elective treatment such as cosmetic surgery or dental work. Some travel and international health plans cover emergencies. Check your policy before you travel.
Travel health insurance guide →Health insurance for expats →
Can I get complication insurance for surgery abroad?
Specialist medical-travel complication policies exist and some clinics include one in their package. Normal travel insurance often excludes planned surgery, so read the exclusions and ask the clinic what its own policy covers.
Plastic surgery and dental treatment
Why do so many people go to Colombia for plastic surgery?
Colombia has a large number of experienced cosmetic surgeons, private clinics used to international patients, prices often well below the United States, and direct flights from the US and Europe.
Is a BBL in Colombia safe?
A BBL is a higher-risk procedure anywhere in the world. Your safety depends mostly on the surgeon's training and technique, a licensed facility and honest screening of your health. Choose a certified plastic surgeon, never a non-surgeon, and avoid offers that seem too cheap.
Can I combine several procedures in one surgery?
Often yes, for example liposuction with a BBL or a mommy makeover, but combined surgeries last longer and carry more risk. Your surgeon decides what is safe for you, based on your health and the total operating time.
Where can I see real before and after photos?
Ask the surgeon for before and after photos of their own patients with the same procedure, and check their Google reviews. Our guide explains how to judge results realistically.
Is dental work in Colombia good quality?
Colombia has many well-trained dentists and specialists who use internationally known implant brands and digital smile design. Quality varies per clinic, so check the dentist's registration, the brands used and the warranty in writing.
How many trips do dental implants need?
Usually two. The implant is placed on the first trip and the final crown or bridge is fitted on a second trip, typically a few months later after the bone has healed. Veneers often need only one trip of about a week to ten days.
Where can I get dental implants in Colombia?
Medellín, Bogotá and Cali have the most implant clinics, and Barranquilla and Cartagena are popular for combining treatment with a coastal stay.
Implants in Medellín, Bogotá and Cali →How to choose an implant clinic →
Does Colombia offer stem cell therapy?
Some clinics offer it, but many stem cell treatments are still experimental and their claims vary widely. Ask for the regulatory approval of the specific treatment and the evidence behind it.
Safety
Is medical tourism in Colombia safe?
It can be, if you choose a registered specialist and a licensed clinic, follow your surgeon's recovery instructions and plan enough time before flying home. Most problems come from unqualified providers and rushed recoveries.
What are the warning signs of an unsafe clinic?
Prices far below the market, pressure to pay a deposit quickly, a doctor you cannot find in ReTHUS, surgery outside a licensed facility, no written quote, and no plan for complications or follow-up.
What happens if I have a complication after I go home?
Ask before you book. Good clinics agree in writing how they handle complications, whether revisions are included and how they follow up remotely. Keep all your medical records and bring a summary to your doctor at home.
Is Colombia safe for tourists recovering from surgery?
Many visitors stay in Colombia without problems. Recover in a well-reviewed neighborhood near your clinic, use registered taxis or ride apps, and keep valuables out of sight, as in any big city.
What is the emergency number in Colombia?
Dial 123, the national emergency line, for police, ambulance and fire. If you had treatment recently, also keep your clinic's 24-hour contact number with you.
Travel and recovery
Do I need a visa for medical treatment in Colombia?
Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, can enter Colombia as visitors without a visa. Rules depend on your nationality and the length of your stay, so check the official Cancillería page before you travel.
How long can I stay in Colombia as a tourist?
Visa-exempt visitors usually get up to 90 days on arrival, which can be extended to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. Migración Colombia decides the permitted stay at the border, so check the current rules for your nationality.
How long should I stay after surgery?
Your surgeon decides, based on the procedure and your recovery. Plan extra days before flying home and get your surgeon's written clearance to fly.
Where should I stay while I recover?
Close to your clinic, in a quiet place with an elevator and easy transport. Our city guides compare neighborhoods for recovery in Medellín, Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena and Barranquilla.
Where to stay in Medellín →Where to stay in Cali →All guides →
What is a recovery house?
A recovery house is a home or small residence where nurses or caregivers look after patients in the first days or weeks after surgery, often with meals, medication reminders and transport to check-ups. Quality varies, so ask your surgeon which one they work with.
Should I travel with a companion?
It helps, especially after surgery, when you may need help with moving, medication and appointments for the first days. If you travel alone, a recovery house or a nurse service is a common alternative.
What can I do in Colombia before or after treatment?
Plan light activities before surgery and rest afterwards. Your surgeon tells you when you may walk, swim, sunbathe or fly again.
Healthcare for expats and visitors
Is healthcare free in Colombia?
No. Colombia has a public health system (EPS) funded by contributions, and residents who join pay according to income. Tourists usually pay privately or through insurance.
Is healthcare free in Colombia? →Healthcare in Colombia guide →
Can expats join the Colombian health system?
Residents with a visa and a cédula de extranjería can usually join an EPS, and many also add a private plan (medicina prepagada) for faster access to specialists.
How much does a doctor visit cost in Colombia?
A private general practitioner or specialist visit costs much less than in the United States, but prices differ per city and clinic. Ask the clinic for its consultation fee before you book.
How do I get medication in Colombia?
Pharmacies are called droguerías and are easy to find in every city. Many medicines need a prescription from a Colombian doctor, so bring a copy of your prescriptions and the generic names of your medicines.
For clinics
How can my clinic be listed?
Basic listings are free. Clinics can claim their profile to update their details, see how many patients viewed and contacted them, and choose a paid plan for extra visibility.
How do I claim or update my clinic's listing?
Open your listing and use the claim link, or go to the For clinics page. After we confirm you represent the clinic, you can update photos, services and contact details yourself.
Something not answered here? Write to info@colombiahealthcare.com. About us: who runs ColombiaHealthcare.com.