Medical Care in San Diego vs. Tijuana: Costs, Access, and Patient Experience

Why are patients comparing San Diego and Tijuana for healthcare?

The comparison between San Diego and Tijuana reflects broader shifts in how international patients access care.

San Diego is home to leading U.S. hospitals, advanced specialty services, and integrated insurance systems. In contrast, Tijuana has developed a robust private healthcare ecosystem that attracts patients—especially from Southern California—seeking timely, affordable care close to home.

Medical tourism, defined as traveling to another city or country for medical treatment, has gained traction as patients seek alternatives to high costs and long wait times in their home systems. According to the World Health Organization , fragmentation is a key challenge in healthcare when care spans multiple institutions or countries. Medical tourism magnifies that complexity due to distance, logistics, and coordination hurdles.

Tijuana’s prominence in this space is notable. According to the Baja Health Cluster , more than one million medical and wellness-related visitors arrive in Tijuana annually, making it one of Mexico’s leading international medical destinations.

What does care travel between San Diego and Tijuana look like for patients?

For many patients, especially those in Southern California, traveling to Tijuana for care often begins online. Patients compare providers and procedures, request quotes, and schedule initial consultations digitally. Then, they may travel by car or arranged transportation across the San Ysidro border to receive in-person care.

Short-distance medical tourism—such as U.S.–Mexico border travel—has logistical advantages. Patients can:

• return home quickly if needed
• access follow-up care with local providers
• avoid long stays abroad

According to guides on medical tourism destinations, Tijuana is one of the closest international hubs to the United States , with modern private facilities catering to international patients.

Is medical tourism actually growing year over year?

Multiple indicators point to continued growth—even amid fluctuations.

The CDC estimates that hundreds of thousands of U.S. residents travel abroad each year for medical or dental care. Meanwhile, consumer research shows rising cost sensitivity and increased use of digital tools, including AI, to research care options. Zocdoc’s 2025 Patient Insights Report found that many patients use AI weekly to explore care alternatives, reflecting broader trends in healthcare decision-making and transparency.

Although regional estimates vary year to year, the Baja Health Cluster positions Tijuana as an “international benchmark” for medical and wellness tourism, underpinned by modern medical infrastructure, certified clinicians, and proximity to the U.S. border.

How do costs compare between San Diego and Tijuana?

Cost differences are a major factor driving cross-border care, but they are best viewed in context.

Numbeo’s Healthcare Cost Index shows that healthcare services in Tijuana are substantially less expensive than in San Diego across many outpatient and elective categories.

This affordability is not typically due to lower clinical quality, but rather differences in:

• labor costs
• administrative overhead
• malpractice environments
• facility pricing structures

Health tourism guides also note Tijuana’s capacity to offer savings of up to 40–70% on many procedures compared with U.S. self-pay pricing.

Does affordability come at the cost of quality?

Not necessarily—but quality depends on provider choice and context.

The World Health Organization emphasizes that outcomes depend on clinical training, facility standards, infection control, and perioperative protocols.

In Tijuana, many private facilities serving international patients operate within Mexico’s regulatory framework under COFEPRIS , the federal health authority responsible for licensing and oversight.

What specialties do patients most often seek in Tijuana?

According to the Baja Health Cluster and regional medical tourism guides, Tijuana’s most requested procedures among international patients include:

• bariatric and metabolic surgery
• dentistry and oral rehabilitation
• plastic and reconstructive surgery
• orthopedics
• ophthalmology
• fertility and reproductive care

How is patient experience improving across the border?

Medical tourism has historically been challenged by fragmented communication, unclear timelines, and cumbersome payments—but the landscape is shifting.

Health systems research from the OECD and WHO underscores the importance of digital coordination and patient support systems for improving outcomes and satisfaction.

AI-enabled tools are now helping reduce friction across care touchpoints:

• centralizing Q&A and messaging
• standardizing booking and scheduling
• clarifying billing and cost breakdowns
• enabling secure payments and financing workflows

Platforms such as heva function as coordination layers, helping patients and providers manage complexity across borders with more transparency and continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to get medical care in Tijuana instead of San Diego?

Safety depends on provider qualifications, facility standards, and care coordination. Verified, licensed clinics in Tijuana often operate under strict regulatory oversight.

Why is care cheaper in Tijuana than in San Diego?

Lower prices reflect differences in labor costs, administrative overhead, and malpractice environments—not necessarily lower clinical quality.

How long should I plan to stay for recovery?

Minor procedures may require only days; surgical care often requires 7–14 days locally for early recovery and monitoring.

Will my U.S. insurance cover care in Tijuana?

Most U.S. insurance plans do not cover elective medical care abroad; assume self-pay unless confirmed otherwise.

How does digital coordination improve medical tourism?

Centralized communication, scheduling, and payments reduce confusion, improve transparency, and support continuity—leading to better patient experiences.

Disclaimers

Medical Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about medical tourism and pricing. It is not medical advice. heva is a healthcare coordination platform connecting patients with providers—we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals in all relevant jurisdictions.

Safety Information: Safety recommendations are based on general best practices, public-health advisories, and published research. Individual risks and needs vary. Patients should conduct their own research, verify provider credentials, review travel advisories such as those from the U.S. State Department, and discuss plans with clinicians who understand bariatric surgery and medical tourism.

Financial Disclaimer: Information about costs, financing products, and savings is general and approximate. It does not constitute financial advice. Eligibility, interest rates, and terms are determined by external lenders and individual financial circumstances. Patients should review all loan agreements carefully and consider consulting an independent financial adviser before committing to significant medical debt.

International Healthcare: International medical care involves inherent risks and additional considerations including emergency protocols, legal differences, and care coordination. Patients should thoroughly research all aspects of cross-border surgery, maintain realistic expectations about potential complications and recovery, and ensure plans for long-term follow-up in their home country.