Mexico City is solidifying its position as a premier destination for medical tourism in the country, bolstered by a robust high-specialty hospital infrastructure and a network of over 26,000 active tourist accommodations. This extensive network effectively meets the growing demand from national and international patients without straining existing lodging options.
Medical Tourism: A Growing Trend in Latin America
Medical tourism, defined as individuals traveling to receive specialized care, complex surgeries, or high-tech treatments outside their usual place of residence, continues to show sustained growth in Latin America. Mexico stands out as a strategic hub due to the quality of its services, competitive costs, and excellent air connectivity.
National Reference Hospital Infrastructure
According to the Statistics of Health in Private Establishments (ESEP) from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), published in August 2025, Mexico has 2,747 private establishments with 35,400 hospital beds. Mexico City accounts for 13.5% of this capacity, placing it among the entities with the largest medical infrastructure nationwide.
Complementing the private network is a public system of high specialization, including renowned institutions such as the National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chávez, the National Institute of Cancerology, the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, and the Hospital de la Luz, among others, which receive patients from across the country.
Furthermore, almost half of private outpatient services consist of specialized external consultations, reflecting a constant demand for advanced diagnostics, follow-up treatments, and medium-complexity procedures.
Health Mobility and Regional Competitiveness
The study “Medical Tourism Demand Research in Latin America,” conducted by the Council for Medical Tourism Mexico, identifies that health mobility is driven by a combination of certified medical quality, reduced waiting times, and comparatively lower costs compared to other markets.
This environment has fostered the arrival of patients seeking cardiovascular, oncological, orthopedic, and highly specialized procedures, consolidating the capital as a hub for comprehensive medical services.
The growth of medical tourism is supported by the availability of accommodation. In Mexico City, more than 26,000 temporary tourist stays operate, complementing traditional hotels and absorbing the demand from patients and their families who require extended stays for health reasons.
The sector generates approximately 66,800 jobs and contributes about 22 billion pesos to the local economy, representing less than 1% of the total housing stock, according to sector estimates.
Ángel Torres, founder of Todos Somos Anfitriones, noted that the wide availability of stays strengthens the medical ecosystem. “Hospitality is not limited to offering a room; it is providing a warm and respectful space in delicate moments,” he affirmed, highlighting the human dimension that accompanies medical treatments.
Labor Impact and Sectoral Articulation
In a national context where formal employment saw adjustments in January-with a reduction of 8,104 positions before the IMSS and a decrease of 5,800 employer registrations-the capital’s experience demonstrates that the articulation between specialized medical services and tourist offerings contributes to sustaining economic dynamism.
With a combination of hospital capacity, specialized human capital, and a flexible accommodation network, Mexico City strengthens its position in the regional medical tourism market. The challenge ahead will be to maintain quality standards, international certifications, and intersectoral coordination to consolidate its leadership as a competitive and sustainable health destination.
