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When considering the cost of plastic surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, there are many factors to consider. Besides the cost of the procedure, it is also important to consider the method of travel into Tijuana and how you will travel around Tijuana once there.
Tijuana, The Most Famous City For Plastic Surgery Among Tourists
The city of Tijuana in Mexico is a border city just south of California. It is the most visited border city in the world, with this border between Mexico and the United States being one of the busiest and largest in the world. With a new border-crossing bridge connecting the Tijuana International Airport with a service terminal in San Diego, the city will become even more attractive to investors and tourists due to ease of travel and accessibility.
Zona Rio, one of the districts in Tijuana, is the fourth most important financial district in Mexico. Because of this, there are many locations in Tijuana where one can receive plastic surgery. Tijuana honors the tourism aspect of medical tourism and aims to provide a luxurious experience from beginning to end.
Plastic Surgery Cost in Tijuana
As the cost of plastic surgery in the United States continues to increase, many find that heading to Mexico for these same procedures is a better choice. With Mexico being so close to the United States and employing a plethora of skilled doctors, it is a sensible choice to visit this country for plastic surgery.
In the United States, an average facelift will cost around $12,125, not including large metropolitan areas where prices are 25-40% higher, whereas in Mexico, this same procedure averages around $4,800. Clinics in Tijuana show prices right around the standard for Mexico or slightly higher, depending on the clinic.
Below is a comparison of prices between the United States and Mexico for many popular procedures.
Rhinoplasty
A rhinoplasty, also going by the name “nose job,” is, on average, $7,475 in the United States and $3,000 in Tijuana.
Neck Lift
The price of a neck lift in the United States is, on average, $5,000, and in Tijuana, Mexico is $2,000.
Breast Implants
Breast augmentation in the United States costs $6,500 and costs only $3,900 in Mexico. (2)
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, averages $8,150 in the United States and $4,500 in Tijuana.
Liposuction
The average cost of liposuction, in one area, is $6,025 in the United States and $2,000 in Tijuana.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover, which may consist of breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck, circumferential abdominoplasty, and liposuction, costs $26,700 in the United States and $13,900 in Tijuana.
Body Lift
An average body lift in the United States will cost $21,500, and in Mexico, it will cost $9,700.
This information shows that plastic surgery procedures in Mexico can, at times, cost more than 50% less than the same procedure in the United States. This cost disparity is not due to decreased procedure quality, though, and is instead due to the following.
Causes of cost disparity:
- More expensive higher education in the US, even though Mexico’s medical schools are consistently ranked among the best in the world.
- Increased overhead expenses in the US, such as heating and property costs.
- Cheaper cost of medical supplies in Mexico than in the US, even though both countries share the same brands.
Traveling from the United States to Tijuana
There are four ways to get from San Diego to Tijuana: car, pedestrian bridge, bus, and airplane. Each method has its own benefits and costs associated with it.
Car
The most popular way to travel from the US to Tijuana is by driving from San Diego across the border. The border is very organized and easy to travel through but returning from Tijuana to the United States can be a longer crossing. It is about a 30-40 minute drive from San Diego to Tijuana. The only cost associated with driving is the cost of gas.
Driving gives the added benefit of flexibility while in Tijuana. Those with a car are not reliant on public transportation or taxi services.
Pedestrian Bridge
The pedestrian bridge is another travel option. This method of travel takes about 50 minutes from San Diego to Tijuana. The cost is $2.50 each way. There is also a trolley that travels along the pedestrian bridge, which is the same cost. This is a good option for those who are budget conscious. However, once in Tijuana, the method of transportation will have to be walking or public transportation.
Bus
The bus ride from San Diego to Tijuana is about one hour and 10 minutes, and it costs $13 each way. This is another good option for those who are a bit more budget-conscious but cannot handle the physical exertion required by the 50-minute walk.
Once in Tijuana, those who take a bus must rely on walking, public transportation, or taxis.
Airplane
While Tijuana has its own international airport, there are no direct flights from San Diego to Tijuana. This puts the flights at a length of 14 hours and 25 minutes with a cost of $328. While flying is an option, it is not preferred in terms of travel length, cost, and flexibility.
The only time when flying might be the preferred option is for those who want to go directly from an area in the United States that is not San Diego to Tijuana. It might be more cost-efficient for them to travel directly to Tijuana instead of flying to San Diego before traveling to Tijuana by an alternate route. This would all depend on where each individual is traveling from.
Once in Tijuana, anyone who travels by airplane will then have to rely on walking, public transportation, or taxis to get around.
Summary
Cost plays a significant role in where people choose to go for their plastic surgery. Compared to the United States, plastic surgery costs in Mexico are about 50% less, but not due to any decrease in procedure quality.
While procedure costs are lower, it is also essential to consider how you will get to the clinic when determining the cost. The four methods of travel are car, pedestrian bridge, bus, and airplane. Each method has a different travel time and budget, so it is important to choose one that best fits your needs.
