Medical Tourism in Colombia
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Is Dental Tourism in Colombia Worth It? I Went to a Dentist in Medellín to Find Out
Here’s what I paid, what the experience was like, and how I turned into an affordable vacation.
June 21, 2025
Editor’s Note: This article is based on personal experience, independent research, and firsthand observations. Some experiences or products featured may be gifted or discounted for the purpose of review, but we select providers and experiences independently. We are not medical professionals, and nothing shared here should be taken as medical advice. Some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you choose to book or purchase through them. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our independent reporting.
I once had a dentist tell me that dental care in America is a “luxury.” And in a country where millions of people skip the dentist due to cost, it’s definitely starting to feel that way.
Good thing there are plenty of countries around the world known for excellent (and affordable) dental work. If I’m going to pay luxury prices in the U.S., I’d rather put that money toward a trip, and get my dental work and a vacation in Colombia (and still save money).
We filled our Colombia trip with appointments we’d never justify paying for in the States. I went to the hair salon, got Botox, had some clothes tailored. But getting dental work abroad is still one of my favorite things, not just for the quality but because it’s one of the best ways to save money while traveling.
Just one visit to the dentist can easily cover the cost of your entire trip when you realize that a single dental implant with a crown in the U.S. can run anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. In countries known for dental care like Mexico, Colombia, Thailand, and Türkiye, you can expect to pay 50 to 80 percent less for the exact same procedure.
So let’s dive into dental in Colombia, the vetting process, my experience, and the prices.
Selecting a Dentist in Colombia
Colombia is one place for dental work that had been recommended to me over and over, so I was excited to check it out for myself and see if I could find a dentist I could trust. These days, it’s harder than you’d think to find a reputable dentist, whether in the U.S. or anywhere in the world.
So I did what I always do when I travel for care: I put together a detailed spreadsheet of every dentist I could find in Medellín and eventually narrowed it down to a smaller clinic run by Dr. Luis Fernando Lopez.
This is exactly how I research and choose a dentist, whether I’m at home or abroad.
My research process
Step 1: Find Someone Who Specializes in What You Need
When you’re choosing a provider for any service, it’s important to find someone who specializes in exactly what you’re looking for. If you want natural-looking veneers, go to someone who focuses on that. If you need a root canal, go to a specialist in endodontics, not a clinic that mainly focuses on cosmetic dentistry. What they specialize in matters more than people realize.
Step 2: How I Start My Search
I usually begin my research on Google Maps. I make a list of every clinic in the area with a rating of 4.5 or higher, and then I check how many reviews they have. I try to get a sense of what a normal review count is for that location. If one provider has 4,000 reviews and all the others nearby have fewer than 50, that’s a red flag. I see this everywhere (hello, dental clinics in south Florida), but it is far too easy for places to purchase fake google reviews.
Step 3: Always Read the One-Star Reviews First
Once I’ve removed any clinics with suspicious review counts, I sort the remaining ones by one-star reviews and read the most negative experiences first. I want to know the worst thing that’s ever happened there. If the biggest complaints are about long wait times or minor issues that were resolved, that’s usually a good sign.
Step 4: Check Social Media and Websites
From there, I check the clinic’s social media and website to get a feel for their space and the kind of work they do. Sometimes they even list prices online, which is always a bonus.
Step 5: Reach Out and Ask Questions
Once I have a short list of clinics, I start reaching out directly to ask questions and request prices. Many providers outside of the U.S. use business WhatsApp accounts, so you can just download Whatsapp and text them your questions. It makes communication easy, even if you don’t speak the language.
I use WhatsApp to message each clinic and see how responsive and helpful they are. I pay attention to whether they answer thoroughly, if they are kind, and whether they’re willing to give me pricing before the appointment.
Step 6: My Non-Negotiables
When I’m researching clinics for health tourism, there are a few things I won’t compromise on:
- If a provider can’t give me at least a price range ahead of time, I’m not stepping foot in their business.
- If they aren’t responsive or kind over WhatsApp before the appointment, how am I supposed to trust they’ll take care of me afterward if I have questions or concerns?
This time around, this process helped me narrow it down to one clinic. There are probably many excellent dentists in Medellín, but for what I needed, one provider stood out.
Booking and experience
We paid for this ourselves and found this clinic all on our own.
What drew me in were the long, glowing reviews, how quickly he responded to my message, the upfront pricing, and the fact that his website emphasized prioritizing overall mouth health. Too many dentists focus only on aesthetics, so it was refreshing to see someone who genuinely cares about long-term function and care.
While I always recommend booking treatments and services in advance, I was able to schedule my appointment last minute and he got me in that same week.
I have a love-hate relationship with candy and had just lost a battle with a Starburst that left me without a filling.
I was worried it might not be a simple fix. But since I’ve made it my mission to track down and report on the world’s best health tourism opportunities, and the best way to vet a place is to get work done myself, I was actually excited to see the dentist and experience dental in Colombia first hand.
The Dentist
Dr. Luis Fernando Lopez specializes in microscopic endodontics, which, according to his website, is a technique that allows for more precise and minimally invasive root canals.
When we arrived, we found out he had actually lived in the U.S. for a while, and it just so happened to be his birthday that day.
The clinic was cozy and spotless, the equipment looked top tier, and I felt completely comfortable throughout the entire experience.
Dr. Lopez is fluent in English, which made everything even easier. For more involved appointments like medical or dental visits, it’s always a good idea to ask ahead of time if someone on staff speaks English.
Not because I expect everyone to speak my language while I’m traveling. I usually get by just fine using Google Translate or even ChatGPT as my translator. But since English is widely spoken around the world, there’s often someone available who can help if needed.
We started with some X-rays and a cleaning. And as it turns out, I didn’t need the root canal I was worried about. I just needed a few fillings.
Prices
For three fillings, X-rays, and a cleaning, I spent $128 USD. In the U.S., that would have easily cost me around $700.
Here are some more of his prices:
- Cleaning: $40
- Dental fillings: $28 to $63 per surface
- Root canal: $187
- Dental crown: $445
- Teeth whitening: $117
- Veneer: $305
- Invisalign: $937 to $2,811
These prices were accurate as of March 2025. If you’re considering a visit, always reach out to the clinic directly for a quote, since prices can change over time.
Final thoughts
It’s been more than six months since this trip, and I’m happy to report that all of my fillings are holding up perfectly. Zero issues, zero regrets.
By combining the money I saved on dental with other appointments I had been putting off, I turned this into a two-week trip, got everything I needed done, and still saved $500 compared to what it would have cost me in the U.S.
You can see my full Colombia itinerary here.
If you’re anything like me, dental work is probably one of those things you’ve been putting off for way too long. And you’re not alone.
In the U.S., 78 million people have no dental insurance, and even among those who do, more than half still skip necessary treatments because of the cost.
That’s exactly why I get so fired up about health tourism. People deserve to know that there are other options out there. Options that are affordable, high-quality, and in places you'd actually want to visit.
There are so many countries where you can get safe, professional dental care for a fraction of the price you’d pay in the U.S. It really just comes down to what you need and where you’d like your next vacation to be.
Disclosure: This article is based on personal experience, independent research, and firsthand observations. We are not medical professionals, and this content is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnose conditions, or recommend specific treatments. Every person’s health situation is different, and outcomes can vary. If you are considering any medical or cosmetic procedure, whether at home or abroad, please consult with a licensed healthcare provider or specialist to determine what is appropriate for your individual needs. All information shared here is intended for general informational purposes only.
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