These Full Medical Checkups in Türkiye Would’ve Cost $30,000 in the U.S.
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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 save so much money booking health and beauty treatments abroad, it’s like the vacation pays for itself.
After multiple trips and personally testing everything, I’ve put together the ultimate itinerary for a health and beauty trip to Colombia!
Like all of my vacations, this itinerary blends adventure and leisure with affordable health, wellness, and beauty experiences that would normally cost a fortune back home.
To my surprise, I did recently stumble upon a phenomenal health deal in America, but 99% of the time I wait to book all my appointments until I’m abroad. Instead of overpaying in the U.S., I use that money to get top-tier care overseas and still have plenty left to cover my entire vacation.
I’m not a medical professional, but I’ve personally tested everything on this list to help you see what’s possible. Be sure to do your own research, and always get a quote before booking since prices can vary.
I usually start my Colombia trips in the city to take care of appointments, and then head to the coast, jungle, or smaller towns for vacation. So this itinerary kicks off in Medellín, with a trip to the hair salon.
Affordable Hair Appointment
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- Location: Casa Magno
- Service: Full blonding + Color correction
- Cost: $160 USD (for a 7-hour appointment)
Getting my hair done on vacation saves me so much money. I was recently quoted $800 to bleach my hair in Texas. In Medellín, I paid just $160 for a 7-hour blonding and color correction session.
I chose Casa Magno after doing a lot of research. The salon offered a thorough consultation, did a test strand first (which I always appreciate), and used high-end products throughout. My stylist also spoke English, which I never expect when traveling, but it made the whole experience even smoother.
A color correction can be tricky business, but I think it turned out phenomenal!
Visiting the dentist
- Location: Dr. Luis Fernando Lopez
- Service: 3 fillings, a dental cleaning, and xrays
- Cost: $128 USD
Next up, we visited the dentist.
I got three fillings, X-rays, and a cleaning for just $128. Back home, that same visit would have cost me at least $700.
Dr. López specializes in microscopic endodontics, which according to his website is a technique that allows for more precise and minimally invasive root canals. If you need something like a crown or root canal, this is where you can really offset the cost of your entire trip.
When we arrived, we found out he had actually lived in the U.S. for a while. He was incredibly kind, professional, and completely transparent about pricing, which I always appreciate.
Here are some of the prices at his clinic:
- Dental cleaning: $40
- Fillings: $28 to $63 per surface
- Root canal: $187
- Dental crown: $445
- Teeth whitening: $117
- Veneer: $305
- Invisalign: $937 to $2,811
To put that in perspective, a root canal and crown in the U.S. can easily cost between $1,800 and $5,000. If you got both done in Colombia for around $600 total, you’ve basically paid for your entire vacation.
Luxury Perfume Dupes
- Location: Cocora Perfumes
- Service: Luxury fragrance dupes
- Cost: $83 USD (for 8 perfumes of varying sizes)
This perfume store in Colombia is known for carrying dupes of all the top luxury fragrance brands, and every scent in the store is sold at one low price.
I’m talking Dior, Chanel, Gucci, and yes, they even have a dupe for Baccarat Rouge 540, which would normally cost around $335. Instead, here’s what you’ll pay at Cocora:
- 30ml bottle: $14
- 50ml bottle: $18
- 100ml bottle: $26
I could have spent all day here. They offer both men’s and women’s fragrances, everything is oil-based so it lasts longer, and I was genuinely shocked by how closely they matched the original scents. It was a 10 out of 10 experience. Even though I walked away with 8 bottles, I wish I had bought more.
I’m not even including the potential savings here in my final trip total because it’s so extreme. If we had bought the brand-name versions of the same perfumes, it would have cost $1,455. Instead, we got all 8 for just $83.
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Gel nail extensions
- Location: Lilah Nails
- Service: Gel nail extensions and french tip
- Cost: $21 USD
I tried two different nail salons in Medellín, and this one was my favorite. But honestly, there are so many cute spots to choose from, you really can’t go wrong. No matter where you go, just make sure to reach out via WhatsApp ahead of time to confirm prices and scroll through their social media to make sure you like their style.
Even though I usually book my hotels in the El Poblado area, I purposefully scheduled some of my appointments outside that neighborhood. Because of the high number of expats, prices in El Poblado tend to be a bit higher. I saw some salons charging $35 or more for nails there, so I went with Lilah Nails, which is located a little outside of the main zone, but was absolutely worth the trip.
The open-air salon was adorable, and they did a beautiful job. A full set of gel nail extensions with a French tip only cost me $21. In the U.S., this would have easily been $80 to $100.
Eyelash extensions
- Location: Luxe Lash
- Service: Hybrid volume eyelash extensions
- Cost: $38 USD
I love getting my lashes done abroad because, honestly, the U.S. might be the only place charging $200 for a single set. In Medellín, I paid just $38.
I tried two different lash salons while I was in the city, and Luxe Lash was definitely my favorite. The first place I visited didn’t go as well, and all of my extensions fell out within a few days. They did offer to fix them for free, which was kind, but I decided to try Luxe Lash instead.
When choosing a lash artist, I recommend looking through their Instagram first to make sure you love their style. I always pick out one of their own photos to show them as inspiration. In my experience, that’s the best way to get the look you’re expecting.
Hydrafacial dupe
- Location: Bonanova
- Service: Hydrafacial dupe (1 hour deep cleansing facial)
- Cost: $34 USD
Hydrafacials in the U.S. can easily cost around $200, so I jumped at the chance to try a $34 version, and it did not disappoint.
We’re talking 60 minutes of scrubs, masks, steam, and peels. The clinic was beautiful, and my skin felt incredibly refreshed for the entire week afterward. Since this is a deep cleansing facial, you might be a little red when you leave, so plan accordingly if you have anything scheduled right after.
I’ll definitely be going back to get another one the next time I’m in town.
Energy boosting IV
- Location: Bonanova
- Service: Energy boosting IV
- Cost: $38 USD
At the same clinic where I got my facial, I also decided to try one of their energy boosting IVs during the same visit. I really appreciated how clean and professional the space was, and the staff clearly had a lot of experience.
It’s always hard to know exactly how effective these IV treatments are, but considering they usually cost between $180 and $250 in the U.S., it was fun to try one here for just $38.
Lymphatic drainage massage
- Location: Bonanova
- Service: 1 hour lymphatic drainage massage
- Cost: $31 USD
This was something I’d been wanting to try for ages, but I could never justify spending $150-$200 on it in the U.S. So I was thrilled to find it here for just $31.
It was a full hour, and I felt like the massage therapist was skilled. I had heard these massages could help you look more snatched, and this one definitely lived up to the hype.
I will absolutely book this again when I come back, especially if I can time it right and schedule it the day before heading to the pool.
Custom Tailoring
- Location: Sastreria Outfit
- Service: Tailored 2 dresses and 1 romper
- Cost: $24 USD (for 3 pieces)
This was easily one of my favorite things I did the entire trip. I actually packed three pieces of clothing that didn’t fit me on purpose, just so I could take them to a tailor in Medellín and get them custom fitted.
The shop wasn’t fancy, and the turnaround time was about five days. So definitely drop off your clothing at the beginning of your trip. If you don’t speak Spanish, I recommend writing out exactly what you want in Google Translate ahead of time to make it easier when you arrive.
But it absolutely rocked. He salvaged two dresses and a romper I never wore, and turned them into some of my favorite outfits.
It only cost $24, and you could tell he was a pro. I’ll definitely be adding tailoring to my vacation routine from now on.
Piercings
- Location: Ambar Tattoo Studio
- Service: 2 lob piercings and 4 new pieces of jewelry
- Cost: $43 USD
I love getting piercings abroad because it makes for such a fun and unique souvenir. This studio was super cute, and the staff was great.
I ended up getting two of my existing piercings changed out with new jewelry, plus two brand-new lobe piercings, all for $43. The piercer was so kind, and I’m happy to report I barely felt a thing.
Botox
- Location: Massai Clinica
- Service: 50 units of Botox
- Cost: $267 USD
I visited an aesthetic medicine clinic and got 50 units of Botox for just $267. In the U.S., the exact same treatment would have cost me around $600.
My doctor was very helpful when discussing my skin goals. We ended up treating my forehead, crow’s feet, and elevens. We also did a lip flip, added a small amount in my masseters, and finished with a Nefertiti neck lift to help define and lift my face.
I looked at dozens of aesthetic medicine providers before choosing this one, and I loved how responsive they were. Their customer service was amazing, and they quickly provided pricing and credentials for their doctors.
Always do your own research, but for reference, filler here is just $362 per syringe. That’s a huge difference compared to the $800 or more you’d typically pay in the U.S. Next time I’m in town, I want to try their Fotona laser for skin resurfacing.
Colombia Travel
Medellín is called the City of Eternal Spring, and it is absolutely beautiful. You can find stunning boutique hotels for around $60 a night, meals in restaurants for as little as $5, and if you’re flexible with your flight dates, round-trip tickets to Colombia for about $400.
I always start my trips in Medellín for appointments, then catch a $50 domestic flight (bags included) to vacation spots like Cartagena, San Gil, or Tayrona. Or sometimes all three.
Yes, the flight prices within Colombia are insanely good. Even I was shocked. Once you’re in the country, it's so affordable to get around that it makes sense to try and enjoy as many areas as possible.
Cartagena
Cartagena has day passes for island beach clubs that include boat transportation and lunch for just $43. You can also book full-day catamaran tours for $90. The historical old town is gorgeous, and there are plenty of nearby islands to explore on easy day trips.
On a previous trip, we spent a few nights at an eco-resort on Tierra Bomba Island and absolutely loved it.
San Gil
San Gil is known as Colombia’s adventure sport capital. You can go paragliding for $65 or do the highest bungee jump in Latin America for just $43.
There are tons of other activities too, like whitewater rafting, ziplining, and canyon swings. While you’re in the area, a day trip to Barichara, the famous whitewashed town nearby, is a must.
The town itself is incredibly picturesque, and the food is amazing. If you go, do not miss the buñuelos. They are Colombian cheese breads that will knock your socks off.
To get to San Gil, you’ll need to fly into Bucaramanga and take a three-hour drive. But in my opinion, it is absolutely worth it.
Tayrona
Tayrona is one of my favorite places in the world. The region is filled with affordable boutique jungle hotels and eco-resorts, most ranging from $50 to $100 a night. I genuinely dream about this place. The misty jungle mountains and wild beaches feel like paradise. If you want to ultra splurge for a night, the Senda hotels are out of this world.
To get there, you’ll fly into Santa Marta and arrange a shuttle to take you out to the coast. We fell in love with the Los Naranjos area and tried around ten different eco-hotels in that zone. This was the slow, restful part of the trip. We lounged in the jungle and stayed at beautiful, laid-back resorts.
I’m not one for roughing it, but even at the fancier spots, be prepared for some places to lack hot water, have weak Wi-Fi, and don’t forget to stay out of the river. There are crocodiles.
Still, it was a 10/10 for me, and I would live there if I could.
For more affordable activites in Colombia to add to your vacation, I like to check Viator.
The Cost Breakdown
I did the math. Getting the same health and beauty treatments done in the U.S. would have cost me $3,190.
Instead, I got everything done in Colombia and took a two-week jungle and adventure vacation with flights included for $2,599.
And I still had $591 left over for activities.
I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds like a free vacation. And I’ll take it.
Full Breakdown of the Trip and Prices
That means we saved $2,406 on all these treatments compared to what we would have paid in the US.
Now lets break down what I spent on travel:
It’s like getting a free two-week vacation and still saving money.
Note: I didn’t even include the savings from the luxury perfumes in this total, because I would never spend $1,400 on fragrances. But if you did count that? The total saved would be $4,645.
Final Thoughts
Traveling for health and beauty has completely changed how I think about spending money on myself. Instead of overpaying at home, I’m able to get high-quality care abroad, explore a beautiful country, and still come out ahead.
This barely scratched the surface of what Colombia has to offer, and I can’t wait to take another health and beauty trip there to dig up more gems.
Whether you’re craving a reset, overdue for self-care, or just want to experience more for less, I hope this gave you a glimpse of what’s possible when you open your passport and think a little differently.
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.
