Health tourism in the Dominican Republic: 7 advantages you should know about
Health tourism
Beyond its beautiful beaches, Dominican tourism offers a significant range of options for those seeking health and wellness. The country has recently established itself as one of the most attractive destinations for health tourism in the region.
In fact, the country tops this ranking in the Caribbean, occupying second place in Latin America and 19th position worldwide as a medical tourism destination, according to the Medical Tourism Index of the International Healthcare Research Center and the Medical Tourism Association.
This leadership is reflected in the numbers: in 2022, more than 262,000 international patients visited the country for medical care. These medical tourists represented approximately 3.7% of all non-resident visitors arriving by air that year, according to the Second Dominican Republic Health and Wellness Tourism Study.
What makes the Dominican Republic so attractive?
The country’s appeal as a healthcare destination is based on a powerful combination of competitive advantages. The Dominican Republic boasts modern private clinics, highly qualified specialists with international training, a well-developed tourism and transportation infrastructure, and warm, personalized, and bilingual patient care.
The island’s strategic geographic location and easy access by air favor this influx. In many cases, these visitors choose the Dominican Republic not only for economic reasons, but also to avoid long waits in their countries and receive more personalized service. The excellent value for money offered by the Dominican Republic, combined with the tourist experience—tropical climate, hotel offerings, and the possibility of combining rest with treatment—make the country an ideal destination for simultaneous recovery and vacation.
From an economic perspective, treatments in the country typically represent savings of up to 55% compared to their costs in the United States. For example, an orthopedic procedure such as a hip replacement can cost around US$25,000, while in Mexico it is around US$5,000, representing a savings of more than 60%, according to data from the Second Study and Diagnosis of Health and Wellness Tourism.
Most requested services
The most popular services among medical tourists in the country are dental treatments, followed by plastic surgery, other specialized surgical procedures, and outpatient or preventive medicine. The strong demand for dental services has positioned the Dominican Republic as a Caribbean leader in dental tourism, consolidating its reputation for quality and value in this field.
Economic impact and investment opportunities
The rise of health tourism is already reflected in the Dominican economy. In 2022, approximately US$1.321 billion came from travelers arriving for health reasons, equivalent to 15.7% of tourism revenue that year. In other words, 15 out of every US$100 generated by tourism were linked to medical interventions for foreign visitors. This influx of patients represents a significant source of foreign currency for the country, with a multiplier effect on sectors such as hotels, transportation, restaurants, and commerce.
The sector’s growth has prompted new investments in medical infrastructure geared toward international tourism. Healthcare clusters are currently being developed that integrate medical centers with specialized hotels, recovery residences, and even shopping centers focused on patient comfort.
According to the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS) , there are six major projects underway in Santo Domingo and Santiago that together total more than US$296 billion.
The total announced investments are around US$330 billion. These projects include state-of-the-art hospitals, specialized outpatient clinics, and even a health technology park with artificial intelligence and big data applications to improve real-time decision-making in the healthcare sector.
It is estimated that these initiatives will generate more than 4,000 direct jobs and up to 10,000 indirect jobs in the coming years, contributing to both economic development and the transfer of medical knowledge and technology in the country.
Medium-term projections predict sustained growth. A recent study predicts that the Dominican Republic could attract more than 500,000 medical tourists annually by 2028, which would nearly double the 2022 figure. If these goals are achieved, annual revenue from medical tourism would exceed US$2 billion, and the country would advance toward the goal of reaching one million medical tourists in the next two decades. This outlook has caught the attention of domestic and international investors, who believe that medical tourism is emerging as a key component of the Dominican tourism industry’s future.
All of this reinforces the country’s image as a regional hub for medical services, capable of competing even with traditional medical tourism destinations in Asia or North America.
Quality, regulation and patient safety
The growth of health tourism in the Dominican Republic has been accompanied by significant regulatory advances. The country has a strengthened institutional framework , driven by Decree 787-21, which declares it a sector of national interest, and by a current bill that seeks to regulate and incentivize its development throughout the country.
Added to this is the technical standard NORDOM ISO 22525 by the Dominican Institute for Quality (INDOCAL), aligned with international standards, which promotes good clinical practices, certification of medical facilitators, and specific protocols for the safe care of international patients.
Key challenges include strengthening the technical and nursing workforce, with a focus on ongoing training, language proficiency, and talent retention. Furthermore, promoting a patient-centered care culture that guarantees patient rights and responsibilities throughout the entire medical process.
Furthermore, most of these services are covered privately or through specialized international insurance, as traditional travel policies typically only cover emergencies. Patients are advised to inquire about their coverage and purchase additional insurance if needed.
Conclusion
The Dominican Republic is emerging as a regional benchmark in health tourism, combining medical excellence, competitive costs, and tourist attractions. This sector not only brings in foreign currency and boosts investment, but also raises the standards of the national healthcare system.
The public-private partnership, the advancement of the regulatory framework, and the commitment to quality and innovation position the country as a comprehensive destination: ideal for healing, recovery, and enjoyment. In a global context that increasingly values health and well-being, the country demonstrates that it can offer both with guarantees, warmth, and a vision for the future.
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