Traveling to Tijuana, Mexico for Affordable Bariatric Surgery

Tijuana is one of the most popular destinations for bariatric surgery in North America and around the world. As the largest Mexican city in Baja California, Tijuana is recognized as a major stop for medical tourists. Traveling to Tijuana is a short trip across the U.S./Mexico border, where the Mexico Bariatric Center’s hospital facilities and hotel accommodations are located.

Mexico Bariatric Center® uses A+ grade board-certified surgeons, well-equipped hospitals (according to International standards of excellence), and luxury hotels in Tijuana, Mexico. We hope to make this experience as smooth as possible. Whether you are traveling from the United States, Canada, Europe, or New Zealand – here is the guide to traveling to Mexico for weight loss surgery.

Travel to Tijuana Pickup from San Diego - Mexico Bariatric Center

Meet Our Team from San Diego to Tijuana

It all starts with our professional drivers who will pick you up in San Diego and transport you to our Hospital and Hotel. We highly recommend bringing a passport card/book to cross the U.S. border – see Passport Requirements.

At the hospital, you will meet your patient coordinator Karla, who works tirelessly to ensure your needs are taken care of during your stay. Our team has over fifteen years of medical tourism experience.

Travel Itinerary

Here is the Travel Itinerary for gastric sleeve surgery. For gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, duodenal switch, and some revision procedures you will stay an extra night in the hospital.

Arrival Flight Icon

Day 1. Fly to San Diego

Our Private Drivers will be waiting. ~20 minute drive across the border. Get pre-op testing and stay at Hotel.

Gastric Stomach Surgery Icon

Day 2. Surgery Day!

You will be picked up from the Hotel early in the morning for your surgery. Stay the Night in Hospital.

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Day 3. Hospital

Recover in Hospital. Post-op testing and recovery. Make sure you walk around and drink a lot of water!

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Day 4. Departure

Released from the hospital and drop-off at the airport. Stay extra hospital night for bypass, duodenal switch, etc.

San Diego International Airport

We will pick you up outside of baggage claim at San Diego International Airport (SAN). Formerly known as Lindbergh Field, San Diego International is a small airport located northwest of Downtown San Diego that has three terminals:

Terminal 1 Airlines – Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines

Terminal 2 Airlines – American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines (and Delta Connection from Salt Lake City), JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines (Terminal 2 East), Sun Country Airlines, Allegiant, US Airways, Mesa Airlines, Virgin America, Volaris, WestJet, British Airways, Air Canada, Japan Airlines

Commuter Terminal – American Eagle (Los Angeles), SeaPort Airlines, SkyWest Airlines (Los Angeles), United Express (Los Angeles)

Our driver will drive you across the newly renovated San Ysidro port of entry to Tijuana. You can check out bordertraffic.com to view the border traffic live at all of the different entry points in Mexico. We use the medical lane (also known as Fastlane or fast pass) for quick entry and exit through Mexico.

Karla - Tijuana Patient Coordinator

To Mexico and Back, Our Staff is Here to Help

Karla has been the head of our Patient Coordination in Tijuana, Mexico since 2014. From the second you arrive until the second you depart, Karla will be there to help you. You will be greeted at the hotel and will be informed about your stay and the time of your next day’s hospital arrival.

All of our patient advocates are very familiar with bariatric surgery patients. Anely is a caring patient advocate in the hospital, helping Karla serve our patients with hospitality. The MBC staff in the Mexican city of Tijuana is extremely friendly, and they are working hard to make your experience on this journey memorable!

Here’s Some of What We Provide to You, Our Patient

  • We will accommodate any companions (family members or friends) that may come with you.

  • We offer Free Transportation from the San Diego airport to the Hotel and the Hospital, then back to the Airport.

  • We are available to answer questions and address any problems you may have.

  • If there is something you would like, and it is not there, the staff will do their best to take care of it or find it for you.

  • The hotel provides complimentary broth and jello during your stay.

  • A doctor will be available to help with anything you need.

  • City tour and shopping by our staff (based on availability). Uber is a safe way to get around while in Tijuana.

  • An on-staff doctor and night nurse to monitor your progress.

Meet Our Experienced Drivers

MBC’s professional drivers are bi-lingual drivers who pick you up on the American side (San Diego) and transport you to (Tijuana). Your private driver will contact you one day before your arrival date to arrange for your pickup in San Diego.

San Diego Pickup: Willie, Victor, and Adriana
Tijuana Transportation: Ricardo and his team

In Tijuana, transportation is done by Ricardo’s team of courteous drivers who go in between the hotel and the hospital.

Ricardo Romo Driver at Mexico Bariatric Center
Ricardo Romo Driver at Mexico Bariatric Center
Ricardo Romo Driver at Mexico Bariatric Center
Mexico Bariatric Center Driving Patients across border for weight loss surgery
Ricardo Romo Driver at Mexico Bariatric Center

Staying in San Diego

If you want to stay an extra night before surgery, we recommend patients stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in San Diego, California. This is completely optional.

If you arrive late at night or your departure is early in the morning, you can book with the Hampton Inn San Diego airport, located blocks from the San Diego International Airport. Get a discounted rate as a Mexico Bariatric Center patient.

Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=SANLBHX&corporateCode=0003004696
Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Liberty Station
Company Name: Mexico Bariatric Center
Corporate Code: 0003004696

Hampton Inn San Diego Airport

Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station

Address: 2211 Lee Ct, San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 881-2710

Another option is the Sheraton Hotel and Marina in San Diego, a four-star hotel with incredible views of the marina and ocean. Located a few blocks from the San Diego International Airport.

Sheraton Hotel and Marina in San Diego

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

Address: 1380 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 291-2900

Travel Guide to Tijuana, Mexico

Here are some general tips for your trip and some websites and articles for more detailed information on traveling to Tijuana, Baja California.

  • Convert and take some Mexican Pesos when you are traveling. Some local operators who accept US dollars may give poor exchange rates. View the current rate of USD to Mexico Pesos.

  • Try to use a credit card that has no or small foreign transaction fees to make purchases in Mexico.