Canadian Medical Travel Coordination
Last updated: June 2026
Quick Facts
Visa for Canadians
Not required for stays up to 90 days. No e-visa needed for tourism. See the Government of Canada travel advisory for Colombia for current entry rules.
Official language and hospital languages
Spanish is the official language. JCI-accredited hospitals operate international patient offices with English-speaking coordinators and translators.
Currency
Colombian peso (COP). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in major cities.
Mandatory entry steps
Free online Check-Mig form completed between 72 and 1 hour before boarding, plus an entry fee of approximately CAD 85 to 90 per person paid online or at the airport.
Flights from Canada to Colombia
Bogotá is the main hospital hub, served by El Dorado International Airport (BOG). Medellín (MDE) and Cali (CLO) are typically reached via Bogotá or a US connection, adding roughly one to one and a half hours.
from Toronto (YYZ)
to Bogotá (BOG)
Flight time: Around 5h 50m direct
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 600 to 750 / peak CAD 850 to 1,100
from Vancouver (YVR)
to Bogotá (BOG)
Direct: No, one stop
Flight time: 13 to 16 hours total
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 700 to 850 / peak CAD 950 to 1,200
from Calgary (YYC)
to Bogotá (BOG)
Direct: No, one stop
Flight time: 14 to 16 hours total
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 700 to 850 / peak CAD 900 to 1,200
from Montreal (YUL)
to Bogotá (BOG)
Direct: Yes
Flight time: Around 6h 10m direct
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 600 to 790 / peak CAD 900 to 1,050
Fares are indicative and shift with season and booking lead time. Off-peak typically falls in February and September; peak applies in December, January, and July.
Where to Stay
Most patients stay in Bogotá near the cardiology and high-complexity hospitals, or in Medellín for cosmetic, dental, and orthopedic recovery. Patient-friendly districts close to the main accredited hospitals are Zona T, Parque 93, and Chicó in Bogotá, and El Poblado in Medellín. Climate varies by city: Medellín sits at around 1,500 metres and stays between 17 and 28 degrees Celsius year-round, while Bogotá sits at approximately 2,640 metres with cooler temperatures of 7 to 20 degrees and may require altitude acclimatization for patients with cardiac, lung, or anemia conditions.
3-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 40 to 70
​
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 280 to 490
4-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 85 to 125
​
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 595 to 875
5-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 180 to 250
​
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 1,260 to 1,750
Safety and Travel
The Government of Canada advises Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in Colombia. Avoid-travel zones are limited to specific rural border departments that are not part of any medical itinerary; the main hospital cities of Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali sit at the country-wide caution level, not under any travel ban.
In practice, patients should use only airport-authorized taxis or hospital-arranged transport, stay in upscale districts close to the hospital such as Zona T, Parque 93, or El Poblado, and avoid meetings arranged through dating apps, which the advisory specifically warns about in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. Current Canadian government advisory
Featured Treatments in Colombia
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) lists Colombia among the small group of countries with the highest share of foreign aesthetic patients globally, alongside Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Türkiye. Beyond aesthetics, Colombia is also a destination for dental, bariatric, orthopedic, and cardiovascular care.
Plastic Surgery
Recognized as a global leader in aesthetic procedures, with high-volume programs across Medellín, Cali, Bogotá, and Cartagena. ISAPS held its 2024 World Congress in Cartagena, and the current ISAPS President is a Colombian plastic surgeon.
Learn more about plastic surgery with Maple Med Global
​
Dental Treatment
Established dental tourism infrastructure across Medellín, Bogotá, Cali, and Cartagena. Colombian dentists complete a five-year university programme accredited by the Ministry of National Education followed by one year of mandatory government service before licensure.
Learn more about dental care with Maple Med Global
​Bariatric Surgery
Performed in JCI-accredited hospitals in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Canadian bariatric patients face waits of roughly three years nationally (Fraser Institute 2025), while Colombian programs typically schedule within weeks.
Learn more about bariatric surgery with Maple Med Global
​
Orthopedic Surgery
Knee and hip replacement programs in JCI-accredited hospitals operate Mako and ROSA robotic surgical systems. Canadian orthopedic surgery is currently the second-longest wait of any specialty in the country.
Learn more about orthopedic solutions with Maple Med Global
​
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
Fundación Cardioinfantil (LaCardio) in Bogotá is internationally recognized for cardiac transplantation and pediatric cardiac surgery. Clínica Shaio in Bogotá was the country’s first cardiovascular center.
Costs and Canadian Wait Times
How much medical treatment in Colombia costs for Canadians depends on the procedure, the hospital, and the surgeon. The comparison column shows either the Fraser Institute 2025 Canadian wait time for publicly insured treatments, or the typical Canadian private-sector price range for treatments not covered by public insurance.
Gastric sleeve
Colombia: CAD 6,200 to 9,700
Canada, public wait: bariatric averages roughly three years nationally (Fraser Institute 2025, Obesity Canada).
Single dental implant (implant, abutment, crown)
Colombia: CAD 1,400 to 2,800​
Canada, private: CAD 3,000 to 6,000
Total knee replacement
Colombia: CAD 9,700 to 17,250
Canada, public wait: 48.6 weeks national median for orthopedic surgery (Fraser Institute 2025).
Gastric bypass
Colombia: CAD 7,600 to 10,350
Canada, public wait: bariatric averages roughly three years nationally (Fraser Institute 2025, Obesity Canada).
Total hip replacement
Colombia: CAD 11,000 to 14,500
Canada, public wait: 48.6 weeks national median for orthopedic surgery (Fraser Institute 2025).
All-on-4 dental (per arch)
Colombia: CAD 8,300 to 15,200
Canada, private: CAD 20,000 to 30,000
Porcelain veneer (per tooth)
Colombia: CAD 350 to 1,100
Canada, private: CAD 900 to 2,500
Brazilian Butt Lift
Colombia: CAD 6,200 to 11,700
Canada, private: CAD 8,500 to 20,000
Liposuction
Colombia: CAD 2,800 to 6,900
Canada, private: CAD 8,000 to 18,000
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
Colombia: CAD 4,800 to 11,000
Canada, private: CAD 9,000 to 17,000
Cosmetic rhinoplasty
Colombia: CAD 4,150 to 9,700
Canada, private: CAD 8,000 to 18,000
Final quotes are confirmed per case.
Leading Internationally Accredited Hospitals in Colombia
​​
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Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, JCI accredited
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Fundación Cardioinfantil and LaCardio, Bogotá, JCI accredited
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Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, JCI accredited
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Centro Médico Imbanaco, Cali, JCI accredited
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Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Medellín, JCI accredited
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Hospital Internacional de Colombia, Bucaramanga, JCI accredited
This list is informational. Hospital selection for each patient depends on diagnosis, complexity, and treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
For general questions about Canadian health insurance coverage abroad, complication insurance, follow-up care after returning to Canada, and trip planning, see our General FAQ page.
Plan Your Treatment in Colombia with Maple Med Global
Maple Med Global is a Toronto-based medical travel coordination company. We coordinate flights, accommodation, transfers, and recovery support around the surgical plan agreed with your chosen JCI-accredited hospital. There is no obligation to proceed after receiving a quote.
Or call/text us at +1 (647) 492-2777
Explore Other Destinations
Comparing your options? Explore more of our medical travel destinations to find the right fit for your treatment.