Medical Travel to Colombia: Frequently Asked Questions
Is medical tourism safe? That's the top question for anyone considering medical travel to Colombia for cosmetic and dental treatments. This FAQ provides clear, trustworthy guidance about safety, expectations, logistics, and how CBT supports clients throughout the entire process.
How CBT selects, credentials, and continuously monitors every partner clinic and provider.
INVIMA is Colombia's national health regulatory agency, similar to the FDA in the United States. It oversees medical facilities, products, and safety standards — and our partner clinics are certified by INVIMA to ensure they meet these standards.
Before founding CBT, we were clients of Unidad Láser y Piel and LeBlanc Digital Dental Studio — our primary non-surgical cosmetic and dental partners — so we know the quality of their care firsthand, from the client's side of the table.
Any clinic that loses its INVIMA certification will immediately be removed from our partner list.
Our doctors and specialists are board-certified, internationally trained, and widely recognized in their fields.
Yes. Beyond our own experience as clients, we've conducted thorough, in-person evaluations of each clinic's facilities to confirm they meet the standards we hold for ourselves — and more importantly, for our clients.
Non-surgical cosmetic skin care
Botox, fillers, biostimulators, and other minimally invasive treatments — safety, cost, and what to expect.
Yes. Colombia has internationally trained dermatologists and cosmetic specialists who work in accredited medical facilities using global safety standards. Procedures are performed with regulated, medical-grade products identical to those used in North America and Western Europe.
The quality matches — and often exceeds — North American and European standards. Colombian providers are known for meticulous technique, natural-looking results, and a personalized client-focused approach that prioritizes safety and transparency.
Lower operating costs, favorable exchange rates, and reduced overhead allow clinics to offer high-quality treatments at significantly lower prices. The quality of care, products, and equipment remains equally high.
Common non-surgical treatments include:
- Botox and neuromodulators - Hyaluronic acid fillers - Biostimulators (Sculptra, Radiesse) - Laser rejuvenation and IPL - Microneedling and radiofrequency - Medical-grade facials - Under-eye rejuvenation - Skin tightening treatments - Chemical peels - Hydration and brightening therapies - Custom tattoo artistry
Yes — our vetted clinics in Colombia use the same authentic, brand-name injectables, fillers, and medical devices found in North America and Western Europe. Products are properly labeled, sealed, and opened in front of clients to ensure full transparency.
Where our clinics differ is the experience: many U.S. clinics operate as high-volume 'Botox mills,' rushing clients through quick appointments. Our partner clinics are overseen by medical doctors and built around a more attentive, unhurried standard of care.
Generally speaking, a prior virtual consultation for non-surgical cosmetic procedures is not necessary.
During your appointment, you can expect:
An accurate assessment of your goals based on your skin's condition
Personalized treatment recommendations, with realistic expectations and transparent pricing
A thorough, unhurried process focused on natural, balanced results
Full transparency — providers explain each step and show product labels before use
Most non-surgical cosmetic treatments involve minimal to no downtime. Some mild redness, swelling, or pinpoint bruising is normal, just as it would be in North America or Europe. Clients typically return to light activities shortly after treatment, and within 1-2 days, are ready to explore all that Colombia has to offer with the help of our concierge team.
These packages combine multiple non-surgical facial treatments — such as injectables, biostimulators, and skin resurfacing — into a single, coordinated plan designed for a more complete facial rejuvenation than a single treatment alone.
Dentistry
Veneers, implants, whitening, and restorative work with our accredited dental partners.
Yes. Our partner dental clinic, LeBlanc Digital Dental Studio, is accredited and staffed by internationally trained dentists using the same materials and equipment standards found in the U.S. and Europe.
· Smile makeovers
· Teeth whitening
· Veneers
· Crowns
· Dental implants
· Orthodontics
· Cleaning and general dentistry
Our aim is that the entire treatment is completed during your time in Colombia. While some procedures, like implants, require a healing period between steps, our concierge team takes into account these treatment gaps and helps ensure a wonderful stay in the country with tourism activities, wellness experiences, skin-care treatments or even a tattoo appointment. Your time in Colombia will be well spent both inside and outside of the clinic.
It depends on the procedure. Cleaning, general dentistry and whitening can often be completed in one visit, while more involved work like veneers or implants require more than one appointment and may require a longer stay.
Wellness experiences
Spa days, thermal springs, and nature excursions you can add to any trip — or build a trip around.
Yes. While many travelers pair wellness experiences with a cosmetic or dental treatment, they're just as valuable — and just as popular — as the entire reason for a trip. Our concierge team can build an itinerary entirely around wellness, with no procedure required.
Yes. Wellness experiences — spa treatments, nature immersion, yoga, and more — can be added to any package, whether as a complement to your treatment or as the main focus of your trip.
Options include luxury spa days, sound healing, thermal springs, nature-based excursions, and art or wellness workshops, available across multiple regions of Colombia.
Tattoo sessions
Booking, artist collaboration, and aftercare for tattoo sessions in Colombia.
Either works. You're welcome to bring a finished design, or collaborate with your artist beforehand to develop something custom based on your ideas.
Appointments should be scheduled when booking your trip because many of our artists are highly sought after and have limited availability. If the urge to get a tattoo comes upon you while you're in country, we'll do our best to get you an appointment with a trusted and vetted artist, but we can't guarantee a tattoo session on very short notice.
Yes. Tattoo sessions can be added to any package and scheduled around your other appointments and treatment gaps.
Depending on the size and location of your new tattoo, aftercare will be different. Your artist will walk you through aftercare instructions before you leave, and our team remains available if you have any questions once you're back home.
Pricing & Savings
How much you can save on treatments, packages, and combination trips compared to U.S. prices.
Most clients save 30-40% compared to U.S. prices, depending on the procedure and the current exchange rate. Injectables and laser treatments tend to offer the most significant cost advantages.
Savings typically range from 40-70% compared to U.S. prices, depending on the procedure — implants and veneers tend to offer the largest cost advantage.
Yes. The cost depends on the specific experience, destination, and length of stay. Your concierge team will provide a clear price breakdown once you share what you have in mind.
Combining treatments into a single visit means booking one trip instead of several — for example, pairing cosmetic and dental work, or adding a tattoo session alongside a skincare treatment. The savings compared to booking each treatment separately can be substantial enough to fund the rest of your trip: private transportation, luxury accommodations, and wellness or cultural experiences across Colombia. Your combination package becomes both your treatment plan and your travel budget.
Before You Book
What to prepare, expect, and know about timing before you commit to a trip.
We recommend booking about three months out — mainly because it gives us a wider window to find affordable flights to Colombia. Last-minute trips tend to cost more, almost entirely due to higher airfare.
If you need to reschedule, we'll adjust your appointments and rebook flights as needed. If you cancel outright, your deposit is non-refundable.
You don't need to speak Spanish. Many providers speak English, and Colombian Beauty Travel handles all translation and bilingual coordination on your behalf — including consultations, appointments, transportation, scheduling, and follow-up. Every logistical detail is managed in English from start to finish.
During booking, we collect your standard information. Depending on the procedure, we may also request facial photos for cosmetic treatments or dental x-rays for more extensive work.
For most dental procedures beyond routine cleanings, a virtual consultation with Dr. Torres is required. Cosmetic consultations aren't typically necessary, but Dr. Pinzón is available if you have questions beforehand.
Concierge Services
Logistics, language support, and everything CBT coordinates around your treatment.
Yes. CBT provides:
- Airport pickup and drop-off - Private drivers - Vetted, safe accommodations - Bilingual support - A detailed, pre-planned appointment itinerary
Clients consistently report feeling supported, safe, and cared for throughout the entire process.
Concierge support — including bilingual coordination, private transportation, and itinerary planning — is included with every package by default, not offered as a separate add-on.