Medical and Beauty Tourism in Guatemala

Guatemala is starting to become a premier hub for medical and beauty tourism since procedures and services often cost 30-70% less compared to the United States.  Not only can travelers save money on beauty and medical services in Guatemala, but they can find high-quality doctors, dentists, and salons with modern equipment and English speaking service providers.  Many offices in Guatemala City are just as modern and well-equipped as the United States but at a fraction of the cost.

Why should you trust me and take my advice? 

I moved to Guatemala to be with my husband, and I’ve been lucky to call this country my new home.  It’s been a life-changing experience!

Since I now live in Guatemala City, I’ve had the opportunity to visit a few salons, dental offices, and dermatologists.  In this blog post, I’ve listed my favorite service providers.  My recommendations are in Guatemala City and Antigua since this is where I live and spend most of my time when I’m not traveling around the country!  Hopefully in the future, I can expand to additional areas.

One thing to note is that I’ve only been living in Guatemala for 2.5 years.  Therefore, I am still learning about the different options in Guatemala.  As I spend more time here, I will continue to update this blog post.  For example, in the near future, I plan to find a medical provider offering a comprehensive health check up package.  One that will provide all necessary tests to understand the overall health of the patient.  Stay tuned for me!

If you have a long list of questions or if you need help creating a customized Guatemala itinerary then please click here to book a travel consultation with me.

For an introduction to traveling to Guatemala, click here for my Ultimate Guatemala Travel Guide. 

Cosmetic and Dermatology Services — Botox, Fillers, Microneedling, and More

The cosmetic treatment industry in Guatemala City has grown significantly in recent years — and the quality at reputable clinics genuinely rivals what you’d find at upscale dermatology practices in the United States, at a fraction of the price.

For cosmetic dermatology services in Guatemala City — Botox, dermal fillers, microneedling, chemical peels, PRP treatments, and more — my recommendation is Novus Dermatología y Cosmética in Zone 10 in Guatemala and he has an office in Antigua.  The dermatologist here speaks English and I’ve been receiving Botox from him for 2.5 years with great results!  He has a great technique and the pain is minimal.

I’ve also received filler from the dermatologist, microneedling, and he has removed moles and warts from my skin.  He uses something called liquid nitrogen and whenever he removed something from my skin, it was painless.  I was very surprised and happy!

Something that makes Novus stand out compared to other dermatology offices in Guatemala is that they offer the HaArmonyCa hybrid dermal filler!  This has been offered in the United States for many years but it’s new to Guatemala.

This is an innovative hybrid filler by Allergan Aesthetics that combines hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite into a single injection.  It’s designed to provide an immediate lifting effect while stimulating the body’s natural collagen production for long-lasting facial rejuvenation.  This filler is used to combat aging and volume loss.

Dr. Mena Wer with Novus Dermatología also specializes in skin cancer surgery.  He performs these often to remove cancerous skin lesions, and a margin of surrounding tissue.  He does this to completely eradicate the cancer while maximizing healthy skin preservation.  He provides this procedure at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. so this is a great option for someone who doesn’t have medical insurance.

This is a price list for their most popular dermatology services:

• 1 unit of Botox = Q67 ($8.79)
• 1 syringe of hyaluronic acid filler  = Q3,500 ($459)
• 2 syringes of HArmonyCa hybrid dermal filler = Q8,000 ($1050)
• Radiesse Filler and biocollagen stimulator = Q4,500 ($591)
• A chemical peel = Q480 ($63)
• Nanopore advanced microneedling treatment = Q950 ($125)
• CO2 Laser Treatment = Q1,800 ($236)

 

A consultation costs Q400 ($53) but if you purchase a service during your appointment, then the dermatologist will add the 400 Quetzales as a credit toward the entire bill.  If you don’t purchase a service then you will pay full price for the consultation.

You can make an appointment by contacting their office on WhatsApp at +502-5930-9399.

 

Beauty Services — Luxury Salon Experiences at Unbelievable Prices

Medical tourism gets most of the attention when people talk about saving money in Guatemala — but the beauty and salon industry here deserves equal recognition. World-class hair, nail, and beauty services in Guatemala City cost a fraction of what you’d pay for comparable quality in the United States or Europe.

My favorite salon in Guatemala City — the one I trust completely and recommend to every visitor — is Bashía, House of Glam in Zone 15 in Guatemala City.

I also need to mention that Guatemala City has the first ever Japanese Head Spa in Central America!  This is called Bashía, House of Glam and it’s located in Zone 15. The owner is originally from Guatemala but she spent many years living in the United States.  Therefore, she speaks English and graduated from beauty school in Hollywood, California.  Some of the staff speaks English as well.

A Japanese Head Spa is a specialized scalp and hair treatment that originated in Japan and focuses on deep cleansing, scalp health, relaxation, and hair wellness.

SCALPCIAL is a registered trademark and a signature protocol that the owner of Bashía developed, combining scalp health, skin wellness, relaxation therapies, and sensory experiences.  They specialize not only in hair and scalp health, but also in skin wellness, as the owner’s background is in Dermocosmiatra (clinical aesthetician) and trichology.  The team at Bashía has a goal to offer a luxury wellness experience that goes far beyond a traditional scalp spa treatment.

At Bashía, what makes the experience different is that they don’t apply the same treatment to everyone.  they perform a scalp and hair analysis will provide a scalp analysis using a professional scalp imaging system (capiloscopy) before recommending any treatment.  They check for dandruff, irritation, dryness, product buildup, overall hair scalp and hair health, etc.

Then they will provide a cleanse, a massage, a treatment, and a rinse and blowout.  After I went to the salon, I learned that my hair is thinning out so they treated me for this and it was such a great experience!  My hair and face felt amazing after my appointment.

Below are the prices for Bashía’s Head Spa treatments:

• Scalpcial total detox =  Q599 ($78)
• Scalpcial Clean and hydrate = Q799 ($105)
• HydroSCALPCIAL–  Q999 ($131)
• Scalpcial 360° =  Q999 ($131)

The treatments are provided based on the scalp analysis provided.

Bashía The House of Glam is also recognized for its expertise in professional hair straightening and hair transformation services.  They offer Nanoplastia, a semi-permanent hair straightening and restoration treatment that uses amino acids and nanoparticles to repair the hair shaft from within.  Designed as a safer, formaldehyde-free alternative to traditional keratin treatments, it eliminates frizz and provides a sleek, glossy finish without harsh chemical odors.

Nanoplasty is considered a newer generation technology.  Unlike many traditional keratin or Brazilian Blowout treatments, our Nanoplasty is formaldehyde-free and focuses on smoothing, reducing frizz, improving manageability, and creating a naturally straighter appearance while maintaining hair health.

To determine if Nanoplasty is the right option for the client, they perform a scalp and hair analysis using the professional scalp imaging system (capiloscopy).  This allows Bashía to evaluate the condition of the scalp, hair fiber, damage level, porosity, and overall hair health to determine if Nanoplasty is the right option for the client.

Bashía known for being specialists in hair straightening and hair transformation services, but always from a hair health perspective rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The salon also offers:

• Manicures
• Pedicures
• Hair cut and style
• Hair straightening treatments
• Facials
• Microneedling
• Anti-aging therapies
• Hair removal
• Make up
• … And more!

 

Bashía only uses vegan, non-toxic products and I find the prices in the salons in Guatemala to be much lower than the United States and with the same quality or more.  If you want to get a manicure and pedicure plus a hair straightening treatment you could save hundreds of dollars just by visiting the salon!

Some of the staff speaks English and you can request this when you make an appointment.  You can contact the salon on WhatsApp at +502-3766-3354.

 

Dental Tourism in Guatemala — Save Up to 85% on World-Class Dental Care

Now for the part that genuinely changes how people think about dental care. Guatemala has quietly developed one of the strongest dental tourism industries in the Americas — and once you see the numbers, it becomes very hard to justify paying U.S. prices for the same procedures.

Tourists from the U.S. typically save 65–85% on dental work in Guatemala compared to home country prices. These are not small savings. For example, a full mouth reconstruction that costs $40,000 or more in the United States costs $18,000-$25,000 in Guatemala. A single dental implant that runs $3,000–$5,000 at home costs $1,000 in Guatemala. These are the savings that make people book a flight and a hotel and still come home thousands of dollars ahead.

Guatemala Dental — My Personal Recommendation

The dental clinic I recommend without hesitation to anyone visiting Guatemala for dental work is Guatemala Dental, led by Dr. Rodrigo Guerra and the Guerra family — a three-generation dental practice that has been serving international patients since 1987.

The founder and chief dentist, Dr. Oscar Guerra Armando, has more than 35 years of experience and is an expert in implantology, having placed over 2,000 dental implants.

The clinic uses the latest technologies to offer state-of-the-art treatments including 2-day smile design, full mouth reconstruction, and all-on-implants. Services are provided at a fraction of U.S. costs and can sometimes include personalized care with lodging assistance and free airport and hotel-to-clinic transport for qualifying patients.

The clinic is located in Zona 15 — one of the safest and most modern residential and business districts in Guatemala City. Patients can book flights arriving at La Aurora International Airport before 2:00 pm and have most treatments performed the same day. The clinic provides airport pickup, accommodation booking, and appointment scheduling — a genuinely worry-free experience for international patients.

Guatemala Dental specializes in permanent, full-mouth restoration procedures.  They offer an $18,000 universal solution with Premium Zirconia fixed bridges for All-on-4 and All-on-6 with zero hidden fees, and world-class care just a short flight away—lodging and local transportation included. For US patients looking for affordable full mouth restoration cost options, Guatemala Dental offers this $18,000 all-inclusive solution.

The reason they Guatemala Dental offers this universal solution is for patients coming from the U.S. who are frustrated with the total out-of-pocket cost without insurance.  Even with insurance, much of the procedure is considered to be cosmetic and it’s not covered by insurance.

For many patients in the United States and Canada, the true full dental restoration cost remains a moving target. Traditional clinics typically utilize an à la carte pricing model, charging separately for consultations, implants, abutments, and lab fees. This lack of predictability often results in unexpected expenses when complications arise or additional grafting is required. At Guatemala Dental, they have recognized the need for a more honest approach. Their $18,000 universal solution covers the entire dual-arch fixed restoration for one flat fee. By removing itemized billing, they provide a predictable path to a new smile—one where the price you are quoted is the price you actually pay.

Click here to check out their website with information about the universal full mouth restoration solution.

Below you can find a list of prices for other popular services at Guatemala Dental:

• Regular cleaning = $72
• Whitening = $312.50
• Inlays = $725
• Ceramic crowns = $725
• Dental implants = $1,000
• Porcelain veneers = $725
• All on 4 = $10,000
• All on 6 = $12,000
• Root canal = $290 – $360
• Wisdom tooth extraction = $187.50

 

To make an appointment or book a virtual consultation, you can contact the Guatemala Dental team in English or Spanish by sending them an email at info@guatemaladental.com or a message on WhatsApp at +502-5691-7429.  They offer free online consultations and you can check out more of their prices and services on their website at www.guatemaladental.com.

Guatemala Dental accepts debit and credit cards, wire transfers, PayPal, and cash in USD — flexible payment options that make the process straightforward for international visitors. Free video consultations are available before you travel, and a general evaluation costs $65 if no treatment proceeds — waived entirely if treatment is carried out on the same visit.