Medical Tourism at the Casa Velas Hotel, Puerto Vallarta

Sometimes “medical tourism” can be a misleading term.  After all, if you’re traveling to India or Thailand for a life saving, four-hour-long open-heart surgery, you’re probably not too concerned with what the temperature at the beach is.  In such cases, it’s the quality of medical care and relatively inexpensive cost that are forefront in a person’s decision to travel for medical treatment, and there’s little, if any, part of such trip that could be considered “tourism” in the usual sense. 

Yet there are examples of medical tourism that really live up to the name.  One such example is one of the newest health holiday programs to hit the market south of the border.  The Wellness Spa/Medi-Holiday Program at Casa Velas Hotel, an 80-suite, adults-only, luxury hotel on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is a three-night wellness package and vacation combo.   

The package features a routine physical, including EKG, tread mill, urinalysis, PSA, CBC, blood chemistry, lipid profile and blood group tests, by a certified physician from the American Hospital Amerimed, as well as two daily spa treatments, a healthy food menu created by a nutritionist, and—here’s where the tourism comes into play—golf at a choice of three great courses.   

Besides the fact that a patient spends about half of what they would for a medical check-up in the States, the entire medical procedure takes less than three hours, and results are provided in less than 24 hours. The tests are performed at an on-site cardiologist’s office at the Casa Velas.  Guests are also able to receive an interview with a plastic surgeon at no extra cost.

Of course, that’s to say nothing of the alluring environment of Puerto Vallarta.  A sleepy siesta at the foot of the Sierra Madres, Puerto Vallarta is custom built for those seeking relaxation.  Sticking your toes in the sand and watching the tide come in—or the dolphins and humpback whales farther out—is all in a day’s work at this Pacific coast town. 

Or, do some mobile sightseeing on a mountain bike, atop a horse, or strolling among the whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, and gathering spots of the town.  Don’t forget to take a walk along “El Malecon,” Puerto  Vallarta’s colorful boardwalk. 

The medical tourism package is available from January 3rd, 2007 to December 15th, 2007, and costs $425 per person per night based on double occupancy, and also includes all of Casa Velas' luxury offerings. For more information on the Wellness Spa/Medi Holiday Program, visit www.hotelcasavelas.com.