Baja California targets U.S. and Canadian retirees via medical tourism

Baja California is working to position itself as a primary destination for retirees from the United States and Canada by leveraging medical tourism. The strategy focuses on developing integrated communities that combine housing, specialized medical care, and wellness services.

Atzimba Villegas Pérez, president of the International Medical Tourism Coalition of Baja California, noted that the aging baby boomer generation presents a significant market opportunity. She cited a University of San Diego study suggesting that a large portion of this demographic could consider the Mexican border region for retirement.

Proposed developments are planned for Tijuana, Ensenada, Mexicali, Rosarito, Tecate, Algodones, and Valle de Guadalupe. The sector aims to strengthen specialized medical fields, including orthopedics, traumatology, spine surgery, regenerative medicine, and robotic surgery.