Cancún combines direct flights from dozens of US and Canadian cities with a large, modern dental scene and, of course, the Caribbean. Prices are higher than in the border towns, but many people find the trade-off worth it: you can recover on a beach instead of in a roadside motel. It works best for treatments you can finish in one longer stay, or where the second trip doubles as a vacation.
Getting there
Fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN), one of the busiest airports in Latin America, with nonstop flights from many US and Canadian cities. The Hotel Zone is about 20 minutes from the airport, and downtown Cancún is a little farther. Many clinics include airport pickup.
Documents
You’ll need a valid passport to fly to Mexico and back. Mexico issues tourist permits (FMM) on arrival by air, usually recorded digitally at immigration. Keep any paperwork you’re given until you leave.
Dental care in Cancún
Cancún’s clinics are concentrated downtown and in and around the Hotel Zone. Many are set up specifically for international patients, with English-speaking staff and package pricing. Popular treatments include:
- Dental implants and full-arch restorations
- Veneers and smile makeovers
- Snap-in dentures
Expect prices toward the top of the Mexican range. Snap-in dentures, for example, typically run $3,500 to $8,000 per arch here, compared with $1,500 to $4,000 in border towns.
Where to stay
The Hotel Zone is the classic beach strip, with resorts on both the Caribbean and the lagoon side. Downtown is closer to many clinics and cheaper, with more local restaurants. If your clinic is downtown, a downtown hotel for treatment days and a few beach days afterward is a good combination.
Things to do while you recover
- The beaches: easy, restful and right outside most Hotel Zone hotels.
- Isla Mujeres: a short ferry ride to a quieter island with a relaxed town.
- Playa del Carmen: about an hour south, with a walkable pedestrian street.
- Cenotes and snorkeling: wonderful, but ask your dentist how long to wait after surgery before swimming or snorkeling.
Safety in Cancún
Cancún is in Quintana Roo, which the US State Department currently rates “Exercise increased caution,” and it advises extra care after dark in Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Stay in tourist areas, use licensed taxis or your clinic’s transport, and read the current State Department advisory before you go.
More Cancún guides
Frequently asked questions
Is Cancún more expensive than Tijuana for dental work?
Usually, yes. You’ll also spend more on flights and hotels, but many people combine treatment with a vacation they would have taken anyway.
How long should I stay in Cancún?
Plan five to ten days for most treatments, longer for full-mouth work. Ask your clinic for a day-by-day schedule.
When is the best time to go?
December to April is dry and pleasant but busy. Hurricane season runs from June to November.