In general, physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals in Puerto Escondido are well-trained and caring.  Unfortunately, there is very limited medical infrastructure available here which means that anything other than very basic primary care is not available in town.  Physicians and dentists are listed in the Services Directory portion of the website.

There are no hospitals in Puerto Escondido.  There are several small sanatorios, which are clinics that maintain a few beds and can provide limited in-patient services for uncomplicated cases.  Twenty-four hour a day "emergency" care is available at Centro de Salud, Sanatorio del Puerto, Sanatorio Mária de Lourdes, Sanatorio del San Jose and Unidad Médico Quirurgica Sur.  See "Sanatorios" in the Services Directory.

Should you need hospitalization for a serious illness (trauma, stroke, heart attack, major fracture, etc.), the closest comprehensive full-service hospitals are in México City.  Oaxaca City and Acapulco do have some small private hospitals, but services are limited and the available equipment tends to be dated.

If you seek care at a sanatorio in Puerto Escondido, please note that all of them will expect payment for services, in full, IN CASH, prior to the patient being discharged.  Insurance claims are not accepted nor are credit cards. Payment is the responsibility of the patient: the IFOPE Emergency Response Team may assist in notification of next-of-kin and/or embassies and may become involved in arrangements for patient transfers, but does NOT pay bills.

Emergency transportation (ambulance service) is only available in Puerto Escondido through the Cruz Roja. The available equipment in the ambulances and the training of the attendants varies.  Emergency responses are generally free (although donations are always welcomed). The Red Cross does charge for facility-to-facility transfers.  Again, payment is expected, in cash, at the time of service.

Should you need advanced or specialty care, the following facilities in México City are world-class:

Hospital ABC  (The American British Cowdray Hospital)                    

Hospital ABC Sante Fe

Hospital Angeles Lomas    

Hospital Angeles de Pedregal

Hospital Médica Sur

Mike Gerstenberger

January 2006