Dental Tourism Colombia Blog
Dental Tourism: 4 Things To Do In Cartagena While You’re Here
There’s are many reasons why The Economist named Colombia the #1 country of 2016 and Lonely Planet the #2 country to visit in 2017. One of the main being it’s a Caribbean gem of a city, Cartagena. As Lonely Planet put it “Cartagena is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a fairy-tale city of romance, legends and superbly preserved beauty lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls. Cartagena's old town is a Unesco World Heritage site – a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches that cast their shadows across plazas.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
So you’ve either decided to come to Cartagena for quality dental work at a lower cost or are thinking about it. Either way, good for you. Saving 70% on dental care is big deal. Dental Tourism, as we know, is a two part word. Let’s talk about the latter. You won’t be spending the whole time in a dentist’s office now, will you? There are loads of things to do in Cartagena, Colombia when you’re not being treated. Here are just a few ways you can take advantage of this incredible city.
There’s are many reasons why The Economist named Colombia the #1 country of 2016 and Lonely Planet the #2 country to visit in 2017. One of the main being it’s a Caribbean gem of a city, Cartagena. As Lonely Planet put it “Cartagena is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a fairy-tale city of romance, legends and superbly preserved beauty lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls.
Cartagena's old town is a Unesco World Heritage site – a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches that cast their shadows across plazas.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
So you’ve either decided to come to Cartagena for quality dental work at a lower cost or are thinking about it. Either way, good for you. Saving 70% on dental care is big deal. Dental Tourism, as we know, is a two part word. Let’s talk about the latter.
You won’t be spending the whole time in a dentist’s office now, will you? There are loads of things to do in Cartagena, Colombia when you’re not being treated. Here are just a few ways you can take advantage of this incredible city.
1. Hit the Cartagena beaches
Seems like a no-brainer right? The beaches are some of the world’s best, almost out of a movie. It’s the kinda place you can pay a young man $0.10 to cut open a coconut with his machete and stick a colorful straw into it, all with a smile on his face. It’s a place where fresh mango is available at every corner and the fish you had for lunch was caught that morning.
The closest beach options are at Bocagrande, a mini Miami just a few kilometers southwest of the city center. A better choice, however, is Playa Blanca or Isla Barú, and while both are well-frequented tourist attractions, they offer crystalline waters and white sand.
2. Walk the old colorful colonial neighborhood
As one of the first colonial cities in the Americas, Cartagena has a rich history. The old colonial neighborhood called the “Cuidad Vieja” has narrow streets with vibrantly colored walls and an artistic soul. From paintings to jewelry, there are many local artists selling their work.
Step through La Puerta Del Reloj, a clock tower passageway through Las Murallas, the 400-year stone walls that surround the city, and you arrive at Cartagena’s historic heart, the Old Town. The narrow and winding streets, with their bougainvillea-strewn, pastel-painted balconies, create a glorious sense of suspended time.
Grab a cooling agua de coco (coconut water) from any one of a hundred strolling vendors if the heat gets too much, and simply walk the shaded narrow streets.
3. Visit the historic Colombian sites in Cartagena
Cartagena is home to many historic sites worthy of visiting. Here are some of our favorites.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
The castillo is the greatest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies. It’s truly impressive. It still dominates an entire section of Cartagena's cityscape today, and should definitely be your first choice of fortresses to visit.
The original fort was commissioned in 1630 and was quite small. Construction began in 1657 on top of the 40m-high San Lázaro hill. In 1762 an extensive enlargement was undertaken, which resulted in the entire hill being covered over with this powerful bastion.
It was truly impregnable and was never taken, despite numerous attempts to storm it. A complex system of tunnels connected strategic points of the fortress to distribute provisions and to facilitate evacuation.
The tunnels were constructed in such a way that any noise reverberated all the way along them, making it possible to hear the slightest sound of the approaching enemy's feet, and also making it easy for internal communication. Neat huh?
Convento de la Popa
On a 150m-high hill, the highest point in Cartagena stands this convent. A beautiful image of La Virgen de la Candelaria, the patroness of the city, is in the convent's chapel, and there's a charming flower-filled patio.
There is also a chilling statue of a speared Padre Alonso García de Paredes, a priest who was murdered along with five Spanish soldiers for trying to spread the good word. The views from here are outstanding and stretch all over the city.
Iglesia de Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is reputedly the oldest church in the city. It was originally built in 1539 in Plaza de los Coches, but the original building succumbed to fire and was rebuilt in its present location in 1552. Builders gave it a particularly wide central nave and covered it with a heavy roof, but it seems they were not too good at their calculations as the vault began to crack afterward.
Volcán de Lodo El Totumo
While just 50km northeast of Cartagena, this amusing site is a world away from the colonial city's cleanliness. A myth says that this 15m-high conical vent once erupted fire prior to it being quenched with holy water from a priest who feared it was the work of the devil. Visitors now climb some rather steep steps to the summit before plummeting into a crater bubbling with warm mud.
With the consistency of thick cream, it supports prone human bodies almost atop its surface, while people who stand upright sink to just below chest level. It is a rather surreal experience, and locals are on hand to provide massages (bring small bills to tip for this). It’s a pretty wild experience.
4. Practice your Spanish in Cartagena
Did you talk Spanish in high school or college? It’s time to brush up on your skills amigo! You’ll be happy to know that Colombians are known to speak the “slowest” Spanish. As in we don’t speak a mile a minute like some of our South American neighbors. It’s just the way our culture is. It makes comprehension so much easier. Waiters and street vendors will gladly help you with your Spanish.
What will you do in Cartagena?
With loads to do, how will you spend your time? You should not only take advantage of the incredible dental care savings you will be receiving thanks to you dental tourism but you should also be taking advantage of the incredible city that you’ll visit. Cartagena, Colombia is a magical place. Find out what the fuss is all about first hand.
Have more questions about dental tourism in Cartagena?
5 reasons why Cartagena should be on your dental tourism shortlist
Congratulations, you’re considering dental tourism as a way to get your dental care done at a much lower cost than you would have otherwise back at home. You’re well on your way to saving quite a bit of cash. With your research, you know by now that there is no real drop in the quality of care you’ll receive abroad and that the U.S. simply has grossly inflated prices. Which comes as no surprise, healthcare in the U.S. is expensive after all. You’re gonna beat the system.
Every year, thousands of Americans travel to other countries to get their medical procedures done. With many destinations to pick from, where do you go?
Here are the reasons why Cartagena, Colombia should be on your dental tourism shortlist.
Congratulations, you’re considering dental tourism as a way to get your dental care done at a much lower cost than you would have otherwise back at home. You’re well on your way to saving quite a bit of cash.
With your research, you know by now that there is no real drop in the quality of care you’ll receive abroad and that the U.S. simply has grossly inflated prices. Which comes as no surprise, healthcare in the U.S. is expensive after all. You’re gonna beat the system.
Every year, thousands of Americans travel to other countries to get their medical procedures done. With many destinations to pick from, where do you go?
Here are the reasons why Cartagena, Colombia should be on your dental tourism shortlist.
1. You can save 70% on your cosmetic dental care in Cartagena
Let’s not beat around the bush. You’ve done your research on dental tourism because you want to save money on dental implants, porcelain veneers, titanium crowns, or a host of other cosmetic dental procedures. Good for you for shopping around.
Did you know however that you can save 70% or more on your dental care by working with Dental Tourism Colombia and coming to Cartagena?
Especially for expensive procedures like All on Four Dental Implants, the money you can save would be enough for a family vacation. It’s crazy to think but do the math. We’re talking about potentially saving $15,000.
What could you do with that extra money lying around? Why throw it away by putting it into an inefficient system like U.S. healthcare? It’s your hard earned money after all.
Dental care costs in Cartagena (USD)
Veneers
| Composite Veneer | $250 |
| 20 Composite Veneers | $4,500 |
| Porcelain Veneer | $490 |
| 10 Porcelain Veneers | $4,600 |
| 16 Porcelain Veneers | $7,400 |
Learn more about veneers in Cartagena.
Dental Crowns
| Metal Ceramic Crown | $450 |
| Porcelain Crown | $590 |
| Zirconia Crown | $600 |
Learn more about dental crowns in Colombia.
Dental Implants
| Standard Titanium Dental Implant (implant only) | $850 |
| Standard Implant Porcelain Crown (including abutment) | $650 |
| Titanium Implant, Abutment, with Porcelain Crown | $1,500 |
| Zirconia Implant, Abutment, with Zirconia Crown | $1,600 |
| All on 4, Fixed Acrylic Bridge | $6,900 |
| All on 4, Fixed Porcelain Bridge | $10,300 |
| All on 5, Fixed Acrylic Bridge | $8,790 |
| All on 5, Fixed Porcelain Bridge | $11,090 |
| All on 6, Fixed Acrylic Bridge | $9,580 |
| All on 6, Fixed Porcelain Bridge | $11,880 |
| All on 7, Fixed Acrylic Bridge | $10,370 |
| All on 7, Fixed Porcelain Bridge | $12,670 |
| All on 8, Fixed Acrylic Bridge | $11,160 |
| All on 8, Fixed Porcelain Bridge | $13,460 |
| Total Mouth Restoration (All On 4 bottom, All On 6 top, acrylic) | $14,000 |
| Snap On Removable Overdenture (2 implants) | $2,600 |
| Snap On Removable Overdenture (4 implants) | $3,725 |
| Bone Graft (per gram) | $350 |
| Membrane | $300 |
| Sinus Lift (bilateral) | $1,830 |
| Sinus Lift (unilateral) | $1,000 |
| Temporary Crown (Immediate) | $200 |
Learn more about dental implants in Cartagena.
Dental Bridges
| Porcelain Bridge Crown (Pontic) | $500 |
| 2-Unit Porcelain Bridge (with Metal Strip) | $1,410 |
| 3-Unit Porcelain Bridge (with Metal Strip) | $2,000 |
| 4-Unit Porcelain Bridge (with Metal Strip) | $2,590 |
| 5-Unit Porcelain Bridge (with Metal Strip) | $3,180 |
| 6-Unit Porcelain Bridge (with Metal Strip) | $3,770 |
Learn more about dental bridges in Colombia.
Root Canals
| Root Canal (anterior) | $210 |
| Root Canal (premolar) | $230 |
| Root Canal (molar) | $290 |
| Post/Core Build Up (with post) | $150 |
| Root Canal Treatment (post, core, porcelain crown) | $880 |
Learn more about root canals in Colombia.
Dentures
| Temporary Partial/Flipper | $60 |
| Partial Denture (acrylic frame) | $220 |
| Partial Denture (metal frame) | $450 |
| Partial Denture (flexible frame) | $370 |
| Full Denture | $370 |
Learn more about dentures in Colombia.
Teeth Whitening
| Laser Teeth Whitening (1 session) | $100 |
| Laser Teeth Whitening (3 sessions) | $295 |
| Teeth Whitening Take Home Kit | $150 |
Learn more about teeth whitening in Colombia.
Additional
| Consultation | FREE |
| Regular Teeth Cleaning | $50 |
| Deep Teeth Cleaning | $150 |
| Composite Filling (1 surface) | $60 |
| Composite Filling (2 surfaces) | $70 |
| Composite Filling (3 surfaces) | $80 |
| Extraction (simple) | $90 |
| Extraction (surgical/impacted) | $150 |
| Wisdom Tooth Extraction | $225 |
| IV Sedation | $470 |
| Temporary Ceramic Tooth | $50 |
| X-Ray (bitewing/periapical) | $12 |
| Panoramic X-Ray | $15 |
| CT Scan/3D X-ray | $70 |
2. It’s a short flight to Cartagena
Who wants to travel across the globe to get cheaper, quality dental care when you don’t have to? Unless you’re flying first class, air travel isn’t that glamorous these days. Good news though, Cartagena is located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia which is not far at all from the United States.
For example, it’s a short 5-hour flight from NYC. There are direct flights from Miami. That’s it. We’re not talking about flying 17 hours to Thailand to get your dental implants, we’re talking about the same amount of time it would take to drive from NYC to Boston or to fly from NYC to LA.
It’s an afternoon instead of an uncomfortable overnight affair. Why spend more time in a cramped air seat then you have to?
3. Not jet lag when you're in Cartagena
Colombia and the east coast of the U.S. share the same time zone which means your body won’t have to adjust to any jet lag. If you go to Greece or Hungary, you’ll spend more time adjusting to the new time zone than experiencing the new country you’ll be in. Isn’t that kinda tragic?
By going to Cartagena, you avoid that problem entirely. Don’t forget about the trip back! No jet lag means you won’t have to adjust yourself once again after you come back home. In a way, that’s a two for one deal.
4. Cartagena is hot right now
No, we don’t mean in the Caribbean, heat sense of the way but yes that kinda hot as well. What we really mean is Colombia, as a country, is hot right now. Everyone loves a comeback story and Colombia for the past two decades has been delivering a great one.
Not only did The Economist name Colombia the #1 country of 2016, Lonely Planet has named Colombia as the #2 country to visit in 2017. Those are some pretty serious endorsements but find out what all the fuss is about yourself. You’ll feel it in the air, it’s positivity and optimism. It’s infectious.
5. Cartagena is a magical place
There is nothing quite like Cartagena. It’s a modern city with an old colonial neighborhood center. It feels like time travel in a way when you walk along the border between the two areas.
The old colonial neighborhood called the “Cuidad Vieja” has narrow streets with vibrantly colored walls and an artistic soul. The people are warm and the smell of the ocean is ever-present. It’s refreshing.
The beaches are some of the world’s best. It’s the kinda place you can pay a young man $0.10 to cut open a coconut with his machete and stick a colorful straw into it, all with a smile on his face. It’s a place where fresh mango is available at every corner and the fish you had for lunch was caught that morning.
It’s a Caribbean paradise. Taking a walk along the old city’s walls during sunset is an absolute must as well. The walls are filled with fossilized coral which helps echo the whole time travel sentiment. It’s beautiful.
As one of the first colonial cities in the Americas, Cartagena has a rich history of epic, underdog battles which you can learn all about while visiting the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. Dominating approaches to the city by land or sea, the landmark fortress was built by the Spanish during the colonial era.
Cartagena is the place to go for dental tourism
Why go through all the trouble of flying across the globe, dealing with jet lag, and missing out on the opportunity to experience a new city when you can take a short flight to Colombia and avoid all that trouble? It’s a 5-hour flight, there are no drastic time zone differences, and you get to really experience the city with your eyes open.
As a country, Colombia is on a hot streak right now and it’s Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena is one of its more magical offerings. It’s a great opportunity to take advantage of.
And if you only needed one reason, you save 70% or more on your dental care. The savings alone make this trip worth it. You’re simply taking advantage of an inefficiency in the market. Don’t settle for paying inflated U.S. prices when you can get the exact same care in Colombia at 70% off - all with the added bonus of a Caribbean vacation.