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Pacífica Salud Panamá: Atención médica de primer nivel para pacientes internacionales
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Pacífica Salud Panama offers JCI-accredited surgery at 50–75% below US costs, with Johns Hopkins protocols and bilingual care.
Procedures at Pacífica Salud in Panama City range from $8,500 for bariatric surgery to $30,000 for heart bypass—50–75% below US costs. The hospital holds its fourth consecutive JCI Gold Seal and has partnered with Johns Hopkins Medicine International since 2001.
This guide covers Pacífica Salud’s specialties, procedure costs, international patient services, physician credentials, and how Panama compares to other medical tourism destinations. You will also find recovery timelines, nearby hotel options, and step-by-step instructions for planning your trip.
¿Qué es Pacífica Salud Panamá?
Pacífica Salud is Panama City’s most internationally recognized private hospital. It was established in 1975 under the ownership of Empresas Melo, one of Panama’s leading private conglomerates. The flagship facility is located in the Punta Pacífica district—a modern, upscale neighborhood on the Pacific coast. A second campus opened in Costa del Este in February 2022, maintaining the same clinical standards.
When Was Pacífica Salud Founded and Who Owns It?
Pacífica Salud was founded in 1975. Empresas Melo, a major Panamanian business group, owns the hospital. Its mission is to deliver world-class medical care to patients in Panama and across the region. The hospital’s partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine International began in 2001. This was the first such affiliation between a US academic medical center and a Latin American hospital.
What Accreditations and Certifications Does Pacífica Salud Hold?
Pacífica Salud holds multiple international accreditations. The most important is JCI accreditation—the same standard applied to leading US hospitals. The hospital earned its fourth consecutive JCI Gold Seal in 2021. It also holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and Planetree certification for patient-centered care.
| Accreditation / Ranking | Estado |
|---|---|
| Acreditación de la JCI | First earned 2011; Fourth renewal 2021 |
| Johns Hopkins Medicine International Affiliation | Continuous since 2001 |
| ISO 9001:2015 Certification | Quality management systems |
| Planetree Certification | Patient-centered, compassionate care |
| ACR Accreditation | American College of Radiology (imaging) |
| CAP Accreditation | College of American Pathologists (lab) |
| First JCI-Certified Stroke Center | Primero en Centroamérica |
| América Economía Ranking | #15 in Latin America (2021) |
| Newsweek Ranking | Top Private Hospitals in LATAM (2025) |
JCI accreditation means Pacífica Salud has met 1,200+ measurable international safety standards. It is assessed by independent inspectors using the same criteria applied to top US hospitals.
What Are the Hospital’s Core Facilities and Capacity?
Pacífica Salud is a modern 14-floor facility in Panama City’s Punta Pacífica district. It has over 300 beds and 14 operating rooms. Key facilities include a 24-hour emergency department, a dedicated ICU and coronary care unit, and a full-service pharmacy.
| Atributo | Detalle |
|---|---|
| Fundada | 1975 |
| Ownership | Empresas Melo |
| Patient Beds | 300+ |
| Operating Rooms | 14 |
| Clinical Floors | 14 |
| ICU and Coronary Care | Dedicated units |
| Imaging Center | MRI, CT, PET, mammography, ultrasound |
| Emergency Department | 24-hour |
| Laboratorio | On-site, CAP-accredited, same-day results |
| Farmacia | Full-service, on-site |
¿Qué especialidades médicas ofrece Pacífica Salud Panamá?
Pacífica Salud offers a full range of acute and elective specialties. The most requested by international patients are orthopedics, cardiology, bariatric surgery, oncology, fertility, dentistry, and ophthalmology. The hospital also runs an Executive Health Program designed specifically for international patients seeking full preventive screening.
What Diagnostic Services Are Available to International Patients?
The imaging center in Panama City’s Punta Pacífica district offers MRI, CT, PET, digital mammography, and ultrasound. All imaging is accredited by the American College of Radiology. The on-site laboratory is CAP-accredited and delivers most results the same day. Pre-operative workups are completed quickly. This reduces unnecessary delays for international patients arriving for surgery.
What Orthopedic Procedures Can International Patients Receive?
Surgeons at Pacífica Salud perform the full range of orthopedic and musculoskeletal procedures. The department uses the Mako Robotic Arm and ROSA robotic systems for hip and knee replacements. These systems allow precise bone preparation and implant alignment. All implants are FDA-approved, sourced from Zimmer, Stryker, and DePuy.
Orthopedic procedures available include:
- Total hip replacement — Robotic-assisted with FDA-approved implants
- Total knee replacement — Mako and ROSA robotic systems
- Spinal surgery — Discectomy, fusion, and decompression
- Sports medicine — Ligament reconstruction and arthroscopy
- Fracture repair and trauma care — Inpatient and emergency services
What Is the Executive Health Program at Pacífica Salud?
The Executive Health Program is a same-day screening package. It gives patients a full clinical picture in a single coordinated visit. The program covers cardiovascular assessment, cancer markers, metabolic panels, imaging, and specialist consultations. It is popular with international patients who travel to Panama City specifically for the check-up. Results can inform treatment decisions at Pacífica Salud or back home.
¿Qué otras especialidades ofrece Pacífica Salud?
Pacífica Salud operates specialist departments across seven additional areas. These collectively handle the majority of elective procedures performed on international patients each year.
| Specialty | Procedimientos clave |
|---|---|
| Cardiología | Angioplasty, bypass surgery, pacemaker implantation, cardiac catheterization |
| Oncología | Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical oncology, tumor board consultations |
| Cirugía bariátrica | Gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band |
| Cirugía plástica y estética | Rhinoplasty, facelift, breast augmentation, liposuction, abdominoplasty |
| Fertilidad | IVF, egg freezing, intrauterine insemination, hormonal therapy |
| Odontología | Dental implants, veneers, full-mouth rehabilitation, orthodontics |
| Oftalmología | LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, retinal procedures |
¿Cómo funciona el Departamento de Pacientes Internacionales?
Pacífica Salud’s international patient program removes every logistical barrier between you and your care. From your first inquiry, you are assigned a dedicated coordinator who manages both the clinical and practical sides of your visit. The coordinator reviews your medical records, connects you with the right specialist, and builds your treatment timeline before you travel.
¿Qué servicios ofrece el Departamento de Pacientes Internacionales?
Your coordinator arranges your airport transfer on arrival in Panama City. They handle translation throughout your care and advise on recovery accommodation. Rather than navigating an unfamiliar hospital system in a foreign country, you have one point of contact for everything. This includes your first inquiry, pre-operative preparation, and discharge. The hospital also coordinates directly with your home physician to share records and imaging after you leave.
¿Ofrece Pacífica Salud servicios de telemedicina para pacientes internacionales?
Yes, Pacífica Salud offers telemedicine before and after your procedure. Pre-operatively, your surgeon reviews your case, answers questions, and confirms your treatment plan remotely. This means you arrive in Panama City fully prepared. After discharge, follow-up appointments are conducted virtually. Your recovery is monitored from home. Your coordinator makes sure your records and imaging are shared with your domestic care team.
For a complete overview of planning your trip, see our guide for American medical tourists in Panama.
¿Cuánto tiempo debo prever quedarme en Panamá después de la intervención?
Your stay length depends on your procedure. Flying home too early carries real clinical risk. The table below gives reliable planning benchmarks for the most commonly requested procedures.
| Procedimiento | Days in Hospital | Recovery Days in Panama | Estancia total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or Knee Replacement | 3 to 5 | 10 to 14 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Bypass cardíaco | 5 to 7 | 14 to 21 | 5 weeks |
| Cirugía bariátrica | 1 to 2 | 7 to 10 | 1.5 weeks |
| Cirugía estética | 1 to 2 | 7 to 14 | 8 to 16 days |
| LASIK | 0 to 1 | 2 to 3 | 3 to 4 days |
| Implantes dentales | 0 (Outpatient) | 4 to 6 | 1 semana |
| Ciclo de FIV | 0 (Outpatient) | 12 to 18 | 3 semanas |
¿Cuánto cuesta el tratamiento en Pacífica Salud en comparación con Estados Unidos?
Most international patients at Pacífica Salud save between 50% and 75% compared to equivalent US procedures. A hip replacement at Pacífica Salud costs $12,000–$20,000 versus $35,000–$60,000 in the US. Quoted costs include surgeon fees, anesthesia, hospital stay, implants, and standard post-operative care. Always request an itemized quote from your coordinator before booking travel, as individual cases vary.
| Procedimiento | Panama (Pacífica Salud) | United States (Avg) | Ahorro estimado |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prótesis de cadera | $12,000–$20,000 | $35,000–$60,000 | Hasta 70% |
| Sustitución de rodilla | $12,000–$14,000 | $30,000–$45,000 | Up to 69% |
| Bypass cardíaco (CABG) | $24,000 | $80,000–$144,000 | Hasta 75% |
| Manga gástrica | $8,000–$12,000 | $18,000–$25,000 | Up to 66% |
| Implante dental (por diente) | $1,500–$2,100 | $3,500–$6,000 | Hasta 67% |
| FIV (un ciclo) | $6,500–$8,500 | $12,000–$18,000 | Up to 63% |
| Cirugía de cataratas | $2,000–$3,500 | $3,500–$6,000 | Up to 64% |
Panama uses the US dollar as its official currency. This removes exchange rate risk entirely. You pay exactly what you are quoted, with no currency conversion surprises.
For a broader comparison of costs by procedure and country, see our medical tourism vs. US healthcare cost guide.
¿Quiénes son los médicos de Pacífica Salud Panamá?
The physicians at Pacífica Salud are highly trained specialists. About 90% have completed significant portions of their training, residency, or fellowships at leading institutions in the United States or Europe. Many hold dual board certifications—one from the Panama Medical Board and one from a US or European specialty board.
¿Dónde se forman los cirujanos de Pacífica Salud?
Board-certified surgeons at Pacífica Salud are trained to US and European standards. Most completed residencies or fellowships in the United States, Spain, or France. The hospital’s affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International means doctors engage monthly with Hopkins experts. They collaborate on complex cases and adopt the latest surgical techniques. Panamanian physicians are also fluent in English. International patient coordinators provide additional translation support.
¿Cómo puedo verificar las credenciales de mi médico antes de viajar?
You can verify your physician’s qualifications independently before traveling to Panama City. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Request your surgeon’s CV and board certification documents from your international patient coordinator.
2. Cross-reference their listing on the JCI provider directory at jointcommissioninternational.org.
3. Verify their medical license with the Consejo Técnico de Salud, Panama’s national medical licensing authority.
4. Confirm any US or European specialty board certification directly with the issuing board. Most maintain public online registries.
For guidance on choosing and verifying a qualified surgeon abroad, see our surgical procedures in Panama guide.
¿Por qué eligen los pacientes internacionales Panamá para recibir atención médica?
Panama offers an unusual combination of low cost, high accreditation, political stability, and geographical convenience for North American patients. Panama is three to five hours from most US cities. It runs on Eastern Standard Time for much of the year. There is no currency risk. Panama uses the US dollar.
¿Cómo se compara Panamá con otros destinos de turismo médico?
Panama is not the cheapest option available—but it offers the best combination of cost, accessibility, English-language care, and a stable environment for patients from the US or Canada.
| País | Cost vs. US | Hospitales acreditados por la JCI | Dominio del inglés | Avg. Flight Time from US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panamá | 30–60% of US cost | 4 | Alta | 3 to 5 hours |
| Colombia | 25–50% of US cost | 3 | Moderado | De 4 a 6 horas |
| Costa Rica | 35% of US cost | 1 | Moderado | 3 to 5 hours |
| México | 30–50% of US cost | 9 | Moderado | 2 to 4 hours |
| Tailandia | 20–40% of US cost | 65 | Moderado | 20 to 22 hours |
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the Hub of the Americas. It offers direct flights from over 80 cities. Flight times from Miami take 3 hours, Houston 4 hours, and New York 5 hours. This is much shorter than travel to Asian medical hubs.
¿Es la ciudad de Panamá un lugar seguro y acogedor para recuperarse?
Yes, Panama City is a safe and comfortable recovery destination. Pacífica Salud sits in the Punta Pacífica neighborhood—a modern, walkable district on the Pacific coast. The area around the hospital is safe and well-served by pharmacies, restaurants, and waterfront parks. Panama is frequently cited as the safest country in Latin America by the Global Peace Index. The climate is warm year-round. Many post-surgical patients prefer recovering in a warm climate rather than returning to a cold northern winter.
¿Cómo llego a Pacífica Salud Panamá?
Getting to Pacífica Salud is simple. The hospital is located in the Punta Pacífica district of Panama City.
¿A qué distancia se encuentra Pacífica Salud del Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen?
The hospital is about 12 miles (20 km) from Tocumen International Airport (PTY). The drive via Corredor Sur takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. The international patient department arranges private airport transfers on request. Your coordinator confirms all pickup logistics ahead of your arrival.
¿Qué hoteles cercanos a Pacífica Salud son adecuados para pacientes en recuperación?
Several hotels near Pacífica Salud in Panama City are frequently used by international patients. Each offers recovery-friendly features.
- JW Marriott Panama — Located in the Punta Pacífica district, with ocean views and high-end amenities for recovery.
- Residence Inn by Marriott Panama City — Directly adjacent to the hospital, with full kitchens in every suite. Ideal for longer stays.
- Courtyard by Marriott Multiplaza Mall — Convenient for family members, with easy access to shopping and services.
- Hotel El Panamá — 7 minutes from the hospital, with large rooms and a ground-floor pool for low-impact mobility.
- Hyatt Centric Panama — 10 minutes from the hospital, with quiet floors suited to post-surgical rest.
¿Es Pacífica Salud Panamá la opción adecuada para ti?
Pacífica Salud is one of the strongest options for international patients seeking elective or specialist care outside the United States. The combination of JCI accreditation, US and European-trained surgeons, a fully equipped international patient program, and Panama’s geographical and economic advantages makes it difficult to match in the region.
Pacífica Salud is the right choice if you are:
- Seeking savings of 50–75% on procedures that are out of reach in the US or Canada
- Looking for JCI-accredited care with verifiable physician credentials
- Wanting English-language support throughout your treatment
- Travelling from the eastern or southern US, where Panama is under five hours by direct flight
- Pursuing a high-demand procedure in orthopedics, cardiology, bariatric surgery, cosmetic surgery, or oncology
- A US military veteran eligible under the Foreign Medical Program (FMP), which allows direct billing to VA
Here are your next steps:
1. Contact the international patient coordinator at Pacífica Salud to introduce your case and ask your initial questions.
2. Submit your medical records, including imaging, lab results, and any referral letters, so the relevant specialist can review them remotely.
3. Receive your itemized cost estimate and treatment plan before committing to travel.
4. Book your travel once your procedure date is confirmed. Use the recovery timeline table earlier in this guide to plan your stay.
5. Confirm your pre-operative telemedicine consultation so you arrive in Panama City fully prepared.
¿Cuáles son las preguntas más frecuentes de los turistas médicos sobre Pacífica Salud Panamá?
¿Cuánto tiempo debo quedarme en Panamá después de la cirugía en Pacífica Salud?
La duración de tu estancia dependerá de la intervención a la que te sometas. Los pacientes que se sometan a una artroplastia de cadera o rodilla deben prever una estancia total de entre 3 y 4 semanas. Los pacientes de bypass cardíaco necesitan unas 5 semanas antes de poder volar a casa con seguridad. Los pacientes de cirugía bariátrica suelen permanecer ingresados entre una semana y media. Los pacientes de LASIK pueden volar a casa en un plazo de 3 a 4 días. Tu coordinador te proporcionará un calendario exacto en función de tu intervención específica y de cómo avance tu recuperación.
¿Cuenta Pacífica Salud con acreditación según las normas internacionales?
Sí, Pacífica Salud cuenta con la acreditación de la JCI, el mismo estándar que utilizan los principales hospitales de Estados Unidos. El hospital obtuvo su cuarto Sello de Oro de la JCI consecutivo en 2021. También cuenta con la certificación ISO 9001:2015 y las acreditaciones de la ACR y la CAP para servicios de diagnóstico por imágenes y de laboratorio. El hospital colabora con Johns Hopkins Medicine International desde 2001. Esta colaboración incluye auditorías anuales realizadas por expertos de Hopkins y la implementación de protocolos clínicos estadounidenses.
¿Los cirujanos de Pacífica Salud hablan inglés?
Sí, la mayoría de los cirujanos especializados de Pacífica Salud hablan inglés con fluidez. Aproximadamente el 90 % de los especialistas del hospital se han formado en Estados Unidos o Europa. Están familiarizados con las expectativas de los pacientes internacionales de habla inglesa. Además, los coordinadores de pacientes internacionales ofrecen un apoyo bilingüe completo durante toda su visita. Esto elimina las barreras lingüísticas que complican el turismo médico en muchos otros países.
¿Qué pasa si tengo complicaciones después de regresar a casa desde Panamá?
Los cirujanos de Pacífica Salud colaboran directamente con su médico de cabecera en su país de origen. Se aseguran de que el seguimiento posoperatorio continúe una vez que regrese a casa. La afiliación del hospital con Johns Hopkins Medicine International facilita el acceso a consultas de alto nivel en casos excepcionales de complicaciones. Muchos paquetes quirúrgicos incluyen citas de seguimiento por telemedicina. Puede ponerse en contacto directamente con su cirujano para cualquier inquietud posoperatoria. Su coordinador se asegura de que sus registros médicos y sus imágenes se compartan con sus médicos de cabecera antes de que salga de la ciudad de Panamá.
¿Es seguro volar después de una cirugía en Pacífica Salud?
Sí, es seguro volar una vez transcurrido el período de espera recomendado. Su cirujano le dará el visto bueno para volar después de evaluar cómo ha avanzado la cicatrización. Los cambios de presión en la cabina y el riesgo de coágulos sanguíneos exigen un tiempo de recuperación adecuado antes de volar. Las intervenciones sencillas, como el LASIK, permiten volar en un plazo de 3 a 4 días. Las intervenciones complejas, como un bypass cardíaco, requieren esperar unos 30 días antes de volar. Siga las instrucciones específicas de su cirujano según el tipo de intervención a la que se haya sometido.
¿Qué formación tienen los cirujanos de Pacífica Salud?
Alrededor del 90 % de los especialistas de Pacífica Salud han completado una formación de alto nivel en instituciones de prestigio de Estados Unidos o Europa. Muchos cuentan con doble certificación: una del Colegio de Médicos de Panamá y otra de un colegio de especialistas estadounidense o europeo. Gracias a la afiliación del hospital con Johns Hopkins Medicine International, los médicos colaboran mensualmente con expertos de Hopkins. De este modo, adoptan las técnicas quirúrgicas y los protocolos clínicos más avanzados, lo que garantiza que sus estándares sean equivalentes a los de los mejores hospitales universitarios de Estados Unidos.
¿Listo para comenzar tu proceso médico en Pacífica Salud Panamá?
Medical Tourism Packages coordinates your entire treatment journey at Pacífica Salud in Panama City. We connect you with JCI-accredited hospitals, arrange your travel and accommodations, and provide bilingual support throughout your treatment. Get a free consultation to discuss your health goals and receive a personalized quote.
Contact us today to start planning your affordable medical care at Pacífica Salud in Panama.
