Baja California boosts veterinary tourism for American pets

Efforts underway to attract U.S. pet owners seeking lower-cost care south of the border

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:55pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration featuring sweeping, airbrushed gradients in shades of blue and orange, with towering architectural forms and sleek, streamlined shapes, conceptually representing the grand scale and romance of cross-border travel and veterinary tourism.Baja California's push to attract American pet owners seeking affordable veterinary care could drive a new wave of cross-border medical tourism.San Diego Today

Baja California is working to promote veterinary tourism and attract more American pet owners to seek medical care for their dogs and cats in Mexico. Atzimba Villegas, president of the state's Health Tourism Association, says they expect the number of medical tourists to rise to 7.2 million by 2030 as Americans look for more affordable healthcare options. The initiative aims to identify areas within Baja California where medical and veterinary centers are emerging to concentrate services in those locations.

Why it matters

As the cost of veterinary care continues to rise in the U.S., Baja California's efforts to boost pet-focused medical tourism could provide a more affordable option for American pet owners. This could have a positive economic impact for hotels, restaurants, and veterinary clinics in border regions, while also addressing the needs of pet owners seeking quality, lower-cost care for their animals.

The details

Baja California's Health Tourism Association is leading the push to attract more American pet owners to seek veterinary care in Mexico. They are conducting surveys to identify areas within the state where medical and veterinary centers are emerging, with the goal of concentrating services and offerings in those specific locations. The association expects the number of medical tourists to the state to rise to 7.2 million by 2030, driven in part by an expected economic recession in the U.S. that will drive more Americans to seek lower-cost healthcare options south of the border.

  • Currently, the number of visitors to Baja California seeking medical procedures stands at 4.2 million people.
  • The association expects the number of medical tourists to rise to 7.2 million by 2030.

The players

Atzimba Villegas

President of the Baja California Health Tourism Association.

Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office

The government agency that provides guidelines for bringing pets across the U.S.-Mexico border.

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What they’re saying

“'The objective of this initiative is to identify districts within the state where medical centers are emerging in order to concentrate services and offerings, in various forms, in those specific locations.'”

— Atzimba Villegas, President, Baja California Health Tourism Association

What’s next

The Baja California Health Tourism Association plans to continue surveying various sectors to identify the economic impacts of medical and veterinary tourism, with the goal of concentrating services in key locations to attract more American visitors seeking affordable pet care and other medical treatments.

The takeaway

Baja California's efforts to boost veterinary tourism highlight the growing demand for more affordable pet care options, especially as economic conditions in the U.S. remain uncertain. By positioning itself as a destination for American pet owners, the region could see a boost in cross-border travel and economic activity, while also addressing the needs of pet owners looking for quality, lower-cost veterinary services.