Bariatric Surgery in Puerto Vallarta — Mexico's Pacific Coast Medical Resort
Direct flights from Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, LA, and Seattle. World-class private hospital, ocean-view recovery, board-certified surgeons. All-inclusive bariatric care from $5,000.
Why Canadian & US Patients Choose Puerto Vallarta
Combine premium bariatric surgery with the relaxing recovery of a Pacific resort. Most of our patients are Canadians who already vacation here — they extend their trip a few days and return home lighter, healthier, and with a story to tell.
Familiar to Canadians
Direct flights from Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal. Many patients already know Vallarta as a vacation spot.
Direct US Flights
Non-stop service from LA, Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and Chicago to PVR airport.
Ocean-View Recovery
Recover in a beachside or resort-style hotel near the hospital. The relaxed coastal pace speeds healing.
Centro Médico Joya
State-of-the-art private hospital in Riviera Nayarit, north of Vallarta. English-speaking medical team.
From Your City to Your Recovery Suite — Step by Step
Direct flight to Puerto Vallarta International (PVR). Driver pickup, transfer to your hotel, surgery at Hospital Joya, and beachside recovery — fully coordinated for U.S. and Canadian patients.
Free Consultation & Approval
Speak with your patient coordinator (English & bilingual), complete medical evaluation, lock in your surgery date.
Direct Flight to PVR
Non-stop flight to Puerto Vallarta International. Canadian/US citizens receive a 180-day FMM visitor permit on arrival.
Driver Picks You Up at PVR
Your bilingual ALO driver greets you in the arrivals hall — no taxi or rideshare needed.
Transfer to Hotel in Nuevo Vallarta
Direct ride from PVR to your beachside or resort-style hotel near Centro Médico Joya. Settle in, rest, hydrate.
Pre-Op Labs & Surgeon Consultation
Pre-operative bloodwork, EKG, and in-person consultation with your bariatric surgeon at Hospital Joya.
Surgery Day at Hospital Joya
Laparoscopic procedure under general anesthesia. Spacious private suite, bariatric-trained nursing staff, ICU on standby.
Beachside Recovery
Discharge to your Nuevo Vallarta hotel. Walks on the beach, hydration, and post-op nutrition guidance from our team.
Return Home
Fly home with bilingual aftercare support, 12-month follow-up program, and direct access to your surgeon's team.
Centro Médico Joya — Built Exclusively for Bariatric and Medical Tourism Patients
Hospital Joya isn't a general hospital that happens to perform bariatric surgery — it was designed and built specifically for international medical tourism patients and bariatric care. Owned by Dr. Armando Joya, a practicing bariatric surgeon, every operational decision is made by a surgeon, not by an investor.
Built for Medical Tourism & Bariatrics
Centro Médico Joya is one of the few hospitals in Mexico designed from the ground up for international bariatric patients — surgical suites, recovery rooms, and patient flow all optimized for weight-loss surgery and medical tourism.
Spacious Private Suites
Patients recover in spacious private suites with views, private bathrooms, and dedicated bariatric nursing. The environment is designed so patients and their companions feel they never left home.
Top-Tier Surgical Equipment
Hospital Joya operates with the same medical devices used in leading U.S. hospitals — Ethicon staplers, Medtronic energy devices, and advanced laparoscopic towers. ICU support and anesthesia teams are on standby for every procedure.
Owned by a Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Armando Joya is both the hospital's owner and an actively practicing bariatric surgeon. International and national patients alike benefit from a hospital where every detail is set by a surgeon who personally treats patients.
One of Only Two Bariatric Subspecialty Training Programs in Mexico
Hospital Joya is home to one of just two formal bariatric subspecialty training programs in all of Mexico — meaning surgeons from across Latin America come here to advance their skills under Dr. Joya and Dr. Alejandro López. When you have surgery at Hospital Joya, the same surgeons who train the next generation of Mexican bariatric specialists perform your procedure.
Inside Centro Médico Joya — Where Your Surgery Happens
Take a look at the suites, surgical wing, imaging center, and lobby — designed from the ground up for bariatric and international medical-tourism patients.
Why Canadians Make Vallarta Their Surgery Destination
Many of our Canadian patients are already familiar with Puerto Vallarta as a winter getaway. Pairing surgery with a few days of beachside recovery turns the trip into something they actually look forward to — and bring family along for.
Pacific Beach Recovery
Walks on the malecón, gentle ocean breeze, year-round 75–85°F. Recovery feels like a spa retreat.
All-Inclusive Hotels
Recover in resort hotels in Nuevo Vallarta or Marina Vallarta — minutes from the hospital.
Family-Friendly Setting
Many patients bring spouses or family. They explore Vallarta while you recover. Companion packages available.
What's Included When You Book Puerto Vallarta
All-Inclusive Bariatric Surgery Pricing
Premium hospital care at a fraction of US/Canadian prices. Same surgical team led by Dr. López.
| Procedure | From (USD) |
|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve | $5,000 |
| Gastric Bypass | $6,600 |
| Mini Gastric Bypass | $5,800 |
| Duodenal Switch | $7,600 |
| SADI-S | $7,300 |
| Distal Bypass | $7,100 |
* Prices may vary based on individual evaluation. Financing available.
Dr. Alejandro López — Medical Director of ALO Bariatrics
Dr. Alejandro López is the Medical Director of ALO Bariatrics and one of Mexico's most respected bariatric surgeons. With over 20 years of experience and 20,000+ procedures performed, he co-leads one of only two formal bariatric subspecialty training programs in Mexico — training the next generation of Mexican weight-loss surgeons.
Dr. López leads every primary bariatric surgery at our three Mexican centers — Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara. He brings 20+ years of experience and over 20,000 procedures performed across all bariatric specialties. Patients from across the U.S. and Canada travel to be operated by him because of his record of consistent outcomes and U.S.-grade surgical technique.
- 20+ years of bariatric surgery experience
- 20,000+ procedures performed across all bariatric specialties
- Board-certified bariatric surgeon (Consejo Mexicano de Cirugía Bariátrica)
- Member: ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery)
- Member: IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity)
- Member: FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons)
- Member: CMCOEM (Colegio Mexicano de Cirugía para la Obesidad y Enfermedades Metabólicas)
- Trained at the University of Guadalajara
- Co-Director, Bariatric Subspecialty Training Program — Hospital Joya, Puerto Vallarta
- Specialties: gastric sleeve, bypass, mini bypass, SADI-S, duodenal switch, robotic surgery, revisions
Dr. Armando Joya Munguía — Owner of Hospital Joya, Bariatric Surgery Specialist
Dr. Joya is the founding owner of Centro Médico Joya and one of Puerto Vallarta's most respected bariatric surgeons. Trained in advanced bariatric procedures at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Miami and the University of Guadalajara, he co-leads one of only two bariatric subspecialty training programs in Mexico — training the next generation of Mexican weight-loss surgeons.
Dr. Armando Joya is a board-certified bariatric surgeon and the founding owner of Centro Médico Joya in Puerto Vallarta. With fellowship training at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Miami and advanced bariatric education at the University of Guadalajara, Dr. Joya brings U.S.-grade surgical technique to international and Mexican patients alike. He co-leads one of only two formal bariatric subspecialty training programs in Mexico.
- M.D. — University of Guadalajara, Mexico
- Bariatric fellowship — Baptist Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL
- Member: FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons)
- Member: ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery)
- Member: AMCL (Asociación Mexicana de Cirugía Laparoscópica)
- Member: AMCG (Asociación Mexicana de Cirugía General)
- Co-Director, Bariatric Subspecialty Training Program — Hospital Joya
Vallarta Patients — Before & After
Patients from across Canada and the US share their experience after gastric sleeve, bypass, and revision surgery in Puerto Vallarta.
“I flew direct from Vancouver. Surgery on day 2, then five days recovering at a beachside resort with my husband. Best decision I've made — and the trip felt like a vacation, not a hospital stay.”
Direct Flights from Canada & the USA
Puerto Vallarta International (PVR) is one of Mexico's most accessible bariatric destinations for U.S. and Canadian patients. Non-stop service from 30+ major cities means most travelers reach Hospital Joya within 3–5 hours of departure — without layovers, complicated transfers, or long ground travel. This direct-flight accessibility makes Puerto Vallarta the easiest medical-tourism destination for working professionals from the U.S. and Canada to fly in, recover, and fly home.
| From | Airline(s) | Approx. Flight Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Los Angeles (LAX) | Alaska, American, United, Delta | 3 hrs 15 min |
| 🇺🇸 San Francisco (SFO) | Alaska, United | 4 hrs |
| 🇺🇸 Phoenix (PHX) | American, Aeromexico | 3 hrs |
| 🇺🇸 Denver (DEN) | United, Frontier | 4 hrs |
| 🇺🇸 Dallas (DFW) | American, Aeromexico | 3 hrs 45 min |
| 🇺🇸 Houston (IAH) | United, Aeromexico | 3 hrs 30 min |
| 🇺🇸 Chicago (ORD) | American, United | 4 hrs 30 min |
| 🇨🇦 Vancouver (YVR) | Air Canada, WestJet | 5 hrs |
| 🇨🇦 Calgary (YYC) | WestJet, Air Canada | 5 hrs |
| 🇨🇦 Toronto (YYZ) | Air Canada, WestJet | 5 hrs 30 min |
| 🇨🇦 Edmonton (YEG) | WestJet | 5 hrs |
| 🇨🇦 Montreal (YUL) | Air Canada | 5 hrs 45 min |
Most U.S. and Canadian patients schedule surgery on a Monday or Tuesday, recover by the beach, and fly home the following weekend — minimal time away from work or family.
Procedures Available at Our Vallarta Center
Patient Reviews from Canada & the USA
“Direct WestJet flight from Calgary. Combined surgery with a 7-day stay in Nuevo Vallarta. Dr. López was incredible. I came home 25 lb lighter and tanned.”
“Air Canada from Toronto direct. Hospital felt like a 5-star hotel. Walking on the beach during recovery sped my healing.”
“Flew Alaska from Seattle. Coordinator handled everything. Recovery in a beachfront condo was unbelievable. Highly recommend.”
“From Vancouver. The surgical team at Centro Médico Joya was top-notch — and the location made the whole trip feel like a reset.”
Hospital Joya, Surgeons & Travel — Frequently Asked Questions
Who performs my bariatric surgery in Puerto Vallarta?
What makes Centro Médico Joya different from other Mexican hospitals?
Do I need a visa as a Canadian or US citizen?
Which airlines fly direct to Puerto Vallarta?
What time zone is Puerto Vallarta?
Is English widely spoken?
Can I bring my spouse or family?
What's the best time of year to come?
What currency should I bring?
Is Puerto Vallarta safe?
Start Your Puerto Vallarta Bariatric Journey
Free consultation. Personalized travel plan. Direct flights from Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, LA, Seattle, and beyond coordinated.
Your Journey
What Happens Next?
- Submit your information
- Coordinator contacts you
- Receive personalized options
- Schedule your consultation
- Certified Surgeons. 20+ years experience
- 20,000+ procedures performed
- ASMBS · IFSO · FACS members
- Accredited hospitals with ICU