Last fact-check: 24 February 2020

Our leading dentists in Acapulco offer affordable, high-quality dental care–meaning you can enjoy an exciting vacation to this action-packed Mexican city while saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on treatment.

Unashamedly carefree and boisterous, Acapulco exudes glamour - so why not get the jet-set treatment and transform your smile for a fraction of the price you’d pay at home?

Built around the natural beauty of the Bay of Acapulco, the city looks over the Pacific Ocean onto golden beaches, surrounded by tropical vegetation and the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountain range toward the north. As one of the oldest coastal tourist destinations in the world, Acapulco was once a playground for the international jet-set, especially during the 1950s and ’60s, attracting world-famous celebrities like Elvis Presley, Liz Taylor, Frank Sinatra and John Kennedy.

Today, the ‘original’ Acapulco of yesteryear is located at the northern end of the bay. Known as ‘Nautica’ or ‘Tradicional,’ it's here where you'll find the city's main square and boardwalk, with restaurants, discos and modern hotels all within walking distance around the old town.

Nowadays, the newer part in the south tends to attract more international visitors, as well as the Mexican upper class, with its high-rise hotels, boutique shops and generally more upmarket feel. 

Acapulco’s legendary nightlife has consistently been its main appeal, but the party scene of today has been toned down somewhat, with glitzy beach clubs, swanky cocktail bars and rooftop venues adding a much-needed dose of sophistication. Families, golfers, watersports enthusiasts and eco-tourists will all find something here to interest them. 

Mexico is known for its abundance of affordable, high-quality dental care (hence why it's one of the most popular dental tourism destinations in the world,) and the city of Acapulco is no different. Dental patients looking for reasonably priced care are well catered for here, with first-class facilities at our quality-checked clinics. 

Acapulco is a major seaport on Mexico’s Pacific Coast in the state of Guerrero. It is around 190 miles (300) kilometers southwest of Mexico City.

Beautiful scenery, golden beaches and stunning ocean views are the jewels in the crown of this city that never sleeps.

Our dentists are located in accessible places–so you are never too far away from the action, allowing you to get back to the business of enjoying your holiday in as soon as possible. 

From dental crowns to veneers, implants, teeth whitening and much more, our selection of quality-checked dentists offers professional procedures right across the board. If you're planning (or thinking about) a trip here already, you could also save money on general "everyday" dentistry, like tooth fillings and teeth cleaning. After all, skipping this kind of maintenance work can lead to more serious issues down the line, so why not get it done and out of the way for less in Mexico?

By doing a little bit of research and taking advantage of Dental Departures' best price guarantee, it is possible to save around 70% on the cost of your dental care in Acapulco compared to the US or Canada. For certain surgical procedures, like dental implants, this can equate to thousands of dollars saved–even after factoring in flight and accommodation expenses. 

Take a look at some price comparisons below:

• Average cost of a single dental crown in the: US $1,200; in Acapulco around $425
• Average cost of a root canal, including post core and crown, in the US: $1,200; in Acapulco around $155
• Average cost of a dental implant and crown in the US: $3,900; in Acapulco $930.

To get started, check out the highly-rated Smile Acapulco clinic - the listing page features photos, a list of procedures and prices and real patient reviews.

(Image by Arturo de Albornoz)

You will discover excellent accommodation options available in Acapulco, including five-star hotels from around $60 a night located throughout Acapulco’s popular resorts, such as the Playa Revolcadero and Diamante area with its huge tropical lagoon and white sandy beaches.

While there a US travel advisory warning for the wider state of Guerrero due to crime levels, the city of Acapulco does remain relatively safe. The main problem, just like most big cities and coastal resorts around the world, is petty theft, especially pick-pocketing. It's also important to note that the best clinics provide transportation services to and from the airport, and shuttles to and from your hotel, so the experience is quite insulated and safe.

The best advice is to always be on your guard and take extra care when looking after your personal belongings. Don't put yourself in risky situations (such as walking alone in unfamiliar areas at night)–just as you would in any city, anywhere in the world.

Dental care in Acapulco is certainly as good as the care you would receive at home. In some cases, North American patients even say it is better at certain clinics. 

But how can this be true? In part, it's because dentists in Mexico who treat international patients have to make sure they do a good job as their businesses are on the line. Gaining and retaining customers is very much based on trust; if they fail to provide anything less than satisfactory, word would soon spread and it wouldn't be long before they'd have to close. 

As the world becomes a smaller place and more of us regularly take to the skies, an increasing number of first-class medical and dental services have become accessible to international patients. It is now a truly global marketplace, which means competition between clinics to have the best dentists, facilities and prices is fierce, which is ultimately good for consumers.

We’re not saying that all dentists in Acapulco or Mexico are perfect, but you can find a reliable dentist or clinic if you do a little research. This is what Dental Departures set out to achieve: to create a resource for finding affordable dental care overseas where the information is updated, reliable and trustworthy. We use a number of different criteria, which, when taken together, are good indicators of quality. This allows patients to make an informed decision for themselves.

All our dentists have clear criminal records and have undergone strict legal background-checks by us. We also list their qualifications, publish clinic photos, virtual clinic tours and real patient reviews. You can use these resources to get a feel for a particular clinic and ‘look before you book’.

All of our dentists provide warranties on their work, as well as any materials used in their procedures, such as a crown or filling. 

Regrettably, medical or dental procedures cannot be guaranteed 100%, no matter how careful your dentist may be. Every human body is individual; we all react to treatment differently. It is uncommon for things to go wrong but if it does, Dental Departures will be your advocate in getting your problem put right. 

For your complete peace of mind, we have partnered with a number of insurance providers. For a small cost, you can take out insurance which will cover any additional accommodation or travel expenses incurred if you do need to travel back.

(Image by: Cello 5)

No. Acapulco is a major tourist destination and English is spoken widely, particularly in clinics that cater to the international patient. Obviously, a few basic phrases can help if you're planning on an extended stay in Mexico. 

Our dental clinics in Acapulco al accept US dollars. Other payment methods generally accepted are debit cards, bank transfer and personal/traveler checks. Credit card payments are usually subject to a small processing fee of between 3 and 4%.

You can check each clinic’s preferred payment methods on our website.

It is unlikely that your dentist in Acapulco will be able to bill your insurance provider directly. However, you may be entitled to claim your expenses once you return home if your policy allows for ‘out-of-network’ care.

Check with your insurance company before you book, and make sure you receive all the appropriate documentation to bring before you travel.

Our in Acapulco dentists are open all year round. One thing to bear in mind is that this part of Mexico does have two distinct wet and dry seasons with a risk of tropical storms and hurricanes from May through November.

Many of the newer hotels are wheelchair-friendly and certainly some of the attractions, for example, the famous Quebrada Cliff divers, can be viewed from a terrace at Hotel El Mirador which has ramp access. Some places are easier to negotiate than others, but if you want to take in the major landmarks of the area, guided tours equipped with wheelchair lifts are easy to arrange.

The nightlife and beaches are Acapulco’s main attractions. If you are spending the day at the beach, remember to apply sunscreen frequently, and be careful in the water as often there are no lifeguards despite dangerous currents.

The beaches here are fantastic, but if you want to steer clear of the vendors (and crowds), it might be best to avoid Caleta Beach in the ‘old’ part of the city and Condesa in the center of Acapulco Bay and instead drive to a quieter out-of-town beach, like Pie de la Cuesta.

Dental patients should also be aware that throughout Mexico, the preferred method of pain relief is local anesthetic. Sedation dentistry is possible at most of our dentists, but it will have to be arranged in advance as the services of an anesthetist are required. This will cost an additional $400 - $600.

Anxiety medication, such as Valium, also needs to be requested in advance and is subject to availability. 

(Image by Nam)

Acapulco’s two magnificent bays–Santa Lucia (Acapulco Bay or Bahia de Acapulco), and Puerto Marques–are host to all manner of outdoor activities. The unmissable spectacle of La Quebrada cliff divers have been here since the 1930's; these daredevil divers plunge over 130 feet from the rocky cliff tops into only 11 feet of seawater below. You can normally catch five showings a day, including evening shows where the divers carry torches, one of the must-see sights of Acapulco.

Although Acapulco became a worldwide tourist destination in the 1950s, it has been historically prominent for centuries, especially as a strategic location for seafarers and traders between Europe, Asia and the Americas. El Fuerte de San Diego, built in 1616, overlooks the harbor and is a classic five-winged fortress surrounded by a moat. It contains a fascinating museum, which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. 

If shopping is your thing, the whole spectrum from open-air markets to luxury malls can all be found in Acapulco. High-end malls include Plaza Bahia, Plaza Marbella, Plaza Condesa, Gran Plaza and La Isla Shopping Village. Open-air markets, such as the El Parazal Arts and Crafts Market, are good for picking up traditional items and handicrafts, including hand embroidery, silver jewelry and hammocks–and don’t forget to bargain!

Despite Acapulco being a modern city, traditions are kept alive in the old town. Every night, the Zocalo is buzzing with mariachis and street performers. People flock to the sidewalk cafes, with Sunday nights being particularly busy, thronged with multiple generations of Mexican families taking in the evening air and entertainment. 

International flights arrive at the Juan N Alvarez International Airport. Acapulco is also a major port for cruise ships.

There are a number of buses and taxi services to get around the city and the region. The government-subsidized ‘Colectivo’ cab system is the cheapest, but isn’t private. The driver picks up more passengers as long as there is room and drops them at their destination on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Private hire taxis are plentiful but be sure to negotiate your fare in advance.

Distance from Acapulco to Other Destinations:

• Juan N Alvarez International Airport: 14 miles (22 km), 23 mins
• Zihuatanejo: 146 miles (235 km), 4.5 hrs
• Cuernavaca: 178 miles (287 km), 3 hrs
• Mexico City: 235 miles (378 km), 4 hrs
• Puerto Vallarta: 588 miles (946 km), 15 hrs
• Oaxaca: 369 miles (594 km), 7.5 hrs
• Uxmal: 50 miles (87 km), 1 hour

Book an appointment online or call us toll-free. With Dental Departures, you have access to dentists in Acapulco who have all been quality checked, including the best prices. Book your fully cancellable appointment with us in complete confidence, any time of the day or night.

(Image by: Arnuchulo)

Sources:

Acapulco Beaches. World Travel Guide. Website accessed: 13 May 2019.
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/north-america/mexico/acapulco-beaches/

15 Best Things to Do in Acapulco (Mexico). The Crazy Tourist. Website accessed: 13 May 2019. https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-acapulco-mexico/

Cockering, Lauren. The Top 10 Bars In Acapulco, Mexico. The Culture Trip. 9 February 2017. https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/the-top-10-bars-in-acapulco/

Woodman, Josef. The Top 10 Dental Tourism Destinations, Part One. Trip Savvy. 15 May 2017. https://www.tripsavvy.com/top-dental-tourism-destinations-2318538

Dental Implants: How They Work & What They Are Made Of. Teeth Wisdom. Website accessed: 13 May 2019. https://www.toothwisdom.org/a-z/article/dental-implants-are-not-created-equal/

How Safe Is Acapulco for Travel? Travel Safe Abroad. Updated 2019.
https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/mexico/acapulco/

What’s the difference between in network and out of network? Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network. Website access: 13 May 2019. https://www.bcbsm.com/index/health-insurance-help/faqs/topics/how-health-insurance-works/difference-between-in-network-out-of-network-benefits.html

Beaches. Real Acapulco. Website accessed: 13 May 2019. https://www.realacapulco.com/en/beaches