As the population of residents over age 65 in Rosarito is expected to grow by the end of this year, the private sector is working to develop spaces that can provide medical services, traditional treatments and holistic alternatives tailored to this demographic, as well as to visitors seeking this type of care.
Gustavo Arturo Torres Ramírez, delegate of the Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo de Rosarito (CANACO) and a local businessman, said the city is beginning to diversify within the medical tourism sector after being identified as a site for high-impact projects in this field.
He noted that physicians and investors are increasingly turning their attention to Rosarito due to its proximity to the U.S. border and its coastal setting—features that position the city as an attractive location for the development of specialized health services.
Collaborative efforts to strengthen the sector
Torres Ramírez emphasized that Baja California is a national leader in medical tourism and that the goal is to encourage collaboration across the sector’s entire value chain. In this regard, the private sector is seeking coordination mechanisms with authorities to promote infrastructure that will help consolidate Rosarito as an investment hub alongside Tijuana.
He added that medical tourism generates positive ripple effects throughout the local economy, benefiting restaurants, hotels, retail businesses and the real estate sector.
Growth and new services
Torres Ramírez highlighted that the sector has helped stimulate economic activity in the municipality. He also pointed to growing interest from foreign residents—particularly older adults—who are looking to relocate to Rosarito, attracted by alternative medicine services, retirement communities and specialized medical care.
Currently, several small clinics operate in the city, some employing between one and three staff members and offering services such as stem cell treatments, Botox procedures and bariatric surgery. Additional treatments are expected to enter the local market in the near future.
He further noted that investment is also being considered for a holistic hotel concept focused on lodging linked to alternative medicine services and designed for a niche segment of guests seeking integrated wellness experiences.