The Complete Medical
Tourist's Playbook
Pre-trip research → Consultation day → Recovery at home. Every checklist item a first-time Manila medical tourist needs — built from real expat experiences.
Overall Progress
0/56 completed
Pre-Trip Planning
23 items across 4 categories
Clinic & Doctor Research
0/6 done
Shortlist 3–5 clinics using CliniC Manila and verified review sources
Verify doctor's board certifications online (PRC Philippines verification)
CriticalRequest clinic accreditation details (PhilHealth, PHICS, or Joint Commission)
Read 15–20 verified reviews focusing on your specific treatment
Ask in expat community forums (BGC Expats, Manila Expats Facebook groups)
Book a virtual pre-consultation with your chosen clinic before flying
CriticalMedical Preparation
0/6 done
Get a full blood panel done at home (CBC, metabolic, coagulation for surgical patients)
CriticalList all medications you take — including supplements and herbal products
Photograph any skin conditions, problem areas, or reference images
Get a letter from your home GP confirming medical history (for surgical patients)
CriticalStop aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood-thinning supplements 7–14 days before procedure
Confirm allergies — especially latex, antibiotics, and anesthesia agents
Travel & Logistics
0/6 done
Book travel insurance that covers medical tourism and overseas surgery
CriticalPlan 10–14 days minimum stay for surgical procedures (7 days for laser / injections)
Book accommodation near your clinic (BGC: Bonifacio Stopover, Makati: serviced apartments)
Arrange airport pickup — avoid taxis after procedures
Download offline Manila maps and translation apps
Bring payment flexibility — cash (PHP), Visa/Mastercard, GCash for smaller clinics
Administrative & Documents
0/5 done
Get written quotation from clinic confirming all-in pricing before travel
CriticalConfirm payment terms — deposit required, refund policy if cancelled
Print / save all clinic contact details with after-hours emergency numbers
CriticalResearch home-country rules on bringing prescription medications back
Save clinic address in English and local script for taxi/Grab use
Ask Aria to Match Clinics
Describe your treatment goal — Aria finds verified clinics within your budget
View Price Guide
Real treatment cost ranges across all categories in BGC & Makati
How CliniC Manila Verifies Clinics
Learn about our 7-dimension clinic scoring and verification standards
A note for first-time international patients
Manila has an extraordinary concentration of world-class clinics in BGC and Makati — many practitioners trained abroad and returned to practise here. The key variables for a great medical tourism experience are: choosing the right clinic (use this checklist), planning enough recovery time before flying home, and not chasing the lowest price at the expense of safety standards. The clinics we verify represent the sweet spot between quality and value.