SpanishSpeakingPractice🇲🇽 Mexico guide

Going to the doctor in Mexico

Describe symptoms and get the right meds — without a translator.

Mexico's private healthcare is excellent and cheap by US standards — a doctor's visit at a consultorio attached to Farmacias Similares or Farmacias del Ahorro can cost $50 MXN. The catch: the consult is in Spanish.

Memorize the symptom phrases below and you'll handle 90% of routine visits — colds, stomach issues, allergies, prescription renewals.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
me duele…my … hurts
tengo fiebre / tos / gripaI have a fever / cough / cold
me siento malI feel sick
tengo náuseas / diarreaI have nausea / diarrhea
estoy mareadoI'm dizzy
alergiaallergy
antibióticoantibiotic
recetaprescription
pastilla / cápsulapill / capsule
cada ocho horasevery 8 hours
en ayunason an empty stomach
consultoriodoctor's office
expedientemedical file
seguro médicohealth insurance
urgenciasER

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

Describing symptoms

Consultorio at a Farmacias Similares, common cold.

  • Doctora

    Buenos días, ¿qué le pasa?

    Good morning, what's going on?

  • You

    Tengo tos y dolor de garganta desde hace tres días.

    I've had a cough and sore throat for three days.

  • Doctora

    ¿Tiene fiebre?

    Do you have a fever?

  • You

    Sí, anoche tuve treinta y ocho cinco.

    Yes, last night I had 38.5.

  • Doctora

    ¿Es alérgico a algún medicamento?

    Are you allergic to any medication?

  • You

    Soy alérgico a la penicilina.

    I'm allergic to penicillin.

  • Doctora

    Le voy a recetar un antibiótico y algo para la tos. ¿Lo toma cada ocho horas, por siete días?

    I'll prescribe an antibiotic and something for the cough. Take it every 8 hours, for 7 days.

  • You

    ¿Lo tomo con comida o en ayunas?

    Do I take it with food or on an empty stomach?

At the pharmacy

Picking up the prescription next door.

  • You

    Buenas, vengo por estos medicamentos. Aquí está la receta.

    Hi, I'm here for these meds. Here's the prescription.

  • Farmacéutico

    ¿Genérico o de patente?

    Generic or brand-name?

  • You

    Genérico, por favor. ¿Cuánto sale todo?

    Generic, please. How much for everything?

  • Farmacéutico

    Son cuatrocientos veinte pesos.

    It's 420 pesos.

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Mexico local tips

Consultorios next to pharmacies are cheap and fast

Farmacias Similares and del Ahorro have walk-in doctors for $50–$60 MXN. Great for non-emergencies.

Always ask 'genérico o de patente'

Generic versions can be 1/5 the price and are required-equivalent by Mexican law.

For real emergencies, dial 911 and ask for 'una ambulancia'

Or go directly to private hospitals like Médica Sur, ABC, Ángeles — much faster than IMSS.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Describe 3 symptoms (headache, fever, sore throat) with how long you've had each.
  2. 02Explain a known allergy and ask what alternative medication exists.
  3. 03Ask how often and with/without food to take a medication.
  4. 04Roleplay calling for an ambulance: state your address, who needs help, and the symptoms.

FAQs

Do Mexican doctors speak English?

Some private doctors in CDMX, Guadalajara and tourist areas do — but most consultorios attached to pharmacies don't. Knowing the symptom phrases is essential.

How much does a doctor visit cost in Mexico?

Consultorio at a Farmacia Similares: $50–$60 MXN (~$3 USD). Private specialist: $600–$1,500 MXN ($35–$90 USD). ER at a top private hospital: $3,000+ MXN.

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