If you live in Southern California, or you are willing to travel to San Diego for care, you may be surprised to learn that one of your options for advanced Lyme disease treatment is only 20 minutes away, just across the border in Tijuana.
At Immunotherapy Institute, we treat patients with persistent Lyme symptoms from across the US and Canada. Many of them choose us because we are close to San Diego, easy to reach and able to offer therapies that can be hard to find elsewhere. In this guide, we explain what Lyme disease treatment near San Diego can look like, how cross-border care works and how to decide if it is right for you.
Why Patients Search for Lyme Treatment Near San Diego
Lyme disease is far more common in the Northeast and upper Midwest than in California. That means patients in the West, or those who were infected while traveling, sometimes struggle to find doctors with deep experience in complex Lyme cases.
Other patients have already received standard care but still feel unwell. According to the CDC, most Lyme cases are treated with 10 days to 4 weeks of antibiotics, and people treated early usually recover well. But some continue to have fatigue, pain and trouble thinking for months. The CDC calls this post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), and many patients call it chronic Lyme disease. These patients often look for a more complete, personalized approach.
What Makes Cross-Border Care Different
Access to Advanced Therapies
Our Lyme disease treatment program in Mexico focuses on the immune system and on root causes, not only on symptoms. Depending on your evaluation, your plan may include:
- Autologous T-regulatory cell therapy: three applications using your own immune cells to help balance the immune response.
- Therapeutic apheresis: a blood filtration process that helps remove inflammatory substances.
- Systemic perfusion hyperthermia: carefully controlled elevation of body temperature under constant medical supervision.
- Targeted IV therapy: including glutathione and vitamin C. Learn more in our article on intravenous vitamin C.
- Whole-body support: detoxification, cellular nutrition and immune support.
To understand how this differs from standard care, read our guide to immunotherapy for Lyme disease.
A Personalized Evaluation
Every patient starts with our integrative assessment, which includes a full review of your history and previous tests, plus additional testing such as epigenetic testing. Lyme testing has important limits, which we explain in our article on how Lyme disease is diagnosed.
Daily Medical Attention
During your program, you have daily consultations with our functional medicine team. We track your progress and adjust your plan as your body responds.
Lower Cost
Our programs cost an average of 70% below comparable US care. We offer HSA/FSA-compatible invoicing and a financial aid program for qualifying patients. Read more in our guide to Lyme disease treatment cost.
A Typical Week in Our Lyme Program
Every program is personalized, but most patients follow a similar rhythm. The first days focus on evaluation, testing and starting your core therapies. Each morning begins with a consultation with our functional medicine team, where we review your sleep, energy and symptoms. Depending on your plan, you may then receive IV therapy, an apheresis session or another scheduled treatment.
Between sessions, you rest at your hotel near the clinic, and your companion can join you throughout the day. Toward the end of your program, we review your progress, explain your next steps and set up your follow-up plan. You always know what is happening and why.
How Close Is "Near San Diego"?
Our clinic is in Tijuana, about 20 minutes from San Diego International Airport. For many patients, getting to us takes less time than driving across a large US city. Here is how it works:
- You arrive in San Diego by plane, train or car.
- Our driver picks you up at the airport, the Amtrak station or your San Diego hotel.
- We handle the border crossing in our own vehicle, so you do not need a rental car.
- You check in at a partner hotel near the clinic that we arrange for you.
- We take you back to San Diego when your program ends.
All details are on our international patients page.
What to Bring
- A valid passport or passport card to return to the US.
- Copies of your medical records and test results.
- A list of your current medications and supplements.
- Comfortable clothing for treatment days.
- A companion, if possible, to support you during your stay.
Who May Benefit From Treatment Across the Border
Cross-border Lyme care may be a good option if you:
- Still have symptoms after antibiotic treatment.
- Have seen several doctors without a clear plan.
- Want an approach that looks at immune function and inflammation.
- Are looking for therapies that are hard to access at home.
- Need care that is more affordable than comparable US options.
Our team reviews every case carefully. If we do not believe our program can help you, we will tell you.
What to Look for in Any Lyme Clinic
Whether you choose a clinic in San Diego, Tijuana or anywhere else, look for:
- Licensed physicians and a multidisciplinary team.
- A thorough evaluation before treatment starts.
- A personalized protocol, not a one-size-fits-all plan.
- Clear costs explained before you commit.
- Daily monitoring during advanced therapies.
- Realistic goals and no guaranteed cures.
Our guide on what to look for in a chronic Lyme disease treatment clinic covers this in more detail. You can also meet our medical team.
Staying Connected After You Go Home
Because we are so close to San Diego, follow-up visits are easy for patients in Southern California. For patients from farther away, our team stays in touch by phone, email and WhatsApp, and our follow-up program keeps us connected to your progress. We are also happy to coordinate with your doctors at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is your clinic from San Diego?
About 20 minutes from San Diego International Airport.
Do I need a car to get to the clinic?
No. Our driver picks you up in San Diego and handles the border crossing.
Is the border crossing difficult?
We take care of the logistics for you. You only need a valid passport or passport card to return to the US.
Can I stay in San Diego and travel daily?
Most patients stay at a partner hotel near the clinic to make treatment days easier. We can discuss the best option for you.
Does insurance cover treatment in Mexico?
Most US insurance plans do not cover treatment abroad, but our invoices are HSA/FSA-compatible and we offer financial aid for qualifying patients.
Advanced Lyme Care, Just Across the Border
You do not have to travel across the country to find a team that looks deeper at your symptoms. Our clinic is close, easy to reach and focused on you. Send us your records and we will tell you honestly whether we believe our program can help.
Request your free case review, call us at (619) 832-2230, or message us on WhatsApp. We respond within 24 hours.
This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Individual results vary.