Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Mexico's outstanding combination of great weather, magnificent beaches, world famous cuisine, fascinating culture and friendly people have made of it one of the best places to retire in the world. But you already knew all that. What you might not have known is that it also has one of the best health care systems on the planet.

Amazing, right? Well, according to the 2019 Global Retirement Index published by InternationalLiving.com, Mexico is among the Top 6 Countries with the Best Healthcare in the World.

International Living's 2019 healthcare report pinpoints the top 6 spots where high-quality healthcare costs a small fraction of what it does in the US. In each of these countries you'll find clean, excellent hospitals, highly trained doctors, and affordable medical care.

"Affordable medical bills, attentive and personalized care, doctors who make house calls - that's the reality for those who live in the places offering the best healthcare in the world," says International Living senior editor, Dan Prescher.

"To come up with our list of the best countries for retiree healthcare, we assessed the cost, access, and quality of care as well as insurance and the cost of medications in the communities where we recommend expats go. We asked questions like, how much will you have to pay for things like laser eye surgery, a tooth crown, or a blood transfusion? Can you get common medications for things like asthma and diabetes? And do you need a prescription to get a refill? When it comes to assessing healthcare, we factor in both quality and price to give a fair and balanced view."

Taking into account all those variables, the Top 6 Countries for health care on the 2019 Global Retirement Index is led by Malaysia, followed by France, Thailand and Ecuador, with Costa Rica and Mexico tied for fifth place.

Mexico's high-quality and affordable medical care is just one of the many reasons that it was ranked at #3 on International Living's list of the World's Best Places to Retire in 2019.

For a more detailed look at Mexico's healthcare system, check out THIS ARTICLE by IL's Rivera Maya Correspondent, Don Murray.