SHA now operates two world-class wellness clinics: the original in Spain and a newer Caribbean outpost in Mexico. Same method (exactly the same), same philosophy, but very different experiences. Here is our honest comparison to help you decide which SHA is right for you.
Two Locations, One Method
- SHA Spain opened in 2008 in L'Albir, a quiet stretch of the Alicante coast. It is the original, the flagship, and the clinic that put SHA on the global wellness map. With nearly two decades of refinement, it offers the deepest medical expertise and the most established team.
- SHA Mexico opened in January 2024 in Costa Mujeres, a pristine beachfront area just north of Cancun. It is SHA's first expansion into the Americas, bringing the same methodology to a Caribbean setting with newer facilities and an oceanfront location.
Both share the same SHA Method: a fusion of functional medicine and holistic therapies, a mix of Eastern and Western approaches, enhanced by advanced diagnostics and hyper-personalized programs. The core program lineup is identical at both locations.
The Setting: Mediterranean vs Caribbean
- SHA Spain sits on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean. The architecture by Carlos Gilardi is modernist and minimalist, with panoramic sea views and mountain backdrops. The surrounding area offers charming villages like Altea, walking paths along the coast, and a mild, dry climate year-round. The vibe is contemplative and European.
- SHA Mexico is built directly on the beach, with every room offering full oceanfront views of the Caribbean Sea. The setting feels more resort-like, with turquoise waters, tropical warmth, and proximity to Isla Mujeres and the coral reefs of the Riviera Maya. The atmosphere is warmer and more relaxed, with outdoor living at its heart.
If you prefer a quiet, meditative European retreat with mountain and sea views, choose Spain. If you want tropical warmth, direct beach access, and a newer property, go with Mexico.
Facilities and Size
- SHA Spain spans 27,000 square metres with seven buildings housing 93 suites and 11 residences. The Wellness Clinic alone covers 8,000 square metres with 90 treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy circuit, state-of-the-art gym, padel court, infinity pool, cinema, art gallery, and the signature SHAmadi restaurant. It has the advantage of nearly 18 years of continuous refinement.
- SHA Mexico is relatively bigger, with 100 rooms plus 37 residences. It features indoor and outdoor pools, a hydrotherapy circuit, pickle ball and tennis courts, a cinema, a healthy living academy, and the SHAmadi restaurant with a second restaurant, Earthy, focusing on seafood. The facilities feel pristine and contemporary.
Programs and Prices
Both locations offer the same seven core programs. Here is a side-by-side comparison of starting prices:
- Rebalance & Energize: Spain from €2,500 / Mexico from $1,600
- Tailor-Made: Spain from €2,500 / Mexico from $2,950
- Leader's Performance: Spain from €3,500 / Mexico from $4,000
- Detox & Optimal Weight: Spain from €4,500 / Mexico from $5,200
- Intensive Detox & Optimal Weigh: Spain from €6,000 / Mexico from $7,000
- Advanced Longevity: Spain from €7,500 / Mexico from $8,250
- Stay Your Way (for returning guests who want to choose treatments "à la carte"): Spain from €1,200 for 4 nights / Mexico from $700 for 2 nights
For a deeper dive into all costs, read our complete SHA prices guide.
Rooms and Accommodation
- SHA Spain rooms range from the 70-square-metre Deluxe Suite to the expansive Penthouse Residence. All feature a living room and large private terrace. The Deluxe Suites have all been fully renovated (Restyled) and offer a more contemporary design than in 2025. The residences include private pools and independent entrances, ideal for longer stays.
- SHA Mexico offers Superior Rooms, Deluxe Suites, and up to the Royal Suite, all with full oceanfront views and terraces. The two-bedroom Oceanfront Premier Residences and Penthouse Residences are a standout for families or groups. Every room looks directly onto the Caribbean.
Medical Expertise
This is where SHA Spain has a clear advantage compared to many other wellness clinics. With 18 years of operation, its medical team is larger, more experienced, and has access to a wider range of diagnostic equipment. Over the years, the tested many programs, stopped many, learnt from what worked and what could be improved, and made drastic advances in longevity and preventive health program design. If your primary motivation is a complex medical issue, hormone imbalances, advanced genetic testing, or regenerative medicine, Spain offers the deeper clinical experience.
SHA Mexico's medical team is growing rapidly and follows the same protocols, but it is still building its depth. For wellness-focused stays, detox, stress recovery, and weight management, both locations deliver excellent results.
Who Should Choose SHA Spain
Guests who are looking for the deepest medical expertise and longest track record. Those seeking a quieter, more meditative atmosphere. Europeans looking for a shorter flight. Return SHA guests who value the established team. Anyone pursuing complex health programs like Advanced Longevity.
Who Should Choose SHA Mexico
Guests from the Americas looking for a closer, more convenient location. Those who want a sunny beachfront setting with direct ocean access. First-time SHA visitors drawn by the slightly lower price point and the shorter minimum stay (2 nights instead of 4 in Spain). Families with teenagers (SHA Mexico welcomes guests from age 13). Anyone who values brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities.
Our Recommendation
There is no wrong choice. Both locations deliver the transformative SHA experience. If pressed, we would say: go to Spain for the deepest medical program and European refinement, go to Mexico for the setting, the value, and the sheer beauty of waking up to the Caribbean every morning.
Whichever you choose, explore SHA Spain or explore SHA Mexico and let us help you plan the perfect stay.