Mexico

Use High Level of Caution

Avoid Travel to the following states: Colima, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Michoacán, Guerrero, Durango, Coahuila, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Chihuahua

The United Mexican States is located between the United States on the north and Belize and Honduras on the south and has coastline on the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of California, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. The population of Mexico is approximately 112 million people. Mexico City has a population of about 20 million people.

Mexico's government is a federal republic. The chief of state and head of government is a president elected by popular vote.

Mexico is considered a newly industrialized country with a rapidly growing middle class. However, income distribution is highly unequal and many people live below the poverty line. The economy is strongly linked to those of its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, the United States and Canada.

Mexico has a rich history of highly developed, advanced cultures, such as the Maya, Aztec, Zapotec, Toltec, that prospered prior to the arrival of the Europeans. After Spain conquered and colonized the territory, it was administered by Spain until gaining independence in 1821. The Mexican Revolution of 1910 finally led to the emergence of the country's current democratic political system.

Tourism plays an important role in the Mexican economy with over 21.4 million international visitors in 2009. Tourists can enjoy a wide range of activities and destinations, from mountainous areas to jungles and beaches, along with museums, architecture, haciendas, beach resorts, and archaeological sites, to name a few.

Currency	MXN: Peso
Language	Spanish
Capital	Mexico City
Recent Alerts	7
Latest Alert	July 07, 2021 - Heavy Rains Cause Deadly Landslide in Mexico

Diseases To Be Aware Of

The diseases listed below are those which occur most often in Mexico. Other, less frequently encountered diseases might be displayed within the Travel Alerts section if they have occurred recently.

Malaria There is a risk of malaria in the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Nayarit, and Sinaloa. Sporadic cases may occur in Durango, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Sonora, San Luis Potosí and in the southern part of Quintana Roo bordering Belize. No malaria cases have been reported along the US–Mexico border.
Hepatitis A There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Mexico through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.
Hepatitis B The risk of acquiring hepatitis B in Mexico is low.
Typhoid Fever Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Mexico, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Dengue Fever Dengue fever outbreaks are common in Mexico, particularly along the coastal areas and during the rainy season (July to October). There is no risk of dengue in the high altitude areas of central Mexico.
Chagas Disease American trypanosomiasis occurs in rural areas of Mexico. The risk of travellers acquiring this disease is extremely low unless staying in very poor quality housing or camping.
Chikungunya Fever Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.
Rabies Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.
Cholera Cholera has occurred in this country.
Tuberculosis Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.
Zika Fever There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Vaccinations to Consider

The following is a list of recommended vaccinations for travelling to Mexico.

Hepatitis A Vaccine There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, vaccination is recommended.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Hepatitis B Vaccine There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis B, therefore, vaccination is recommended.
Rabies Vaccine Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Cholera Vaccine The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Medications to Consider

The following is a list of recommended medications for travelling to Mexico.

Anti-malarial Drugs WHO does not recommend anti-malaria medication. The U.S. CDC recommends anti-malaria medication for the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Nayarit, and Sinaloa. The recommended anti-malaria medications are atovaquone-proguanil, chloroquine, doxycycline, and mefloquine. NaTHNaC recommends chloroquine for the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas only.

Safety and Security in Mexico

Emergency Numbers

911 English-speaking operators may not always be available.

Personal Safety

There is a safety risk for foreigners in Mexico due to high levels of street crime, as well as serious violent crime throughout the country. Most travellers to major holiday destinations do not have a problem with serious crime. However, there have been recent violent incidents in Acapulco, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Los Cabos.

For resort areas and major cities, practice general rules for safety and security. Leave valuables at home or keep them out of sight. Avoid walking alone and avoid isolated areas. Avoid travelling at night. Never leave food or drinks out of sight and never accept food, drinks or snacks from acquaintances. Use only authorized taxis or ask the hotel concierge to arrange for a taxi. At the airport, there are authorized taxi stations with prepaid fares from the airport.

If travelling by road, use toll roads if possible and avoid isolated roads. Keep doors locked and windows up. Drivers may not follow standard rules for driving. Roads could be in disrepair in some areas.

If possible, travel only on first-class buses that use toll roads. Buses have been hijacked in conflict areas.

Express kidnappings have occurred, and the victims are made to withdraw cash from ATMs and then they are released. Victims should not resist.

Be aware that adventure sports equipment may not meet adequate safety standards. Make sure you use only a trustworthy and respected company that is licensed and insured.

Be extremely cautious outside of resort areas. Although tourists are not generally targeted in drug-related violence, innocent bystanders can get caught in the situation. If shooting occurs, immediately leave the area or drop to the ground, preferably behind a barrier.

Areas To Avoid

Travellers should avoid the following northern states due to violence and organized crime: Northern Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Juarez, Durango, Jalisco and Sinaloa (excluding Mazatlán).

Travellers to Monterrey, in the State of Nuevo León, should avoid travel after dark and avoid leaving the suburb of San Pedro Garza García.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations occur in large cities in Mexico. Travellers should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations due to the risk of violence. Mexican law prohibits foreigners from participating in political demonstrations, and foreigners participating in political events could be detained and deported.

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Sitata uses advanced software algorithms to monitor the world for disease outbreaks and safety hazards. Each travel alert published by Sitata is reviewed by staff to ensure it meets the concerns of a traveller.

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Updated: July 07, 2021