Mexico Travel Guide

Tourism Information

Mexico: Add-on Destination (two of four globes)

Add-on destinations are places you should consider visiting if you can tag them onto a trip to another location.  Often, these countries are part of regional cruises or tours.

Mexico is a desirable travel destination whose vacation potential is limited by unsafe travel conditions.   Mexico offers a wonderful culture, interesting cities, tropical beaches, and pre-Columbian archaeological sites of great interest. About three times the size of Texas, Mexico is a rapidly developing economy, ranked as the 12th largest in the world by the World Bank.

Although the majority of visitors to Mexico thoroughly enjoy their stay, a small number experience difficulties and serious inconveniences.  To be blunt, travel in Mexico can be risky.  If you are headed to well-known resort areas, such as the Riviera Maya, Cancun, or Cabo, you should be fine if you stay in the main tourist area.  Wandering outside of these resort areas can be dangerous. If you are going to visit other parts of  Mexico (including Mexico city), do so as part of a cruise or organized group associated with a reputable travel organization that has experience in Mexico travel. 

1. Mexico is a destination that has much to offer and  is a place to "take your time" and do as the locals do.   We recommend that you sample the cuisine (watch the chilies).  If you are in the country during one of its festival times, you are in for a great treat.



2. Mexico is not a safe destination for independent travel.  Cruises or organized tours are they way to see much of Mexico. (Read our article on How to evaluate tour operators.)



3. ThereArePlaces recommended travel destinations for Mexico are located at  Mexico: Places To Visit.



4. Additional information on travel to Mexico can be found at the country's official tourism websites  www.mexico-travel.com/  or  http://www.visitmexico.com/wb2/.



5. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

Travel safety in Mexico is a troubling issue.

1. Beach resort towns are relatively safe, as long as you remain alert and stay in the tourist part of town.
2. Mexico City and other major towns in Mexico are unsafe for independent travel.
3. Avoid  travel on highways or roads between major towns, unless part of an arranged tour.
4. If you want to experience Mexico, the safest way to do so is as  part of a tour organized by a company that is reputable and experienced in travel in Mexico.
5. No official health advisories or specific terrorism warnings have been posted by the U.S. Government at this time.  Before you depart, always check with the Department of State  and Center for Disease Control (CDC) to insure that these conditions have not changed.  In addition, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office  of the British Government provides excellent travel advisories.
   •  Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural. Visitors to the U.S.-Mexico border region, including cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, Matamoros, and Monterrey should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
   • In its efforts to combat violence, the Government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. Military checkpoints increased in border areas in early 2008. U.S. citizens are advised to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.
   • In April of 2007, the U.S. Department of State released an advisory for travel in Mexico covering the following:
     • Narcotics-Related Violence - U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should exercise caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural, including border areas.   Click here to read the advisory.
     • Over the last few years there have been execution-style murders of Mexican officials in Tamaulipas (particularly Nuevo Laredo), Michoacan, Baja California, Guerrero (particularly Acapulco), Nuevo Leon (especially in and around Monterrey) and other states.
     • Though there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted, Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some violent attacks demonstrating the heightened risk in public places. In its effort to combat violence, the Government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are advised to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.
     • In recent years dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo with more than two dozen cases still unresolved and new cases of kidnap for ransom continue to be reported. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors.
     • Drug cartel members have been known to follow and harass U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros. U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify officials as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more secure.
     • It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.
     • Oaxaca City - U.S. citizens traveling to Oaxaca City should be aware that from May to November 2006, protests in Oaxaca City became increasingly violent resulting in at least nine deaths. On October 27, 2006, a U.S. citizen was shot and killed in Oaxaca City as a result of the violence and disorder caused by ongoing civil unrest in the city. Many of the issues that were the basis for the protests remain unresolved. U.S. Citizens planning to travel to Oaxaca City should check on current conditions before beginning their travel.
        
6. The State Department's Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444 .
7. Travelers should avoid demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by the Mexican authorities. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.
8.  Caution is recommended for those interested in traveling to the southern state of Chiapas. Armed rebels and armed civilian groups are present in some areas of the state, and there is often no effective law enforcement or police protection. Violent criminal gang activity along the State's southern border - mostly aimed at illegal migrants - continues to be a concern. Sporadic outbursts of politically motivated violence occur from time to time in certain parts of the country, particularly in the southern states of Chiapas , Guerrero and Oaxaca .
   • The U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens avoid traveling in areas of the state of Chiapas where disputes are known to be ongoing, in particular the rural areas east of Ocosingo and the southeastern jungle region east of Comitan. In these areas, there have been disturbing incidents involving violence and threats of violence against foreigners and establishments catering to foreign tourists.
   • Armed rebels and armed civilian groups are present in some areas of the state, and there is often no effective law enforcement or police protection. Some segments of the local population resent the presence of foreigners and openly express their hostility.
   • U.S. citizens traveling to Chiapas are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for further security information prior to traveling to the region.
     
9. Standards of security, safety, and supervision may not reach those expected in the United States . This has contributed to deaths of U.S. citizens in: automobile accidents, falls from balconies,  falls into open ditches, drowning in the ocean, as well as in hotel pools, and in water-sport mishaps,
10. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx . The Embassy's Internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.
     See our article on how U.S. Counsels can help Americans abroad.
11. See the bottom of this page for a comprehensive list of the US Embassy's Consular Offices and Agencies in Mexico

The Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico.  While passports are not strictly required by Mexico, they may be required  by the United States for re-entry to the United States by its citizens who have visited Mexico

All Americans traveling by air outside the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed loop cruises), including ferry service, by the summer of 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea must have government-issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization), or other Western Hemisphere Travel initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport card for entry or re-entry to the U.S. Sea travelers should also check with their cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.

Land travelers must have a valid U.S. passport or a U.S. citizenship document accompanied by acceptable photo identification, such as a state or military issued ID. U.S. legal permanent residents in possession of their I-551 Permanent Resident card may board flights to the U.S. from Mexico.

• For the latest entry requirements, contact the Embassy of Mexico web site at http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/  or contact the Embassy of Mexico at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006, telephone (202) 736-1000 or any Mexican consulate in the United States for the most current information.
• U.S. citizens have encountered difficulty boarding onward flights in Mexico without a passport.
• Driver's permits, voter registration cards, affidavits, and similar documents are not sufficient to prove citizenship for readmission into the United States.
   

If you do not have a passport, see our article on the Ins and Outs of Passports.  Other important travel documents, including visas are covered in our Information Guide on Passport, Visas, Customs.

U.S. citizens do not require a visa or a tourist card for tourist stays of 72 hours or less within "the border zone," defined as an area between 20 to 30 kilometers of the border with the U.S., depending on the location. U.S. citizens traveling as tourists beyond the border zone or entering Mexico by air must pay a fee to obtain a tourist card, also known as an FM-T, available from Mexican consulates, Mexican border crossing points, Mexican tourism offices, airports within the border zone and most airlines serving Mexico. The fee for the tourist card is generally included in the price of a plane ticket for travelers arriving by air.

Tourists wishing to travel beyond the border zone with their car must obtain a temporary import permit or risk having their car confiscated by Mexican customs officials. To acquire a permit, one must submit evidence of citizenship, title for the car, a car registration certificate,  a driver's license, and a processing fee to either a Banjercito branch located at a Mexican Customs office at the port of entry or at the Mexican Consulate in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, or San Francisco.

Mexican law also requires the posting of a bond at a Banjercito office to guarantee the departure of the car from Mexico within a time period determined at the time of the application. For this purpose, American Express, Visa or MasterCard credit card holders will be asked to provide credit card information; others will need to make a cash deposit of between $200 and $400, depending on the age of the car. In order to recover this bond or avoid credit card charges, travelers can go to any Mexican Customs office (Aduanas) immediately prior to departing Mexico .

Travelers should avoid individuals outside vehicle permit offices offering to obtain the permits without waiting in line, even if they appear to be government officials. There have been reports of fraudulent or counterfeit permits being issued outside of the doors of the vehicle import permit office in Nuevo Laredo and other border areas.

• If the proper permit cannot be obtained at the Banjercito branch at the port of entry, do not proceed to the interior where travelers may be incarcerated, fined and/or have their vehicle seized at immigration/customs checkpoints. For further information, inquire with Mexican Customs offices about appropriate vehicle permits.

Business Travel:  Upon arrival in Mexico, business travelers must complete and submit a form (Form FM-N 30 days) authorizing the conduct of business, but not employment, for a 30-day period. Travelers entering Mexico for purposes other than tourism or business or for stays of longer than 180 days require a visa and must carry a valid U.S. passport. U.S. citizens planning to work or live in Mexico should apply for the appropriate Mexican visa at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, DC or nearest Mexican consulate in the United States.

Mexican law requires that any child under the age of 18, of any nationality, traveling into or out of Mexico must carry notarized written permission from any parent not traveling with the child.

• There have been cases where children, even American children, not carrying this document have been denied entry into Mexico, or have not been allowed to board a plane in the U.S. bound for Mexico.
• This permission must include the name of the parent, the name of the child, the name of anyone traveling with the child, and the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s).
• The child must be carrying the original letter - not a faxed or scanned copy - as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate) - and an original custody decree

Mexican entry regulations require Spanish translations of all legal documents, including notarized consent decrees and court agreements. Enforcement of this provision is not always consistent, however, and English-language documents are almost always sufficient.

For further information concerning entry and visa requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Mexico at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, telephone (202) 736-1000, Internet site: http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/ , or any Mexican consulate in the United States.

The U.S. Government will begin to phase in new passport requirements for U.S. citizens traveling in the Western Hemisphere. By December 31, 2007, all U.S. citizens will be expected to depart and enter the United States on a valid passport or other authorized document establishing identity and U.S. citizenship. The Department of State strongly encourages travelers to obtain passports well in advance of any planned travel. Routine passport applications by mail take up to six weeks to be issued.

DUAL NATIONALITY:  In addition to being subject to all laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on citizens of Mexico

In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. For additional information, please see the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at  http://travel.state.gov for an explanation of dual nationality issues. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of  any other nation are reminded that U.S. law requires they enter and depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens.

The following section on tourist-oriented crime in Mexico is our longest section on this topic for any of the countries that we cover. 

Rural Mexico is not a safe travel destination for independent tourism.  Most vacations in resort areas are safe,  as long as you remain in the resort section of major tourist towns.  If you are interested in touring areas in Mexico outside of major resort towns, do so as part of a tour organized by a reputable company with experience in Mexico.

Crime in Mexico continues at high levels, and it is often violent, especially in Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Acapulco, and the state of Sinaloa. Other metropolitan areas have lower, but still serious, levels of crime. Low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to Mexico’s high crime rate. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report the incident to the nearest police headquarters and to the nearest U.S. consular office.

• Other metropolitan areas have lower, but still serious, levels of crime. Low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to the high crime rate.

Before you travel, read our articles on Pickpockets, Con Artists, and ATM safety in the ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Personal Safety for travelers. 

Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, even when in areas generally considered to be safe. Armed street crime is a serious problem in all of the major cities.. Women traveling alone are especially vulnerable and should exercise caution, particularly at night.  Be alert and avoid the situations described below.

Kidnapping in Mexico has become a lucrative business, whether it be an actual kidnapping or a virtual kidnapping. A common scam throughout Mexico is telephone kidnapping with a similar methodology. The virtual kidnapping calls typically include a distraught voice immediately after the phone is answered that serves as a ploy to elicit information about a potential victim. The caller then uses this knowledge to demand ransom for the release of the supposed victim. In the event of such a call stay calm since the vast majority of the calls are hoaxes; do not reveal any personal information; try to speak with the victim to corroborate identity; and contact the local police as well as the Embassy or nearest Consulate.

Travelers should leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place (preferably a hotel safe), or not bring them when traveling in Mexico.

•  All visitors are encouraged to make use of hotel safes when available, avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing, and carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing.
• Travelers are discouraged from bringing very large amounts of cash into Mexico, because officials may suspect money laundering or other criminal activity.

All U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report the incident to the nearest police headquarters and to the nearest U.S. consular office.

There are a significant number of pick-pocketing incidents, purse snatchings, and hotel-room thefts.

• Public transportation is a particularly popular place for pickpockets.
• Valuables should be left in a safe place, or not brought at all.
• Please keep track of your luggage when getting in and out of ground transportation from the airport to the hotel, and vice versa.

Visitors should not leave belongings on the beach while swimming, as there is a possibility of their being stolen.

Some bars and nightclubs, especially in resort cities such as Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Acapulco can be havens for drug dealers and petty criminals.

• Some establishments may contaminate or drug the drinks to gain control over the patron.
• Victims, who are almost always unaccompanied, have been raped, robbed of personal property, or abducted and then held while their credit cards were used at various businesses and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).

U.S. citizens should be very cautious in general when using ATMs in Mexico .

• If an ATM must be used, it should be accessed only during the business day at large protected facilities (preferably inside commercial establishments, rather than at glass-enclosed, highly visible ATMs on streets.
• Recently, there have been cases in which U.S. and Mexican citizens have been accosted on the street and forced to withdraw money from their accounts using their ATM cards.
• A number of Americans have been arrested for passing on counterfeit currency they had earlier received in change. If you receive what you believe to be a counterfeit bank note, bring it to the attention of Mexican law enforcement.

Kidnapping, including the kidnapping of non-Mexicans, continues at alarming rates.

• So-called "express" kidnappings, an attempt to get quick cash in exchange for the release of an individual, have occurred in almost all the large cities in Mexico and appear to target not only the wealthy, but also middle class persons. 

For safety reasons, the U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution at all times when traveling on Mexican highways.

• Criminal assaults occur on highways throughout Mexico . Use "toll" ("cuota") roads, rather than the less secure "free" ("libre") highways, whenever possible, and avoid driving at night.
• During 2003, several travelers on the cuota between Guadalajara and Mexico City were robbed of all their belongings late at night at gunpoint after being pulled over by what appeared to be a police car with flashing lights.

U.S. citizens should not hitchhike or accept rides from, or offer rides to, strangers anywhere in Mexico .

Tourists should not hike alone in backcountry areas, nor walk alone on lightly frequented beaches, ruins or trails.

All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances.

• Although there have been several reports of bus hijackings and robberies on "toll" roads, buses on "toll" roads have a markedly lower rate of incidents than buses (second and third class) that travel the less secure "free" highways.

The U.S. Embassy encourages daytime travel to lower the chance of vehicle accidents.

• The Embassy also advises caution when traveling by bus going east or west from Acapulco toward Ixtapa or Huatulco .
  • Although the police have made some progress in bringing this problem under control, armed robberies of entire busloads of passengers still occur.

In some instances, Americans have become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by Mexican law enforcement and other officials.

• Mexican authorities are concerned about these incidents and have cooperated in investigating such cases: however, one must have the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number to pursue a complaint effectively.
  • Please write this information down if you are ever involved with police or other officials.
  • In addition, tourists should be wary of persons representing themselves as police officers or other officials.
    • Request evidence that any such people are in fact who they claim to be.

Local authorities have reported an increase in armed robberies in the popular tourist destination of northern Sinaloa, especially near the fishing resorts. Caution should be exercised when visiting this area.

Crime in Mexico City:

• Metro (subway) robberies are frequent in Mexico City. If riding the Metro or the city bus system, U.S. citizens should take extreme care with valuables and belongings. Avoid using Metro during busy commuting hours in the morning or afternoon. Tourists and residents alike should avoid driving alone at night anywhere in Mexico City.
• In Mexico City, the most frequently reported crimes involving tourists are taxi robbery (see below), armed robbery, pick-pocketing and purse-snatching.
• In several cases, tourists have reported that men in uniforms perpetrated the crime, stopping vehicles, and seeking money, or assaulting and robbing tourists walking late at night.
• As in any large city, individuals should exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings, especially when walking anywhere in the city.

Business travelers should be aware that thefts  occur even in what appear to be secure locations.

• The Embassy has recently noted an increase of thefts in Mexico City at the Benito Juarez International Airport and at the International Trade Center, and at business-class hotels.
  • Thefts of such items as briefcases and laptops occur frequently at the Benito Juarez International Airport. Arriving travelers who need to obtain pesos at the airport should use the exchange counters or ATMs in the arrival/departure gate area, where access is restricted, rather than changing money after passing through Customs, where they can be observed by criminals.

Metro (subway) robberies are  frequent in Mexico City.

•  If riding the Metro or on the city bus system, U.S. citizens should take extreme care with valuables and belongings. Avoid using Metro during busy commuting hours in the morning or afternoon. Tourists and residents alike should avoid driving alone at night anywhere in Mexico City .

Robbery and assaults on passengers in taxis are frequent and violent in Mexico City, with passengers subjected to beatings, shootings, and sexual assault.

• Robbery and assault on passengers in taxis are frequent and violent in Mexico City, with passengers subjected to beating, shooting, and sexual assault. U.S. citizens visiting Mexico City should avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or contacted in advance.
• When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or "sitio" (regulated taxi stand – pronounced "C-T-O"), and ask the dispatcher for the driver's name and the cab's license plate number.
• Ask the hotel concierge or other responsible individual to write down the license plate number of the cab that you entered.
• Avoid “libre” taxis and the Volkswagen beetle taxis altogether. Although “libre” taxis are more convenient and less expensive, these are less regulated, may be unregistered, and are potentially more dangerous.
   
• Passengers arriving at Mexico City 's Benito Juarez International Airport should take only airport taxis (which are white with a yellow stripe and a black airplane symbol) after pre-paying the fare at one of the special booths inside the airport.

Crime in Cancun and other resort areas

• There have been a significant number of rapes reported in Cancun and other resort areas. Many of these have occurred at night or in the early morning. Attacks have also occurred on deserted beaches and in hotel rooms. Acquaintance rape is a serious problem. In other cases, hotel workers, taxi drivers, and security personnel have been implicated.

Private Vessels:

• Persons bringing private vessels into Mexican waters should be aware of an increase in reported thefts of gear at Mexican marinas.
•  Any mariner who is victimized by this type of crime should immediately file a report with local authorities. Mariners preparing to depart from a Mexican harbor should visit the harbormaster and leave a detailed trip plan, including intended destination and crew and passenger information.

Border Cities:

• Visitors to border cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, and to a lesser extent Reynosa and Matamoros, should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
• Some border posts have seen an increase in violence over the past year and some of it has been directed against U.S. citizens.
  • Local police forces have been ineffective in maintaining security in some regions along the border.
  • Drug-related violence also has increased dramatically in recent months, and shows no sign of abating.
  • While U.S. citizens not involved in criminal activities are generally not targeted, innocent bystanders are at risk from the increase in violence in the streets of border cities.
• Visitors are very vulnerable when visiting the local "red light districts," particularly if they are departing alone in the early hours of the morning.
• In Ciudad Juarez, there has also been a rise in automobile accidents in which municipal police extort money from U.S. citizen victims. In Reynosa, police have stopped U.S. citizens for questionable reasons and then forced them to withdraw money from ATM machines to pay "fines."

Innocent bystanders are at risk from the increase in drug-related violence in border cities.

• In Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Tijuana , shootings have taken place at busy intersections and at popular restaurants during daylight hours. In Ciudad Juarez, several U.S. citizens, including innocent bystanders, have been killed in drug-related shootings over the past three years.
  •  In recent months, the worst violence has been centered in the city of Nuevo Laredo in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where numerous citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered.

• Some of these shootings have taken place on principal thoroughfares and outside popular restaurants and other public places, including convenience stores, a currency exchange, a gas station, and recently outside shopping malls and in middle and upper class neighborhoods.

U.S. citizens visiting relatives who reside in Nuevo Laredo and who walk or drive in deserted areas or particularly dark streets have also been the victims of random violence.

Mexican authorities have failed to prosecute numerous crimes committed against American citizens, including murder and kidnapping. In other instances in border cities, U.S. citizens have been kidnapped and scores imprisoned after getting involved in the sale or purchase of illegal drugs. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid any involvement with controlled substances or those who deal in them.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport while in Mexico should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

If you are the victim of a crime while in Mexico, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members of friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution for the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney

While in a Mexico, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  We urge you not to drive in Mexico

The information below concerning Mexico is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Fair
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Fair

Visitors to Mexico, especially in urban areas, should exercise particular caution when crossing streets. Public transportation vehicles, specifically taxis and city buses, often do not comply with traffic regulations, including observing speed limits and stopping at red lights.

U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Mexico.

The Government of Mexico strictly regulates the entry of vehicles into Mexico.

• Mexican law requires that vehicles be driven only by their owners, or that the owner be inside the vehicle. If not, the vehicle may be seized by Mexican customs and will not be returned under any circumstances. For detailed information on how to bring a car into Mexico, please refer to the publication Tips for Travelers to Mexico, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov .

Tourists driving rented vehicles should pay close attention to the provisions of their rental contracts.    Make sure that you are familiar with the terms, restrictions and costs related to your car rental (see our article on Rental Car Costs). Many contracts prohibit drivers from taking rented vehicles into Mexico.

Mexican insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. Mexican auto insurance is sold in most cities and towns on both sides of the border. U.S. automobile liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, nor is most collision and comprehensive coverage issued by U.S. companies.

• Travelers are encouraged to purchase auto insurance adequate for their needs in Mexico. A good rule of thumb is to buy coverage equivalent to that which is carried in the United States.
• Motor vehicle insurance is considered invalid in Mexico if the driver is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you are involved in an automobile accident, you will be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable and whether you have the ability to pay any penalty.

• If you do not have Mexican liability insurance, you may be prevented from departing the country even if you require life-saving medical care, and you are almost certain to spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied that responsibility has been assigned and adequate financial satisfaction received. Drivers may also face criminal charges if injuries or damages are serious.

Avoid excessive speed and, if possible, do not drive at night. Loose livestock can appear on roads at any time. Construction sites, abandoned vehicles and other obstacles are often unmarked or poorly marked. Be prepared for sudden stops

• Many U.S. citizens have died in recent years as a result of driving at excessive speeds, at night, on roads that are in poor condition or are poorly marked.

Adequate medical care can be found in all major cities. Excellent health facilities are available in Mexico City. Care in more remote areas is limited.

• Standards of medical training, patient care, and business practices vary greatly among medical facilities in beach resorts throughout Mexico.
• In addition to other publicly available information, Americans may consult the U.S. Embassy's web site or the US Embassy, a consulate or consular agency prior to seeking medical attention.
• Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Charges may vary from doctor to doctor, and Americans may be charged more than the prevailing rate for services rendered to locals. You may wish to have the attending doctor explain procedures and costs before undertaking treatment.
• Several clinics have been known to charge for services not rendered, and some U.S. citizens have experienced serious difficulties in settling their accounts.

We strongly urge you to consult your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, you should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing medical service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your departure, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.

Your existing medical insurance carrier may cover "customary and reasonable" medical care while you are abroad. Usually, if reimbursement is provided, it is paid at a reduced rate (due to the use of an "out of system" provider). Check with your insurance carrier before you depart to determine the type and amount of coverage that may be provided. If coverage is provided, be sure to ask how claims should be filed and ask them to send some claim forms, in case you require any medical treatment while on vacation.

Possession of any amount of prescription medicine brought from the United States, including medications to treat HIV and psychotropic drugs such as Valium, can result in arrest if Mexican authorities suspect abuse or if the quantity of the prescription medicine exceeds the amount required for several days' use. Individuals should consider carrying a copy of the prescription and a Mexican doctor's letter explaining that the quantity of medication is appropriate for their personal medical use.

Read our article on  travel insurance to learn the factors that you should consider before you purchase or decline to purchase a travel related insurance policy.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure                         “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page. 

ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Health contains valuable health related advice for the traveler considering a trip abroad.