Mexico
Summary
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Mexico
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Mexico’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
The hurricane season normally runs from June to November and affects both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Be aware that effects of tropical storms and hurricanes can span hundreds of miles from the centre of the storm, causing flooding, landslides and disruption to local services, including transport. You should follow the advice of the local authorities. See Natural disasters
ItIf you’re planning travel to Mexico, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
The land border between the US and Mexico is open for travellers going to the US who have been vaccinated with WHO approved COVID vaccines. See Entry requirements.
You do not have an automatic right to the 180-day maximum stay possible for tourists. You should refer to the migration form to check the duration you have been granted. The Mexican authorities have the right to detain individuals who exceed the duration of stay granted.
Over 500,000 British nationals visit Mexico every year. Most visits are trouble-free. Make sure you carry ID and relevant immigration documents with you at all times. See Local laws and customs.
The security situation can pose a risk for foreigners. Be alert to the existence of street crime as well as serious violent crime like robbery, assault and vehicle hijacking. Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. Drug related crime and violence is prevalent and is on the increase. You should take particular care to avoid being caught up in violence between criminal groups. See Crime and Violence.
The Mexican government makes efforts to protect major tourist destinations. However, since the beginning of 2021, there have been several clashes between rival criminal gangs in popular tourist destinations in Cancun and surrounding areas. While tourists have not been the target, anyone in the vicinity of an incident could be affected. See Main tourist destinations.
UK health authorities have classified Mexico as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For more information and advice, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.
Protests regularly affect Mexico City and other parts of the country. You should avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities if you’re in an area where a protest is taking place. See Political situation
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Mexico, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2024-07-13 06:03
Removal of information about highway between Mexico City and Puebla blocked by protesters on 12 July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-07-13 04:39
Highway between Mexico City and Puebla blocked by protesters on 12 July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-07-13 04:32
Highway between Mexico City and Puebla blocked by protesters on 12 June (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-07-09 11:08
Removal of information on Hurricane Beryl (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-06 00:58
Updated information on Hurricane Beryl (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-05 05:06
Updated information on hurricane and tropical storm warnings for Hurricane Beryl (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-04 13:52
Updated information on hurricane and tropical storm warnings for Hurricane Beryl (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-03 16:28
Update about a hurricane warning for Hurricane Beryl (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-07-02 09:58
Removal of information on Tropical Storm Chris (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-01 10:58
Information on Tropical Storm Chris (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-24 10:03
Removal of information on Tropical Storm Alberto (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2024-06-21 10:13
Information that tropical storm warnings have been lifted following Tropical Storm Alberto, but risks remain of heavy rains, landslides, mudslides and flooding (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-20 09:19
Information on Tropical Storm Warning for Tropical Storm Alberto, due to make landfall on the morning of Thursday 20 June (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-18 16:43
Information on Tropical Storm Warning for Potential Tropical Cyclone One (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-18 15:03
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-06-12 10:24
Information about passport validity when visiting Mexico as a tourist (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-06-10 11:32
Updated information on kidnapping (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-04 16:29
Removal of information about the risk of disruption during Mexico’s national elections on 2 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-29 10:52
Information about the risk of disruption during Mexico’s national elections on 2 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-09 11:23
Information on vehicle hijacking (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages). Additional information on limited medical services (‘Health’ page).
2024-04-02 16:34
Clarification on travel advice for Federal Highway 199 in Chiapas (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-04-02 16:04
Removal of information about Volcano Popocatépetl and updated information about Tamaulipas and Chiapas (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-03-21 11:02
CORRECTION: FCDO now advises against all but essential travel on Federal Highway 199 (Carretera Federal 199) between Rancho Nuevo (just outside San Cristobal de las Casas) and Palenque
2024-03-20 11:04
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to parts of the State of Chiapas and the town of Taxco in Guerrero State. The FCDO no longer advises against all travel on the federal highways 80, 81 and 85 between Tampico, Ciudad de Victoria and Magueyes, and the entire area south of these highways, in the state of Tamaulipas (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-28 04:31
Flight disruption following ash fall at Popocatépetl Volcano (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’)
2024-01-26 09:25
Update on swimming safely (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2023-11-20 10:54
Information on Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-29 09:29
Advise against all but essential travel to the city of Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page; ‘Regional Travel’ page)
2023-10-29 08:31
Information on the situation in Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-29 08:25
Information on the situation in Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-27 23:35
“Information on the situation in Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)”
2023-10-26 20:27
Further information on the impact of Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-26 00:05
Information on the impact of Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-25 19:51
Information on Hurricane Otis making landfall (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-25 10:56
Information on Hurricane Otis making landfall (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-25 04:43
Update that Tropical Storm Otis has intensified to a category 4 Hurricane and anticipated to impact the Pacific south coast (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-24 09:58
Information on Tropical Storm Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-23 16:34
Hurricane Norma has now passed (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-23 11:28
Information on Hurricane Norma making landfall on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-20 11:45
Information on Hurricane Norma with hurricane and tropical storm conditions possible from Friday 20 October (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-13 16:45
Removal of information on Hurricane Lidia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-11 11:14
Information on hurricane warnings being lifted, however a risk of landslides, mudslides and flash flooding remains (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-10 09:50
Information on Tropical Storm Lidia being upgraded to a hurricane (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-09 16:11
Information on tropical storm conditions possible from 9 October (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-09-04 11:32
Removal of information on Tropical Storm Idalia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-08-27 20:35
Latest update: Information on Tropical Storm Idalia affecting the Yucatan Peninsula (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-08-23 10:34
Information on Tropical Cyclone Harold making landfall (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-22 15:42
(Correction) Addition of information about Tropical Cyclone Harold (‘Warnings and Insurance’ Page)
2023-08-21 18:42
Addition of information about Tropical Cyclone Nine (‘Warnings and Insurance’ Page)
2023-08-21 11:00
Information on Hurricane Hilary and the aftermath (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-20 22:31
“Updated information on Hurricane Hilary (Warnings and Insurance page)”
2023-08-18 16:46
Information on Hurricane Hilary making landfall on the Baja California Peninsula (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-17 16:48
Information on Hurricane Hilary (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-27 11:15
Information on Zacatecas and Michoacán (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page and ‘Regional Risks’ page).
2023-07-19 10:36
Information on extreme temperatures currently affecting parts of North Mexico, and updated information on vehicle crime (‘Safety and security page’).
2023-07-04 16:47
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-07-03 10:40
Updated information on Tropical Storm Beatriz (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-30 16:43
Updated information on Tropical Storm Beatriz (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-30 15:13
Information on Tropical Storm Beatriz (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-22 11:24
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-08 12:35
The alert level at Popocatépetl was decreased to Level 2 (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-05-23 18:07
Update regarding volcanic activity at Popocatépetl volcano. (see ‘Natural Disasters’ page)
2023-05-21 18:04
Update regarding Mexico City and Puebla airport closures as a result of volcanic ash falls. (Natural Disasters)
2023-05-17 09:50
It is forbidden to import electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and solutions into Mexico (‘Local laws and customs’ page).
2023-04-25 12:48
New information on altitude sickness (‘Health’ page).
2023-04-19 09:11
Updated information on Visa stamping (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page) and editorial changes throughout.
2023-03-08 11:03
Updated information on the kidnapping of American tourists in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, March 2023 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-03-07 12:58
Information on the kidnapping of American tourists in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, March 2023 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-25 16:14
Information on incidents involving taxi drivers in Cancun (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-20 09:33
Addition of information that from January 2023 there is a fine for smoking in public places (‘Local laws and customs’ page).
2023-01-12 09:26
New information on the situation in state of Chiapas (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-05 19:16
Update on the situation in the State of Sinaloa (See ‘Summary and Safety and Security Pages’).
2022-10-25 10:01
Removal of information on Hurricane Roslyn (“Summary” and “Natural disasters” page)
2022-10-22 20:44
Updated information on Hurricane Roslyn now expected to become a Category III hurricane, making landfall on Sunday, 23 October (“Summary” and “Natural disasters” page).
2022-10-21 16:00
Addition of information on Hurricane Roslyn a Category II hurricane, landfall is expected to be between Saturday, 22 October during the night and Sunday, 23 October during the early morning (“Summary” and “Natural disasters” page).
2022-10-21 13:24
Updates to Chihuahua and Sinoloa advice (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-10-19 11:44
Updates to Chihuahua and Sinoloa advice (‘Safety and Security’ page)
2022-10-05 15:32
Updated information on immigration documentation required for travel in Mexico (‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-10-02 20:15
Information on Hurricane Orlene (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2022-09-30 12:00
Changes advising against all but essential travel to some areas of Mexico (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-09-21 09:49
Removal of reference to Hurricane Kay (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-07 04:23
Hurricane Kay is affecting Mexico’s west coast and tropical storm conditions could impact areas of Western Mexico, including the Baja California Sur (see natural disasters).
2022-08-16 19:52
Updated information on security situation (see ‘Safety and Security’ page)
2022-07-28 13:03
Updated information on a shooting in the Centre of Playa del Carmen (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-31 22:01
Removal of information on hurricane Agatha
2022-05-30 04:22
Addition of information on hurricane Agatha, due to make landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico on 30 May (Summary page).
2022-05-05 17:35
Updated information on entry requirements for Mexico (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-22 13:52
Updated information; travellers need to be able to provide their passport and stamped ‘Forma Migratoria Múltiple’ (FMM) immigration form if requested by Mexican authorities (‘Local laws and customs’ page)
2022-03-14 16:56
Updated information on entry requirements to Mexico; travellers are no longer required to register on the Mexico Vuela Seguro before boarding flight to Mexico (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-23 14:09
Updated information on main tourist destinations (‘Safety and security’ page)