Article updated as of December 21, 2021
Is it safe to travel to Mexico? The truth is that the news that has appeared for years on television about the North American country is not very encouraging. Cities with high levels of violence, scams, express kidnappings… However, one cannot be blunt when talking about security in Mexico. Nearly 45 million tourists decided it was safe to travel to Mexico and visited the country in 2019. If you also feel like visiting incredible places like the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, get lost in its charming villages, enjoy the museums of Mexico City, explore the seabed of the Riviera Maya or take a refreshing swim in the the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, read on and travel informed. At IATI Insurance we want to provide you with all the information you need to know all the factors when assessing whether it is safe to travel to Mexico.
Also, due to the coronavirus situation, we will delve into the situation in Mexico during COVID-19, whether there is additional documentation to show and what to expect if you decide to travel now. Read on and find out everything you need to plan your trip to Mexico and safety.
What does the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation say about whether it is safe to travel to Mexico?
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs states the following at the beginning of its page dedicated to Mexico: «It is recommended to travel with caution and to refrain from traveling in certain areas». Further on, it goes on to detail which are the high-risk areas to which it is only recommended to go for personal or work-related reasons and always during the day and avoiding rural areas. It also specifies areas of moderate risk, where extreme caution should be exercised, and points out some precautions to consider in Mexico City.
Finally, the areas most visited by tourists, which are the most numerous, are listed. The states of Campeche, Tabasco, Yucatan, Quintana Roo (Riviera Maya), Oaxaca, Chiapas, Baja California, Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Hidalgo, Puebla and Tlaxcala. The MAEC indicates that in some of these areas there has been an increase in clashes between criminal groups, which could affect tourists. For this reason, he invites to be prudent and to make use of the transportation offered by the hotels.
In addition, the Spanish authorities have remarked on several occasions that, in order to travel safely to Mexico, it is «absolutely essential to travel with the most comprehensive insurance possible with extensive coverage of medical expenses, including repatriation or medical evacuation to Spain». This is because «in Mexico, Spanish tourists are not covered by Spanish Social Security» and «private medical care is expensive». This recommendation is made mainly due to the increase in cases of dengue, chikungunya and zika in recent years, which are more prevalent during the months of higher rainfall in certain states of Mexico. Added to this, of course, is the recent covid-19, which has caused many hospitals in Mexico to become overcrowded.
But then is it safe to travel to Mexico in 2022?
Many travelers love Mexico. Many of them come to the country to visit its most touristy areas and, in love, return again and again to visit lesser-known corners. You will find testimonials in blogs and social networks that will bring you a little closer to the current situation of the country when it comes to tourism.
It is obvious that the events in the news are real. However, it is convenient to look at them with perspective. The spiral of violence in some Mexican states is basically caused by drug cartels and tourists enjoying their vacations in Mexico’s most visited places do not usually suffer more than common crimes such as theft or robbery. We would never stop traveling to Mexico for this reason, but we would always act with common sense and avoid the most conflictive areas indicated by the Ministry.
On the other hand, in terms of health, it is advisable to avoid mosquito bites during the hottest and rainiest months because there are diseases that are transmitted by these insects. The states most at risk are Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Tabasco and Veracruz, and less intensely in Nuevo León, Jalisco, Michoacán, Yucatán, Nayarit and Sinaloa. A good mosquito repellent and wearing long clothing at dusk and dawn may be enough. It is also essential to drink bottled water and to pay attention to hygiene when eating, especially when eating at street stalls.
Another aspect to consider is that it is safe to travel to Mexico, but health care throughout the country is uneven. In large cities there are hospitals and medical centers of good quality, but it must be taken into account that Spain and Mexico do not have social security agreements and that, due to COVID-19, many are directly saturated. Private medical care and it is quite normal that a prior deposit is required to be treated. Therefore, one of the keys to travel with peace of mind, with the security of being treated in a place according to your needs and save a bill that can reach thousands of euros in case of being hospitalized is to hire a good travel insurance. The IATI Backpacker is your best adventure companion. Thanks to this policy you will have up to 500,000 euros of medical expenses covered, including those that may arise from COVID-19, but also from a simple injury while walking in Tulum or if you have an accident while doing adventure sports such as scuba diving up to 40 meters or snorkeling in Playa del Carmen. We will also be there for you 24/7 if you need to be repatriated or your luggage has been stolen.
