Last updated on 09/12/2023
Do I Need Insurance to Travel to Mexico?
Travelers planning a trip to Mexico often ask "Does travel insurance cover Mexico?" or "Do I need insurance to travel to Mexico?". These are great questions to ask when planning a Mexican vacation or business trip. Travelers to Mexico should consider their travel insurance options as they would for any trip, but additional safety precautions and proper planning are ideal especially in the case of Mexico. Food and drinking water safety should be taken into account, but Mexico travelers should also look at crime risk for their specific destinations. Of course, other smaller considerations should be made when weighing whether or not to purchase travel insurance for Mexico as well. These might include looking at what the weather will be like at your destination and packing the proper clothing and footwear or making sure you have the proper adapter to use your electronic devices.
With so much to think about, the answer to "Do I need insurance to travel to Mexico?" really depends on the nature of your trip and your individual needs. But with so many factors, Mexico travel insurance just might save your trip in the event that anything goes awry. Whether it's your first time out of the country or you're a seasoned traveler visiting Mexico for the 10th time, the right travel insurance coverage could make all the difference in the success of your trip. Travel insurance is not currently required for all of Mexico. However, travel insurance with medical coverage is required for visitors to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. This insurance is to protect travelers against any unforeseen medical event, including those derived from COVID-19 contagion. We recommend purchasing supplemental insurance to cover trips outside these specific destinations as well as to protect against non-medical related issues.
How Much is Travel Insurance to Mexico?
Similarly, the cost of insurance depends on the specifics of your business trip or vacation. There are a number of factors that determine what you ultimately pay for a plan, including coverages, benefits, and whether or not will be insuring your trip cost. The best way to find out how much travel insurance will cost is by filling out our quote form with your information and then reviewing the quote results. You'll typically see a variety of plans with different levels of coverage.
Is Medicare Valid in Mexico?
This is another very common question for those traveling to Mexico. In general, the answer is no. However, there are a few very specific circ*mstances in which Medicare may cover you while visiting Mexico. Read about primary vs. secondary health coverage and the limitations of Medicare when traveling abroad to find out how the coverage affects you.
Travel Safety Tips for Mexico
Drinking Water & Food Safety
Drinking water safety has been a longstanding issue for Mexico. The CDC recommends avoiding tap and well water, including ice made from either source. Instead, stick to sealed bottled water, hot tea or coffee, carbonated drinks, or pasteurized milk. Similar guidelines apply to food. Consume only food that is cooked and served hot as well as fruits and vegetables you've peeled/prepared yourself. Room-temperature food items, including street vendor fare, should be avoided. If you will be eating eggs or meat products, make sure that you have the eggs cooked hard and avoid rare-cooked meats. Like drinking milk, any dairy items should be pasteurized.
Alcohol Consumption
If you plan to consume alcohol on your Mexican vacation or business trip, exercise extra caution. Consuming too much alcohol may affect your ability to stay vigilant and identify threats. There have also been several recent reports of tainted alcohol being served in tourist hotspots, so stay up to date on areas that may be affected. Additionally, the consumption of alcohol can impact your Mexico travel insurance policy and in some cases prevent you from filing a claim. Be sure to review the details of your coverage before "cutting loose" while on your trip.
Local Weather & What to Pack
As with other aspects of travel to Mexico, what you bring is contingent upon your specific needs and planned activities. Weather can vary depending on the months of the year and the location in Mexico you plan to travel to. Mexico has a wide range of topography from beautiful sandy beaches to rolling hills and towering mountains. It's best to do your research beforehand so you know exactly what to expect. In general, bring only what you need and leave your valuables at home. Packing light makes it easier to adjust your trip plans on the fly. Limiting unnecessary items also helps mitigate losses if your baggage is delayed or lost. Of course, purchasing a Mexico trip insurance plan that includes baggage protection is also a good idea.
Electricity
Mexico's standard voltage is 127 V, which is roughly the same as the United States' 120 V. While some experts say your electronic devices will work just fine, others explain that the outlets can vary from one location to another, so it's best to plan ahead and bring the proper adapters if you plan to bring any electronics.
Crime Risk & Avoiding Dangers
Try not to look like a tourist. It's best to blend in so that thieves and pickpockets don't identify you as an easy target. Shed the selfie stick and guide book. Be wary in crowded public places and walk with purpose rather than meandering and attracting unwanted attention to yourself.
Keep only the cash you need on your person. Instead, take advantage of the hotel safe or use a money belt that is worn beneath your clothes. As with any situation involving money, retrieve additional cash in as private a location as possible. You'll also want to stick to ATMs that are located inside stores or malls and avoid machines that are on the street or in other open public areas.
Mexico has been entangled in an on-going drug war, which has often been the subject of travel news headlines. While the drug war between cartels, the Mexican government, and rival gangs are ruthless and violent, most of this violence occurs between members away from the most trafficked tourist destinations. You can read more about specific travel advisories and warnings for Mexico here.
Speaking the Language
Spanish is among the top spoken languages in the world with over half a billion speakers and is the official language of Mexico. Although many Mexican citizens speak English (especially those living near the U.S. border), it is a great idea to learn Spanish before your visit. Not only will learning Spanish be helpful when visiting Mexico, but it also be useful in many South American countries as well as Spain in the future. Even if you don't have time to become fluent before departing, it only takes a little time and practice to master some of the most common words and phrases. Learning the language will also help make you less subject to scams that target foreigners. Depending on where you travel, you might encounter additional languages like Nahuatl and Mayan dialects. Believe it or not, there are over 25 languages spoken throughout the country. But fear not because Spanish and English are among the top spoken in the Mexico.
Most Popular Destinations for Mexican Vacations
Determining the best travel destinations in Mexico is largely subjective and depends on what kinds of activities you plan for your trip, the safety of the locations, and accessibility. Some travelers to Mexico love nothing more than to spend the entire vacation at the beach, but others might want to visit historical sites, like the Mayan ruins, or spend time in remote areas hiking the mountains or even skiing in some areas. While there is no objectively "best" location for your trip, we've aggregated this list based on what frequent Mexico travelers around the web recommend. Consider this best-of list as a guide or springboard to plan your trip rather than an itinerary.
Top 10 Travel Destinations for Mexico
- Tulum
- Mexico City
- San Miguel de Allende
- Playa del Carmen
- Cancun
- Puerto Vallarta
- Zihuatanejo
- Cozumel
- Cabo San Lucas
- Oaxaca
Top "Less-Traveled" Mexico Destinations
If you prefer to take the "road less traveled", consider some of these other popular yet less-frequented Mexico tourist destinations.
- Guanajuato
- Puebla
- Guadalajara
- Mazatlan
- Mérida
See the Natural Wonders of Mexico City
When visiting Mexico City, prepare yourself for more than high rises and concrete. This metropolis is home to some seriously stunning natural wonders and visiting them may help you create some truly unforgettable memories. Read on to learn what we discovered and make sure you add them to the itinerary for your upcoming trip.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Those looking for nature in Mexico City don’t need to look farther than the Bosque de Chapultepec. As the largest city park in the entire world, it not only has trees to walk and rest under, but its own National Museum of Anthropology and Zoological Gardens, where you can see more than 2,000 animals from hundreds of distinct species. When you’re done studying the animals, you can hike, horseback ride or visit the historic Chapultepec Castle.
Xochimilco
There’s no visiting Mexico City without traveling a few miles beyond to Xochimilco. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features ancient canals built by the Aztecs that people still use today for transportation. Meanwhile the floating gardens (called “chinampas”) are abundant in beautiful plant life, and you can see it all as you ride in a boat with your family and friends to fish or simply see the incredible sights.
Parque Nacional Desierto de los Leones
West of Mexico City, this Mexican national park has been welcoming visitors since 1917—but it has been welcoming amazing plant and wildlife long before that. When taking walks and soaking up the views of the Sierra de las Cruces mountains, visitors can spot everything from birds and foxes to turtles, badgers, deer and more. There are also plentiful hiking trails (one even leads to a historic monastery), and park admission is free to all. When looking for nature in Mexico City (or just nearby), taking a short ride to Parque Nacional Desierto de los Leones is an unmissable adventure.
Protect Your Trip to Mexico City with Travel Insurance
When you visit Mexico City, make sure you spend your time enjoying your trip and not worrying about unexpected obstacles that can arise during your vacation. Travel insurance for Mexico City could be what you need to set off on your trip confidently and give yourself peace of mind.
U.S. / Mexico Embassy and Consulate Locations
U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico
- Mexico City — U.S. Embassy Mexico City
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, CDMX
Phone: 55.5080.2000 - Ciudad Juárez — U.S. Consulate
Paseo de la Victoria #3650
Fracc. Partido Senecú
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico C.P. 32543
Phone: 52.656.227.3000 - Guadalajara — U.S. Consulate
Progreso 175
Col. Americana
Codigo Postal 44160
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Phone: 33.3268.2100 - Hermosillo — U.S. Consulate
141 Monterey Street
Col. Esqueda, C.P. 83000
Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Phone: 52.662.690.3262 - Matamoros — U.S. Consulate
Calle Constitución No. 1
Colonia Jardín
Matamoros, Tamaulipas 87330
Phone: 552.868.208.2000 - Merida — U.S. Consulate
Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31
Col. Alcala Martin Merida
Yucatan, Mexico 97050
Phone: 52.999.942.5700 - Monterrey — U.S. Consulate
Ave. Alfonso Reyes #150
Col. Valle del Poniente
Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, México 66196
Phone: 81.8047.3100 - Monterrey — U.S. Consulate
Ave. Alfonso Reyes #150
Col. Valle del Poniente
Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, México 66196
Phone: 81.8047.3100 - Nogales — U.S. Consulate
Calle San José s/n
Fraccionamiento los Alamos
C. P. 84065 Nogales, Sonora
Phone: 631.311.8150 - Nuevo Laredo — U.S. Consulate
Paseo Colon 1901
Colonia Madero
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas 88260
Phone: 867.714.0512 - Tijuana — U.S. Consulate
Paseo de las Culturas s/n
Mesa de Otay
Delegación Centenario C.P. 22425
Tijuana, Baja California
Phone: 664.977.2000
Mexican Embassy and Consulate in USA
- Washington DC — Embassy of Mexico
1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20006 United States
Phone: 1.202.728.1600 - Sacramento, California — Consulado General de Mexico
2093 Arena Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95834 United States
Phone: 1.916.329.3500 - Los Angeles, California — Consulado General de Mexico
2401 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90057 United States
Phone: 1.213.351.6800 - Denver, Colorado — Consulado General de Mexico
5350 Leetsdale Dr, Ste 100
Denver, CO 80246 United States
Phone: 1.303.331.1110 - Miami, Florida — Consulado General de Mexico
1399 SW 1st Ave
Miami, FL 33130 United States
Phone: 1.786.268.4900 - Chicago, Illinois — Consulado General de Mexico
204 S Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60607 United States
Phone: 1.312.738.2383 - Boston, Massachusetts — Consulado General de Mexico
55 Franklin St. (Pisos 1 y 2)
Boston, MA 02110 United States
Phone: 1.617.426.4181 - New York, New York — Consulado General de Mexico
27 E 39th St
New York, NY 10016 United States
Phone: 1.212.217.6400 - Dallas, Texas — Consulado General de Mexico
1210 River Bend Dr
Dallas, TX 75247 United States
Phone: 1.214.932.8670 - Houston, Texas — Consulado General de Mexico
4507 San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77004 United States
Phone: 1.713.271.6800
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
