Health in Mexico: vaccines, water, medical care and insurance

No vaccines are required to enter Mexico, but most travelers should be up to date on routine vaccines and get hepatitis A and typhoid. Drink bottled or filtered water, and carry travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. Check your government's travel advisory before booking.

There is no vaccine required for entry to Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the UK's National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) recommend that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and varicella. Most travelers should also get hepatitis A and typhoid, which are spread through contaminated food and water. Rabies is recommended for travelers who will spend time outdoors or with animals, especially in rural areas. Yellow fever vaccine is only required if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, such as parts of South America or Africa. Malaria is present in some rural areas, mainly in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca; antimalarial medication may be recommended for those areas. Discuss your itinerary with a travel health clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.

Tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth. In resorts and major cities, many hotels and restaurants use purified water, but it's safest to ask. Ice is generally safe in tourist areas if made from purified water, but be cautious with street vendors. Eat at busy places where food is cooked to order and served hot. Avoid raw vegetables and salads that may be washed in tap water, and peel fruit yourself. Street food is a highlight, but choose stalls with high turnover and watch that food is cooked fresh.

Mexico has both public and private healthcare. Private hospitals in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Cancún are modern and meet international standards, but they can be expensive. Public clinics are basic and may have long waits. For serious emergencies, you may need to be evacuated to the US or another country, so travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended. The emergency number is 911. Pharmacies are widespread and can treat minor ailments, but for anything serious, see a doctor.

Travel insurance is not required to enter Mexico, but it is essential. It covers medical treatment, hospital stays, and emergency evacuation, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It also covers trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other disruptions. Choose a policy that includes medical coverage of at least $100,000 and 24-hour emergency assistance. Check that it covers activities you plan to do, such as diving or hiking. Many policies exclude pre-existing conditions, so read the fine print.

Your government's travel advisory can affect your plans. The US State Department, UK Foreign Office, and other agencies issue advisories based on crime, health, and other risks. Some areas of Mexico have higher crime rates, and advisories may recommend avoiding certain states. Check the advisory for your country before booking and again before you travel. The advisory level can change, so stay informed.