costa maya travel restrictions

Understanding The Travel Restrictions In Costa Maya: What You Need To Know

• Last updated Aug 24, 2023
• Difficulty Advanced

• Category United States

If you're dreaming of the perfect beach vacation in Costa Maya, you may want to double-check the travel restrictions before packing your bags. With the ongoing pandemic, travel requirements have become the new norm. However, don't fret just yet! In this guide, we will explore the latest Costa Maya travel restrictions, ensuring you are well-prepared for an unforgettable trip to this tropical paradise. So, grab your sunscreen and get ready to dive into the enchanting world of Costa Maya!

What You'll Learn

What are the current travel restrictions in place for visiting costa maya, are there any specific requirements or documents needed to enter costa maya, are there any covid-19 testing requirements for traveling to costa maya, are there any restrictions on international flights to costa maya, are there any quarantine requirements for travelers arriving in costa maya.

As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have implemented travel restrictions in order to limit the spread of the virus. Costa Maya, a popular destination in Mexico known for its pristine beaches and ancient ruins, is no exception. In this article, we will explore the current travel restrictions in place for visiting Costa Maya.

As of the time of writing, Costa Maya has implemented a number of travel restrictions to keep both residents and visitors safe. These restrictions are subject to change based on the evolving situation, so it is important to stay informed and check for updates before planning a trip to the area.

First and foremost, travelers should be aware that Costa Maya currently requires a negative COVID-19 test result for entry. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, and travelers must provide documentation of the negative result. This requirement applies to all travelers, including those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Additionally, travelers should be aware that there may be screening measures in place upon arrival in Costa Maya. These screening measures may include temperature checks and health questionnaires to assess the health status of incoming travelers.

It is also important to note that even with a negative test result, travelers may still be subject to quarantine or isolation measures upon arrival in Costa Maya. This is determined on a case-by-case basis, and it is important to follow the instructions and guidelines provided by local health authorities.

Furthermore, it is crucial to stay updated on the local guidelines and regulations in Costa Maya. This includes adhering to mask-wearing requirements, maintaining social distancing, and following any other health and safety protocols that may be in place.

Travelers should also check with their home country's government for any travel advisories or restrictions that may be in place. It is essential to have travel insurance that covers any potential COVID-19 related expenses, such as medical treatment or quarantine costs.

In conclusion, the current travel restrictions in place for visiting Costa Maya include the requirement of a negative COVID-19 test result, potential screening measures upon arrival, and the possibility of quarantine or isolation. It is crucial to stay informed and updated on the latest guidelines and regulations, and to follow all health and safety protocols to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to this beautiful destination.

Understanding Alitalia Travel Restrictions: Everything You Need to Know Before Booking Your Flight

You may want to see also

When planning a trip to Costa Maya, it is essential to understand the specific requirements and documents needed for entry into the country. As with any travel destination, each country has its own set of regulations and rules that must be followed. In the case of Costa Maya, there are some requirements that visitors need to be aware of to ensure a smooth entry into the country.

First and foremost, travelers need a valid passport to enter Costa Maya. This passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the country. It is always a good idea to double-check the expiration date of your passport well in advance of your trip to avoid any last-minute issues.

In addition to a valid passport, visitors from certain countries may also need a visa to enter Costa Maya. The visa requirements vary depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay. It is recommended to check with the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your home country to determine if you need a visa and what the application process entails.

Furthermore, Costa Maya requires visitors to have proof of onward or return travel. This means that you will need to present a plane ticket or other proof of departure from the country to the immigration officials upon arrival. This requirement is in place to ensure that visitors do not overstay their permitted time in the country.

Additionally, Costa Maya requires proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay while in the country. This can be in the form of cash, a credit card, or a bank statement. The amount of funds required may vary, but it is generally recommended to have at least $200 per person per day for the duration of your stay.

It is worth noting that Costa Maya has recently implemented a health pass requirement due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers must complete an online health pass form before their departure to Costa Maya. This form includes a health declaration and contact tracing information. Visitors must show a QR code upon arrival, which is generated after completing the health pass form.

Finally, it is important to keep in mind that entry requirements can change at any time. It is advised to stay updated with the latest information from official government sources and to check with the consulate or embassy of Costa Maya in your home country before your trip.

In summary, when planning a trip to Costa Maya, it is important to have a valid passport, check if you need a visa, provide proof of onward or return travel, show proof of sufficient funds, and complete the health pass requirements. By being prepared and following these requirements, you can ensure a smooth entry into Costa Maya and enjoy your time in this beautiful destination.

The Impact of Airline Travel Restrictions on Batteries: What You Need to Know

As COVID-19 continues to impact travel worldwide, many travelers are wondering about the testing requirements for visiting Costa Maya. This beautiful coastal area in Mexico is a popular destination for tourists, and it's important to stay informed about the current protocols to ensure a safe and smooth trip.

Currently, Costa Maya does not have any specific testing requirements for travelers. However, it's important to note that Mexico as a whole does have some guidelines in place for incoming visitors. These guidelines are subject to change, so it is crucial to stay updated before your trip.

Currently, Mexico does not require a negative COVID-19 test for entry. However, it is recommended that travelers have a negative test result within 72 hours of departure if their home country requires it for re-entry. Some airlines may also have their own testing requirements, so it's important to check with your airline before traveling to Costa Maya.

While testing may not be mandatory, it's still important to prioritize the health and safety of yourself and those around you. Before traveling to Costa Maya, it is advised to get tested for COVID-19 even if it is not required. This can help ensure that you are not unknowingly spreading the virus to others.

In addition to testing, it is essential to follow all health and safety guidelines while in Costa Maya. This includes wearing masks in public places, practicing social distancing, and washing hands frequently. These measures can help protect yourself and the local community from the spread of COVID-19.

It's also important to note that the situation surrounding COVID-19 is constantly evolving. Travel restrictions and guidelines can change at any time, so it is crucial to stay informed about the latest developments. Check the official websites of your local government, the Mexican government, and your airline for the most up-to-date information before traveling to Costa Maya.

In summary, while Costa Maya does not have specific testing requirements for travelers, it is important to stay informed about any guidelines in place for Mexico as a whole. It is recommended to have a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure if required by your home country or airline. Even if testing is not mandatory, it is still crucial to prioritize the health and safety of yourself and others by getting tested and following all recommended guidelines while in Costa Maya. Stay informed about the latest developments to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to this beautiful coastal destination.

Exploring the Latest Benidorm Travel Restrictions: What You Need to Know

As the world slowly starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries are beginning to ease travel restrictions and reopen their borders to international travelers. If you are planning to visit Costa Maya, Mexico, you may be wondering what restrictions are in place for international flights to this coastal paradise.

The Mexican government has implemented several measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both tourists and locals. Currently, there are some restrictions on international flights to Costa Maya that travelers should be aware of before planning their trip.

Firstly, it is important to note that the restrictions and requirements can change frequently based on the evolving COVID-19 situation. It is advisable to check with the official government websites or contact your airline before booking your flight to stay updated on the latest travel requirements.

Currently, most international travelers, including those coming from the United States and Canada, are allowed to fly to Costa Maya. However, there are certain entry requirements that must be met. All passengers must complete a health declaration form online before boarding their flight, providing information about their health status and recent travel history.

Additionally, travelers may be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival in Costa Maya. The test must have been taken no more than 72 hours prior to their departure. It is important to note that the specific type of test required may vary, so it is essential to check the latest requirements before traveling.

Upon arrival in Costa Maya, travelers may also be subject to health screening, which may include temperature checks and a brief interview about their health. It is essential to follow any instructions given by the health authorities and cooperate fully with the screening process.

It is also worth noting that some airlines may have their own additional requirements or restrictions for passengers traveling to Costa Maya. These may include mandatory mask-wearing, enhanced hygiene measures, and social distancing protocols during the flight.

In conclusion, there are currently some restrictions in place for international flights to Costa Maya, Mexico. Travelers must ensure they meet all the necessary entry requirements, including completing a health declaration form and providing a negative COVID-19 test result. It is also important to stay updated on any changes or additional requirements imposed by the Mexican government or airlines. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a safe and smooth journey to the beautiful coastal destination of Costa Maya.

Understanding Korean Airlines Travel Restrictions: What You Need to Know

Travelers arriving in Costa Maya, Mexico may be subject to quarantine requirements, depending on their vaccination status and the current regulations in place. It is crucial for travelers to stay updated with the latest information and guidelines provided by the Mexican government and health authorities.

As of now, Costa Maya does not have a specific quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers. However, it is important to note that the situation can change rapidly, and regulations may vary depending on the traveler's country of origin and the prevailing COVID-19 conditions.

To stay informed and adhere to the necessary protocols, travelers are advised to consult the official website of the Mexican Ministry of Health and the Embassy or Consulate of Mexico in their home country before embarking on their journey. These sources will provide up-to-date information on any quarantine requirements, travel restrictions, and entry protocols in place for international visitors.

In addition to the potential quarantine requirements, travelers to Costa Maya should be prepared to follow other COVID-19 prevention measures. These may include mandatory mask-wearing in public areas, maintaining physical distancing, and regular hand hygiene.

It is important to note that even if fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from quarantine requirements, they should still exercise caution and practice responsible behavior. This includes avoiding crowded places, following local guidelines, and respecting any additional protocols implemented by the authorities at tourist sites, accommodations, and transportation hubs.

Travelers should also have travel insurance that covers COVID-19-related expenses, such as medical treatment, quarantine, or trip cancellation. This will provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of any unforeseen circumstances during their visit to Costa Maya.

Ultimately, while Costa Maya may not have specific quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers currently, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest guidelines and regulations before planning or embarking on a trip. By staying updated and following the necessary precautions, travelers can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience while visiting this beautiful destination.

Navigating Boston Air Travel Restrictions: What You Need to Know

Frequently asked questions.

Yes, there are currently travel restrictions in place for Costa Maya. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Mexican government has implemented various measures to limit the spread of the virus. These measures include health screenings upon arrival, mandatory face mask usage, and capacity limitations at tourist attractions and public spaces.

Yes, foreign nationals are allowed to travel to Costa Maya, but they must comply with the entry requirements set by the Mexican government. This includes presenting a negative COVID-19 test result taken within a certain timeframe before arrival, filling out a health declaration form, and following any additional guidelines or restrictions imposed by the authorities.

The requirements for returning to your home country after visiting Costa Maya will depend on the regulations and restrictions set by your country of residence. It is important to check with the relevant authorities or consult your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information. In general, many countries now require negative COVID-19 test results or proof of vaccination before allowing travelers to reenter. It is also recommended to stay informed about any quarantine or self-isolation requirements that may be in place.

• Majid Rana Author

• Arjun Yadav Author Editor Reviewer

It is awesome. Thank you for your feedback!

We are sorry. Plesae let us know what went wrong?

We will update our content. Thank you for your feedback!

Leave a comment

United states photos, related posts.

12 Fun Things to Do in Hammondsport, NY

• May 07, 2023

12 Fun Activities to Do in Ely, Minnesota

12 Must-Experience Activities in Paris, Maine

• Jun 13, 2023

12 Fun Things to Do in Greensboro VT

• Jun 21, 2023

Essential Items to Pack for a Memorable Trip to Canmore

• Jan 03, 2024

Essential Items to Pack for a Memorable Post-Prom Experience

• Dec 30, 2023

North America Chevron

Mexico Chevron

Heading to Mexico? These Are the COVID Restrictions in Place

By Shannon McMahon

Considering a getaway south of the border? As we all inch back out there, Mexico certainly has appeal, thanks to its proximity to the United States and familiarity for American travelers—especially at a time when traveling abroad is still nebulous.

In fact, with most of Europe and many other destinations off the table as of late, some parts of Mexico saw an increase in American arrivals late last year when compared to the same time in 2019. According to the Washington Post , the state of Quintana Roo, which is home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, saw a 23 percent rise in U.S. visitors. (The proof is in most of our Instagram feeds, as well.)

The government of Mexico is asking visitors to come, too. The country declared its tourism sector reopened on June 1, 2020. “Mexico has maintained its borders open through air travel to North American visitors with no need to quarantine,” according to the Mexican Embassy in the United States . “It is encouraged that people continue respecting social distancing measures, washing their hands, and coughing or sneezing in the inner part of the elbow to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

But there are some minor entry requirements in place for visitors, and a system for COVID-19 health restrictions on the ground that could greatly impact what you are able to enjoy on your trip. We've spelled them out below so you know what to expect. Remember, wherever you're headed, make sure to also do your homework on the wider situation on the ground—local case counts and hospital capacities, the sentiment towards visitors during the ongoing pandemic, if particular restaurants or site you want to visit are open—before you book a flight. 

Read on for our full list of Mexico COVID travel restrictions, by state. 

Mexico COVID travel: Entry and exit restrictions

Since March 21, 2020, Mexico’s northern border with the United States has been closed to all nonessential land crossings—and the closure has been renewed every month since. This means you cannot drive across the border to Mexico as a traveler; you will have to fly. Although air travel to tourism-dependent Mexico remains open to leisure travelers, who are permitted to visit without quarantining or testing negative for COVID-19, health checks have been implemented at Mexican airports. As always, Americans do not need a visa for stays of under 180 days. Air travelers are required to submit a mobile health questionnaire before they arrive in Mexico, and once it is completed travelers receive a QR code to be scanned by officials at their arrival airport for entry. Health measures at the airport may also include temperature checks. Public transportation in Mexico and public spaces where crowds may gather, including hotels and restaurants, require masks and social distancing (except when eating).

All travelers must test negative for COVID-19 to re-enter the United States. The U.S. Mission Mexico offers a list of private testing providers travelers can utilize if their hotel or resort does not offer on-site testing.

It’s also worth noting that the U.S. Department of State updated the travel advisory for Mexico to its highest, “Do Not Travel,” level on April 20 due to COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advises Americans to avoid international travel to Mexico due to COVID-19 levels. Data from the World Health Organization shows that the country has seen over 2.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 219,000 deaths, and about 20 million vaccine doses have been distributed in Mexico as of May 7.

What's open?

Varying levels of health restrictions, which are dependent on COVID-19 case rates in a given state, have been in place to varying degrees throughout Mexico since the beginning of the pandemic. The nation has implemented a stoplight-style alert system for its 32 states, assigning color-coded epidemiological statuses of green, yellow, orange, and red—with red carrying the highest restrictions. As of mid-May the most tourist-frequented states are yellow or orange, with less-visited areas in the green, or least-restrictive phase. The governor of the state of Quintana Roo, however, is warning that the area, which is home to Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen, is in danger of returning to red status, which implements stay-at-home orders and strict capacity limits on hotels and tourism sites. You can check the color assigned to each state on this interactive map , and read more about the country’s sanitary measures for reopening tourism here .

Here’s what each phase generally mandates:

Green: States in the green phase are largely open, with only social distancing and mask requirements in place for public places and at businesses.

Yellow: States designated as yellow have some reduced capacity requirements in place for public spaces that may become crowded: Hotel lobbies, restaurants, beaches, theaters, shops, and tourist attractions must operate at about 70 percent capacity or less (exact limits depend on the state case count), and bars and clubs are closed.

Orange: States categorized as orange have a tighter capacity limits. Hotel lobbies, restaurants, and tourist attractions are limited to 50 percent capacity, while beaches, theaters, and stores are limited to 30 to 40 percent or less , depending on the case count.

Red: States in red alert status are subject to stay-at-home orders and curfews, and public beaches and parks are closed. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions operate at 20 percent capacity or less, while shops, theaters, gyms, bars, and clubs are closed.

Stop-light colors are assessed on a weekly basis and can change at any time. Here are the current colors assigned to some of the most tourist-frequented areas in Mexico, and where to find updates on their restrictions.

Tom Vanderbilt

Vicki Denig

Jesse Ashlock

Charlie Hobbs

Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel: Quintana Roo is currently in the second-highest orange phase and implementing 50 percent capacity limits on hotel spaces, restaurants, and tourist sites. Beaches, theaters, shops, and casinos are limited to 30 percent capacity. Updates can be found here .

Mexico City and Puebla’s Magic Towns: The states of Mexico City and Puebla are currently designated as yellow, with 70 percent capacity limits widely in place. Mexico City plans to return to allowing theater and other indoor events at 30 percent capacity starting on May 17. Updates can be found here for Mexico City and here for Puebla .

Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, and the Los Cabos Corridor: The states of Baja California & Baja California Sur are also yellow-designated states, with 70 percent capacity limits widely in place.  More health information on Los Cabos can be found here .

Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita: Jalisco and Nayarit states are among Mexico’s green-designated areas, with most businesses operating at socially distanced capacities and with masks required. Online updates for Riviera Nayarit can be found here , and Puerto Vallarta updates can be found here .

Merida, Chichen Itza, and Valladolid: The state of Yucatan, home to the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza and the bustling city of Merida, is in the yellow phase and enforcing capacity limits of about 70 percent. More information can be found here . Chichen Itza briefly closed due to bad tourist behavior in April, but has since reopened with masking, social distancing, and health checks required.

Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido: The state of Oaxaca and its resort towns are currently in the green phase, with most businesses open but social distancing and masking requirements still in place. More information can be found here .

Central Mexico and San Miguel de Allende: The states of Guanajuato and Querétaro are currently yellow with 70 percent capacity limits widely in place. Updates can be found here for Guanajuato , which is home to historic San Miguel de Allende, and here for Queretaro .

Recommended

Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection

The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

North America Travel Guide

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Book with Confidence - we want you to be as confident as possible when planning your next vacation. Learn More >>

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Latest Covid-19-related Travel Updates for Mexico’s Main Destinations

Latest covid-19-related travel updates for mexico’s main destinations, get up-to-date information on destinations, hotels, beaches, tours, and more. this information is updated constantly to provide the latest updates.  for information on other destinations in mexico, please contact us at [email protected].

We also invite you to read our blog post: Covid-19 in Mexico: Everything you need to know

Journey Mexico’s Statement on US Requirements For Covid-19 Tests For All International Travelers

Mexico’s Main Destinations

Los Cabos | Cancun, Tulum & Riviera Maya | Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, Riviera Maya & Costa Alegre | Mexico City | Chiapas | Yucatan | San Miguel de Allende | Oaxaca

LOS CABOS UPDATED INFORMATION

Los cabos is the second tourist destination in mexico to receive the world travel and tourism council (wttc) safe travels stamp., cancun, tulum and riviera maya updated information, cancun and the riviera maya were the first destinations in the americans to receive the world travel and tourism council (wttc) safe travel stamp ., puerto vallarta, punta mita, riviera nayarit, mandarina and costa alegre updated information, the state of jalisco has received the world travel and tourism council (wttc) safe travels stamp., mexico city updated information, mexico city is currently “orange” on the epidemiological risk level traffic light system., chiapas updated information, the state of chiapas has received the world travel and tourism council (wttc) safe travels stamp. and currently “green” on the epidemiological risk level traffic light system—meaning lower risk., yucatan updated information, the state of yucatan has received the world travel and tourism council (wttc) safe travels stamp., san miguel de allende updated information, san miguel de allende has received the world travel and tourism council (wttc) safe travels stamp and currently “red” on the epidemiological risk level traffic light system—meaning higher risk., oaxaca updated information, oaxaca has received the world travel and tourism council (wttc) safe travels stamp and currently “orange” on the epidemiological risk level traffic light system., booking conditions.

Journey Mexico will be ready when you are. Amidst the unprecedented impact of Coronavirus, we want you to be as confident as possible when planning your next Mexican adventure.

In that spirit, we hope you will find comfort in the following for all new bookings:

Stability. Fortunately, our foresight and solid financial planning will see us through these challenging times. Mexico, our homeland, is resilient as are we. Similarly, we’re proud and confident that Journey Mexico’s value has never been stronger in ensuring your health, safety, and enjoyment during your next visit to Mexico. We can’t wait to welcome you and share our favorite people, places, and experiences!

Availability. Our travel planners are here with, admittedly, a little more time on their hands than normal. What a perfect opportunity to leverage their unrivaled knowledge of Mexico to create a truly customized and unforgettable adventure! Utilize our expertise to book a hotel through us in Mexico City and the beach, of course! But also call our travel planners to ask what time of day is best for visiting Teotihuacan, where they go to dinner in La Roma, what the best room is at Chable, what their favorite winery is in San Miguel Allende, or what their favorite village is near Oaxaca.

Eliminate non-refundable deposits. We are waiving all non-refundable deposits on new bookings whenever possible.

Flexibility of travel dates. We understand better than ever right now that travel plans change, sometimes uncontrollably. When given 14 days of notice, we will transfer all funds to a future credit valid for at least a year. We will honor the same pricing as well.

Safety. Your safety has always been our primary priority, and we simply are unwilling to operate a trip if we are not comfortable doing so. We are currently working with our guides, drivers, and hotel partners to institute requirements for hygiene and sanitization so that when travel resumes, we are ready to welcome you as safely as possible. And of course our 24/7 assistance in the field will always be there.

*There are no absolutes, especially amidst this pandemic. Please note that there are exceptions to the above points, and our travel planners will inform you of the actual terms prior to booking – as we always do. Most notably, villa bookings and late December travel typically have more stringent policies.

Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss any specific concerns, policies, or travel needs that you might have.

We are very excited to welcome you to Mexico!

The Safest States And Destinations In Mexico To Travel

More and more tourism destinations and states in Mexico have implemented the Safe Travels Global Protocols and received the Global Safety Stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) — an emblem to help travelers recognize the businesses and destinations meeting safety standards and following best practices, so travelers can experience “Safe Travels.” These increased safety measures are helping to make travelers feel more comfortable and safe as they consider traveling to Mexico again.

• Baja California
• Mexico City
• Pacific Coast
• Colonial Mexico
• Yucatan Peninsula
• Riviera Maya, Tulum, & Cancun
• San Miguel de Allende
• Puerto Vallarta & Punta de Mita
• Copper Canyon & N. Mexico
• Guadalajara & Tequila
• Off the Beaten Path
• Romance & Honeymoon
• Art & Native Crafts
• Active Adventures
• Nature & Wildlife
• Landscapes of Mexico
• Food & Wine
• Air Expeditions
• Family Vacations
• Executive Retreats
• Private Villas
• Weekend Escapes
• Summer Travel
• Day of The Dead
• Luxury Hotels & Resorts
• Private Villas & Residences
• Chable Hotels
• Special Offers
• Why Journey Mexico?
• Why Custom-Made Itineraries?
• Testimonials
• Travel Safety
• Sustainable Tourism
• When to visit

Is Costa Maya Safe? Your Complete 2024 Guide by a Local

Is Costa Maya safe?  Safety is likely to be at the forefront of your mind if you are planning a trip to the beautiful Mexican coastal area of Costa Maya.

In general, people are often concerned about safety when visiting anywhere in Mexico. Unfortunately, the country doesn’t have the best reputation for safety on an international scale and often receives an unfair portrayal in the media.

Costa Maya sits on the Caribbean coast in the southern part of the state of Quintana Roo. It is a popular stopping point for cruise ships on their journey around the Caribbean and is home to several gorgeous beach towns, beautiful lakes, and ancient Mayan ruins.

Traveling to Costa Maya is one of the highlights of exploring Southern Mexico. The area is safe provided that you take the same precautions that you would when traveling anywhere.

It is arguably the safest region in the state of Quintana Roo and things are a lot calmer here than they are in places like Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. 

This article has been written by a British Travel Writer based in the Yucatan. I have explored the Costa Maya extensively and feel well poised to give comprehensive advice on the region. 

Table of Contents

Is Costa Maya Safe to Travel to in 2024? 

Costa Maya is generally a safe area. Although places like Lake Bacalar and the village of Mahahual have started to attract a steady trickle of visitors in recent years, they see a fraction of the visitors seen by tourist favorites like Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, etc. 

This is nice because many of the beaches and coastal areas still have a very sleepy Caribbean fishing village vibe about them – especially if you travel out of season. The violent crime and cartel activity that has started to affect the Riviera Maya in recent years is not an issue in Costa Maya.

Safe places to visit in Costa Maya 

If you are traveling to Costa Maya on a cruise, chances are you will arrive by the Costa Maya port close to Mahahual. If you are visiting the area as part of a wider Mexico trip, you can take buses to Lake Bacalar and Mahahual village from Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen.

Several reputable local tool companies operate in the Costa Maya area. They offer private and small group excursions to places like the Chacchoben archaeological site.

Some of the best and safest areas to visit while you are in Costa Maya are detailed below. 

Bacalar Lagoon 

Bacalar Lagoon is one of three pueblo magicos in Quintana Roo. The small village has been built along the banks of the spectacular shimmering lake that is 42km long and 2km wide. 

It is known as the seven-color lagoon because the water glistens in different shades of blue and turquoise. It is home to an ancient marine life form known as stromatolites which only exist in a handful of places around the globe and are more than 6 million years old! 

There are plenty of things to do in the town and on the water. You can take a guided tour of the sights and cenotes on along the lake (and ask your tour guide to take you to the abandoned narco hotel!) 

You can enjoy water activities like kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding and there are plenty of gorgeous boutique and luxury hotels right on the waterfront. 

Mahahual 

Mahahual is a small fishing village on the Caribbean coast . Its main attraction is the paradisical Mahahual beach that offers a soft, powdery white-sand coastline and translucent turquoise waters. 

For most people, taking a trip here is about relaxing, indulging in good Mexican food , and spending days lounging on the shore beneath a palm tree while sipping water right out of a coconut. 

Mahahual beach itself is beautiful and is generally pretty quiet. But if you head even further south along the coastline towards the Belize border, you will find even better white-sand beaches. 

For instance, Maya Chan beach is a private, all-inclusive beach club that allows you to experience the Caribbean in absolute luxury. Here, you can rent a shaded cabana for the day and enjoy waiter service as you are served Mezcal-infused cocktails and local delicacies. 

La Bamba beach is 10 minutes south of Mahahual and has all the amenities that you need for a day at the beach. There are restaurants along the shore and places where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas. 

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins

There are several Mayan ruins and archaeological sites around the Costa Maya. The one that stands out among them is the Mayan city of Chacchoben. 

The city is hidden away in the heart of the dense Yucatan jungle. exploring it makes you feel like a modern-day Indiana Jones.

 this is especially true if you’re able to get here in the morning before the tour buses arrive and you have the site virtually all to yourself. The name Chacchoben means “the place of red corn” in Mayan.

Chacchoben thrived between the years of 600 AD and 900 AD and so, many of the structures that you can see today were built around this time. 

Recommended Chacchoben Mayan ruins tours 

A selection of excellent Chacchoben tours that you can book via Viator is detailed below for your consideration. Reserve your place online in advance to avoid disappointment!

• Chacchoben Mayan ruins tour from Costa Maya
• One-day tour to Chacchoben and Bacalar lagoon with a licensed guide
• Ancient Chacchoben ruins tour and traditional Mayan family visit from Costa Maya
• Chacchoben Mayan ruins and beach day at La Chilangaloense beach club

Things to Know About Safety in Costa Maya 

Staying safe in Costa Maya largely comes down to taking the same precautions as you would at home or anywhere else in the world. Some safety tips for your trip a detailed below.

Hurricane season in Costa Maya 

It is worth noting that hurricane season in Costa Maya and along with Caribbean coast of Mexico runs between June and early November each year. There haven’t been any fatal or seriously damaging hurricanes for several years now.

However, between August and October in particular, there are often a lot of heavy storms and constant rain showers. Sometimes the wind and rain can be so bad that the electricity or the internet in a certain area in the Yucatan Peninsula goes out for a day or two.

Although rain and storms occur pretty much daily during the hurricane season, it is still possible to enjoy your trip if you travel during this time. All of the photos in this article were taken in Costa Maya during the peak of the rainy season last year.

Rain usually falls for an hour or two before the sky is clear up and you can enjoy the beach, some sightseeing, some hiking, etc. Still, it is a good idea to check the weather reports prior to your trip and while you are traveling in Costa Maya. 

The dry season in Quintana Roo runs between late November and May. While you get the best weather at this time of year, it is also the peak time to travel. 

So, there are more crowds and prices are higher across the board.

Only you can weigh up the pros and cons and decide which time of year is preferable for you.

Taking cabs around Costa Maya 

In many parts of Mexico, people prefer to use ride-sharing apps such as Uber and DD rather than getting into local cabs. This is quite different from other countries in the world where people often assume that Uber cars are less safe.

In Mexico, the perception is that there is more accountability on the apps. For instance, you have all the information of your driver, their license plate number, their vehicle info, and details of how long they have been on the app and what their customer rating is.

You simply do not have that when you get into a random street cap. Unfortunately, with the exception of Cancun, ride-sharing apps are banned in the state of Quintana Roo . 

This includes the Costa Maya. you will find taxis parked around the popular cruise port and in Lake Bacalar. Taxis in both areas are generally pretty safe.

However, for an extra level of safety and to avoid getting overcharged by your driver, it is worth asking your hotel to order a trusted driver for you. Taxi drivers are often a law unto themselves the world over. 

They may try and charge tourists and cruise passengers more and assume you do not know the correct going rate. 

Costa Maya by night 

The Mahahual malecon and downtown Bacalar are safe to explore at night. Both areas are filled with an abundance of bars and restaurants and there are always plenty of people around.

Violent crime is pretty much non-existent here and even petty crime is uncommon. Just be sure to watch your alcohol intake, particularly if you are traveling alone, and don’t go wandering off down any random side streets.

It is better to avoid driving between towns and villages at night. This is not because the roads are particularly unsafe but because they have poor street lighting. 

This makes it difficult to see hazards, particularly wild animals and stray dogs. 

Solo travel in Costa Maya 

Solo travelers, including solo female travelers, can feel very safe in Costa Maya. this region attracts all types of travelers and has an emerging Backpacker scene.

Although Mahahual is a little more upscale and expensive, Bacalar is home to several hostels. If you are traveling alone here, you will find it easy to meet other travelers to hang out with if that’s what you are looking for.

Safety is a very personal thing. However, this entire guide and indeed this whole website has been written by a solo female traveler based in Mexico. 

Having traveled extensively around the country, Costa Maya is not a place where you will stand out or feel uncomfortable being alone.

People are very accustomed to seeing tourists. Rest assured you will not stand out or attract weird looks.

Both local and tourist women often wear shorts and summer dresses here. (The Costa Maya has a tropical climate after all!) Travelers of all genders can feel comfortable wearing whatever they like. 

Dont flash your valuables 

 In the unlikely event that you are a victim of a crime in Costa Maya, it is likely to be an opportunistic one. For example, someone grabs your phone out of your back pocket or snatches your bag from you in a crowded marketplace.

These things can be easily avoided. in busy areas, try and always walk with your backpack in front of you. Never leave anything in your pockets or in places where it can easily be accessed. 

Theft-proof bags are a worthwhile investment.

This is particularly true if you travel regularly or you spend a lot of time in Latin America. They come with additional safety features such as integrated mesh locking systems. 

Plus, they are slash-proof and waterproof. You could also consider buying a fanny pack so that your money is concealed.

Don’t walk around with an expensive camera around your neck or with designer sunglasses on your head. It is better not to show obvious signs of wealth as otherwise, you can make yourself a target.

Take care of your cash 

The local currency in Mexico and the Costa Maya is the Mexican peso. It is better to avoid carrying large wads of cash with you.

You don’t really want to have any more than around 4,000 or 5,000 pesos in cash with you at any given time. It is worth noting that many of the ATM machines in Mahahual and close to the Costa Maya cruise port only release US dollars.

So, you may have to shop around to find ATMs that allow you to withdraw pesos. While it may seem convenient that some businesses allow you to pay in American dollars, it often means that they will overcharge you and give you a poor exchange rate.

It is a good idea to open a borderless bank account prior to your trip if you can. Using these cards means that you do not incur foreign transaction fees and expensive conversion fees when you use your card abroad.

Being charged a few dollars here and a few dollars there can quickly accumulate. Not only does this save you money, it means that you can go to ATMs and withdraw smaller amounts of money so that you don’t have to stress about carrying a lot of cash.

Be careful when using ATMs in Costa Maya. official ATMs in bank branches are less likely to have been tampered with.

Opt to use them rather than standalone ATMs and always check the ATM usage fee. Some are just 40 pesos while others are as high as 170 pesos! 

Check your surroundings and avoid withdrawing cash at night if you can help it. 

Purchase comprehensive travel insurance 

It is prudent to purchase comprehensive travel insurance before going on a trip anywhere and the same rings true of traveling to Costa Maya. Unfortunately, today’s health is not promised tomorrow.

With the best will in the world, you can never really predict if you will fall sick overseas or be involved in some kind of accident. Most trips to Costa Maya are trouble-free and hopefully, yours will be too.

However, is it important to prepare yourself for every eventuality. If you have an annual travel Insurance plan or you get travel insurance through your credit card, check the small print and make sure that Mexico is included in the destinations covered.

If you buy a new policy, choose comprehensive coverage that offers a minimum of 100,000 worth of coverage per person. A good policy will also include things like repatriation, cancellation, and loss/theft of luggage. 

You may have to purchase extra coverage for shore excursions like scuba diving in the nearby coral reefs, renting ATVs, or hiking. These are not usually covered in a standard plan.

You cannot drink the water 

You cannot drink the water anywhere in Mexico including in Costa Maya. This is not because your body is not used to it but because it is simply unclean.

Even the local people do not drink it. Fortunately, you will be given complimentary bottled water during each day of your stay at your hotel or Airbnb. 

You can also buy large bottles very cheaply from the various convenience stores and stores along the main street in Mahahual and Bacalar. 

Is Costa Maya safe? Final thoughts

Do you have any further questions about safety in the Costa Maya or the tourist areas of Southern Quintana Roo? This is a safe place for the most part and with common sense, you will be perfectly fine. 

This is one of the best places that you can visit in Southern Mexico and for the time being, it is still a little untapped. If you are traveling to Mexico for the first time, you may also be interested in this Yucatan itinerary or this post on the best time to visit the Yucatan. 

Have a great time in Mexico! Safe travels, Melissa xo 

Melissa Douglas

Similar posts, is riviera maya safe your complete 2024 guide by a local.

Are you wondering if the Riviera Maya is safe to visit in 2024? You have come to the right place.  If you are planning a…

Is Quintana Roo Safe to Travel to in 2024? A Local’s Guide

Is Quintana Roo safe to travel to in 2024? You might be concerned about traveling to the Yucatan peninsula state if this is your first…

How to Get from Cancun to Chichen Itza in 2024: Local’s Guide

If you are curious about how to make the journey from Cancun to Chichen Itza, you have come to the right place. I live in…

8 Best Hotels Near Cancun Airport [2024 Guide Written by a Local]

As you may expect from a large city that is serviced by countless international flight routes, there are plenty of excellent hotels near Cancun Airport….

Visiting Chacchoben Mayan Ruins: Your Complete 2024 Guide

Visiting Chacchoben Mayan ruins in Mexico is a highlight of any trip to the country’s Yucatan peninsula. The ruins, situated in the southern part of…

How to Get from Cancun to Mahahual: Your 2024 Local’s Guide

Curious how to get from Cancun to Mahahual? The two destinations make a great inclusion to any trip to the Mexican Yucatan and fortunately, the…

Is Cancún safe to visit right now? Here are 3 important advisories to know before visiting.

• If you're planning a trip to Cancún, Mexico, be aware of COVID-19, safety, and weather advisories.
• Keep reading for important details as you prepare to explore Cancún, Mexico.
• Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations .

Cancún is a lovely place to visit any time of year, but knowing what to expect in terms of the weather, COVID-19 restrictions, and general safety will help ensure your vacation goes as seamlessly as possible.

Here are some advisories to keep in mind:

The best time to visit Cancún in terms of weather is during the winter and spring when you'll find nearly perfect weather almost every day. This is peak season, however, so expect larger crowds and higher room rates at this time.

Costs and the number of visitors dip during the summer when it's still lovely, but more hot and humid.

Autumn is the rainy season, aka "hurricane season," in Cancún. While actual hurricanes can happen, it's more likely that you'll experience some rainfall during your stay. Luckily, rainstorms in Mexico tend to be short, and clear skies usually always follow.

Related stories

Cancún also has what's called "sargassum season," when brown seaweed covers the otherwise gorgeous beaches. This happens between April to August, and it's typically worse the further south you go, like in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. To avoid sargassum during this time of year, stick to Cancún, or even better, head a bit north to Costa Mujeres, or across the way to Isla Mujeres, both of which saw some of the lowest numbers of sargassum over the past couple of years.

Currently, Mexico does not require visitors to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival . While it's possible that this rule may change given future variants of the virus, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has previously gone on the record to say that it won't.

"As for Mexico, we won't require such types of proof whatsoever. I want to be very clear about that," he said during a press conference  in August 2021.

Mask policies vary among resorts, which set their own standards. While some resorts are mask-optional, the majority require guests to wear them while indoors and/or when moving through outdoor public spaces (like on your walk from the lobby to the pool). Resorts typically have their COVID-19 health and safety policies listed on their websites, should you want to confirm yours in advance.

While Mexico does not require proof of a negative COVID test to enter, you will likely need one before your return to your home country. Foreign health insurance is not accepted as payment for any type of COVID test, so be prepared to pay out of pocket.

A rapid antigen test will likely run you between $20 to $40 and a PCR test may cost between $100 and $200. They are widely available at local pharmacies (though call or stop by in advance to make sure), and the majority of resorts will have them available on-site, often at a discounted rate or for free, depending on your reservation. It's a good idea to find out in advance whether this service is available where you're staying, so you can budget your time and finances accordingly.

General safety

I believe that anyone that tells you to "never leave the resort" for fear of danger is sadly misguided. While a few street smarts are required, I've always found the city of Cancún to be extremely friendly and welcoming to visitors, and there are scores of wonderful activities and sites on Boulevard Kukulcán and beyond that are worth discovering. Do keep in mind that while front-of-house hospitality staff is usually fluent in English, not everyone you encounter will be. Brushing up on your Spanish in advance of your visit is helpful; a simple "gracias" can go a long way.

There have been recent reports of drug-gang-related shootings in the area . This violence has been targeted at specific gang members, and not at tourists. That said, to ensure safety in wake of the incidents, the Mexican government deployed 1,500 National Guard members to patrol the beaches and prevent further conflict. Don't worry about this impacting your vacation. In my opinion, the guards are hardly noticeable, save for the occasional photo op of someone on the beach in a full uniform.

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Cancún .

• Main content

Costa Maya's Premier Beach Resort

Find us on Facebook

Maya Chan Beach is excited to welcome you home!  We would like to make you aware of several changes that have been made to insure your safety while visiting us in Costa Maya.

We have used the past few months to re-invent both ourselves and the property. Maya Chan Beach has completed the “Certification of Sanitary Protection and Prevention in a Tourist Installation” and is certified by the government of Quintana Roo, Mexico. We are currently in the vetting process with cruise lines and our priority continues to be safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our guests, employees, and suppliers.

We have implemented a series of enhanced safety and hygiene protocols to ensure your visit to our Little Mayan Beach is safe:

• Reduction to 60% capacity of the beach resort per day. – yes, now it''s even harder to get reservations!
• Private transportation for each group of guests – No more meeting new friends on the road!
• Vehicles used for transporting guests are properly certified, cleaned and disinfected prior to each trip, enforced by local law: https://qroo.gob.mx/imoveqroo/sars-cov-2
• Your temperature will be taken at our meeting spot and guests will be asked to use the provided hand sanitizers. – yes, we are still located outside the port!
• Upon arrival at MCB, and departure, we will ask you to disinfect your hands and we will be applying a disinfecting solution to all footwear before entering. – can't be too clean!
• Additional hand cleaning stations using 70% alcohol-based disinfectant gel dispensers, are now properly identified and distributed throughout our facilities.  washy washy!
• All guests are required to wear face coverings while visiting Maya Chan, except while in private areas or while using sporting equipment, that would just be weird!
• We’ve added signage throughout MCB to reinforce basic hygiene measures.  Just in case you forget!
• All physical distancing protocols will be enforced.  Guests must maintain a six foot distance from other guests while in all common areas. No more dancing on the bar!
• Lunch service will look a bit different: We will maintain the buffet idea but guests will no longer be able to serve themselves. But you can still come back for seconds, thirds…
• Drink menus are now digital and touch free. All tables will feature a QR code for you to scan with your smartphone.

Personal hygiene protocols will continue to be in effect with all staff. Team members are required to wash and disinfect hands throughout the day and will be supplied with proper personal protective equipment (PPE) respective of their jobs.  All beach chairs and lounges are sanitized prior to guest arrival.  All sporting equipment is sanitized after each use.  All guests will continue to have a private area which will be at least six feet from neighbors.

Everybody who enters MCB, whether guests or suppliers, are require to wear proper PPE. NO EXCEPTIONS.

We continue to closely monitor the current situation and look forward to communicating any changes.

IMPORTANT: Before you travel, we encourage you to perform a self-assessment COVID-19 health screen. If you or any persons in your travel party are experiencing any flu-like symptoms associated with COVID-19 including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle ache or pain, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell or if you or anyone in  your travel party have been exposed or in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, please follow the recommendations of public health officials and stay home. For additional information concerning COVID-19 or a self-assessment COVID-19 health screening, please refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on their website. We reserve the right to restrict resort access for any persons experiencing or exhibiting any coronavirus or flu-like symptoms.

COVID-19 WARNING:  Our resort is a beach facility. Please consider that there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other infectious diseases in any place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and in some cases, death.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EVERYONE IS AT RISK of contracting COVID-19.  Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.  Although we have implemented recommended practices to promote the health and safety for all of our guests and employees, we cannot ensure 100% or be held liable that our premises are free from contagions, whether caused by us or any of our guests or employees.

By voluntarily entering and being present at our facilities, you (and each person in your travel party) acknowledge and agree to accept complete and sole responsibility of the inherent risks associated with potential or actual exposure to infectious disease

clock This article was published more than  3 years ago

Mexico eases coronavirus restrictions in popular tourist cities ahead of spring break

The Mexican state of Quintana Roo is softening its coronavirus restrictions following a decrease in confirmed covid-19 cases in the area, officials announced Thursday on Twitter .

The entire state, which includes the major tourist destinations of Cancún, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, will begin to permit hotels, restaurants, shops, theaters and theme parks to operate at 60 percent capacity next week. Previous limits on hotel and restaurant capacities were 30 percent.

Quintana Roo’s stoplight alert system, which is assessed weekly on Thursdays and takes effect on the following Monday, was lowered from orange to yellow status.

The news comes just before Mexico’s busy spring break season and despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s January warning for Americans not to visit Mexico because of “very high” levels of the coronavirus. New U.S. entry restrictions that require a negative coronavirus test result of all arrivals were also mentioned in the CDC warning, which remains at a highest-possible Level 4.

“Travelers should avoid all travel to Mexico,” the CDC’s Mexico travel warning states. “Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time.”

You asked: Is spring break travel safe this year?

Activities limited to 50 percent capacity include public transit and casinos. Masks are still required in public, bars and nightclubs remain closed, and public consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Public beaches are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Carlos Joaquín, Quintana Roo’s governor, tweeted late Thursday that allowing parties would be detrimental to the state’s efforts to achieve a lower green-level status. Other popular tourist areas included in the state’s ease of restrictions are Cozumel and Isla Mujeres. The land border between the United States and Mexico remains closed despite Americans’ ability to fly into Mexico.

According to previous reporting by The Washington Post , tourism to the area has increased by 23 percent when compared to 2019, as American travelers banned from other regions decide to vacation in Mexico, which has prioritized U.S. tourism. Travelers seeking an escape from the pandemic have sought out Tulum and Cancún’s festivals and parties, which in the fall and winter months were linked to coronavirus outbreaks.

Winter’s rising covid-19 cases peaked in mid-January and have now begun trending downward globally, according to coronavirus tracking by The Post . Mexico has had more than 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 182,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization .

Mexico is open to tourists. Here’s what locals want you to know before you go

What if you test positive for covid-19 abroad? Here’s what travelers need to know.

What American travelers need to know about getting a covid-19 test in Mexico

• Email Sign Up
• New Travel Requirements For Entering the US From Riviera Maya

You are here

• Vacation Tips

29 Oct 2021

New requirements for travelers flying from Riviera Maya to the US will go into effect as of Nov. 8, 2021.

U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants

Fully vaccinated.

The viral test must be conducted on a sample taken no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country if you show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Not fully vaccinated

The viral test must be conducted on a sample taken no more than 1 day before the flight’s departure from a foreign country if you do not show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Non-U.S. citizen, Non-U.S. immigrants: Air Travel to the United States

You must be fully vaccinated to travel to the United States by plane if you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa). Only limited exceptions apply.

You are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 when you travel to the United States by air. The timing of this test depends on your vaccination status and age.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).

These travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available  here .

Locogringo is committed to providing the latest updates available for travelers in the area, should you have any further questions reach out to us for more information and details.

Testing Site Information in Akumal

Guests traveling with Locogringo to Riviera Maya now have these options available to them for the required COVID test. Travelers returning to the U.S. are required to present negative test results prior to boarding. The following testing sites and area doctors are able to perform the Rapid Antigen Test for guests staying in Akumal.

Local Doctors

The following doctors have an office in the Akumal Pueblo and will also do house calls for an additional fee.

Akumal Medical Center has Dr. Nestor and Dr. Maceda. They can be reached via email at  [email protected]  or WhatsApp at 011 52 984138 6565.

Dr. Fabio Esquivel can be contacted.  [email protected]  or WhatsApp to 011 52 999 279 8284.

On-site House Calls at Your Rental

Guests staying in Akumal and the surrounding areas can reach out to our concierge David to book a house call. This is especially convenient for those traveling in larger groups just send an email to  [email protected] and he'll make the necessary arrangements for you. 

Cheaper but farther away

Additional options are located in Tulum and in the Cancun airport. However, timing is crucial so please plan appropriately to avoid missing your flight. 

Mobile testing site in the Chedraui parking lot in Tulum.  No reservations are needed and the cost is around $20/person.

There is a testing site at the Cancun Airport:  You can test prior to your departure.  The cost is around $17/person.

Locogringo is committed to providing the latest updates available for travelers in the area, should you have any further questions  reach out to us  for more information and details.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

U.S. Issues Travel Warning for Mexico Ahead of Spring Break

The warning is asking travelers to “travel smart” and “be informed."

marako85/Getty Images

The United States is warning travelers heading to Mexico to be aware of their surroundings ahead of the spring break holiday season.

The warning , which was issued this week by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico, reminds travelers to “travel smart” and “be informed” as “thousands of U.S. citizens visit Mexico during spring break” each year. The embassy continued that “while the vast majority travel safely,” visitors should be aware of issues with crime, drugs, unregulated alcohol, drownings, and more. 

“Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations. Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations,” the embassy warned. “U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break locations including Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark.”

The warning also reminded American travelers that drug possession and use is illegal in Mexico, including medical marijuana. It also advised that unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, that counterfeit medication is common, and that guns are illegal in Mexico.

When it comes to the country’s popular beaches, the embassy reminded travelers some beaches may have strong rip tides and “may lack lifeguards, warnings, or signs of unsafe conditions.”

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued a similar spring break warning last year .

The U.S. Department of State classifies different states in Mexico under different warning levels. While travelers can “exercise normal precautions” when traveling to the Campeche and Yucatan states, the State Department warns them to “exercise increased caution” when heading to places like Baja California Sur (where Los Cabos is), Mexico City, and Quintana Roo (where Cancun is) due to crime.

The State Department also asks American travelers to “reconsider” going to the state of Jalisco, which is home to popular destination Puerto Vallarta , due to the danger of crime and kidnapping.

The State Department recommends Americans who do travel to Mexico keep people at home informed of their travel plans and enroll in the department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to both receive alerts and make it easier to locate them if an emergency occurs.

Travelers heading to international destinations can view all current travel advisories on the State Department's website at  travel.state.gov .

Related Articles

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Travel Advisory August 22, 2023

Mexico - see state summaries.

Reissued after periodic review with general security updates, and the removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links.

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Mexico.

Do Not Travel To:

• Colima state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Guerrero state  due to  crime .
• Michoacan state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Sinaloa state due to  crime  and  kidnapping
• Tamaulipas state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping.
• Zacatecas  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Reconsider Travel To:

• Baja California  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Chihuahua state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Durango state  due to  crime .
• Guanajuato state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Jalisco state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Morelos state  due to  crime .
• Sonora state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes  state due to  crime .
• Baja California Sur state  due to  crime .
• Chiapas state  due to  crime .
• Coahuila state  due to  crime .
• Hidalgo state  due to  crime .
• Mexico City  due to  crime .
• Mexico State  due to  crime .
• Nayarit state  due to  crime.
• Nuevo Leon  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Oaxaca state  due to  crime .
• Puebla state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Queretaro state  due to  crime .
• Quintana Roo state  due to  crime .
• San Luis Potosi state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Tabasco state  due to  crime .
• Tlaxcala state due to  crime .
• Veracruz state  due to  crime .

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche state
• Yucatan state

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

If you decide to travel to Mexico:

• Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Mexico.
• Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime  advisories  and  alerts , which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel. 

Aguascalientes state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.

Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

• Mexicali Valley:  U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions.  The boundaries of the restricted area are: to the east, the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders; to the south, from La Ventana (on Highway 5) due east to the Colorado River; to the west, Highway 5; and to the north, Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas/Highway 92/Highway 1 to Carretera Aeropuerto, from the intersection of Highway 1 and Carretera Aeropuerto due north to the Baja California/California border, and from that point eastward along the Baja California/California border.
• Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours.  Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.

There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. These include high-traffic tourism areas of border and coastal communities, such as  Tijuana ,  Ensenada , and  Rosarito .

Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.

Campeche state – Exercise Normal Precautions

Exercise normal precautions.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.

Chiapas state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Chiapas state.

Chihuahua state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employee travel is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Ciudad Juarez:  U.S. government employees may travel to the area of Ciudad Juarez bounded to the east by Bulevar Independencia; to the south by De los Montes Urales/Avenida Manuel J Clouthier/Carretera de Juárez; to the west by Via Juan Gabriel/Avenida de los Insurgentes/Calle Miguel Ahumada/Francisco Javier Mina/Melchor Ocampo; and to the north by the U.S.-Mexico border.  Direct travel to the Ciudad Juarez airport (officially called the Abraham González International Airport) and the factories located along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres is permitted.  Travel to San Jerónimo is permitted only through the United States via the Santa Teresa U.S. Port of Entry; travel via Anapra is prohibited.

U.S. government employees may only travel from Ciudad Juarez to the city of Chihuahua during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with stops permitted only at the Guardia Nacional División Caminos station, the Umbral del Milenio overlook area, the border inspection station at KM 35, and the shops and restaurants on Federal Highway 45 in the city of Ahumada.

• U.S. government employees may travel between Ciudad Juarez and Ascension via Highway 2.
• Nuevo Casas Grandes Area (including Nuevo Casas Grandes, Casas Grandes, Mata Ortiz, Colonia Juárez, Colonia LeBaron, Paquimé and San Buenaventura):  U.S. government employees may travel to the Nuevo Casas Grandes area during daylight hours via Mexico Federal Highway 2, and subsequently Federal Highway 10, to Nuevo Casas Grandes.  Employees are permitted to stay overnight in the cities of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes only.
• City of Chihuahua:  U.S. government employees may travel at any time to the area of the city of Chihuahua bounded to the north by Avenida Transformación; to the east by Avenida Tecnológico/Manuel Gómez Morín/Highway 16/Blvd.José Fuentes Mares; to the west by the city boundary; and to the south by Periférico Francisco R. Almada.
• U.S. government employees may travel on Highways 45, 16, and 45D through the city of Chihuahua and to the Chihuahua airport (officially called the General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport). 
• U.S. government employees may travel to Santa Eulalia to the east of the city of Chihuahua, as well as to Juan Aldama via Highway 16 to the northeast.
• U.S. government employees may travel south of the city of Chihuahua on Highway 45 to the southern boundary of Parral, including each town directly connected to Highway 45, including Lázaro Cárdenas, Pedro Meoqui, Santa Cruz de Rosales, Delicias, Camargo, Ciudad Jiménez, and Parral itself.
• U.S. government employees may only travel on official business from the city of Chihuahua on Highway 16 to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc bounded by Highway 21 to the north and east, Highway 5 to the west, and Bulevar Jorge Castillo Cabrera to the south. 
• Ojinaga:  U.S. government employees must travel to Ojinaga via U.S. Highway 67 and enter through the U.S. Port of Entry in Presidio, Texas.
• Palomas:  U.S. government employees may travel to Palomas via U.S. highways through the U.S. Port of Entry in Columbus, New Mexico, or via Highway 2 in Mexico.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Chihuahua, including  Copper Canyon .

Coahuila state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. 

U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities : U.S. government employees may not travel to these municipalities.
• Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña:  U.S. government employees must travel directly from the United States and observe a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. in both cities.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state.

Colima state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.  

Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.  

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with noted restrictions: 

• Manzanillo:   U.S. government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo.  
• Employees traveling to Manzanillo from Guadalajara must use Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours.  

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state. 

Durango state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime.

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state.

• West and south of Federal Highway 45:  U.S. government employees may not travel to this region of Durango state.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Durango state.

Guanajuato state – Reconsider Travel

Gang violence, often associated with the theft of petroleum and natural gas from the state oil company and other suppliers, occurs in Guanajuato, primarily in the south and central areas of the state.  Of particular concern is the high number of murders in the southern region of the state associated with cartel-related violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Areas south of Federal Highway 45D:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in:  San Miguel de Allende ,  Guanajuato City , and  surrounding areas.

Guerrero state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime.

Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions:

• Taxco:  U.S. government employees must use Federal Highway 95D, which passes through Cuernavaca, Morelos, and stay within downtown tourist areas of Taxco. Employees may visit Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park during the day with a licensed tour operator.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in  Acapulco ,  Zihuatanejo , and  Ixtapa .

Hidalgo state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.

Jalisco state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Jalisco-Michoacan border and Federal Highway 110:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area between Federal Highway 110 and the Jalisco-Michoacan border, nor travel on Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan, Jalisco, and the Michoacan border.
• Federal Highway 80:  U.S. government employees may not travel on Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Jalisco state which includes tourist areas in:  Guadalajara Metropolitan Area ,  Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit) ,  Chapala , and  Ajijic .

Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.

Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.

Michoacan state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Federal Highway 15D:   U.S. government employees may travel on Federal Highway 15D to transit the state between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
• Morelia:  U.S. government employees may travel by air and by land using Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D.
• Lazaro Cardenas:  U.S. government employees must travel by air only and limit activities to the city center or port areas.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Michoacan, including the portions of the  Monarch Butterfly Reserve  located in Michoacan.

Morelos state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.

Nayarit state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Nayarit state.

Nuevo Leon state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.

Oaxaca state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state.

U.S. travelers are reminded that U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Isthmus region:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area of Oaxaca bounded by Federal Highway 185D to the west, Federal Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca-Chiapas border to the east.  This includes the cities of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa.  
• Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa:  U.S. government employees may not use Federal Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees to other parts of Oaxaca state, which include tourist areas in:  Oaxaca City ,  Monte Alban ,  Puerto Escondido,  and  Huatulco .

Puebla state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.

Queretaro state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.

Quintana Roo state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.  Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. 

While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.  Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

San Luis Potosi state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.  U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.

Sinaloa state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based in and operating in Sinaloa. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Mazatlan:  U.S. government employees may travel to Mazatlan by air or sea only, are limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport and sea terminal.
• Los Mochis and Topolobampo:  U.S. government employees may travel to Los Mochis and Topolobampo by air or sea only, are restricted to the city and the port, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Sinaloa state.

Sonora state – Reconsider Travel

Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.  Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora.

• Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales:  U.S. government employees may travel between the U.S. Ports of Entry in Nogales and Hermosillo during daylight hours via Federal Highway 15 only. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures. Travelers should exercise caution and avoid unnecessary stops as security incidents, including sporadic, armed carjackings, and shootings have been reported along this highway during daylight hours. Travelers should have a full tank of gas and inform friends or family members of their planned travel.
• Nogales:  U.S. government employees may not travel in the triangular area north of Avenida Tecnologico, west of Bulevar Luis Donaldo Colosio (Periferico), nor east of Federal Highway 15D (Corredor Fiscal). U.S. government employees also may not travel in the residential and business areas to east of the railroad tracks along Plutarco Elias Calle (HWY 15) and Calle Ruiz Cortino, including the business area around the Morley pedestrian gate port-of-entry. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Nogales due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.  
• Puerto Peñasco:  U.S. government employees may travel between Puerto Peñasco and the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry during daylight hours via Federal Highway 8 only. They may not travel on any other route to Puerto Peñasco. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Puerto Peñasco. due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Triangular region near Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry:  U.S. government employees may not travel into or through the triangular region west of the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry, east of Sonoyta, and north of Altar municipality.
• San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta : U.S. government employees may travel directly from the nearest U.S. Port of Entry to San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea (via Douglas Port of Entry), and Agua Prieta, but may not go beyond the city limits. Travel is limited to daylight hours only. Travel between Nogales and Cananea via Imuris is not permitted. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these cities due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Eastern and southern Sonora (including San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos):  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora east of Federal Highway 17, the road between Moctezuma and Sahuaripa, and State Highway 20 between Sahuaripa and the intersection with Federal Highway 16. U.S. government employees may travel to San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos; travel to Alamos is only permitted by air and within city limits.  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora south of Federal Highway 16 and east of Federal Highway 15 (south of Hermosillo), as well as all points south of Guaymas, including Empalme, Guaymas, Obregon, and Navojoa.  U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these areas due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

U.S. government employees may travel to other parts of Sonora state in compliance with the above restrictions, including tourist areas in: Hermosillo , Bahia de Kino , and Puerto Penasco .

Tabasco state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.

Tamaulipas state – Do Not Travel

Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments.

Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo.  In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state.

U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo:  U.S. government employees may only travel within a limited radius around and between the U.S. Consulates in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros, their homes, the respective U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown sites, subject to an overnight curfew.
• Overland travel in Tamaulipas:  U.S. government employees may not travel between cities in Tamaulipas using interior Mexican highways. Travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey is limited to Federal Highway 85D during daylight hours with prior authorization.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state.

Tlaxcala state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.

Veracruz state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.

Yucatan state – Exercise Normal Precautions

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in:  Chichen Itza ,  Merida ,  Uxmal , and  Valladolid .

Zacatecas state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Zacatecas City : U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, and employees may not travel overland to Zacatecas City.
• U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Zacatecas state.

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Passport must be valid at time of entry

One page per stamp

Yes, if visiting for more than 180 days

See Travelers’ Health section

Embassies and Consulates

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR U.S. CITIZENS IN MEXICO From Mexico: 800-681-9374 or 55-8526-2561 From the United States: 1-844-528-6611

U.S. Citizen Services Inquiries: Contact Form

U.S. Embassy Mexico City

Paseo de la Reforma 305 Colonia Cuauhtémoc 06500 Ciudad de México

U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez

Paseo de la Victoria #3650 Fracc. Partido Senecú 32543 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua

U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara

Progreso 175 Colonia Americana 44160 Guadalajara, Jalisco

U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo

Monterey, Esqueda 141 El Centenario 83260 Hermosillo, Sonora

U.S. Consulate General Matamoros

Constitución No. 1 Colonia Jardín 87330 Matamoros, Tamaulipas

U.S. Consulate General Merida

Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31 Colonia Alcalá Martin 97050 Mérida, Yucatán

U.S. Consulate General Monterrey

Avenida Alfonso Reyes 150 Colonia Valle del Poniente 66196 Santa Catarina, Nuevo León

U.S. Consulate General Nogales

Calle San José s/n Fracc. Los Álamos 84065 Nogales, Sonora

U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo

Paseo Colon 1901 Colonia Madero 88260 Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

U.S. Consulate General Tijuana

Paseo de las Culturas s/n Mesa de Otay Delegación Centenario 22425 Tijuana, Baja California

Consular Agencies

Acapulco Hotel Continental Emporio Costera M. Alemán 121 – Office 14 39670 Acapulco, Guerrero Cancun

Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13 ZH Torre La Europea, Despacho 301 77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo

Los Cabos Las Tiendas de Palmilla L-B221, Km. 27.5 Carretera Transpeninsular 23406 San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur

Playa Gaviotas 202, Local 10 Zona Dorada 82110 Mazatlán, Sinaloa

Oaxaca Macedonio Alcalá 407, Office 20 68000 Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Piedras Negras Abasolo 211, Local 3, Centro 26000 Piedras Negras, Coahuila

Playa del Carmen Plaza Progreso, Local 33 Carretera Federal Puerto Juarez-Chetumal, Mz. 293 Lt. 1. 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Puerto Vallarta

Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros 85 Sur, Local L-7 63732 Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit

San Miguel de Allende Plaza La Luciérnaga, Libramiento Jose Manuel Zavala 165, Locales 4 y 5 Colonia La Luciérnaga 37745 San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Destination Description

See the  State Department’s Fact Sheet on Mexico  for more information on U.S.-Mexico relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico by air, and those attempting to enter at an airport with a U.S. passport card only may be denied admission.

Review the Mexican government’s most current  entry, exit, and visa requirements  ( Spanish only ) or visit the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C., for more information.

For travelers entering Mexico by air only, Mexican immigration authorities implemented a process to replace the previous paper Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM with a Forma Migratoria Multiple Digital or FMMD.  The FMMD process is in place at all 66 international airports in Mexico.  Upon arrival at an airport, Mexican immigration authorities will determine a traveler’s authorized length of stay and either place a date stamp in the traveler’s passport or direct the traveler through a self-service electronic gate (E-Gate) that will generate a printed receipt with QR code. Air travelers who wish to download a record of their FMMD or find more information on the FMMD process may visit the National Migration Institute’s (INM) website .

Travelers entering Mexico by land should have a valid passport book or card.  If you enter Mexico by land and plan to travel beyond the immediate border area (approximately 12 miles or 20 kilometers into Mexico), you must stop at an INM office to obtain an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM), even if not explicitly directed to do so by Mexican officials.  INM may opt to allow tourists entry of up to 180 days without a visa or may limit authorized stays to shorter periods at their discretion; visitors should confirm the specific length of authorized stay written on the entry permit (FMM) or by the stamp in their passport. Mexican immigration authorities could ask you to present both your passport and entry permit if applicable at any point and may detain you while they review your immigration status if you are not carrying your passport and proof of legal status in Mexico, or if you have overstayed your authorized stay. Immigration check points are common in the interior of Mexico, including in popular tourist areas far from the border.  

You will also need a temporary vehicle import permit to bring a U.S.-registered vehicle beyond the border zone. These permits are processed through Banjercito and require a deposit that will be refunded once the vehicle leaves Mexico.  For more information, visit the  Banjercito  website ( Spanish only ).

Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora have a “hassle-free” zone that allows cars traveling without an entry permit or car registration within the zone. 

Mexican authorities can impound a vehicle that enters the country without a valid U.S. registration, a vehicle driven by a Mexican national who is not resident in the United States, or a vehicle found beyond the border zone without the temporary import permit.

Mexican law permits Mexican immigration authorities to deny foreigners entry into Mexico if they have been charged with or convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or elsewhere.

Travelers bringing in goods beyond their personal effects worth $300.00 or more must declare those goods with Mexican customs (SAT) Mexican customs  ( Spanish only ) or risk having them confiscated. This also applies to used goods or clothing, including items for donation. U.S. citizens driving such items into Mexico without declaring them or without sufficient funds to pay duty fees are subject to having their vehicle seized by Mexican customs authorities. For further information about customs regulations, please read our  customs information page .

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents in Mexico.

A parent or legal guardian departing Mexico with minor children should carry a notarized consent letter from the other parent if traveling separately. INM requires at least one parent to complete a  SAM  ( Formato de Salida de Menores, Spanish only ) for all Mexican or foreign minors with Temporary Resident, Temporary Student Resident, or Permanent Resident status departing Mexico alone or with a third party.  Further information about the  prevention of international parental child abduction  is available on our website.

Find information on dual nationality , and customs regulations on our websites. Both Mexico and the United States allow dual nationality.

Safety and Security

Travelers are urged to review the  Mexico Travel Advisory  for information about safety and security concerns affecting the country on a state-by-state basis.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Mexico should not expect public health and safety standards like those in the United States. Even where such standards exist, enforcement varies by location. Travelers should mitigate the risk of illness or injury by taking standard health and safety precautions.

The phone number to report emergencies in Mexico is “911.”  Although there may be English-speaking operators available, it is best to seek the assistance of a Spanish speaker to place the call.

Crime:  Crime in Mexico occurs at a high rate and can be violent, from random street crime to cartel-related attacks. Over the past year, Mission Mexico has assisted U.S. citizens who were victims of armed robbery, carjacking, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, pick-pocketing, and sexual assault. Increased levels of cartel-related violence have resulted in territorial disputes and targeted killings, injuring or killing innocent bystanders. Travelers who find themselves in an active shooter scenario should flee in the opposite direction, if possible, or drop to the ground, preferably behind a hard barrier.

Drivers on roads and highways may encounter government checkpoints, which often include National Guard or military personnel. State and local police also set up checkpoints in and around cities and along the highways to deter criminal activity and enforce traffic laws. In some parts of Mexico, criminal organizations and other non-governmental actors have been known to erect unauthorized checkpoints and have abducted or threatened violence against those who fail to stop and/or pay a “toll.” When approaching a checkpoint, regardless of whether it is official, cooperate and avoid any actions that may appear suspicious or aggressive.

While Mexican authorities endeavor to safeguard the country’s major resort areas and tourist destinations, those areas have not been immune to the types of violence and crime experienced elsewhere in Mexico. In some areas of Mexico, response time of local police is often slow. In addition, filing police reports can be time consuming. See our  Mexico Travel Advisory  for more information.

Demonstrations  occur frequently.  They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.  Protesters in Mexico may block traffic on roads, including major thoroughfares, or take control of toll booths on highways.  Travelers who encounter protesters who demand unofficial tolls are generally allowed to pass upon payment.  U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by authorities, as Mexican law prohibits political activities by foreign citizens and such actions may result in detention or deportation.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.  
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.  

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.  

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Mexico. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:   

• Romance/Online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Lucrative sales 
• Grandparent/Relative targeting 
• Free Trip/Luggage 
• Inheritance notices 
• Bank overpayments 

Mexico’s consumer protection agency,  PROFECO  (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor, Spanish only), can sometimes  provide assistance  (Spanish only) to victims of such scams. In addition, there have been allegations of banking fraud perpetrated by private bankers against U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens who believe they have been victims of fraud can file a police report  file a complaint  (Spanish only) with the Mexican banking regulatory agency, CONDUSEF  (Comision Nacional para la Proteccion y Defensa de los Usuarios de Servicios Financieros, Spanish only), or consult with an attorney.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate for assistance.  Report emergencies to the local police at 911, report crimes already committed to the Ministerio Publico, and contact the Embassy or Consulate at +52-55-85262561.  Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

U.S. citizen victims of crime should contact the local authorities to file a Mexican police report before departing Mexico. In most instances, victims of crime will file reports with the Ministerio Publico (equivalent to the office of public prosecutor or district attorney in the United States) and not with police first responders. U.S. citizens should also inform the  U.S. Embassy or nearest consulat e . 

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .    We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care,
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police,
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent,
• provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion, 
• provide a list of local attorneys,
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States ,
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution,
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home,
• replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the  U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate  for assistance.

Kidnapping:  Mexico experiences very high rates of kidnapping.  If you believe you or your U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) relative has been kidnapped, please contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate immediately.

Robbery:  Mexico experiences robberies, typically in cities, in which abductors force victims to use their debit or credit card to withdraw money from ATMs in exchange for their release. Perpetrators commonly work in cooperation with, or pose as, taxi drivers. To minimize the risk of such robberies:

• Only use a reputable taxi company or a trusted ride-sharing app.
• Book taxis through your hotel or an authorized taxi stand.

Extortion:  Extortion schemes are common in Mexico.  In a typical scheme known as a virtual kidnapping, criminals convince family members that a relative has been abducted, when, in fact, the person is safe but unreachable.  The purported abductors will often use threats to persuade victims to isolate themselves, making communication with family members less likely.  Unable to reach their loved ones, family members often consent to paying the “ransom” demand.  Criminals use various means to gather information about potential victims, including monitoring social media sites, eavesdropping on conversations, or using information taken from a stolen cell phone.  Some of these extortions have been conducted from Mexican prisons.  You can reduce the risk of falling victim to this type of extortion through the following:

• Do not discuss travel plans, your room number, or any other personal information within earshot of strangers.
• Do not divulge personal business details to strangers in person or over the phone, especially when using hotel phones.
• If you are threatened on the phone, hang up immediately.

Sexual Assault:  Rape and sexual assault are serious problems in some resort areas. Many of these incidents occur at night or during the early morning hours, in hotel rooms, on hotel grounds, or on deserted beaches. In some cases, assailants drug the drinks of victims before assaulting them. Pay attention to your surroundings and to who might have handled your drink.

Credit/Debit Card “Skimming:”  There have been instances of fraudulent charges or withdrawals from accounts due to “skimmed” cards. If you choose to use credit or debit cards, you should regularly check your account to ensure there are no unauthorized transactions. Travelers should limit the amount of cash they carry in public, exercise caution when withdrawing cash from ATMs, and avoid ATMs located in isolated or unlit areas.

Alcohol:  If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill. There have been reports of individuals falling ill or blacking out after consuming unregulated alcohol. The Mexican Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk,  COFEPRIS  ( Comision Federal para la Proteccion contra Riesgos Sanitarios, Spanish only ), is responsible for inspecting hotels, restaurants, and other establishments for health violations, including reports of unregulated alcohol. Please email COFEPRIS at  [email protected]  for more information or if you wish to file a report. You can file a report online (Spanish only) via the COFEPRIS website, by calling the COFEPRIS call center at 800 033 50 50 (from Mexico) or +52 (55) 5080-5425 (from the United States), or by scheduling an appointment  (Spanish only)  to visit a COFEPRIS office.

There have also been instances of criminals drugging drinks to rob or sexually assault victims. Additionally, if you feel you have been the victim of unregulated alcohol or another serious health violation, you should notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate . You may also contact the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries).

Drug Smuggling:  Mexican criminal organizations are engaged in a violent struggle to control trafficking routes. Criminal organizations smuggling drugs into the United States have targeted unsuspecting individuals who regularly cross the border. Frequent border crossers are advised to vary their routes and travel times and to closely monitor their vehicles to avoid being targeted.

Tourism:  In major cities and resort areas, the tourism industry is generally well-regulated.  Best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced.  Hazardous areas and activities are identified with appropriate signage, and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country.  Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and/or provide life-saving assistance.  In smaller towns and areas less commonly frequented by foreign tourists, the tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur.  Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in or near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Since 2016, Mexico has opened seven multilingual Centers for the Care and Protection of Tourists (CAPTA) and Tourist Assistance Centers (CATTAC) in Los Cabos, La Paz, Acapulco, Playa del Carmen, Mazatlan, Ciudad Madero, and Queretaro. These offices have proven helpful assisting U.S. citizen visitors in resolving disputes with merchants and government entities, filing criminal reports, securing needed services, and locating special needs accommodations. 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

The Mexican government is required by international law to contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate promptly when a U.S. citizen is arrested if the arrestee so requests.  This requirement does not apply to dual nationals.  

Firearms and Other Weapons:  Weapons laws in Mexico vary by state, but it is generally illegal for travelers to carry weapons of any kind including firearms, knives, daggers, brass knuckles, as well as ammunition (even used shells). Illegal firearms trafficking from the United States to Mexico is a major concern, and the Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against taking any firearm or ammunition into Mexico. If you are caught entering Mexico with any type of weapon, including firearms or ammunitions, you likely will face severe penalties, including prison time. U.S.-issued permits allowing an individual to carry weapons are not valid in Mexico.  Visit the Department’s  Traveling Abroad with Firearms webpage .

Vessels entering Mexican waters with firearms or ammunition on board must have a permit previously issued by a Mexican embassy or consulate.

Drugs:  Drug possession and use, including medical marijuana, is illegal in Mexico and may result in a lengthy jail sentence or fines.  

Electronic Cigarettes (Vaping Devices):  It is illegal for travelers to bring electronic cigarettes (vaping devices) and all vaping solutions to Mexico. Customs will confiscate vaping devices and solutions and travelers could be fined or arrested. Avoid delays and possible sanctions by not taking these items to Mexico. 

Real Estate and Time Shares:  U.S. citizens should exercise caution when considering time-share investments or purchasing real estate and be aware of the aggressive tactics used by some sales representatives. Before initiating a real estate purchase or time-share investment, U.S. citizens should consult with a Mexican attorney to learn about important regulations and laws that govern real estate property.

Mountain Climbing and Hiking:  The Mexican government has declared the area around the Popocatepetl and the Colima volcanoes off limits. In remote rural areas, there can be limited cell phone coverage and internet connectivity, and it may be difficult for rescue teams and local authorities to reach climbers and hikers in distress.

Potential for Natural Disasters:  Mexico is in an active earthquake zone. Tsunamis may occur following significant earthquakes. Please visit our  disaster and crisis preparedness  webpage for more information. For additional information concerning disasters, see:

• U.S. Embassy Mexico City website
• Civil Protection  ( Proteccion Civil, Spanish only ) provides information from the Mexican Government about natural disaster preparedness
• U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  provides general information about natural disaster preparedness
• U.S. Geological Survey  provides updates on recent seismic and volcanic activity

Storm Season:  Tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico or along the Caribbean and Pacific Coast between May and November can produce heavy winds and rain. Please visit our disaster and crisis preparedness  webpage for more information.

Spring Break:  Millions of U.S. citizens visit Mexican beach resorts each year, especially during “ spring break ” season. The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. See the “Alcohol” section above to learn more about the risks associated with drinking, as well as reports of illnesses associated with the possible consumption of unregulated alcohol.

Resort Areas and Water Activities:  Beaches in Mexico may be dangerous due to strong currents, rip tides, and rogue waves. Warning notices and flags on beaches should be taken seriously. Not all hazardous beaches are clearly marked. If black or red warning flags are up, do not enter the water. Strong currents can lead to dangerous conditions for even the most experienced swimmers. U.S. citizens simply walking along the shore or wading have been swept out to sea by rogue waves, and some citizens have drowned or disappeared at Mexican beaches. Avoid the consumption of alcohol while engaging in water activities and do not swim alone. 

Boats used for excursions may not be covered by accident insurance and sometimes lack adequate life jackets, radios, and tools to make repairs.  Participation in adventure sports may not be covered by accident insurance and safety protections and regulations for these activities may differ from U.S. standards.  Visit  our website  and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about adventure travel.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also be subject to fines or forced to relinquish the goods if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or on the organization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Intersex (LGBTQI+) events in Mexico. However, due to sporadic reports of violence targeting LGBTQI+ individuals, U.S. citizens should exercise discretion in identifying themselves publicly as LGBTQI+. See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and Section 6 of the  Department of State’s Human Rights Report for Mexico  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:   Mexican law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities.  Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States.  The most common types of accessibility may include accessible facilities, information, and communication/access to services/ease of movement or access.  Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure in more rural and remote parts of the country, and more common in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure in major cities.  U.S. citizens with disabilities should consult individual hotels and service providers in advance of travel to ensure they are accessible.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  There were several reports of sexual assault or domestic violence involving U.S. citizen women over the past year. See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Excellent health facilities are available in Mexico City and other major cities. Ambulance services are widely available, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi to a health provider. Mexican facilities often require payment “up front” before providing medical care, and most hospitals in Mexico do not accept U.S. health insurance. A list of doctors and hospitals is available on the U.S. Embassy or consulate website.

U.S. citizens have lodged complaints against some private hospitals in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Los Cabos to include exorbitant prices and inflexible collection measures.  Travelers should obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care in these locations.  Be aware that some resorts have exclusive agreements with medical providers and ambulance services, which may limit your choices in seeking emergency medical attention.  Some hospitals in tourist centers utilize sliding scales, deciding on rates for services based on negotiation and on the patient’s perceived ability to pay.  In some instances, providers have been known to determine the limits of a patient’s credit card or insurance, quickly reach that amount in services rendered, and subsequently discharge the patient or transfer them to a public hospital.

Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for information on Medical Tourism.

For emergency services in Mexico, dial  911 .  Although there may be English-speaking operators available, it is best to seek the assistance of a Spanish speaker to place the call.

Ambulance services are: 

• widely available in major cities but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards,
• not present in many remote and rural areas of the country,   
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.  
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.  

We do not pay medical bills:  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.  Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.  

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.  Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation as well.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.  Check the Mexican government’s Drug Schedule to ensure the medication is legal in Mexico. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information :

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals .  We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. 

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery: 

• U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.   
• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations.  Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on Medical Tourism.  
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.  
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Mexico.  Several foreigners have successfully enlisted the support of  PROFECO  (Spanish only) in order to resolve disputes over medical services.
• Although Mexico has many elective/cosmetic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely.  If you plan to undergo surgery in Mexico, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available and professionals are accredited and qualified.  

Pharmaceuticals

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas.  Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls.  Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients.  Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.  
• The Drug Enforcement Agency reports counterfeit prescription pills are sold by criminals on both sides of the border. These pills are sometimes represented as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax, and others, and may contain deadly doses of fentanyl. Counterfeit pills are readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas.  U.S. citizens have become seriously ill or died in Mexico after using synthetic drugs or adulterated prescription pills.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States.  Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States.  Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States.  Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.   
• Visit the  Mexican Health Department  website (Spanish only) or contact the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C., for more information about obtaining a permit to import medicine into Mexico.
• For a list of controlled substances in Mexico, visit the  COFEPRIS  website (Spanish only) and the  Mexican Drug Schedule  (Spanish only). U.S. citizens should carry a copy of their prescription or doctor’s letter, but it is still possible that they may be subject to arrest for arriving in Mexico with substances on these lists. Note that a medicine considered “over the counter” in some U.S. states may be a controlled substance in Mexico. For example, pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed, is considered a controlled substance in Mexico. For more information, contact the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy  

• If you are considering traveling to Mexico to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . 
• Surrogacy is legal for foreigners in most of Mexico, in some states surrogacy is either not legal or is not governed by regulation. 
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in Mexico via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship. 
• Make sure you understand Mexican law, which can vary from state to state and is ambiguous in its treatment of non-Mexican or same-sex intending parents. Mexican courts, for example, may fail to enforce surrogacy agreements between non-Mexican or same-sex intending parents and gestational mothers.
• Gestational mothers are normally treated as the child’s legal parent with full parental rights in most states. The gestational mother’s name is typically listed on the Mexican state-issued birth certificate.  In Mexico City, the intended parents may be listed on the Mexican birth certificate if they can demonstrate a valid surrogacy agreement was in place regarding the child’s birth.
• Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution.  Mexican authorities have made arrests stemming from surrogacy cases.

Carbon Monoxide

• Many hotels and other lodgings are not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, even if they contain sources of this potentially lethal gas. U.S. citizens have died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning throughout Mexico. If your lodging is not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector, consider traveling with a portable one.

Water Quality: 

• In many areas in Mexico, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks might be made using tap water.

Altitude: 

• Many cities in Mexico, such as Mexico City, are at high altitude, which can lead to altitude illness. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Travel to High Altitudes .

Adventure Travel

• Participation in adventure sports and activities may not be covered by accident insurance and safety protections and regulations for these activities may differ from U.S. standards.  Visit  our website  and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website  for more information about adventure travel.

General Health

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Typhoid Fever
• Travelers’ Diarrhea
• Chikungunya
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Parasitic Infections
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Mexico.   

Air Quality

• Air pollution is a significant problem in several major cities in Mexico. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary.

For further health information, go to:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

  Private Residential Treatment Facilities: 

• These facilities provide care to U.S. citizens throughout Mexico and include child behavior modification facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living centers. 
• There is a wide range in standards for education, safety, health, sanitation, immigration, and residency.  Staff licensing may not be strictly enforced or meet the standards of similar facilities in the United States.  
• The State Department has received reports of abuse, negligence, or mismanagement at some of these facilities. U.S. citizens should exercise due diligence and do extensive research before selecting a residential treatment facility.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of U.S. citizen deaths in Mexico. If you have an emergency while driving, dial “911.” If you are driving on a toll highway (“ cuota ”) or any other major highway, you may contact the Green Angels ( Spanish only ), a fleet of trucks with bilingual crews, by dialing 078 from any phone in Mexico.  Generally, individuals involved in an accident who do not require immediate medical care should contact their insurance providers, who may come to the site to provide an immediate assessment.

Avoid driving on Mexican highways at night. Travel with a charged and functional cell phone capable of making calls in Mexico. Travelers should exercise caution at all times and should use toll (“ cuota ”) roads rather than the less secure free (“ libre ”) roads whenever possible. Do not hitchhike or accept rides from or offer rides to strangers anywhere in Mexico. Travelers encountering police or security checkpoints should comply with instructions.

Road conditions and maintenance across Mexico vary with many road surfaces needing repair. Travel in rural areas poses additional risks to include spotty cell phone coverage and delays in receiving roadside or medical assistance.

Vehicular traffic in Mexico City is subject to restriction Monday through Saturday, according to the license plate number, in order to reduce air pollution. For additional information, refer to the  Hoy No Circula website  ( Spanish only ) maintained by the Mexico City government. See our  Road Safety Page  for more information.  Also, visit  Mexico’s national tourist office website , MexOnline, and Mexico’s customs website  Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos  ( Spanish only ) for more information regarding travel and transportation.

Traffic Laws:   U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Mexico. Mexican law requires that only owners drive their vehicles or that the owner be inside the vehicle. Failing to abide by this law may lead to impoundment and a fine equal to the value of the vehicle.

Mexican citizens who are not also U.S. citizens or LPRs may not operate U.S.-registered vehicles in Mexico. Mexican insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. Drivers involved in accidents, even minor incidents, may be subject to arrest if they are found to be driving without proper insurance, regardless of whether they were at fault. Driving under the influence of alcohol, using a mobile device while driving, and driving through a yellow light are all illegal in Mexico.

If you drive your vehicle into Mexico beyond the immediate border area (approximately 12 miles into Mexico), you must apply for a temporary vehicle import permit with Mexican customs, Banjercito , or at some Mexican consulates in the United States. The permit requires the presentation of a valid passport and a monetary deposit that will be returned to you upon leaving Mexico before the expiration of the permit. Failing to apply for a temporary vehicle import permit may lead to impoundment and a fine equal to the value of the vehicle. 

Vehicles crossing into Mexico must have a valid license plate and registration sticker. Mexican authorities will often refuse to admit vehicles with temporary or paper license plates. Vehicles with expired registration or unauthorized plates will likely be confiscated and the operator could be charged with a fine equal to the value of the vehicle.

The Mission Mexico Vehicle Recovery Unit  assists with the return of stolen U.S. vehicles recovered by Mexican authorities.

If you have an emergency while driving, dial “911.” If you are driving on a toll highway (“cuota”) or any other major highway, you may contact the Green Angels (Spanish only), a fleet of trucks with bilingual crews, by dialing 078 from any phone in Mexico.  Generally, individuals involved in an accident who do not require immediate medical care should contact their insurance providers, who may come to the site to provide an immediate assessment.

Public Transportation/Taxis:  Security on public buses varies throughout the country but is considered a relatively safe transportation option in Mexico City and other major tourist centers. Passengers should protect their personal possessions at all times as theft is common. Intercity bus travel should be conducted during daylight hours in preferably first-class buses using toll roads.

Robberies and assaults on passengers in taxis not affiliated with a taxi stand (known as “libre” taxis) are common. Avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or contacted in advance, including “libre” taxis. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or “sitio” (regulated taxi stand) and ask the dispatcher for the driver’s name and the taxi’s license plate number. Application-based car services such as Uber and Cabify are available in many Mexican cities, and generally offer another safe alternative to taxis. Official complaints against Uber and other drivers do occur, however, and past disputes between these services and local taxi unions have occasionally turned violent, resulting in injuries to U.S. citizens in some instances.

See our Road Safety page for more information. 

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Mexico’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Mexico should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

If you enter by sea, review the Mexican boating permit requirements  prior to travel or contact the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C., for more information.

Maritime Safety Oversight:  The Mexican maritime industry, including charter fishing and recreational vessels, is subject solely to Mexican safety regulations.  Travelers should be aware that Mexican equipment and vessels may not meet U.S. safety standards or be covered by any accident insurance.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Mexico . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Coronavirus Update For Mexico's Caribbean

Covid-19 in cancun, tulum, cozumel & more.

Updated May 2024 ⋅ Written by Laura Schulthies ⋅ Edited by Daniel Mode

Covid-19 Mexico Overview

If you plan to visit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the Mexican Caribbean region, here is a snapshot of what you can expect. While only you can determine your risk tolerance and make travel decisions, this guide will provide information to help you make an informed decision. Note that regulations can change rapidly, so consult government websites for additional coronavirus updates.

Island Life Mexico is your #1 guide for all things Mexican Caribbean! Our hotel guides, restaurant guides and visitors guides are loaded with great info and recommendations so check out all we have on offer!

Current Coronavirus Status

Inside yucatan and quintana roo.

• As of June 2023, Quintana Roo is currently averaging just a few Covid cases a day in a state with a population of 1.85+ million.
• Each state in Mexico is assigned one of four colo rs (green, yellow, orange, red) based on current rates of infection and hospital occupancy.
• The stat us of Quintana Roo (Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel, etc.) is currently GREEN   meaning lower risk.
• Case numbers in the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Holbox are low.
• As of June 2023, hospital occupancy is currently 0% full in Cancun, 0% full in Isla Mujeres, 0% in Cozumel, 0% in Playa del Carmen and 0% in Tulum.
• More information about cases, hospitalizations and vaccination rates is further down the page.

much more info below

  ISLAND LIFE TRAVEL TIP : GET TRAVEL INSURANCE

When planning an international vacation, Travel Insurance is a must in our opinion. Since your health insurance likely doesn’t cover you while outside of the country, travel insurance makes sure if you accidentally break a bone or get food poisoning, your medical needs are covered. Travel insurance also typically covers you for trip cancellation, lost or stolen luggage (it happens), Covid issues, flight delays, missed connections and more. We think it’s a no brainer and should be factored into any international trip budget. You can easily compare the top-rated travel insurance plans here .

CURRENT QUINTANA ROO PROTOCOLS

• There is no longer a curfew in Quintana Roo.
• There is no longer a statewide mask mandate.

* While in Mexico, visitors must observe all federal and local health measures, including wearing a mask where required .

Negative Test Requirements

Info for visitors leaving mexico.

As of June 12th, 2022, all passengers departing Mexico for the United States are NO LONGER required to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test. If you choose to get tested, however, testing is readily available at many locations as outlined below.

Get Tested At A Lab

Many visitors prefer getting tested at a local lab, as it is easy and discreet. Labs will perform the initial swab and then email or text you the results. In any major tourist area you will see signs for COVID testing labs everywhere.

Get Tested In Your Hotel

Many major hotels across Mexico including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Tulum are offering Covid-19 Testing services to their guests. Please contact your hotel DIRECTLY for information and details. If your hotel does not offer testing in house, many hotels can arrange for a doctor to visit you in your room to administer a test.

The Experience

If you visit Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel today, you can still have an exciting experience. As noted above, most tourist sights are now open and welcoming guests.

Begin planning your visit here

The Big Question

Is it safe to visit cancun, playa del carmen, tulum or cozumel during covid-19.

So is visiting places like Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel safe? That is ultimately up to you to decide. No destination with cases is 100% safe, and if COVID is around, there is always a risk. However, this is what the situation in Quintana Roo currently looks like:

COVID-19 CASES IN QUINTANA ROO

As of June 2023, there have been 118,964 total reported cases, and 4,454 reported deaths in the state of Quintana Roo since the pandemic began.

Hospitals as a whole are currently operating at under 1% capacity. All of the cities have high-quality hospitals that will generally take tourists. People commonly report that hospital bills are significantly lower at these hospitals than in the U.S.

Quintana Roo received its first doses of the vaccine in Cancun starting January 11 th , 2021. Currently, more than 90% of the adult population in the state have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Quintana Roo began booster vaccines for locals in November 2021. Vaccines and boosters are currently not available for visiting foreigners in Quintana Roo.

Cancun Visitors Guide

Tulum Visitors Guide

Cozumel Visitors Guide

Isla Mujeres Visitors Guide

Holbox Visitors Guide

Isla Contoy Visitors Guide

Playa Del Carmen Visitors Guide

The Best Cenotes in Yucatan

7 Yucatan Foods That Will Blow Your Mind

Cozumel Diving Guide

Tulum Mayan Ruins Guide

Packing List For Beach Vacation

Much more to explore..., share this post, this post has 352 comments.

What are the vaccine requirements for travelers from overseas entering in 2023?

There are currently no vaccine requirements anymore 🙂

Any information regarding color coding for the rest of the Yucatán? Merida and Campeche?

Everything is green right now.

Any idea when the indoor mask mandate will be lifted in Merida?

No telling, but it’s not always enforced. Always carry a mask with you, and if others are wearing them or you are asked to, put yours on. Otherwise, don’t worry about it outdoors and just have a great time!

I really appreciate this, thank you for telling us . Very hard to find up to date regulations for other countries , so this helped

Do u have to be vaccinated to enter Tulum??

No, you do not. There are no vaccination requirements in Tulum.

Hello, i saw some reviews on tui lately about bars closing early in the hotels. Is it some kind of a new rule in cancun? Thank you

Some hotels still have their own rules in place.

Is it better to pay in pesos while vacationing in Mexico or U.S. dollars?

It’s always better to pay pesos. You can use ATMs in Mexico to withdraw pesos. When you do, ALWAYS decline their exchange rate. Every ATM will show you their (ridiculous) exchange rates and allow you the opportunity to accept or decline it. Always decline. Your home bank’s exchange rate will always be better.

Great info. I have been to Q. Roo a dozen times. Have done just about all the excursions you mentioned. The entire family has loved them. Going back end of May, 2022 to Isla Mujeres. Looking forward to trying some of the restaurants/spots you mentioned.

Glad you enjoy the site! Have a wonderful visit!

hey daniel, my family and i live aboard our sailboat we are looking to sail into Islamujeres this late summer. could you please inform me about the testing for us or is there any testing at all? vessel documents no problem. passports no problem. very interested in the feedback sincerely. S/V The White Pearl

There are no testing requirements for entering Mexico 🙂

Is a negative covid test required to enter back into the US? If so can you take a home test or does it have to be at a local lab?

Yes, you are required to show a negative Covid test taken within one day before flying to the US. They will check at the airport in Mexico before you fly. I don’t think home tests are allowed.

Just got back on the 16th of may. My son tested positive on Friday the 13th. I stayed and quarantined with him over the weekend. The rest of my family flew back on the 14th into the US with negative tests. We flew domestically from Cancun to Tijuana. No test needed. Walked across using cbx into the US just showing passports, id and vax cards. We rented a car from San Diego and drove home. You can fly within the US without a Covid test, but we live in California and driving was a better option for us. My son had no symptoms, very light cough. I made sure we masked up the entire trip. I also let the rental car company know that my passenger just tested positive. I was not going to wait for a negative test to fly home. It Could take up to 14 days before you get a negative test.

What about masks inside hotels, bars, and restaurants? We are going April 13 and really don’t want to have to worry about a mask anywhere

There are still masks required in a few indoor spaces like grocery stores and museums, but in restaurants and bars you don’t need to wear them. Certain hotels might have rules about the lobbies, but besides that you shouldn’t have to worry about it! Have a great visit!

Do you know is there age limit at ado busses when children have to wear a mask?

I’m honestly not sure B. I’d suggest just having a paper mask in your pocket in case they ask your child to wear one.

We plan on traveling from Amsterdam to Cancun with a layover on Dallas (DFW) (around 5 hours). We’re aware that we need negative test results to enter the US but what we can’t seem to figure out is if we again need a valid negative test when flying out of Dallas to Cancun.

Do you have any idea regarding this?

Awesome resources btw, thanks in advance!

Hey Yordi, Glad you like the website! You do not need a negative test to enter Mexico. There are no testing requirements here. Hope that helps!

Hi, I will be arriving in April and would like to make sure that I do not require a negative Covid test to enter Mexico, if I do I will need to book the test asap. Also, is there anything else that is required?

There are no testing requirements for entering Mexico. Have a wonderful visit!

How is the situation with regards to violence? We plan to stay in Playa del Carmen with day trips driving to Chichin Itza, Tulum and the Cenotes in the area. Any input?

There is very little violence whatsoever and Quintana Roo is quite safe. Just act like you would in any American city and you’ll have a great time!

We may be going to Riviera Maya in April. Just trying to figure out the levels & how everything is operating at this point.

Covid levels are extremely low and everything is opened up again. Have a wonderful visit!

Great to see QRoo at Green – I’m arriving in a few weeks – regarding testing for return to US – the CDC allows both a negative test or documentation from MD showing proof of active antibodies (“Documentation of Recovery”) – do you know if Airport personnel at Cancun are accepting the latter?

I honestly don’t know Rob. I’ve heard mixed things. Tests are inexpensive and readily available though.

Thank you for all your knowledge and info…it has helped so much. Staying in Cancun and Puerto Morales when there. Pretty active couple but love sightseeing too. What would you suggest as top 3 excursions? leaving in the next week.

Also, any restaurants to eat at downtown that you really recommend.

Thanks again

Happy to help! Take a look at our Cancun Visitors Guide and Cancun Restaurants Guide for suggestions!

Hi Daniel, I just wondered when they are looking at the colour system again and the chances of Cancun going green

They just announced all of Quintana Roo will go green on Monday! February 21st, 2022.

What exactly does that mean? Are masks still required anywhere?

Masks are still required in some indoor spaces, but not typically in restaurants and bars. Most everything is pretty much open. We recommend just bringing a mask along and putting it on where you see others using it. Have a great trip!

Your site has been such a wonderful resource and I so appreciate your continuing to update it. We are traveling soon to Playa Mujeres. I have small children and so don’t feel like traveling too far out of the all-inclusive but would like to expose them to something cultural. I found El Meco Archeological site but Google is showing it as temporarily closed. Do you know if it is closed by any chance?

Thank you again!

I’m glad you enjoy the site! Sorry, but I’m not sure if El Meco is open or not. I suggest trying to reach out to them if possible. Good luck and have a wonderful visit!

Daniel I appreciate your daily status updates! Me and my girlfriend will be in Holbox next Friday and cannot wait. With that being said… do you have any information with the seagrass/seaweed situation on the beaches? I’ve heard it’s hit or miss and was just curious how it could be potentially looking upon arrival next week.

The seaweed doesn’t usually get bad until the early summer. Have a wonderful trip!

Hi! I am from Albania, and I do not know what requirements are to enter in Mexico from Albania. I have done two shots of Sinovac. Do I need visa, or smth similiar? My husband is from Usa, with two shots. We would like to visit Cancun in March

There are no vaccine requirements to enter Mexico.

Hi Daniel, your site has been an invaluable find for our family. Thank you for the up-to-date information… we leave for Cancun in 5 days and very much look forward to the warm sunshine and swimming in the Caribbean Sea. Thanks again for the in-site you provide for all us traveling to Mexico!

Happy to help Andrew! Have a fantastic vacation!

Hi Daniel! Thanks so much for tracking and sharing all of this info– very helpful! We are leaving for a trip to Tulum in 2 weeks and will be travelling with our 6.5 month old son. I just stumbled across a review of a grocery store that indicated Quintana Roo has restrictions in place that do not allow children under 2 to enter the store. Is this still in effect? If so, what sorts of establishments (restaurants? stores? etc.) does this apply to? Is it only for “indoor” spaces?

Hey Ashley, glad you enjoy the website! As for the restriction you mentioned, I have not heard this before. It’s not to say it doesn’t exist, I’ve just never heard this. Sorry, I can’t be of more help!

What is the mask situation like there? Want to book for April but won’t if masks are still required.

Masks are still largely required indoors and in crowded areas. Don’t worry too much about it, you wouldn’t need to wear masks at the beach, the pool or in restaurants. It’s easy to see where people are using them. Have a great trip!

Thanks for a concise and clear advice, we’re travelling on the 26th of March and are buzzing !

Have a great trip Matt!

Thanks for the continual updates on COVID conditions. We’re 29 days from lift-off for our Cancun trip and it’s helped us make sure we felt comfortable going. Raising a Margarita in your name on the beach!

Have a fantastic time!

Same here!! Your website has been our constant source of info to decide whether to go ahead with our long awaited trip to Isla Holbox & Playa del Carmen, so thank you very much! We’re going! Wooooo!!

Have a wonderful time Rachel!

And we are 35 Days from our trip to Cancun – so this is great news !!

is the PCR or Antigen test demanded when arriving from other countries than USA? We are coming from Finland with three shots. Thank you already, this site is very informative and helpful 🙂

There is no test required when ARRIVING in Mexico. Mexico has no test requirements. The only requirements are from other countries when you head home. The US requires an Antigen or PCR test, but other countries require PCR tests. Check what the rules are for returning to Finland. Glad you like the site!

Hi now Quinta roo has now gone from orange to yellow what does that mean for the hotels and bars?

It pretty much means have a great time!

We just read the level is staying orange and will be updated on 2/6. Did you hear this?

Yes, that is what I have written above 🙂

Hi! We are going to Playa Mujeres middle of April and debating if we should cancel or not. Do you know if a lot of people get stuck at hotels due to getting a positive test result?! My luck, I would be one. Lol.

It’s fairly rare. Just go and have an amazing time!

Haha this is what I worry about as well.

Thank you very much for this detailed information! We are really looking forward to visiting and hope 1) the cancunense stay happy and healthy [top priority!] 2) the local/state/federal government do not increase the semaphore to red! This would hurt the economy and gente far more than the virus!

Hello. Super happy to have stumbled across your site. Very informative. Do you know when the next government update will take place regarding colour codes. We are going to be in Puerto Morelos on the 12th and are hoping they go back to yellow, or better yet… Green.

That would be wonderful, right?! Green is the dream. Right now, we’re waiting for an update from the government. Cases and hospitalizations have largely plateaued this week, but you never know. I’ll update this page as soon as I hear anything.

Hi there, Thank you for your great website! In about 6 days were going to yucutan and quintana roo. Looking forward! Only were wondering about the traffic light system what the expectations are?? Were afraid that it will turn red on the 6th of february and then there is no way back and we can probably do nothing? Do you have any information for us 🙂 Thanks in advance!

Right now there hasn’t been any indication of returning to red, but none of us expected we would go to orange (with no new restrictions?) and that happened. Check back regularly, I typically update the color on this page a few days before the official government website. Have a wonderful trip!

I don’t see the update on any site for the covid color for the week of Jan 31st. Still planning to come to paradise tomorrow, unless they went to red yesterday. Any help you can offer would be helpful.

They haven’t updated us yet. You may hit some rain on Sunday but Monday and Tuesday look like sunny and 80 degrees! Welcome to paradise.

Scheduled for 2 weeks at The Grand at Moon Palace, starting Feb 3. IF Quintant Roo is in RED at that time, will it close the resort restaurants? Is there no exemption for large resorts? (I only ask because I have read this elsewhere, but no idea if it’s true). If ORANGE, what will that look like on-resort? We have no real plans to leave the resort, and are not there during one of the festivals. Thanks – super informative website!!

The restaurants would likely remain open. The last time it went red, resorts just closed themselves off to outside visitors but inside the resorts, fun continued. Some temporarily closed their buffets, but I don’t think it will go that way this time. I think you’ll have a wonderful time!

Hi Daniel just curious how its looking. Will be traveling to the barcelo maya grand resort in February do you think things will still be open or getting worse.

Let me take a look into my crystal ball here Travis 😉 Just kidding. Honestly, I’d bet things improve over the next month if the curve follows similar patterns to South Africa, UK and the US. Numbers seem to be plateauing, but check back in a few weeks.

Do you know of an official source detailing mask requirements whether it be Mexico or Cancun specificially? My search led me here, but straight answers are hard to find!

Masks are required in public spaces, but this varies based on local enforcement. Bring a mask and you’ll see pretty quick where you should be wearing them. It’s barely a nuisance since most of your time will likely be at the beach, pool or restaurants where you don’t need to wear em.

Sorry Dan what about the bars and clubs please sorry for the questions coming with family but would love a night out to enjoy the nightlife

Right now the bars are still open most places.

Hi, are there any news/updates about Quintana Roo restrictions after January 31st? Right now it’s orange and my concern if it will move to the red

No updates yet. I’ll update as soon as I hear anything.

Thank you Daniel! We are looking at travelling to Cancun, but aren’t trying to wear masks everywhere and get mask tan marks… That may be a source of pride for some, but not us! Good to know it’s fairly limited, as we’ve gotten used to not having to wear them anywhere but at the doctor’s office at this point:)

Hey Blake, as I’ve stated above, masks are not required at the beaches or pools or in most resorts. I wouldn’t worry about tan lines! lol. Just have a mask with you for entering buildings and in congested public areas. You will see immediately where people are and are not wearing masks and just do as the locals do. Have fun!

We are coming down Feb 9th for 12 days and wondering the same thing as Liz. I get the part about restaurants, beaches and pools and not having to wear a mask there, but what about walking around outside in town around other people, and being outside, are you required to wear a mask then as well or only when you go into a store or building?

At this point, you’re supposed to wear them whenever you’re around others. I can’t speak to if/how this is being enforced though. My guess is, if you’re on a busy pedestrian way like 5th ave in Playa for instance, you should definitely have one with you and see what’s happening. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. You’ll have a great time regardless. Sidenote: paper masks are much more comfortable than cloth in the tropical heat.

Hi – can anyone give me an update on traveling to Cozumel right now.? My wife and I are booked to travel this coming weekend but with the current Covid spike and the new Orange level in the area I’m concerned our trip will be impacted and the possibility of getting a positive test and being required to stay in Mexico beyond our schedule trip. Has anyone run into being delayed coming back to USA currently.? I can cancel our trip and reschedule if i wanted too. Thanks.

Cozumel is open and gorgeous right now. The hospitals are mostly empty and cases have already peaked. Get tested outside of your resort to avoid mandatory quarantine. There are several walk up Marko labs around town or you can go to one of the hospitals like Costamed for testing. You’ll get results in an hour or two. Have fun!

I had lucky,when i was in Mexico, this was yellow, we had not mask outside. But inside. I love Cancun and Talum

My fiance and I will be flying in to Cancun, moving on to PDC and then Tulum.. I can see that the area has just moved to orange, do you know how that will affect restaurants etc? And is the any indication that the area might move on to the red light as well?

Best Regards

At this point, the only thing the government has announced is increased mask usage in public spaces. No closures. There is no indication that we will move into red, but it’s not up to me. Honestly, I’m not sure what we moved into orange.

Any new announcement on restrictions?

Hey Tom. There have been no new restrictions. Everything seems to be going just as normal here 🙂 Sunny and beautiful with a high chance of fun!

Hi. Something I can’t find the answer to anywhere..if we test positive for Covid before leaving back to the US how many days do we need to quarantine for? I know the US just dropped the days to 5 but places in Europe are still 14 days. Thx

Hey Darcy. It seems to depend on where you’re getting tested. If you get tested at a lab, there is no mandatory quarantine as your results are private. We recommend you self-isolate and continue to get tested until you receive a negative test. If you get tested by the resort, it sounds like most are requiring you to stay in your room for 5 days and then re-test. Unfortunately, I cant give you a definitive answer, as it seems different resort chains are doing things differently. Try contacting them for specific rules.

Very helpful website especially for the updated Covid information . Thank you!

Glad you like it Jenny!

Currently under quarantine at Valentin Imperial in Quinta Roo after testing positive on PCR with mild allergy type symptoms. Took a second test at my expense after symptoms abated and came back negative so thought I was good to go back to Canada. Westjet would not accept second test and booked my flight back for 11 days. Called GOC travel Covid hotline to get info and was told by Public Health Canada it is scientifically almost impossible to have a negative PCR test after an initial positive test and with symptoms. Certainly not in the same week. Apparently it can be 6 months for Covid to clear the DNA test and that’s why you can travel from 11-180 days after a positive test. I have suspicions about my second test.

Do not get convinced or scammed or try to buy a negative test as if the Canadian airlines know you tested positive previously, which I had to do to cancel my packaged flight…their policy now is to not fly you in any case for the 11 day quarantine minimum as apparently this is rampant right now in Mexico. The Valentin has a 14 day free extended quarantine wing which I am in with many other Canadians and I knew this before booking. Unfortunately all my false negative second test did was cause confusion and conflict with hotel who expected me then to leave when I could not get a flight and I was not about to risk lying to customs by trying a different airline. None of this appears anywhere I could find on Westjet or travel.gc.ca.

I have never heard of any of this, but I am also not Canadian and have never flown Westjet. This sounds like a Canadian airline/government restriction that went into effect because you reported to them your initial positive test. Thank you for sharing this interesting predicament. Seems strange that they would accept a positive test but not a negative test. Very strange.

Orange announcement was made yesterday, going into effect on 24th

Thanks Mary, Please see my response to Suzanne above. I’ve updated the page with what I know so far.

Been coming to Mexico for two years now changed dates three times , was meant to arrive 3 weeks today such a shame.

I don’t think I would want to go under orange conditions , website has been so informative the last while. Thank you

Guess we will see what happens tomorrow

Hey James, we will keep it updated.

What does it mean that it will be orange until the 30th? Will they reassess at that point or is the plan to drop back down after a week?

They will reassess at that point. So it may only be orange for a week, or they may extend the orange status.

Thanks for this info. I am scheduled to Travel to Sandos Caracol on Feb 9, Playa del Carmen with two kids. We are vaccinated save for my 5-yr old. Nervous about the quarantine possibility, what are the chances right now in your opinion of testing positive and what are the resorts like at the moment – are guests dropping like flies?! Unsure I can even cancel or reschedule. And is the quarantine requirement set to reduce from 14 days?

Hey Laura. Things seem pretty normal here. Take a look at my response to Darcy.

And now it is orange in Quintana Roo. Thank you for being such a good resource! We are wondering how the capacity affects restaurants and bars that are mostly outdoors. Does everyone just move outside or do they limit capacity at the front door? For example Xpu Ha, the Buena Vida in Akumal. Thanks.

Thanks Erica, take a look at my response to Suzanne above. I’ve updated the page above and will keep updating once they go to orange on Monday.

Hey Daniel – I’m sorry you have to be an expert on all things Covid now too! Thanks for letting us know that it looks pretty normal despite the orange status.

No problemo! Come on down and have a great time!

Hey Daniel, first of all want to say I so so appreciate your blog and updates. It’s a sea of information out there and it’s been hard to actually tell what is going on down in the area. If there is any way to leave an official review or testimonial, if it would help your page, I would do so.

Like others my question is restriction related. I have heard that with the change to yellow that our resort has closed bars, and everything else, at 11pm. Is this what is required by law right now? I asked through their facebook page and the response was just that they were following government rules. They also said they have not had the disco and casino open for a while now which, when it was green, they could have I assume. I guess I wonder if these decisions are partly due to restrictions but also staffing shortage or other. I sympathize with both but I also can’t help feeling jaded if the resort is closing things partly on their own choice. Have you heard of this being common right now in the playa del carmen area? Thanks for your time!

Heya Chris, glad you like the site! I haven’t heard of the specific restrictions you’re speaking of, but many of the resorts in the area are part of large chains that have their own rules in place. Or perhaps they always closed the bar at that time because of zoning/noise laws? If they’re closing the bar earlier than normal, my only suggestion would be to start drinking earlier! 😉 It’s 5’oclock somewhere, right! Sorry, I can’t be of more help and have a wonderful trip!

Hello, I am travelling to riviera maya next month from the UK. Are excursions still going ahead now it has changed to yellow?

Yes, they are. Enjoy!

Traveling the end of January. If the code is changed to orange does this mean the occupancy percentage at the hotels will change? I can’t seem to find the rules anywhere to have a plan B. Thanks for any feedback

Hotel occupancy would change if we move to orange but I have heard no indication that is in the cards. Now that Q Roo has reopened for tourism, locals are mostly vaccinated and hospital occupancy remains low, the government is hoping orange won’t happen again.

The announcement was made last night that Q Roo was moving to orange 1/24 how does that change things for those of us scheduled to arrive next week? Thank you!

Thanks Suzanne! Yeah they said they weren’t going to go back to orange, then they went back to orange. Such is life. I’ve updated what I know so far above and will keep updating with what’s happening on the ground next week.

What happens if you test positive? How long is the quarantine period? Cant Seem to find This infomation! 🙂

Heya Mathias. Check out my reply to Darcy.

Hi Daniel, I am (reluctantly) attending a music festival at Moon Palace next week since we have not been offered a refund option. I have read on the event Facebook pages that private resorts are exempt from state covid restrictions? Can you confirm if that is true or not? We are concerned if Quintana Roo moves to orange we will definitely not have the vacation we’ve paid for. Thanks!

I can’t image a resort would be exempt from state laws, but I also don’t see any indication that we will be moving to orange. Check in with the Moon Palace about the festival though.

Hi Daniel, We are planning on travelling Feb 1,2022 for 2 weeks and staying at Riu Caribe. would it be wise to stay at the resort for most of the stay and avoiding Cancun and outside of resort restaurants ? I’ve also seen you said you believe it would peak around Jan 20, does it seem that way ? or is it fairly safe to travel in your opinion ?

Thanks for your time

I’d say venture out for a good meal or to hit a different beach while you’re there, but that’s just me. If you are high risk, take whatever precautions you feel comfortable with. My speculation about the 20th was based on when Omicron numbers peaked in South Africa, the United Kingdom and now the US. It’s purely speculation though, but so far it looks fairly reasonable that Q Roo numbers will start to go down in the coming weeks. I’ll keep the site updated though!

Hello, I am visiting Cancun and staying at Grand oasis cancun Feb 3- Feb 8. We booked out trip three months ago for a bachelor party. Was just wondering, is it busy in Cancun at the moment? How are the resorts? Are there lots of resort parties?

The peak holiday season has passed but it is winter so there are plenty of tourists enjoying the sunny Cancun weather. I don’t know about resort parties, sorry.

Hi Thank you for all the information on this site. I will be travelling to cancun from next week. I see the county status has changed to yellow. What does this look like currently? Are bars and clubs now closed? What are the current restrictions when out and about during the day? Thank you

Bars and Restaurants are currently open. Not much is changed. Plenty of tourists are here having a wonderful time! 🙂

Me and my family are coming in Jan 25th and I have alot of questions before coming. I can’t get in touch with anyone on the phone. What are they doing to keep everyone safe ? Does everyone wear masks every where but out side ? I’m a diabetic with other health problems due to having covid in 2020. I just wanna feel safe and I’m fully vaccinated. Thank you.

Hey Amanda. Most people wear masks in all public spaces, but it really depends where you are. Tourists more often don’t wear the masks and no one really wears them at the beach or poolside. They typically take temperature checks to enter buildings and have hand sanitizer at the door. Overall they do a good job trying to keep people safe that want to be. Obviously, if you’re concerned I would suggest not going into crowded tourist bars, but they’re easily avoided!

Quinta Roo is yellow right now. Can you tell me based on the current CoVid statistics if this is likely to turn to orange? Who amakes that determination, and how frequently?

The governor of Q Roo makes determinations but individual mayors may implement their own restrictions. Not seeing many restrictions yet since going to yellow on 1/10. I think the local authorities don’t want to restrict tourism again if possible. Looking at how things went in South Africa and the UK, the peak of the Omicron wave seems to be happening around 3 to 4 weeks after its arrival. If Mexico follows a similar path, I think we’ll hopefully see the peak around 1/20 and then a decline in cases. Hospital occupancy rates are still low and most locals are vaccinated. I’ve heard nothing about going to orange, so let’s just hope for the best.

Thanx for all the info! I’ve been traveling over the last couple of years without going home (Bosnia) and didn’t get a chance to be vaccinated. In fact, Mexico is the first country where I plan to stay long enough to get two shots, if necessary. Has the situation changed since your summer replies, that is, do you know if it’s now possible to get vaccinated as a foreign national (not a resident, here as a tourist) and where? Anita

I have not heard anything about visiting foreigners being allowed to receive the vaccines at this point.

I will be visiting Mexico on the january the 27th. Based on what i have seen everything in the quintana roo is on yellow at the moment. Is it still possible to go on nights out, when vaccinated?

Yes, but there may be some curfews in the coming weeks. I’d expect them to be around midnight like last time if they happen at all. That still leaves plenty of time for the beach and dinner and drinks out!

Hi! We are travelling to Mexico in 2 weeks – arrival on 22.01.2022. We know status now is yellow but we’re afraid it will change to orange next week or the week after… Can you still visit like for e.x. cenotes/ Chitzen Itza or go to restaurants when status is orange? We are travelling around in Yucatan for 2 weeks so it would be a shame if we have to stop our trip halfway because of that…

PS: Love your website!

Glad you love the website Dieke! Looking at how things went in South Africa and the UK, the peak of the Omicron wave seems to be happening around 3 to 4 weeks after its arrival. If Mexico follows a similar path, I think we’ll hopefully see the peak around 1/20 and then a decline in cases. Hospital occupancy rates are still low. I’ve heard nothing about going to orange, so let’s just hope for the best.

I have a question I am hoping you can help with.

My family and I are travelling to Puerto Morelos in a couple of days from Canada. We have booked a company to come perform a COVID-19 PCR test at our hotel prior to our departure. I am wondering if any of our results are positive, is the hotel and local authorities notified? And if so, are we able to leave the resort and choose an accommodation to quarantine in until we can fly home? We have a list of Air bnb properties lined up should we need to do so. Any information and help on this would be greatly appreciated. Much thanks! Andy and family.

I’m not sure about the person you have booked specifically, but typically outside labs DO NOT report your test results to anyone. They should email you the results discreetly.

I’m medically mask exempt and cannot wear any sort of face covering. Are these exemptions honoured in Mexico?

Not that I know of. They still require masks at most indoor public spaces. You can spend the vast majority of your time outdoors and live mostly mask free though. I suggest eating at outdoor restaurants as it’s 85 degrees and sunny here today!

I am visiting Holbox later this month. Can I purchase my bus ticket from Cancun to Chiquila (forgive me if I spelled it wrong) on the date of my arrival or should I purchase it before hand?

You can purchase it on the day of arrival. Have fun!

Is rapid COVID testing still available at the Cancun airport?

Yes, but i suggest getting it earlier if at all possible. Here is some more info.

Do you know the % of tourists testing positive in the resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Morelos specifically?

I don’t sorry.

Will be in Cozumel January 9, 2022. What is that looking like. lol

Blue skies, sunshine, ridiculously fantastic snorkeling and diving 🙂 Typical winter in Cozumel.

Like everyone in Canada I have to wait 6 weeks after my last vaccine shot to receive a booster and the earliest I can get a booster shot is Feb 10th and I will be in Playa Del Carmen from Jan 9th – April 6th and so I Googled Googled trying to find a location that gives booster shots and thus far I can’t find anyplace. Thanks in advance for your help. Cameron

As a visiting foreigner, you cannot receive Covid vaccines in Mexico. They are reserved for Mexican residents only.

All provinces are different. My Doctor gave me a note/prescription so I could get my booster shot earlier than the mandatory waiting period. I just told my Dr. that I had travel booked and he recommended that I get a booster before I left. No problem.

Where can I go for covid vaccination in Cancun Mexico? I’m in Cancun now and was only vaccinated once for Moderna. I ask because I need to travel to another country.

Thank you for providing great up to date information. Wanted to ask if there are resorts that only accept the vaccinated? We’d love to find a beautiful resort where we feel safe with travelers who are all fully vaccinated.

I’m not sure about that. I would suggest contacting a few hotels, but I kind of doubt they will have those types of restrictions. Most resorts here are 90% open-air spaces (besides your room of course!) so it’s not as confined as a cruise ship. Hope that helps!

Are there any vaccination requirements for ENTERING Cozumel? I cannot find anything on it either way. Thank you

There are no vaccination requirements for entering any part of Mexico.

What is the protocol if you test positive in Cancun and can’t return to the United States? Is there a list of hotels or airbnbs that allow you to stay there while in quarantine?

If you test positive at your hotel, you will be required to stay at your hotel typically. I suggest getting tested at an outside clinic, so you have more flexibility as you self quarantine.

What happens if you test positive at your hotel? How long does QR require you to isolate? How do you get released from Isolation, etc? (i.e. No symptoms? A negative rapid test?) I am trying to find a copy of the local COVID regulations but my Spanish is jot good enough! Thanks!

There is a disparity between hotels it seems. Some require shorter or longer isolations and will base it on tests and/or symptoms. My understanding is the new guidance will make hotel quarantine 5 days soon. Unfortunately, I don’t have more information on that at this point.

Hi! Thanks for a great website!

I am visiting Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres, arriving in december and leaving in January

I am wondering how tourits will be isolated if testing positive before leaving mexico?

I am traveling with my little daugther, who is not vaccinated. In case she will test positive, we would need to be isolated where we are able to use our own garden and so. She is 3 years old, and isolating at a hotel room for 14 days seems impossible. it is possible to decide where to isolate oneself?

Best regards

Hi Ina, glad you like the site! So I would suggest getting tested at a local clinic instead of at the hotel. That way if you test positive, you can isolate yourself wherever you’d like and keep getting tested daily until you get a negative test.

Hi Daniel, Nice website, very informative, I really appreciate your responses. We will be visiting Playa Del Carmen & Merida around Christmas. Will major historical sites like Chichen Itza, Tulum, Muyil, Coba, Ek Balam, Uxmal etc remain open including holidays? Where can I find this information for each site? Thanks.

I believe they will all be open. I haven’t heard about closures and that is the peak season down here.

Yes, it should be all open. I was just in that area on vacation. A lot of people trying to sell tours there. I didnt go as I have been before.

Hi it is great to be able to ask questions about Mexico. We are supposed to spend seven weeks in a condo in Puerto Morales. Is it safe to go there due to Covid? Are all the restaurant open and the beach? Thank you for the response

“Safe” is subjective as people react differently to Covid. That’s a decision you’ll have to make, but I’ve provided a good deal of info above to get you started. Restaurants and beaches are open 🙂

Hello! Great website and information, thank you! Regarding the requirement about wearing facemask in public places; are beaches and streets included? Thanks!

Hey Sofia, glad you like the site! Masks are typically only worn on the street or in outdoor spaces if there are crowds. If you’re just walking down the street, no need, but keep one on hand just in case. No masks needed on beaches, in pools, etc.

Hey Daniel,

Can you please let me know if you need to show proof of vaccine anywhere like restaurants, bars, clubs? Are unvaccinated people still welcome, with mask and distance where necessary of course.

Heya Jess. You don’t need to show proof of vaccine anywhere that I know of. Everybody is welcome everywhere! 🙂 I definitely recommend Travel Insurance though to everyone now just in case.

Is it possible to update the Covid statistics, including vaccination rates, more often than once a week. This is a great source of information for tourists wishing to visit but like the information that you post. Alternatively, is there a link that you can send us to that details info on Cancun specifically. Also, has the Cancún airport taken any precautions for tourists waiting on the immigration lines ?

Hey there, I’m glad you like the site! We do our best to provide the best and most up to date info. I’ll try to update more than once a week, but at this point information doesn’t change much daily. Vaccination rates are culled from government announcements and I can’t track it any more regularly.

Is it required to get covid test before flying to Cancun Mexico?

No, it is not. There are no testing requirements when entering Mexico. Only when returning to the United States if that is where you’re coming from.

Thank you for very informative posting! I am from Canada, and this vaccine is not available here. I wonder, if tourist can get Janssen vaccination in Playa del Carmen?

Hi Alena, happy you like the website! I don’t know of any clinics offering the vaccines to foreigners at this point, but that’s not to say it isn’t happening. I think you would probably have better access in Canada though.

Canada may not accept this vaccination on re-entry. I’d do some digging first.

Hi Kate, did you find any local option to get the vaccine in Mexico (Playa / Cancún)? Facing a similar situation on my upcoming trip and return to the USA. Thank you!

Are the Xcaret parks limited capacity? Is it fully masked? We are all fully vaxxed, do we need to show proof at the parks? Thx!

I think the Xcaret parks are open to 80% capacity right now, which between you and me is pretty much perfect! haha. You are not required to show vaccine proof, but I would recommend you bring a photo of it at least just in case and check the park website for any updates.

We will be visiting around Thanksgiving. Wondering what the masking requirements are with the Green level currently in place, particularly with private transfers. It looks like from the Current Protocols section above masking is still required in public places, which I think that means it would include private transfers to resorts. Just wanting to double-check if that does seem to mean the driver would be masked.

Mask requirements are still in place, so the drivers will definitely be wearing masks unless things change between now and then. Have a wonderful visit!

Bus drivers still masking up but I’m wondering if all passengers are required to wear face covering on ADO buses? I’d like to go over to Valladolid or Merida by bus if masks are required for passengers.

Last I saw masks were still required on all public transport.

Hi Daniel, just wondering where you got the current vaccination rates from? Could you please provide link so we can follow. Also, do you know of any hotels that have mandatory vaccination for staff?

Hey there Ruth. The governor of Quintan Roo puts out messages about the vaccination rates. There isn’t really a site I know of that updates that information besides ours. I know that a lot of resorts have vaccinated their entire staff, but not sure of any specific ones to recommend in that regard. Have a wonderful trip!

We are planning our vacation in the city if Cancun in November 2021. Is the “nightlife” in Cancun normally? For example bars and danceclubs are open (and not only until 12 pm, not for dancing an something like this) .

Bars are now open at 80% capacity and without curfews. Nightclubs are also open but at reduced capacities. Have fun!

I plan to come to tulum 21st to 25th october Are bars / clubs / parties open till late (2-3am) Is weather favorable ?

Curfew has been lifted so bars, etc. should be open late again. As for the weather, this is the peak rainy/hurricane season so keep an eye on the forecast. It could be 90 degrees and sunny or 60 degrees and rainy. Hard to guess this time of year.

Hi Daniel – thanks for all your helpful responses. We’ll be arriving at Cancun Airport late on Thursday 7th (around midnight). What do you recommend as the best way to get to the Zona Hotelera at this time? Will this be an issue with the current curfew? Thanks

Curfews just ended last week! Have a great time!

Hey – thanks for the page.. is it really required for tourists to wear a mask in public areas in Quintana Roo at the moment?

It is in certain places. I suggest always having a mask with you (except at the pool or beach of course!) and if others are wearing them, you should as well.

We had a holiday booked to Akumal leaving today but it has been cancelled due to the UK still being reluctant to let us visit Mexico. Have re-booked for the end of the month and have fingers and toes crossed we will get there! So happy to find your page with such reassuring updates, thank you!

Happy to help Jane! We’re here for ya.

What about Costa Maya ? We are stopping there on our cruise in a couple weeks, and Google seems to think many things there are temporarily closed… We aren’t looking for tours, just a bar or restaurant near the pier…

Hey Jeff, October is typically the low season so there is a chance that some things may be closed for the month. That being said, I wouldn’t trust the Google “temporarily closed” designations. The restaurant by my house still says “temporarily closed” on Google Maps but they’ve been reopened for 8 months! Look at the restaurant’s FB page might be better. They tend to update those.

Any information regarding Covid in Puerto Morelos?

Hey Lily, the QRoo government shows only 3 known active cases in Puerto Morelos right now and the hospitals are at 100% availability. Looks pretty good.

Our resort offers PCR covid testing but are very expensive , how safe and reliable are the labs you listed? I have been in touch with one of them and said they would come to our resort and do the tests.

The labs are all pretty good. Costamed is the largest lab chain in the area.

Hello, I heard that Isla Mujeres cancelled their Dia De Los Muertos festival. Is that correct? If so, will we still be able to visit the island during that time? Thanks!

That is the first I’ve heard of this cancellation so I’d double check that before you cancel your plans. It might be a mistake or a misunderstanding by someone. Isla Mujeres is definitely open and welcoming guests at this point 🙂

thanks for all the information! Are you aware if there is Covid testing available at the airport in Cozumel? I’ll be staying at the Allegro Cozumel and not sure if they have Covid testing on premises for a return trip to the USA, do you know?

I’m not sure, but there are a number of labs in town you can get tested at. You could call a taxi and just tell them you want to go get tested and they’ll take you somewhere. It’s around $30-$40 for an antigen test and you’ll get the results in about an hour.

Thank you so much for this website and keeping it so up to date! Because of you I just booked a ticket to Cancun this december. Now I’m going to find and book some nice places to stay. I will refer to tips on your site 🙂

Keep up the good work!

Esther from NL

Thanks Esther, happy you like the site!

Hi, how come there is still curfew when they switched back to yellow?

Hey Jack. Not sure. They just switched to yellow recently so the curfew may go away soon. I’ll post updates here when things change.

we will be visiting Barcelona Resort the first week of November 2021, what is the color zone there and will every thing be open including indoor dinning and bars.

Do you mean the Barcelo Maya resort in Riviera Maya? If so, the color is now yellow and indoor dining and bars should be open. Have a great trip!

Am a Belgian citizen (fully vaccinated). Will be in Canada (Montréal) from November 3rd till November 9th 2021. Am planning to fly from there to Cozumel for a 10 days stay. Flying back to Brussels out of Cancun on November 19th 2021. Do I need to go through any quarantine ? Thanks in advance for all your great input and insights.

There are no quarantine requirements in Mexico.

We are traveling on 12/16/2021 and staying first night in hotel zone cancun. Are there restaurants that are open late for dinner? How late are the clubs open?

Heya Jasmine. Many restaurants are open until 11. Curfew is still midnight but could change soon. By December things could change dramatically though so check back here often!

I am supposed to go in October with my 8 and 10 year old but they’re obviously not vaccinated. Is that recommended?

Hi Erin. Just have the kids wear masks when in obvious mask-wearing situations 🙂 Case numbers are on the decline as the vast majority of locals are now vaccinated. Have a wonderful safe trip!

Are resorts requiring employees be vaccinated?

I’m not sure if they’re requiring them Richard, but the vast, vast majority of resort workers are vaccinated at this point. The latest government report said that 89% of tourism workers were vaccinated as of a few weeks ago. Probably even higher now.

Hi We are coming at thé end of november, in december we want to go to Costa Rica. Are thé flights with Volaris are a good plan or is it often cancel because there is less tourists? Thanks

I haven’t heard any chatter about Volaris flights being cancelled so I’m not sure. American Airlines flights were having some cancellation issues on weekday flights earlier in the year, but I think they’ve gotten a little better now.

Hi and thanks for the up to date info on the Covid19 matter. About the face masks, is it obligated to wear face masks out on the streets, or just recommended? If only recommended, what do most people do, wearing them or not?

Hey Rob. Facemasks are technically required when out in public but some people don’t adhere to this. I recommend using those super light weight disposable medical light blue masks because you barely notice them in the heat here as opposed to the heavier cloth masks that get sweaty and uncomfortable almost immediately. You can also easily tuck them into your pocket when you sit down to dinner, get to the beach or hit the pool!

We are supposed to travel to Riviera Maya in November 2021. We are vaccinated, but I am worried about getting sick there and not receiving good health care. Thoughts?

Hi Sunny. There are high-quality hospitals and medical care facilities available in the larger tourist destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. They are fairly accessible from most places in the Riviera Maya.

Any news on potentially lifting the curfew now that Northern Quintana Roo will be moving into the yellow zone?

Hey Nina. The Federal Government just announced they will change the Q Roo from orange to yellow this week, but the local governor is keeping the state at orange for right now. I’d expect this to change in the coming weeks if cases continue to fall. I would also expect the curfew to end soon! I’ll keep this page updated with any changes.

We are traveling to Valentin Imperial Maya in 2 weeks. Will we have to wear masks outside around pool, walking on property, or at the beach?

Hey Kevin. Masks are not typically required at pools and beaches in resorts. Only in enclosed spaces like walking through lobbies and internal hallways. Have fun!

Hi Daniel! We live in Miami. We have reservations to arrive in the Riviera Maya October 12, 2021. We are concerned about the rising numbers due to the Delta strain of the Corona virus. Do you believe it’s safe to travel to the Riviera Maya at this time? Awaiting your response! Thank you in advance!

Hey Aida. The numbers in Quintana Roo are significantly lower than in the States right now. Masks are still required inside in public areas and most locals are vaccinated. These mitigation efforts seem to be working. If you’re vaccinated already, the risks here are probably less than Florida. Hope that helps!

Hi Daniel, we are arriving Cancun this weekend and will stay near Puerto Morelos for a week.

Could you please let me know how bad it is there due to Grace? Do you have power back? Can people go beaches and jump into the hotel swimming pool?

Could you please also update the daily COVID-19 cases in Quintana Roo? Thank you very much!

Hey David, I’m over in Cozumel but it’s not too bad here after Grace and we took a pretty big hit. We have power and the roads are already cleared. My guess is Puerto Morelos faired similarly and they’re cleaning up today. I’d expect power, swimming pools and beaches will be just fine this weekend, but you could try contacting your hotel to be sure. I updated all the stats on the site today! 🙂

Great site! Do you know anywhere we can get an *urgent* PCR test in or around Cancun? We are in Valladolid and had planned to do it here within 72 hours before our flight, but all the testing labs here have *closed* due to the hurricane. We arrive in Cancun on Friday evening and will need an overnight PCR test with results within 12-18 hours for a flight Saturday midday. (Needs to be PCR, not antigen.) Any tips for emergency/rapid testing labs?

Were you able find a place to take a PCR? Where?

Thanks for this post, it’s super helpful! I’ve been keeping an eye on the cases and today there was a very high number, although yesterday was very low so I suppose the weekly average won’t be too high. How is the situation looking? I am due to travel on August 28th and am a bit worried it will go red. Is this likely? Do you know when the traffic light system is updated and if there is any warning prior?

Thanks again! Alex

Hey Alex, glad you like the page! I try to update it every couple days with the latest info. So, it’s always better to look at the 7 day rolling average rather than a spike on a specific date as they could just be reporting two days data on the same day. Overall things are going well here with vaccinations continuing and the vast majority of the adult population here being vaccinated at this point. The governor has said he won’t implement lockdowns again so red is probably out of the question now. Come on down and have a wonderful time!

Thanks so much Daniel! This makes me feel much better. Looking forward to it 🙂

Happy to help!

We will be staying at El Cozumeleno hotel in Cozumel September 25 for a week. Are you required to wear a mask while you are having dinner in their restarants .

Hi Robert. People don’t typically wear masks in the outdoor spaces of resorts, the pool area, the beach, etc and they don’t wear masks when seated at the table of any restaurants. You’ll need to have a mask with you for walking through the hallways and the lobby, but that’s about it. Easy peasy!

Could you tell me about the seaweed situation in Playa del Carmen at this time? We will be staying at Royal Hideaway in Mid September and wonder about the amount of seaweed around the resort. We love to walk on the white sandy beach and get in the ocean but thinking about the huge amount of daily seaweed that washes ashore is a big turnoff and may be a reason not to go. Thank you for your feedback.

These people update their sargassum seaweed map weekly. https://www.facebook.com/RedSargazo/ Looking pretty good this week in Playa according to this map! I’m over in Cozumel where there is almost no seaweed on the west side.

Hi – I’m travelling to Playa Del Carmen next week. Other than proof of vaccination, are there any health forms that need to be filled out before going through customs?

Proof of vaccination is not required to enter Mexico. Neither is a negative Covid test. You can enter freely but the United States and other countries require a negative test when you return.

Daniel, do you think Cancun will be out of level Orange by mid October? Will the bars be open later? Also with have bars shut down by 11pm is that in Cancun or does that include the hotel bars?

Hey Andy, I honestly have no idea if they will go back to level yellow by mid October but it is possible. They’ve already talked about making the curfew 1am instead of midnight. Hotel bars also typically close at 11pm because their employees still have to be home in time for the midnight curfew. Everyone is still having a great time regardless!

Coming to Sun Palace in the next few weeks anything I need to know

Just the stuff I’ve written about above. Have a wonderful trip!

What is needed to enter Cancun right now?

Nothing is required. I’d suggest bringing a swimsuit and some flip-flops. Everything else is optional 🙂

Hi Daniel, is it true that Cancun is at hi risk category red…. What are the Restrictions and our bars nightclubs restaurants open or closed

That is NOT correct. Quintana Roo and the Riviera Maya are still in orange. I don’t think it will go back to red honestly. Vaccinations are happening here pretty quickly now that the cruise ships are coming back and more than 65% of adults in Q.Roo are vaccinated now, including most tourism workers. Restaurants and Bars can be open till 11pm. Clubs are closed I believe, but check when you arrive.

What happens if we stay at all inclusive and test positive before our departure? Are there any protocols in place how will the hotel handle this?

Hey Angie, that is really up to the resort. You should speak to them about their policies and definitely consider getting travel insurance here .

Hi Daniel. I wonder if you can help. My daughters aged 18 and 20 are trying to get a rapid antigen test for a flight which leaves tomorrow. They’re in Oaxaca today and fly to Cancun tonight. They could do the test today in Oaxaca or in Cancun tomorrow morning. They’re finding it hard to get a test in Oaxaca. Any tips there or in Cancun for an emergency test? They can get PCR but I think the results might take too long to come through. They’re desperate…. thank you.

They can do rapid antigen tests in the Cancun airport as outlined above. Good luck!

Hey Daniel! Awesome site and your responses are so helpful! Can you recommend safe areas to stay for solo travellers in Play del Carmen, where to stay away from, and daytime pool party places? Thanks!

Hey AJ, glad you like the site! I think if you stay close to the main tourist street in Playa you should be okay. Centro is cool to venture into during the daytime and has some good restaurants. A good rule of thumb is the farther you go from the beach, the less safe it may become. Check out Deck 5 for that pool party vibe.

Hello, we are traveling to Tulum Aug 25-29. Can you please let me know what are the restrictions there right now? Are the cases high in Tulum? Are masks required everywhere? Do we need a COVID test before arrival? Thank You so much!

Hey there. Most of the restrictions are outlined above. Most businesses are operating at 60-70% capacity. Curfew is midnight. Masks are required in most public places but not in the pool, in restaurants or at the beach. You do NOT need a negative Covid test before arrival. Case numbers are fairly low in Tulum, the government says there are 21 active cases but testing is not as prevalent here. I think you’ll find your visit fairly normal and fun!

Hi Daniel, We are flying down to Cancun airport September 1st for 10 days at a resort. I have heard that the Mayan Riviera went from an amber to a red alert regarding covid. Is this true? We both are fully vaccinated, is it a good time to come down? We will have additional insurance should there be an emergency but how do I get coverage in case we test positive when leaving the resort? We leave from Canada and fly into Dallas (so we require a negative test to have an hour and half stopover there correct)? and then onto Cancun to the resort. Any information you may have will be extremely helpful – Thank you Darcie

Hey Darcie! Quintana Roo and the Riviera Maya are still in orange. I don’t think it will go back to red honestly. Vaccinations are happening here pretty quickly now that the cruise ships are coming back and more than 65% of adults in Q.Roo are vaccinated now, including most tourism workers. September should be fine for a visit, but obviously, things can change in a month so check back here for updates. For travel insurance, you can definitely find the best prices here . I hope that helps!

Is it still true that bars and clubs close at 11:00PM in Cancun/Tulum? Trying to plan a trip there

It is true but, don’t let that sway you, there is plenty of fun to be had during the day and into the evening. At this point, the bars close at 11 and folks are required to be back in their hotels by midnight. If your hotel has a bar, that might be a different story though. Not sure.

Hi, thank you very much for your great web! May we have a question? We book our trip to Yucatan for 3 weeks August/September. On some older forums we read an information that there are some restriction in number of people in a rented car. Is it true? We plan to be a family of 6 in car for 7. I absolutely can´t find an information….Thanks a lot, Astrid

I have not heard of or seen this restriction. Vans and large taxis seem to be operating at full capacity everywhere. Maybe that person was talking about last year’s lockdown?

Hi Dan, thanks for a very helpful website.

Am due to fly to Cancun on 7th September for 9 nights from London with my fiancé. At the moment our tour operator is cancelling holidays with two weeks notice though we have found other operators who are still flying.

Can we ask about the curfew in place as hearing mixed messages? ALl bars outside of the hotel close at 11, clubs not open, in our hotel (Rui Cancun) club not open but 24-hour sports bar is. We have contacted the hotel and currently await their reply.

Obviously if our holiday is cancelled we have a very short window to re-book so trying to find out as much information as we can.

Thanks in advance!

Hey there Heidi. So yes, the curfew is in effect with bars closing at 11pm, though there is chatter about moving that to 12am. There is so much to do during the day, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The important thing is the pool bars are open! haha. I can’t imagine a scenario where you have your tour cancelled as the governor has stated that there will not be any more lockdowns and more than 65% of local adults are already vaccinated. Obviously, a lot could change between now and then, but keep checking back here and we will do our best to update you on any changes.

Thank you for all the first hand information on Cancun area. As you may know the Delta variant affections have increased significantly. What is the latest situation at Riviera Maya? How many new cases are reported everyday? Thank you!

Hey Dave, right now they’re reporting around 400 new cases a day in the whole state of Quintana Roo. Testing is not as prevalent here as it is in the States though, but vaccinations are happening in a major way here. More than 65% of adults are vaccinated and they just received another large shipment of vaccines. Near the bottom of this page, I update the daily number of new cases every few days. Feel free to bookmark and check back often!

Hi Dan! Thanks so much for all of this info!

Me and three other friends will be traveling to Playa Del Carmen august 10th-16th for my birthday. We’re wondering if clubs are open currently. We’ve heard there is a 12am curfew, and were excited about clubbing, but from reading other comments it seems that clubs are closed? Are they still closed and if so, what do you think the likely hood of them reopening/curfew being dismissed in the next week will be?

Clubs are closed for now and I doubt they will reopen in the next week. But in Playa there are plenty of pool party places where you can listen to DJs and swim and watch the sunset and have an awesome time anyway.

I have a question, My boyfriend and I will be traveling from the U.S to Riviera Maya 8/15/21-8/20/21. We’re staying at all inclusive adult only Resort will we need a negative covid test upon arrival? And if so how many hours ahead of time will it need to be to count? Is this something I can obtain instantly @ the Mexico airport upon arrival? I read somewhere where it said unless you provide proof of vaccination or negative testing that you can’t enter Riviera Maya Public places, is this true? Do we need this to be @ the Resort area we’ve already reserved? Please let me know, thanks!

Hey Tonia, so the Quintana Roo Tourism Board has stated that hotels and restaurants won’t require proof of vaccination or negative test results from tourists. Only from their own staff.

Can you please tell me if a curfew of around 6pm was enforced recently in Cancun?

Never heard of that. Curfew is midnight in Quintana Roo.

Quick question, I am a tad confused by some of the previous posts. Are vaccinations required now to enter into Cozumel? Today is July 30th and someone said that this started on July 26th? Nowhere has this been posted other than here in this.

Hey Patti, so a few websites posted last week that the governor of Quintana Roo mentioned this idea of checking for proof of vaccination OR proof of a negative Covid test before entering some businesses in the state. But we haven’t heard any details here or seen this in practice anywhere. Nor has it been mentioned since then. I haven’t even written about it on the page here because it’s not something actually happening at this point. If something like that ever materializes (doubtful), I’ll absolutely add it to the page. There are no vaccine or test requirements for entering Mexico.

Word on the street is that Cozumel is greatly affected by COVID right now, mask requirements, testing requirements, reduced capacities, etc. Moreover, this is not being publish so that people will continue to show up. I was told this was due to the native population on Cozumel being susceptible to COVID. Can you confirm if Cozumel is open for business or will a trip there be hindered and possibly ruined by current state of COVID affairs.

Hey Alex! I’m in Cozumel now and everything is open and folks are having a great time. The majority of local adults are vaccinated now and the Cozumel hospitals here are at just 8% full as of today. Masks are required in most public spaces but not at your restaurant table, in the pool, at the beach or snorkeling, which is where you’ll probably be 90% of the time haha. All the businesses are great about cleanliness and take your temp and give you hand sanitizer at the door, but besides that you wouldn’t notice much difference from normal. Capacities for hotels, restaurants and tours are at 60% or so which is just about right for comfort anyway. Whether you decide to come is up to you, but the Covid protocols likely won’t hinder your enjoyment. Hope that helps!

Hey Daniel – thanks for an interesting website!!!

I just saw that from 26 July onwards, all hotels and restaurants will require proof of vaccination to be able to enter. We are a family of 5 and all but our 11 year old son has been fully vaccinated. Do you perhaps know how this would impact young kids under 12 that currently still cannot get vaccinated? I cannot seem to find anything online, so was wondering whether you perhaps know from local news etc. Thanks!!!

Hey Robbie, glad you like the site! At the present, I haven’t seen anyone enforcing this rule and I’m not sure how it will affect tourists vs. locals. In Quintana Roo children arent even eligible for the vaccine at this point so I can’t imagine a scenario where your child would have any issues regardless. I’m sure yall will have a blast!

Thanks Daniel!! VERY much appreciated. Stay safe, and thanks for providing thousands of us with info and updates!!!!

Happy to help Robbie! Enjoy your trip!

Is there an outdoor mask mandate in Quintana Roo at the moment? As in walking down the street? I am particularly interested in Playa del Carmen.

Yeah the mask mandate is for outdoors in crowded areas especially, but its not really an issue since most of the time folks are eating, at the beach, in the pool or snorkeling! You’ll have a wonderful time regardless.

So I’m a little confused about the covid test. Do we need a test coming from the US or not? What if a person is fully vaccinated?

Hey Katie! You do not need a test coming from the US. Only when you are returning to America FROM Mexico.

My husband and I have flights from the US to Cancun Aug. 24th and will be renting a car and staying in Playa Del Carmen at a condo downtown. With the new info coming out, I’m wondering if the restaurants and shops will be open and how “open” will Playa be. I know things can change rapidly but it’s just a few weeks out now and I have just 2 more weeks to cancel our condo. We don’t want to get in a situation that is going to be less than good. Additionally, we prefer not to be exposed to COVID if there’s an uptick there. Thank you for any info.

My understanding is there are no plans to go back into red at this point and most restaurants, hotels, attractions, etc. will remain open at 60% capacity for the foreseeable future. Have a wonderful trip!

Today is July 25th and there continues to be a spike in Covid positives in Cancun. Is there any talk, rumor or speculation that Quintana Roo will elevate to Red Status?

Hey Mark. My understanding is there are no plans to go back into red at this point and most restaurants, hotels, attractions, etc. will remain open at 60% capacity for the foreseeable future. Have a wonderful trip!

How are you doing? We just read about the new colors/codes for the different states and wonder if the state Oaxaca which just turned orange means that the bars and restaurants will close as well as the sightseeing? Because when Yucatan turned orange those things closed, am I right?

Love to hear from you.

Hey Mark. I can’t speak for Oaxaca as we are in Quintana Roo, but it has been orange here for a few months and restaurants and bars are all open at 60-75% capacity. There is a midnight curfew and nightclubs are not open, but besides that everything seems fairly normal honestly. All sightseeing and tours are active and available here with covid capacities and protocols in place. Quintana Roo and Yucatan feels very “open” to tourists who are all having a wonderful time! Have a great trip!

Thanks for your quick response!

We will just see and make it a great and safe trip. Greetings!

My wedding is in Riviera Maya In October, the hotel is telling me they are not allowed to serve buffets for weddings and all meals have to be plated. They are saying that is a government rule due to COVID. Is that a government policy? Any idea what it might take for that to be lifted?

Hmmmm. I’m not sure about that Meg, sorry. Perhaps you could contact a few other hotels and ask about their “buffet status”. Sorry, I cant be of more help!

I’m traveling to Riveria Maya July31-Aug7…my biggest fear is testing positive to return to US n I can’t be stuck in Mexico for another 14 days…do you think I should cancel? Are alot of tourists testing positive at all inclusive resorts? I can’t find any documentation on it.

Hard to say. I haven’t heard of many tourists testing positive before departure but I believe it’s happened a few times. Plenty of tourists here now and the safety protocols are very good.

Hello, Couple of friends and I are suppose to arrive 8/11 do you think curfew would still be in place by then? And does everything close at 11?

Hard to say about curfew in August. I’d assume it will still be in place, but regulations are based on case numbers. Places are typically closing at 11 and you have until midnight to get back to your hotel. But there is SO MUCH FUN to be had during the day here, it’s not an issue for most people.

For Antigen Testing at Cancun airport, even the airport website says that the mobile testing units there should be a “last resort.” How many extra hours should we arrive at the airport to make sure we can get tested? We are hoping to stay at a rural hotel near Piste/Chichen Itza which is not offering Antigen Tests, and making a special trip to Valladolid to find a clinic will surely take the better part of a day…

I would suggest adding a good hour to your normal early arrival. Have you checked to see if any larger hotels near your hotel are offering tests? That might be something to consider. Good luck!

I am wondering whether there are any restriction to enter bars and restaurants such as negative tests? I am looking to travel to Cancun at the end of March so I am hoping it will be better by then, but what do you think?

I appreciate your help and I love your site!

Thanks, Stella

Hey Stella. There are no restrictions to enter bars or restaurants. Many will take your temperature at the door and offer you hand sanitizer, but that about it. Have fun!

Hello, my family and I are due to travel to Playa del Carmen the first week of August. I know Quintana Roo has been on “orange” for some time now. Due to increase in cases, do you think it would get to “Red” before the end of July? also, our children are not vaccinated but we keep their mask on all the time, is there any distance requirement in place?

Hi Jessica. I don’t think it will go to red honestly. The vaccinations have really ramped up in Quintana Roo the past few weeks. Obviously, things can change, but at this point I don’t foresee returning to red. There are certainly distance requirements indoors in most places, but you shouldn’t find it to be an inconvenience. Everyone is still having a wonderful time! Thank you for asking your children to mask up around locals. Half of the folks here aren’t vaccinated yet so anything we can do to prevent introducing more virus here is much appreciated. Thanks again and have a fantastic visit!

Are clubs currently opened? Do beach parties still take place?

Some clubs are open with a curfew in certain locations. As for beach parties, I’m not sure.

Hey! I have a few questions. Apologies in advance. I am planning on traveling solo to Tulum in the coming weeks. 1. Do I need a PCR test to enter Mexico from the US at this time? 2. Are the Airbnbs there safe to leave behind a decent amount of filming equipment and can you walk to the beach from them (I noticed most are near downtown)? 3. I’m assuming the ADO bus is the best way to get to Tulum- how do you book it and where does this drop you off? 4. I would like to stay a few nights in one of the beachfront hotels…which do you recommend for the most “Tulum” experience.

THANKS! You have no idea how helpful this is! Any additional tips you have for a solo adventurer are also welcome.

Hey there! 1. You do not need a Covid test to enter Mexico. 2. I can’t speak to the safety of Airbnb’s, sorry. If they are in downtown you should be able to walk to the beach. 3. The ADO bus is the cheapest and you can grab it right in the Cancun airport terminal. If you have a lot of valuable equipment, you might feel more comfortable pre aranging a shuttle service to take you. They pick up the airport too but are more expensive. 4. Oh man, there are different types of Tulum experiences! Check out our Tulum Hotel Guide .

Me and my family are thinking of traveling to Quintana Roo in december and we will be fully vaccinated by then. I am wondering about the mask requirements, are they mandatory in all public places, like the beach?

Hey Mike, December is a long way away so who knows honestly. Right now people wear masks in most public places but not on the beach, while seated in restaurants or in the pools. That’s like 90% of what you’ll probably be doing here anyway! 🙂

Hello. My fiancé and I cannot wait to be at Secrets of Akumal Riviera Maya starting July 22nd for our pre-honeymoon/graduation trip.

I have read that it is at 50-60% capacity right now, will this ramp up at the end of the month?

Thank you for answering in advance.

My guess is that it will remain at 50% occupancy through the end of the month, but honestly, who knows. We’ve been in “orange” for months and yet everything pretty much feels like normal here. I’m sure you folks will have a fantastic time!

Thank you so much for replying! This is our first time traveling internationally and when we planned one before, the pandemic hit. We are both fully vaccinated and will take precautions to keep the staff safe as well.

We are truly excited and I have no doubt we will have a lovely time! Thank you.

Have a wonderful time! And be sure to check out all the wonderful visitor’s guides, hotel guides, restaurant guides and more here at Island Life Mexico!

Is there a curfew in place in Cancun?

Curfews are being sporadically enforced throughout Quintana Roo. Businesses are supposed to close at 11pm in most places and folks are supposed to be home and inside by midnight. Essentially making it a 12am-5am curfew.

I am from Norway and visiting Aug 3-17. I have already receieved my first does in Norway. Can I get my second dose in Playa del Carmen?

I don’t know what the situation will be in August, but right now the limited supply of vaccines in Mexico are being reserved for Mexican citizens. So my guess is that you will not be able to get vaccinated here.

What about the restaurants? Is it all open? You have to make a reservation? We are going in a few weeks.. 🙂

Restaurants are open at 60% capacity everywhere! Enjoy! Reservations are only needed at restaurants that typically would require reservations.

Are the staff at the resorts fully vaccinated.

I know that Quintana Roo is pushing very hard to get all tourism sector employees vaccinated as fast as possible. I’m sure many are vaccinated at this point but I doubt that all of them are yet. They are enforcing plenty of safety protocols though.

I am booked for a trip July 11-18. What do you think the likelihood is that Quintana Roo will lock down because of a Red Light designation? I’m wondering weather to cancel before I lose money on the trip.

Very, very unlikely. Vaccinations are ramping up across Quintana Roo and dozens of cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in July. The governor already hinted that they wouldn’t lock down again. Everything is open again and tourists are returning and having a wonderful time. You’ll have a blast I’m sure!

Thanks for the great info so currently in Cancun all hotels are operating at 50 percent ?

Yes, they are. Try to book ahead as things are filling up fast with the reduced rooms available.

How safe is it to go to the Royal Hacienda in Playa Del Carmen currently ?

The hotels are doing a wonderful job with Covid protocols. Exercise normal Covid cautions and you should have a wonderful time.

Thank you for all of the great content. We have been pushing off our Tulum trip since May 2020. We are finally going late October of this year and we are so excited! As of today, it appears things are manageable as far as COVID is concerned and hopefully it only gets better between now and October. I will continue to check back for updates. Thanks!

ARE THE SWIM UP BARS OPEN IN RIVIERA MAYA AT THE RESORTS?

Most of them are, yes.

I’m very hopeful that we will be able to visit Mexico this year when the pandemic is over. I hope everyone stays safe down there.

I have traveled multiple times to the Riviera Maya during Covid. It has been awesome. Few crowds and I’ve always felt Covid safe. In my opinion-this is the best time to go.

Thanks for the helpful information! Much appreciated.

Hi Daniel I’m travelling to cancun on the 17 Jan 2022 I believe its changed to yellow but are the bars and coco bongos still open thanks

It has changed to yellow indeed, but bars and Coco Bongo are still open as far as I’ve heard. Pretty much everything is still as it was under GREEN.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• next post: Getting Around The Yucatan

Independent Quest: Maps and Guides for Travelers ™

Costa Maya (Mexico) Cruise Port Guide: Review (2023)

Everything you must-know about Costa Maya cruise port: the terminal; things to do, shore excursions; Mahahual beach, Mayan ruins, and more ...

By: Editor-in-Chief Update: May 26, 2023

Many passengers on a cruise to Puerto Costa Maya (in Mexico) choose to stay at the cruise port terminal without realizing that there is much more to do and many attractions to enjoy nearby.

• How to explore
• Where is Costa Maya
• Where cruise ships dock
• Shuttle bus
• Cruise terminal
• Top things to do

Beaches and beach club day passes

Mahahual beach and village.

• Shore excursions (Shorex)
• Must-know: tourist info, language and currency
• Safety, emergencies, and basics

Because the Costa Maya area is so sparsely populated , the local port authorities developed along the last decade an excellent cruise terminal with all services and amenities for passengers, lots of entertainment, bars, restaurants, pools, and great shopping.

But the Costa Maya cruise port is also the gateway to the lovely beaches of Mahahual and spectacular Mayan ruins like Chacchoben, Kohunlich, Dzibanche, and Kinichná.

Mayá, the Lost Mayan Kingdom Theme Waterpark, is within walking distance of the cruise terminal in Costa Maya, and the Maya Chan Beach (an all-inclusive private beach resort) is a 20-minute drive south. These attractions are between 2 miles (3.2 km) and 100 miles (160 km) from the cruise port terminal.

Costa Maya is a major cruise port of call in the Western Caribbean itineraries during the Fall-Winter season, with as many as 1.5 million passengers and over 500 cruise ships visits in 2019.

The cruise port in Costa Maya has a very appealing character. The port area is neat and well maintained. On the whole, Costa Maya is very safe . The local population is very friendly but not pushy and speaks English reasonably well. For those cruising with families, there are lots of things to do . Cruise passengers with disabilities or with walking difficulties will find it easy to wander around in Costa Maya on their own.

How to explore Costa Maya on a cruise

Cruise passengers wishing to discover famous Mayan Ruins like Chacchoben should look into booking shore excursions, be it with your cruise ship or with local tour operators. For those who want to enjoy an all-inclusive beach, it is advisable to book a day pass.

But you can easily travel on your own (by taxi, golf cars, or an affordable shuttle bus) to the Mahahual Village, where there is a long beach with lots of activities, bars, and restaurants. Keep reading to learn more about Mahahual.

Within walking distance of the cruise pier, there is a run-down but intriguing Mayan Museum and, of course, all the attractions in the Cruise Terminal. There are three possible ways to discover and enjoy a day at the cruise port of Costa Maya:

• Book a Shore Excursion
• On your own by shuttle, taxi or golf car
• On foot around the cruise terminal

Where is Costa Maya cruise port

Bathed by the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Costa Maya is on the East coast of the Yucatan peninsula near the south border of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo with Belize. The cruise terminal is close by the village of Nuevo Mahahual (with a tinny population of 920) Cozumel cruise port is 128 miles (206 km) to the north, and Belize City cruise port is 77 miles (144 km) to the south.

Other popular cruise ports in the Western Caribbean itineraries are also within a night sail away from Costa Maya, such as Roatán , 182 miles (293 km), Harvest Caye, 158 miles (255 km), and Grand Cayman 420 miles (675 km).

Where do cruise ships dock in Costa Maya?

Photo courtesy of Trelleborg group

Ships dock on a medium-size cruise purposely built port with T-shaped piers and quays for up to four cruise ships to moor. Whatever you decide to do, all cruise travelers will have to pass by the terminal building unless you stay onboard.

Pier - Costa Maya

Photo © IQCruising.com

The entrance to the terminal with its massive Mayan replica door at the end of a perpendicular pier to the coast is impossible to miss. At a 90 degree angle to this pier is what used to be the primary docking pier.

Free trolley at the pier

The perpendicular pier to the coast is rather long. However, there is a free trolley for those with walking difficulties or not willing to walk, which is particularly convenient if cruising with young children.

Pier Trolley - Costa Maya

The pier trolley travels on a continuous loop . But you should be prepared for a bit of a wait if four mega-ships are in port, which only seldom happens. The pier trolley must not be confused with the shuttle , which runs between the cruise terminal and Mahahual.

What's in the cruise terminal

Services and amenities

As you get close to the entrance to the Terminal, you will see the Tour Dispatch area and a late minute tour desk to book an excursion if you haven't booked one already.

Cruise passengers will also find in the terminal many activities, diverse entertainment, and shopping (more about all these below). And the following services and amenities:

• ATM (US dollars only)
• First aid and pharmacy
• Information kiosks
• Shuttle bus to Mahahual

Shopping and attractions at the cruise terminal

Once inside the terminal, shops are the first thing you will come across. On the left-hand side, craft markets sell all sorts of souvenirs. On your right, the typical duty-free shops you would expect in any Caribbean cruise port, such as the ubiquitous Diamonds International and its sister Tanzanite International.

Diamonds International Shop - Costa Maya

But there are also well-known Mexican stores selling Tequila or Boots like Veari and Rogers Boots. Cruise tip: cigars and tequila are the best buy (quality/price) in Costa Maya.

Dolphin Discovery - Costa Maya

The Dolphin Discovery , with pools where shows and swimming with the aquatic mammals are the main features, is among the top attractions in the Costa Maya cruise terminal.

Terminal Swimming Pool - Costa Maya

The already mentioned large saltwater swimming pool bordered by pool bars is a major highlight of the cruise terminal. But there are also many other attractions such as:

• Callejón del Sapo: traditional market, bars and restaurants
• Aviarius: hanging bridges trail with exotic birds
• Kakaw: chocolate factory and tasting
• La Consentida: tequila museum and tasting
• Papantla's: traditional artistic flying show
• Mayan Healing: pre-hispanic rituals and spa
• El Faro (restaurant): grilled food with sea views
• Flavors of Mexico (restaurant): traditional mexican dishes
• Cantina Latina (restaurant): mexican cuisine in a party atmosphere
• Cafe Mexico: mexican coffee products
• La Fruteria: natural juices and fruits

Local Transportation, tours, taxis, buses and golf cars

The terminal has two exits into a large parking area - this is where shore excursions tour buses do park. But it is also where you will find other local transportation.

A local tourist booth offers different packages for Mahahual's beach clubs, including umbrellas, lounge chairs, showers, all sorts of water sports, and, obviously, bars (some serving light fares as well).

If none of these packages appeal, or if you just want to spend a couple of hours at the beach in Mahahual , it is pretty easy to get on the shuttle , take a taxi or a golf car to look around Mahahual before deciding where to lay your towel and what to do.

Shuttle Kiosk - Costa Maya

In this large parking area, you will also find a shuttle bus to Mahahual ($3.00 per person each way), taxis (around the same price per person), and Golf Cars (starting at $30 per hour) if you wish to explore the area on your own. Although the golf cars may not be available in the parking area of the cruise terminal, check this link - Mayahual Golf Carts - to double-check availability and eventually book an alternative golf car rental.

What's outside the cruise terminal

There is only one exit out of the gated cruise terminal's parking area. The gates open into a street with a central pedestrian corridor lined by buildings, which not long ago had a bustling activity.

Road Outside Terminal - Costa Maya

Unfortunately, in 2007 and 2012, two hurricanes devastated Costa Maya, and these buildings are still waiting for restoration. Cruise passengers booked with online tour operators will meet their guides along this street outside the gated area of the cruise terminal.

The Mayan Museum is also on this street (on the right-hand side). This small free museum has a rather shabby entrance, but the interior displays interesting jade exhibits and historical boards for those wishing to learn more about this pre-Columbian civilization..

Jade Sculptures at the Museum

Right after the museum, there is a taxi stop and a Mayan pyramid replica that many cruise visitors like to climb for a photo memory . Some cruisers and staff say that the taxi stand rates are better at this stop than at the terminal but the Editor hasn't found this to be 100% accurate.

Taxis Outside the Terminal - Costa Maya

Things to do in Costa Maya cruise port

Besides the wonderful Terminal, Puerto Costa Maya (as it is known by locals and cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity) is one of the ports in the West Caribbean itineraries that offers a great variety of experiences.

Mahahual Beach is very close to Costa May cruise port

For those looking to enjoy a relaxing day basking in the sun, there are pristine beaches ; and if more into active pursuits, snorkeling, scuba, catamaran sailing, fishing or jet skiing are available.

Chacchoben Temple, a top attraction in Costa Maya

Photo credit: Chacchoben Ruins

A couple of spectacular Mayan ruins are highlights close by - in particular Chacchoben . If cruising with children cruise passengers can enjoy zip line courses and water slides at the Mayá, Lost Mayan Kingdom Theme Water Park, close by.

Photo courtesy of Mayá Park

After almost two years without cruise visitors (while the cruise industry was forced to suspend operations), the Costa Maya cruise port is again one of the most visited ports in the Western Caribbean Itineraries.

During those two years, attractions didn't vanish, and there is a lot to look forward to on a cruise calling at Costa Maya for the day. Here are the top things to do on a cruise to Costa Maya:

• Stay and relax at the cruise terminal. Enjoy the party atmosphere around the saltwater swimming pools with swim-up bars, go on a shopping spree, or bargain hunting for tequila, vanilla, and local spices.
• Swim with dolphins. In the cruise terminal, the "Dolphin Discovery" dolphinarium offers two interactive programs - the Dolphin Swim Adventure and the Dolphin Encounter. Activity time: 45 minutes to 1 hour. Prices: bewteen US$69 and US$109.
• Explore Mahahual beach: one of the nicest and most affordables places to enjoy a relaxing day on your own, the beach in Mahahual is dotted by beach clubs, bars, restaurants and all sorts of water-sports. Distance from port: around 2.3 mile (3.8 km). Visiting time: as long as you feel like. Keep reading this review to learn more about Mahahual. How to get there: shuttle, taxi, golf cars
• Discover the Chacchoben Mayan ruins. built in the eighth century AD, Chacchoben was a vast Mayan settlement with a Great Plaza, four grand temples, the Gran Basamento (used for religious ceremonies), the Temple of the Vessels and pyramids among other archaeological wonders. Distance from port: around 43 miles (69 km). Visiting time: around 4 hours.
• Bacalar Fort and Seven Colors Lagoon. Top attractions: boat ride to Isla del Los Pajaros and Pirate Channel (Canal de Piratas), Spanish Fort (Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar), Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote Cocalitos, and Black Cenote. How to explore: On a shore excursion, between $80 and $120 per adult including meal); on your own by taxi, around $40 . Distance from port: around 56 miles (1 hour by car). Visiting time: up to 6 hours including travel.
• Relax with a beach day-pass: there are numerous resorts and beach clubs south of the cruise port to enjoy; some can only be booked through your cruise line or online excursion services, but there are other that can be booked directly. Keep reading to find out more about all beach day-pass available in Costa Maya cruise port.
• Mayá, Lost Mayan Kingdom: the theme adventure water park offers great thrilling attractions such as the twisty zip coaster, along with 12 other zip lines, adrenaline-packed water slides, tubing, swiming pool, restaurants and bars. Distance from port: around 0.5 mile (800 meters). Getting there: on foot, small shuttle buses (trollies) from the cruise terminal. Check maya-park.com the theme park official website for more information.
• Taste local flavors: the cruise terminal has great places to taste local flavors but if you want to have a more genuine experience, it is in Mahahual that you will find the best restaurants, bars and beach grills to savor typical mexican delicacies.
• Kohunlich, Dzibanche and Kinichná Mayan Ruins: frequent cruisers that have been in Costa Maya repeatedly and visited Chacchoben, should look into booking an excursion to one of the three other Mayan ruins close to Costa Maya cruise port.
• Enjoy watersports and sightseeing: Cruisers who enjoy water activities will have the opportyunity to enjoy diverse watersports such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, river tubing, rafting, fly fishing or stand-up paddle boarding. If you enjoy sightseeing, there are many ways of doing it:glass bottom boat, catamaran sail, segway adventure, scenic cycling ride, off road ATV adventure, 4X4 scenic safari, dune buggy beach drive.

The pristine beaches south of the port are natural top attractions for cruise passengers wondering what to do in Costa Maya. Cruise lines, local tour operators and online excursion services offer all types of beach break pakages and many shore excursions combos with the main highlights of Costa Maya.

The beach clubs offered by cruise lines are exclusive and you do not have access to these unless booked throught your cruise ship. Here are the ones used by the major cruise lines:

• Beach Escape Club
• La Bamba Beach Club
• Uchbenkah or Uchben Kah Eco Park
• Uvero Beach Club

Reputable online shore excursion services and local operators also offer beach day passes but to different clubs. Here are the ones you can book with online services:

• Barefoot Beach Club
• Big Mama Beach Club
• Blue Kay Resort
• Ibiza Sunset Beach Resort
• Los Arrecifes
• Maramao Beach Club of Hotel El Fuerte

Finally, cruise visitors that prefer to explore ports independently or on their own can book day-passes directly with the following resorts and clubs (links ordered alphabetically):

• Almaplena Beach Resort
• Hayhu Beach Club
• Maelcon21 Beach Club
• Maya Chan Beach Resort
• Maya Luna beach resort
• Pez Quadro beach club of 40 Cañones Hotel
• Xahuayxol Beach Club

Adventure, thrilling and fun activities

Besides the top things to do already mentioned, cruise travelers who enjoy adventurous fun will have the opportunity to enjoy diverse activities in a variety of shore excursions, such as:

• Stand-up Paddle Board
• River Tubing
• Fly-Fishing at the Bacalar Flats
• Scenic Rafting Experience
• Off-Road ATV adventure
• 4X4 scenic safari
• Dune Buggy Beach Drive

Sightseeing and cultural excursions

Last but not least, cruise passengers who prefer sightseeing and more contemplative pursuits also have a lot to choose from with shore excursions, such as::

• Glass Bottom Boat
• Catamaran Sail
• Segway adventure
• Scenic cycling ride
• Salsa Cooking and salsa dancing

Mahahual Beach - Costa Maya

If planning to go to Mahahual , it is good to know that the northern area is the nicest but the most crowded. By contrast, at the southern tip of the beach, the ocean is very shallow and not as inviting. Cruise tip: regardless of how you plan to get to Mahahual, head to the middle section of the beach.

Malecón Mahahual - Costa Maya

Parallel to the Ocean and bordering the sand, there is a main pedestrian 'road' - the Malecón Mahahual . This is lined on the land side by bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, a couple of hotels, water sports shops (fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, catamaran, jet skiing and so on); and one of the Editor's favorite bookshop in the Caribbean where no-shoes and no-shirts are welcomed.

Bookshop in Mahahual

On the beachside of the Malecón, the cruise passenger will find one beach club after another with chairs, umbrellas, bars, and water sports. Some also offer massages. At the northern tip of the beach, there is a Señor Frogs .

You should have in mind that Mahahual is a very, very laid back sort of beach and that no one is in a rush to offer any service in this small village. Cruise tip: join the flow (or lack of) and look at leisure for whatever you feel like doing with no pressure.

Costa Maya shore excursions and tours

As much as there are lots of nice and easy things to do on your own when calling at the port of Costa Maya, all cruise lines and independent local tour operators offer excellent cruise excursions , which cruise passengers should consider.

Water-slide - Costa Maya

Photo courtesy of Mayan Lost Kingdom

Typical tours like the ones exploring the Mayan Ruins of Chacchoben or Kohunlich are a must - the first can also be combined with beach time. A Beach Break is also combinable with a Catamaran Sail, Snorkel, Dune Buggy, Paddle-board or a Segway Tour. Scuba is available for both beginners and certified divers. At the Mayá the Lost Mayan Kingdom you can enjoy the excitement of a two zip-line course, the fun of water-slides or relaxing by a pool.

Scuba Diving - Costa Maya

Photo by management

Obviously, all cruise lines offer many and diverse shore excursions in Costa Maya. Celebrity Cruises offers as many 48 shore excursions and Royal Caribbean has 43 cruise excursions . Carnival lists 32 shore excursions . Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has available 26 shore excursions . Oceania Cruises organizes 19 shore excursions , Holland America offers 19 cruise excursions , and Princess has 19 excursions available.

Besides the cruise excursions organized by cruise liens, there are also shore excursions and tours offered by the following reputable private online services:

• Shore Trips
• Shore Excursions Group
• Shore Excursioneer
• Costa Maya Cruise Excursions
• Tours by Locals

Local tour operators

There are many local tour operators not affiliated with the top online services. Although the following have received excellent reviews, none are in any way affiliated, endorsed, or approved by IQCruising:

• Toucan Tours
• Costa Maya Adventours
• Tequila Beach Tours
• The Native Choice

Tourist info and language

Tourist info.

There isn't an official Tourist Information kiosk in the cruise terminal. However, the cruise port authority kiosks provide excellent information for those wishing to explore Costa Maya independently.

Spanish is the official language. However, as in any major tourist cruise port, English is widely spoken.

Safety, US travel advisory and basics

For comprehensive and updated information about traveling to Mexico see the U.S. Department of State website page evolving advisory.

Covid-19 advise for cruises to Costa Maya (Mexico)

For updated coronavirus (Covid-19) information and travel advice to Mexico and Costa Maya visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico . For more Traveler's Health advice to Mexico see the CDC Website .

Costa Maya Basic Info at a Glance

Share this Costa Maya port review

The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. It is advisable to confirm details with local tourist information before planning your cruise, tour or excursions of Costa Maya. If any inaccuracies are found or if there are any suggestions to improve the content of this page please let us know.

Submit a Correction / Suggestion.

• Terms of Use
• Legal & Privacy

© 2023 • INDEPENDENT QUEST LLC • Florida - USA. All Rights Reserved Duplication in part or whole without prior written consent is prohibited by international laws.

• Work with Us
• Destinations

What to Do In Costa Maya Mexico Instead of an Expensive Shore Excursion

After almost three years I recently had the chance to return to Costa Maya. Why was I excited? Costa Maya has always been one of my favorite cruise ports in the Western Caribbean.

A stop at the Costa Maya cruise port is a great excuse for anyone to eat good local food and simply relax on the beach.

If you’re going to Costa Maya on your cruise, lucky you! By the time you’re finished reading this article, you’ll know why it’s one of my top Caribbean cruise ports . 

And you’ll learn how to save money here, too.

Best Things to Do In Costa Maya, Mexico

In This Post...

You don’t have to spend a lot of money.

In this article, I’ll explain how to spend a really great day in Costa Maya without buying an expensive shore excursion.

Puerto Costa Maya (the port’s official name) and the nearby sleepy town of Mahahual was once a rural fishing village. It wasn’t until 2002 that this region was transformed into the popular cruise ship destination. 

Costa Maya was the first “manufactured” cruise port in the Caribbean, but the infrastructure didn’t last too long. In 2007, Hurricane Dean had a devastating impact in the area. Costa Maya cruise port was closed for a little over a year. 

Finally, Costa Maya reopened and the port complex has been growing ever since.

Where is Costa Maya, Mexico?

When your cruise is going to Costa Maya, most people wonder, “where is it and what’s there to do when I get there?” Actually, a lot of people haven’t even heard of Costa Maya, Mexico. Or they’ve heard the name but have no clue what to do there.

Situated along the turquoise-colored Caribbean Sea, Puerto Costa Maya (Costa Maya cruise port) and its nearby towns rest between the sea and the deep jungle.

Geographically speaking, Costa Maya, Mexico is located on the Yucatan peninsula, near the southern border of Quintana Roo, one of 32 Mexican states. 

What to Do in Puerto Costa Maya Instead of a Shore Excursion

Cruise lines offer full-day and expensive shore excursions to visit the incredible Mayan pyramids, dolphin encounters or snorkeling. That’s great if you want to spend time on a motor coach.

Then there are the on-site tour operators who greet cruise passengers as they enter the port, hoping to pick up some last-minute business. These hard workers offer many of the same excursions as the cruise lines.

When I’m in Costa Maya, I just want a really good lunch and a cold drink. Followed by a couple of hours lounging in a beach chair or floating on a mat in the ocean.

Here’s how to do exactly that, save a bundle of cash and have one of the best port days ever. Head over to the town of Mahahual and its beautiful beaches.

How to Get to Mahahual Beach from Costa Maya Cruise Port

Directions from the cruise ship complex to the transportation area has changed over the last few years. As of this update, here’s how to get to Mahahual and the beaches on your own.

Walk (or take the free tram) along the lengthy pier from your ship to the port’s colorful entrance. Don’t hesitate to hop aboard the tram if it’s really hot outside. The walk is longer than it looks! 1.   After you pass through the Costa Maya entrance, follow the pedestrian path as you enter the bustling cruise recreation and shopping complex.   You know you’re on the right path as you pass the grand staircase on your right.

Update:  This little breezeway path behind the stairs is now closed.  

You can’t “cut” through behind the stairs anymore to the taxi and transportation area. Now you have to walk past a zillion shops and snack bars until you come to the beautiful pink flamingoes.

Look to Your Right, Across from the Flamingoes

2.   There are of course more shops.   But what’s special about Amorino is that it’s the quickest (and maybe tastiest) shortcut to the transportation area out of the cruise complex!

Be polite as you cut through the shop and maybe promise to stop on your way back for a creamy gelato.

3.   Once you’re on the other side of Amorino’s, you’re getting closer to the taxi and rental area.   Plus you’ve avoided at least another dozen shops that try to lure you inside to buy.

PRO TIP:   Some of these locally owned shops have wonderful items, including unique turquoise and sterling silver jewelry, so plan to have some time to browse or shop on your way back to the ship.

4. Here’s what you’ll see as you approach the taxi area.   Yes, you’re in the right place…it’s undergoing some improvements so don’t mind the appearance. Keep walking…

Here’s where you can rent a golf cart or hire a taxi. The trolley and/or shuttle are currently not operating, at least not when I was there.

Take a Taxi or Golf Cart to the Beach

You can take a $8 taxi ride (that’s per taxi for one or more people) to anywhere in Mahahual. Or you can rent a golf cart for the day.

The current rate for a golf cart is $60 for a four-seater or $80 for a golf cart for 6 people for the entire day.

The golf cart rental company employees are wearing red shirts, thus the company name, Red Shirt Golf Carts!

A reader recently emailed me that you now need to make a reservation if you want to rent a golf cart! You can Google them and call Mayahual Red Shirts Golf Cart rentals to reserve your golf cart.

5.   Take a taxi to 40 Canons/Cuarenta Cañones/40 Canones.

Tell whomever is driving that you want to go to 40 Canons Hotel or in Spanish, simply, Cuarenta Cañones. It’s a 10-15 minute ride until you reach the last stop at the end of the road. The town is actually Mahahual.

The driver will stop at the entrance to the hotel. Enter the whitewashed breezeway at 40 Cañones and walk towards the beach. You can’t miss it.

And Then There’s This – 40 Cañones Beach Club

and this…

Spend the day on the beach – there are several beach clubs along this stretch of promenade. All charge a fee.

Pez Quadro , the Beach Club at 40 Cañones, has an All You Can Drink package that also includes a meal, wifi and lounge chair for $122 per person. 

There’s also an all you can drink non-alcoholic package with the same amenities for only $45 per person. That’s a bargain price for sure. The food at the hotel is excellent.

Also a Lobster meal and open bar day pass for $167. 

Where I Prefer to Eat Lunch

Personally, I always go to the outdoor dining area at the hotel for a fabulous lunch. At 40 Canons you can choose Italian or Mexican. The owners are Italian and serve traditional Italian meals.

I love the shrimp fajitas. Guacamole is awesome, too…everything there is good. A full lunch with a drink will run from $12 to $30 depending of course if you order a fresh-caught lobster or a cheese quesadilla.

If you go with the Pez Quadro Beach Package, one dish is included in the rates.

After lunch, I like to take a walk along the promenade then head back to the hotel and the beach club.

You’ll find the beach and town quiet, peaceful and pretty much undeveloped.

When it’s time to head back to your ship (be sure to allow at least a full hour) just walk back to the road through the hotel. Taxis are usually available, but leave enough time just in case you have to wait.

As you drive back to Costa Maya (for a short distance it’s a different route) look for these rainbow-colored cabanas.

Once back at the cruise port, just follow the crowds out towards the pier. You can buy any last minute souvenirs from the hundreds of stalls and shops at the complex. Or that gelato I mentioned earlier!

Too tired to walk? Take the complimentary trolley back to your ship.

Seriously….You Could Have This…

Or You Could Have This…It’s Your Vacation

The beautiful beaches of Costa Maya, Mexico. One heck of a cruise port!

PIN AND SHARE TO YOUR FAVORITE BOARDS!

You’ll Also Love

How to Navigate Between Venice Italy Cruise Ports, Train Station and More

Fun infograph guide to caribbean attractions.

5 Best Reasons to Buy Your Cruise Ship’s Shore Excursion

Best Top Ten Tips for Cruising Solo

Six Unusual Things to Pack for a Cruise or Land Vacation

How to Pack for a Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise

82 comments.

Hi Jennifer, thanks SO much for your positive feedback. Much appreciated. I’m so glad that you enjoyed your stay in Costa Maya and especially at Pez Quadro! And thank you for taking the time to write about your experience after your cruise. Happy cruising! Sherry

We just followed you plan for Pez Quadro a few weeks ago and it was perfect. The cabs were easy to find, the beach was great and the food was delicious. Thank you so much! We are going on the same cruise next year and will do this again.

I’ve been in Costa Maya once on a cruise to see the Mayan ruins. If I were on a ship that stopped there again, I’d probably stay on board.

Hi Whitney, Thank you for your glowing comment…really made my day! While the Mayan ruins certainly are interesting to see, sometimes you just need to sit on a beach and relax. I totally get it! Thank you for signing up for my newsletter, too. I hope to get an Icon of the Seas review asap. Happy travels and Cheers to the pina colada! Sherry

Hi cruise maven! Im not really into things like this but i read your article (above) for about 3 minutes and thought, oh my goodness this is the kind of right to the point with specific information I need and what she says….she gets ME. You hit the nail on the head. Mayan ruins …. great if you want to sit on the bus but I want to be on the beach drinking a beer or pina colada, with my wife snorkeling or swimming or doing nothing in a bathing suit! Thanks for being here and I will pay attention. FYI, next cruise is the Icon of the Seas, November, 2025 (we just got back from a Caribbean cruise in December) Hopefully by then you will have some feedback about the Icon of the Seas or its sister ships. I signed up for your newsletter and …Thanks again!

Hi Anita, Yes, I was there late last year and updated the post to reflect the changes I noticed that happened since 2018. I hope I did not miss anything that also needed an update.

Have you been back here since 2018?

Hi Penny, Thank you for reading my article and taking the time to ask your question. It all would depend on the amount of time that your Mayan ruins tour lasts. So without knowing that information, all I can suggest is to allow 45 minutes each way from cruise complex to Pez Quadro, based on taxi availability. How much time you plan to spend in Mahahual is up to you of course. Thanks again and have a terrific cruise and day in Costa Maya.

how much time does it typically take to do this? We would like to do this after visiting the mayan ruins.

Hi Bill, I’d check with your ship’s shore excursions – they’ll have all the other types of things to do besides eat. Thank you for your question and reading my article. Have a great trip!

Hi Kathy, Thanks for reading my article. I’ve never known it to be necessary to reserve at Pez Quadro, but if you’d like to ensure a space, you can reserve a package on their website at https://www.pezquadrocostamaya.com/ . If you’re not interested in a package with lunch and/or alcohol, then you could just walk up and, unless everyone on your ship is there, I would like to think that you could pay when you get there. Have a wonderful day in Costa Maya! And thanks again for reading the article.

Hi Sherry thanks for the information on Costa Maya. Do you know if you have to have a reservation for the beach club next to the hotel, or can you just walk in? Our ship doesn’t dock until 1 pm so I’m not sure what we will want to do since it will be getting dark around 6.

i’D LIKE TO DO MORE THAN EAT! Any info on snorkleing, swimming, etc?

We will be in Costa Maya in June. We were told to rent a golf cart and go to the end of the road an check out several of the beach locations as we head back. They have always felt safe there and said the experience is great. Have you tried this? We do have a golf cart reserved but want to make sure it’s a good option before we get there. Excited to explore!

Hi, Sorry to read about your unfortunately experience in Costa Maya. I don’t know what cruise line or hotel was included in your shore excursion, but it sounds awful. You should have been told to wear water shoes at the beach as the shore line can be very rocky and have shells. As for the military showing up, it’s not uncommon. In fact, the other day I heard there was some trouble in Mahahual, so that could account for the police presence.

I hope you brought your complaint to the shore excursion staff and hopefully received a refund or onboard credit. Mahahual is a quaint fishing town with some good restaurants and beach-y hotels.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I was in Costa Maya a couple weeks ago. If you do not leave the Port it is beautiful. However, we chose to leave the port and take what they called the “beach excursion”. We had been to Belize the day before so were excited to visit the beaches at Costa Maya. DON’T !!!! It cost us $80 a piece to go on the “beach excursion” and I have to tell you it was terrible. We took a tour bus, best part of trip. On the way to the beach there was not but run down buildings and garbage everywhere. When we got to the “resort”, there were old mattresses and garbage all around. The smell well it was horrible. However, we were stuck there, tour bus could not return to ship. So here we are stuck there! We walk inside and the sea grass and rocks were so horrible that you couldn’t get in the water if you wanted to. But I wouldn’t have wanted to anyhow because you have to PAY to use the bathroom. So you know the people that were going in the water were going for one reason. The vendors aggrevate you until you just can’t take it anymore and lose your cool. I had the same lady ask me 7 times if I wanted my hair braided. My hair is 2 inches long. NO NO NO I don’t. I finally had to get rude. It was free drinks all day ! The menu said the drinks had alcohol in them but the did not ! I was to afraid to try the food that the place was just nasty ! When we were finally able to LEAVE the beach. We saw trucks with guys in the back of them with face mask and machine guns. We that can’t be safe! In conclusion, for now, stay away from Costa Maya!

Hi Brooke, Thank you for reading my article about Costa Maya. Yes, shopkeepers and taxis will gladly accept US dollars. In fact, that can give you a little bit of a bargaining point when shopping. Be sure to have small bills, too. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Thank you for your helpful post! I have a question about paying for a taxi and the entrance fee to 40 Cannons. Do they accept US Dollars for payment or do we need to use pesos? Also, ca we use dollars to purchase items from the tourist shop?

Hi Sallie, Thank you for reading my article and taking the time to ask your question. I was in Costa Maya a few months ago and did not see any bicycle rentals at the cruise complex or outside of it. If it was me, even if there were bicycles to rent, I would not rent one. But that’s my personal opinion. Once you get to Costa Maya and leave the cruise complex, you may see bike rentals, but again, I did not. Enjoy Costa Maya whatever way you choose to explore and spend the day. Have a fun cruise!

Thank you for the informative blog on what to do in Costa Maya. I will be there in March with my two grown children and am wondering if there is a good bike rental option (instead of golf cart or taxi) located near the cruise ship landing.

Hi Fernando, Thank you very much for taking the time to recap your experience. I’m really happy to know that everything worked out as planned. I’ve eaten at the hotel many times and have not been disappointed. I’m not a big fan of shrimp, so I have ordered other dishes and none have disappointed. Costa Maya, in my opinion, is just a relaxing day at the beach, away from the over-crowded cruise center and not spending hours on a motor coach. I’m glad it worked out for you. Thanks again for your comment. Much appreciated.

Had a fun time with the family today. Instructions were easy to follow and made everything seamless. A few notes from my experience…. hailing a cab can be a bit caotic as they are not that organized. Also, not sure what changed but today they were charging $4 per person per trip to go to 40 canones. Perhaps not exactly a surprise but path to and beaches were not really clean which was sad to see. I hope the locals can straighten things up a bit to enhance the experience. By the way I did look for trash cans at the beach and there were none found where we were. Dining at 40 Canones was good but not great with rustic and well priced food. Bottom line it was still an awesome experience and we would do that again in a hearbeat. The local feel at the beach was great. Definetly a better and much cheaper uption than the excursions sold by the cruise and others.

Hi Kim, Thank you for the update. I’ve added the Mayahual Red Shirts info to the article. Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know so I can update the info. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Good morning. We are currently in costa Maya and I just wanted to bring it to your attention that the golf cart rental have to have a reservation.

Hi Janice, Thank you SO much for your kind words. I’m really happy that my directions to the taxi area, short-cut and more were helpful to you. I have to agree that I’d rather spend a day at 40 Canons than take a shore excursion in Costa Maya…or spend the day anywhere else! They have it all. And thank you for taking the time to submit your comment upon your return. Hopefully, it will help others, too. Much appreciated!

I followed your instructions (and pictures!)! This was my most memorable day on my cruise. 40 Cannons was lovely. Beautiful beach, precious people, very peaceful. Your directions with the pictures and taxi costs were the BEST. This was the best ‘excursion’ by far. Thank you Sherry, it helped so much!

Hi Alison, I apologize for this late reply as your cruise departure day is so close. I was just in Costa Maya two weeks ago and I’m in the process of a completely updated post.

Unfortunately, the trolley is no longer running. However, for your group of 6 people, there are golf carts for rent for 4 or 6 passengers. The company is Red Shirt rentals and you’ll find them in back of the cruise complex, as I describe in the article. The cost is $80 for the entire day. They’ll give you a map of where you can and cannot go (where the roads end).

The beach club at 40 Canones, Pez Quadro, has a fee and you can purchase a day pass online ( https://www.pezquadrocostamaya.com/ ) on their website or when you get there. As for “free” public beaches…there are a few between the cruise port and 40 Canones. You’d probably be better with paying for a day pass just to have a chair and umbrella, plus a meal and/or alcohol. Keep in mind that much of the shoreline can be a bit rocky, or have a lot of shells that make walking barefoot uncomfortable. Aqua shoes are a good solution. Depending on weather and time of year, there can be a lot of seaweed that washes up to the shoreline, too.

There are other beach clubs along the Costa Maya shore, but I have not ventured all the way out there. Chunky Monkey seems to have good reviews but it’s not affiliated with a hotel like 40 Canones.

I hope you get this information before your cruise! I hope to post the update on Monday, Nov. 7.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my article and send your question. Have a wonderful cruise!

Hi Kristie, Thank you for reading my Costa Maya article. I was just in Costa Maya two weeks ago and I’m in the process of a thorough update to the post. Since the pandemic, the tram/trolley is no longer running. Instead, there are only taxis and golf carts for rent.

A taxi would be your best way to get to Mahahual. While I totally understand your comfort level, it is possible to find others to share the taxi ride. For the return, you’d either be on your own, or from 40 Canones, you could walk along the wide Maleçon (promenade/sidewalk) to find others waiting for a taxi. For me two weeks ago, I stayed onboard the ship until almost everyone went ashore. When I walked to the taxi area, there were some people with whom I could have shared an air-conditioned taxi. I chose not to only because I didn’t want to get into a small car with other cruisers and I didn’t have a mask with me. Otherwise, I would have gone. It’s $8 per trip (not per person) is what I was told.

The taxis are regulated (there’s a dispatcher) and in a queue for passengers.

I’ve always felt safe taking a taxi alone in Costa Maya (and Cozumel), but again, I completely understand the concerns of traveling as a solo female in a foreign country.

I’ll have all the updated info and new photos posted hopefully by tomorrow (Monday).

Thank you again for reading my article and I hope the update will help clarify any questions you may have about getting to Mahahual.

You said that you can take a tram to the hotel. Can you take the tram back to the port? I don’t know if I’m am comfortable riding alone in a taxi.

I’m so happy I came across your article, I’m going on a cruise next week and we are stopping at Costa Maya for a day, my husband and 4 children ages 6-11. We dock at 12:30 to 7pm so i’m just looking for a little trip to the beach with the kids to do some beach combing, play in the sand and back to the boat for dinner. I plan on taking the trolley there as it sounds really fun for the kids. I have a few questions I hope you might be able to answer.

Is the beach you mentioned public? Can I access it without having to go to 40 Canones Beach Club?

Does the trolley take you back to the cruise ship pier or do you have to take a taxi (there are 6 of us)?

Thank so much for any more advice or tips you can give me.

Hi Christine, Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m heading to Costa Maya as I’m typing this, so I’ll look for the Crazy Lobster! I don’t know if it is in Mahahual or at the cruise port center, but I’ll do my best to find it! As for a beach without a fee…there’s a very small beach area at the cruise port (a dip your toe in the water size beach) but you have to get to Mahahual to find the nicer beaches. Most if not all are not smooth sand into the water so bring aqua shoes. The beaches at Mahahual depend a lot on the weather for either rocks to walk over, too much kelp or smooth sand.

If I find Crazy Lobster, I’ll let you know! Thanks very much for reading my blog posts! It’s much appreciated. Have a wonderful cruise!

HI Sherry, I love your blogs! I have just consumed all your information for Cozumel and Costa Maya. I cruise there next month. I also subscribed to your newsletters. I do have two questions about Costa Maya. Have ever eaten at the Crazy Lobster and if so, how was it? Is there a free beach I can enjoy? THANK YOU! Christine

Sorry you had such an awful experience. 40 Cañones is a hotel and restaurant. Across the sidewalk is Pez Quadro, the beach club for the hotel. And yes, the beach club has different prices. A day package with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, one entrée, lounge chair and wifi is $45 USD. If you want all you can drink plus the same other amenities, then it’s $85 USD. Add lobster and the first package then becomes $65; the second package with booze and lobster etc. is $119.

So if your taxi driver said $65, that would be for the non-alcoholic package with lobster, lounge chair and wifi. I have no clue why you were charged $10 tax on your $26 meal!

I always just go to the hotel for their wonderful restaurant, walk the promenade, head back to the hotel and get a taxi.

Maybe your next visit to Mahahual will be better. Thank you for taking the time to read my article and send your comment.

Asked taxi driver to take us to 40 Cannons Beach. He said they charge $65 per day. He suggested another place, $15 pp per day. What a rip off. Food bill $26 plus $10 tax plus tip. I argued a bit about $10 tax, to no avail. Came back by taxi (now $4). Cimplained to taxi fellow about $10 tax. They are sorry. Is it true the 40 Cannons charges $65 to get in?????

Hi Ali, Thank you so much for taking the time and remembering to come back to my site for your comment! I’m really glad to hear that the restaurant is still top-notch and I’m looking forward to a revisit as soon as I can. Again, thank you! Sherry

Thanks for recommendations. The lunch at 40 Canones was delicious!

Hi Jeff, Thanks for reading this article. I agree…there are more things to do in Costa Maya. My objective with this particular article was to delineate the over-crowded cruise ship complex from a day in relaxing Mahahual. I will work on a new article for Costa Maya with more to do there. Thank you for the suggestion. Much appreciated.

There are quite a few more things to do than sit on a beach! Please cover some of those too.

Hi Jen, Thanks very much. I just replied to a comment yesterday that the breezeway cut-through could be blocked. Now it’s confirmed. I guess too many people figured out the short cut and bypassed the shops and vendors. Thank you very much for the update. I’ll add it to the article in an update. I hope you had a good day in Costa Maya.

FYI: As of two days ago, that pass through next to the stairs is closed!! You must walk all the way around to get a taxi or golf cart. Use the map the ship gives you to find the taxi area.

Hi Lesley, Thank you for reading my article. Yes, there is a fee for the beach club and its amenities. Pez Quadro is the Beach Club associated with 40 Canons Hotel. There’s a link to Pez Quadro in my article where you can book your day pass. My day in Costa Maya means lunch outdoors at 40 Canons and then a leisurely walk along the pathway, turn around and walk back to the hotel for a taxi back to the port. But the Beach Club is a good value with several inclusions (lunch and drinks, wifi, etc) to choose. Just be sure to leave a couple of hours or so for your return to the ship. Someone emailed me to say that at the cruise complex, the little cut-through breezeway that I mention in a photo now has a vendor booth or something in front of it? But it’s easy to find the taxi rank or the trolley.

Have a wonderful cruise and a perfect day in Costa Maya! Thank you again for reading and taking the time for your question.

So there is no charge to use their beach? We will be there next week as a port of call and am not interested in any of the cruise line excursions. I just was a beach and a local place to eat and can go back to ship whenever I want to. Thanks for this info!!

Hi Stacy, Thank you so much for your email! I’m so glad you enjoyed your time in Costa Maya. It is a beautiful place. Also, thanks for reading my article and taking the time to write after your cruise. It’s much appreciated! I look forward to my next cruise that includes Costa Maya! Happy Travels!

Was at Costa Maya last week. It’s absolutely beautiful!

Hi Tammy, Thank you very much for your kind words. It sounds like you’ll have a wonderful family cruise vacation! For Costa Maya, and considering how many people are in your group and the expanse of ages, this may be one of the few times I recommend a ship’s shore excursion or possibly through a 3rd party. Though in your case, just going with the ship’s tour would be the simplest plan, IMO.

Personally, I like to just spend the day having lunch on the beach in Mahahual, just a short taxi ride from the port. But with your group, an air-conditioned motor coach ride to one of the three Mayan ruins could have something for everyone. Most tours include time at a beach as well. And people can nap on the drive back to the port! Have a wonderful cruise! And thanks again for writing.

Hello Sherry, Thank you for your blog.. Our family will be taking a cruise in April 2022 to Costa Maya. At this time there will be approximately 15 of us. Do you have any suggestions, we have age group from 3 18 year olds to 77 yrs young…. TIA for any advice or suggestions you may have. Tammy

Hi Maureen, Thank you for your question. Yes, there is a fee for a day pass to 40 Canons Beach Club. Adults prices range from $45 USD to $85 USD depending upon the type of pass – alcoholic or non. Pez Quadro is part of the hotel. Personally, I’ve never used the beach club (the beaches in Costa Maya can be covered with seaweed) but I’ve had some outstanding meals at the hotel. I love Costa Maya and hope that you have a wonderful visit. Thank you again for your question and reading my article. Sherry

Sheri I’m looking for pricing to enter 40 canons beach club. Is there a price to enter the beach club? Is it per person or adults pay? I was also looking for a website for 40 canons but only found Pez Candro. Could you direct me where to look? Thanks!

Hi Jim, Thank you for taking the time to write and for reading my blog! Much appreciated. I’m not sure what you mean by “port experience”? Is this a Royal Caribbean shore excursion? There are options to purchase tours once you are in the cruise port pool complex but if there’s a trip that your really want to take, you might want to purchase it as soon as possible. Your travel agent or someone at Royal Caribbean should be able to find an answer to your port question. I’m familiar with spending time in Mahahual not a planned tour excursion. Sorry I can’t be of more help. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place to visit once you’re outside of the pool complex. Have a wonderful cruise! Sherry

Great blog, thanks for the information on Costa Maya. I will be visiting there next March with our granddaughter and wanted to know what the cost of the port experience should be. Royal wants about $40pp but can’t you purchase tickets once you get to the port area directly? And what if you only want to see the animals/birds, can you only do one thing?

Thanks, Jim

Hi Michael, Congratulations on your oldest graduating into high school – perfect time for a celebration cruise. You’re best bet is to read other comments online about Costa Maya. You can also contact a travel agent who can possibly arrange shore tours for you and your family.

The only change in my article is that the short-cut to the taxi at the Costa Maya cruise complex has been closed. Now you have to walk all the way around the complex to get to the taxi/trolley boarding area. Costa Maya is great if you want a simple beach day. But be aware that seaweed has been an ongoing issue along the entire stretch of Costa Maya beach and going into the water isn’t pleasant. This could of course change at any given moment.

Have a fabulous family cruise! Thank you very much for reading my articles and taking the time to write. Sherry

I am going to be going on a cruise and stopping in costa maya and want to make sure I’m well prepared for what we will be doing. We are going to be there the week of may 23 2020. I have 2 kids going 1 is 9 the other 13 and this is their first cruise. The 13 year old is going to graduate 8th grade so kind of a celebration and they both want to go to the beach. Can you email me some details so I can have everything in line for what we need to do and what to do so we are not spending that much money. Thank you for your time.

Hi Alan, Thank you very much for taking the time to write your comments. All excellent points. I am disappointed to learn that the little short cut by the stairs is no longer available. It was nice to escape the shopping mall en route to the taxi area.

Yes, I’ve read about the seaweed problem being an ongoing issue with no end in close sight. Personally, I rarely go into the water so thank you again for your report on the seaweed/sargassum and snorkeling. The few times I have, I remember the shoreline being rather rocky and full of shells.

I will work on an update to the article asap. Thank you again for your really great comments. Much appreciated. Sherry

Just a little feedback from our trip here on 7/11/19.

1-You can no longer pass under the stairs to the taxi area. They have walled that off so you have to go all the way through the mall area, out the back, through the parking lot/security and then you find the taxis. Everything went well with the taxis, no issues getting there or back.

2-This and some surrounding resorts are now part of some cruises excursions so it’s not as secluded as it once was. We still had no issue getting seated or anything along those lines, just worth noting.

3-The seaweed/sargassum is overrunning this beach all the way up and down. They were extending the fence offshore during our stay and attempting to keep up with removal but it was pretty thick and you had to go through it to get to the water.

4-Snorkeling off the beach was not worthwhile. You can go beyond the fence (make sure to pay attention when crossing just past there as it is the path the boats take to get in/out of the bay) but even that was just sand and sea grass, mostly conchs not really anything in the fish area. There is a stand right beside the chairs that will take you out on a boat to snorkel for a very reasonable rate but we did not try that during our stay.

5-You will experience numerous vendors passing through the seats trying to sell things. They are very friendly but also respectful if you indicate no interest they will not continue to pursue. You can haggle on price (we did buy a couple things) but I have no idea how to haggle so I’m sure they enjoyed me being there…

Food and drinks were good and staff was very nice. They were able to accommodate my eldest daughters Celiac (gluten allergy). The $20pp fee is adults only…I didn’t realize that so I was trying to eat and drink for 4 including my kids to reach my misunderstood $80 threshold which was only $40 (whoops), but no complaints as it was all very good. All in all it was good, just wanted to call out some items that have changed since the original column was written.

Hi Brenda, Thank you very much for your nice comment; much appreciated. I will try to add your email address to my newsletter list and I think you will receive a double-check email asking you to please reconfirm that you want to receive my newsletter. Then if you click “yes” you’ll be on the list. Thank you again! Have a wonderful cruise and visit to Costa Maya. Sherry

Thoroughly enjoyed reading your info on Costa Maya regarding upcoming cruise. If you have a Newsletter please sign me up!!

Hi DeOndra, Thank you for writing – it’s much appreciated. Since things change all the time, I would suggest that you contact the hotel direct. When I’ve been there, I’ve eaten lunch in the hotel restaurant (fabulous!) then walked across to the beach area and tipped the person for a chair. I’ve never tried the fishing excursion so I can’t advise on that one. Whatever you do, have a wonderful day in Costa Maya! Sherry

Hi there! My question is, if we pay for the all inclusive in advance, would we be eating in the actual 40 canons restaurant or just quesidallas off a menu in a lounge chair? I love the looks of the food and atmosphere of the actual restaurant . I would also like to know more about the fishing excursion that is mentioned in the Pez Quatro website, like how often do they really caught anything. Just trying to figure out the best option before November. Thank you!

Hi Trisha, It sounds like you have some good plans in place. For Mahahual, your kids can snorkel near the shore but while the water in Mahahual is usually calm, be aware that there could be a current or a rocky shoreline to wade through til it was deep enough. But everything else you’ve mentioned seems good. Yes, there are a lot of beach chairs and for a small gratuity I would think that the person collecting the entrance fees would rustle up 10 chairs for all of you to be near each other. I am not familiar with making reservations ahead of time to reserve lounge chairs. If you are referring to just staying at the cruise complex, then rounding up 10 chairs near each other could be interesting. I hope this was helpful. Have a wonderful family cruise. Sherry

Hi! Going next month and my kids love to Snorkel (11& 15yrs old). Can they swim out some and snorkel or would you recommend we find an excursion to do that? As of now plans are just to do lunch, little shopping and hangout at the beach. Also, are there always beach chairs to rent on beach? Can I reserve in advance? It’s a party of 10 and I want to make sure we can all sit together. Thanks!

Hi Esteban, Good question. Aside from going to Mahahual on your own, I wouldn’t suggest venturing out of the town limits without being on some kind of a group tour. You can have a really nice day in Mahahual without spending a lot of money on a full day tour to the Mayan ruins -though they are really beautiful and amazing to see. If you rent a golf cart, there’s not much to do with it after a couple of hours. Puerto Costa Maya is just a recreation complex and the ride to Mahahual is only 10 – 15 minutes away.

I’d suggest taking either the $3 dollar trolley or a taxi down to 40 Canons, have lunch, relax at the beach and stroll along the promenade. Either way, have fun! Thanks for your question. Sherry

Going there in April but would like to deep more in the area….is the area big & secure??? Also, besides the golf carts are there any other options to move a little more??? Going with my parents and want to explore a little more…thanks!!!

Hi Liliana, Lucky you…Costa Maya is one of my favorite ports. You could follow the suggestions in the article and you can read the positive comments from readers. Have fun! Sherry

we are going for first time to Costa Maya, we are very exiting after I read all these comments,, we love the beach and w e are looking to relax in a pretty beach very clear where you can really relax, and enjoy the ocean and have some appetizers and a refreshing drink, where do you recommended to go?

Hi Dale, I’m SO glad everyone had a great time in Costa Maya and that my advice and directions worked! I totally agree that I’d also like to spend a 3-4 laid-back days in Mahahual at 40 Cannons. The food at Maramao is excellent and the ambiance is so very easy.

Thank you for sharing your follow-up for Costa Maya. If you don’t mind, may I take a part of your comment to use on my website? Just a little blurb in the sidebar. I would only use your first name and last initial. I hope you’ll approve, but if not, I totally understand.

Regards, Sherry

We followed your advice and glad we did. Cab ride to 40 Cannons was $8 for our group of 4. We checked out the area and two people had 45 minute massages for $20 each. We had lunch at Maramao. Very good and run by great people. Lobster and fish dishes as well as Italian. Prices were very reasonable and gave us access to the beach. We would not have found this place without your recommendation. I would consider going back to this place for a longer stay.

Hi DeeDee, Good question. There are “free” beaches but if you want a lounge chair, you’ll pay a fee. Since you’re planning on a drink and a snack, that would surely take care of the cover charge. I’d suggest taking the trolley to the end at 40 Canones (why not have lunch and a drink there?) and then walk the promenade until you find whatever appeals to you. Have a wonderful time. Sherry

Hi Sherry, we will be at Costa Maya/Mahahual with a cruise. We want to go by trolley to Mahahual. Is there a part of the beach without paying a fee? Or a bar where you can just can have a drink and a small snack?

Hi Sarah, I always have lunch at 40 Canones and then just go across the pavement to the beach. If you only want to use the beach then yes, there would be a fee. Have fun!

Is there a fee to get in? I read in one post there is a meal and drink package?

For a family, a day at the beach in Costa Maya is a good option, as long as you purchase beach chairs with shade. While most of the shoreline is smooth sand, depending on weather, current etc, aqua shoes are a good idea in case of a pebbly shore as you walk into the water. Meals and snacks are available along the promenade and you can sit and enjoy a nice lunch at 40 Canones. Though with a 2 yr old, I don’t know how relaxing it might for you! Actually, in thinking this through, your best and simplest bet might be to just spend the day at the cruise ship venue, right there at the port. Easy to push a buggy, you can find shade, there’s a kids pool area and you can head back to the ship much easier. Looking back to when my kids were small (first cruise at 5 and 7), the simpler I kept activities, made for an easier and more pleasant cruise experience.

Have a wonderful cruise! Sherry

We are heading here in March. We are a family with smaller children (2-13), and was wondering if this would be a great place to come as a family? There aren’t a lot of options through the cruise line. I am more worried about missing our boarding time, since it’s early afternoon!

Have fun! I love Costa Maya. Enjoy your lunch at 40 Canones and save time to walk along the promenade, too. If you think of it, please drop me a note when you return and let me know how it all worked. Thank you! Bon Voyage! Sherry

We will be there in August. I am so excited to try this out.

Hi Mary Ann,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice note. I’m happy that you and everyone enjoyed their day at 40 Canons. It’s one of my favorite self-made cruise days! If you don’t mind, may I use your first three sentences as a quote/testimonial? I will only include your first name (I don’t know your last name.) Thank you again for your note (it made my day!) and I hope you’ll approve. Sherry

My husband and I and another couple followed these instructions last week when our cruise ship stopped in Costa Maya. This was one of the best days we ever had. We followed your directions and had no problems. We never saw the little makeshift table you spoke of to get a ride on the trolley or taxi but there were a lot of people there who spoke English that could get us a taxi. The taxi was $2 a person. The taxi driver understood Forty Canons easily and we had printed out the paper to show him in case he didn’t. When we got to Forty Canons, we were so pleased. It is a beautiful resort. It sits on a promenade where you can take a leisurely stroll and looks at the wares that the locals were selling. It was very easy to negotiate a price when we wanted to buy something. We were greeted by one of the beach attendants who spoke English. He said the beach chair and umbrella was $20. We told him no, we would pay $10 so he said ok. He let us pick out where we wanted to sit. It was not crowded at all and had a wonderful scenic place to sit. The water was crystal clear and the beach was nice. There are locals who walk around trying to sell you stuff but when you just shake your head no they smile and leave you alone. It was not a problem. The attendants on the beach are there to serve you drinks and lunch if you want to order anything. It was not expensive at all and the drinks were delicious. It was very easy getting a cab back to the ship. There were many outside the hotel. All in all, we loved everything about the day.

Hi John, That plus some good food and you’re right! The beaches are gorgeous, too. Sherry

any place off the beach with good snorkling

Hi Christina, Happy 10th anniversary! If you follow the directions in the article, you should have a pretty easy time getting to Mahahual and the beach. When you get to 40 Canons Hotel, you can ask anyone about renting a beach chair with them. Otherwise, you can cut through to the beach and walk along the promenade until you find a location you like. Bring US cash in small bills, too. Have a great time in Costa Maya! Sherry

We are headed here next week. Do I need any type of reservation or do I just walk in? I don’t speak Spanish well so I’m nervous. I want to have a great relaxing day as it’s my 10 year wedding anniversary the day we will be there. How do you get a seat on the beach? Just walk up and pick one or do they give you one

Hi Paula, Please contact a travel agency in your area or if that is not convenient, contact the cruise line directly and they can send a brochure. Sherry

Need liturature for your cruises to Alaska my address is Pau, Corning,box1i3, ap,Arkansas,72422t. 1la Rogerssend me literature on your cruises .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What are you looking for?

Updated on April 24, 2024 by Wesley Edwards

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Mexico Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Mexico. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Dengue in the Americas April 18, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique (France), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Turks and Caicos Islands (U.K.), Uruguay
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico March 12, 2024 There have been reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in people traveling to the United States from Tecate, in the state of Baja California, Mexico.
• Salmonella Newport in Mexico March 29, 2023 Some travelers who have spent time in Mexico have been infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Newport.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Mexico.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Mexico. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Mexico.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Mexico take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Mexico.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Mexico. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Mexico, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Mexico. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites, chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis).

• Accidentally rub feces (poop) of the triatomine bug into the bug bite, other breaks in the skin, your eyes, or mouth
• From pregnant woman to her baby, contaminated blood products (transfusions), or contaminated food or drink.
• Avoid Bug Bites

Chagas disease

• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Mexico, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Mexico. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Some diseases in Mexico—such as dengue, Zika, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease—are spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Follow the insect avoidance measures described above to prevent these and other illnesses.

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Mexico include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Mexico. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Mexico’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of Mexico. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Mexico may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Mexico, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Mexico, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Mexico .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

To call for emergency services while in Mexico, dial 066, 060, or 080. Write these numbers down to carry with you during your trip.

Learn as much as you can about Mexico before you travel there. A good place to start is the country-specific information on Mexico from the US Department of State.

Americans in Mexico have been arrested for purchasing souvenirs that were, or looked like, antiques and that local customs authorities believed were national treasures. Familiarize yourself with any local regulations for antiques and follow these tips:

• When you are considering purchasing an authentic antique or a reproduction, ask if you are allowed to export these items before you purchase them.
• If you buy a reproduction, document on the customs form that it is a reproduction.
• If you buy an authentic antique, obtain the necessary export permit (often from the national museum).

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Mexico for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked