This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and Natural Disasters section (flooding & mudslides).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

There have been a number of incidents involving small homemade bombs or incendiary devices. One exploded on 31 July 2007 outside a department store in Oaxaca City.  On 6 November 2006 three small bombs exploded in Mexico City at dawn.  One of the targets of the nearly simultaneous blasts was the seat of the nation's highest electoral court, the Federal Electoral Tribunal. The second was the headquarters of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the third was in a Scotia Bank branch in the south of the city. There were no casualties. Groups who claim they are connected to the protests in Oaxaca have claimed responsibility.

A British owned bank was one of four foreign banks that were targeted in minor bomb attacks on 23 May 2004.  There were no casualties.  The Mexican authorities are still investigating these incidents.

For more information read Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas pages of the FCO website.

Crime

Street crime is on the increase.  Around 140 cases of stolen passports are reported to the Embassy every year.  You should dress down and avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches.  You should be particularly alert on public transport, at airports, bus stations and tourist sites.  Passengers have been robbed and/or assaulted by unlicenced taxi drivers, particularly in Mexico City.  At airports, use only authorised prepaid airport taxi services.  In Mexico City, use better regulated “sitio” taxis from authorised cab ranks.  In March 2006, a number of tourists, including four Britons were held at gunpoint and robbed in Puerto Vallarta.  The thieves took a number of belongings including the tourists’ shoes.

Theft on buses is also common.  All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class buses if possible.  Although there have been several reports of bus hijackings and robberies on toll roads (de cuota), buses on toll roads have a markedly lower rate of incidents than buses (second and third class) that travel the less secure "free" (libre) roads.  Although most first-class bus companies perform security checks when passengers board buses, armed robberies of entire busloads of passengers still occur.  Be vigilant; watch your hand luggage.  Long distance bus travellers have had their personal belongings rifled while asleep.

Women travelling on their own should be particularly alert.  There have been incidents of rapes on urban buses (micros) on routes in the south of Mexico City.  Most attacks have occurred early in the morning or late at night.  A number of serious sexual offences have also occurred in tourist areas in Cancun.  Care should be taken even in areas close to hotels, especially after dark.  Business travellers should keep a close watch on their briefcases and luggage at apparently secure locations such as the lobby of their hotel.  Pick-pocketing is common on the Mexico City Metro.

Exercise caution when withdrawing money from cashpoints or exchanging money at a Bureau de Change.  It is safer to limit withdrawals or currency exchanges to small sums, and to only use cashpoints during daylight hours and inside shops or malls.  Be especially vigilant when leaving a Bureau de Change as there have been incidents of people being followed and attacked.

Short-term opportunistic kidnapping – called “express kidnapping” – is frequent and increasing in urban areas, particularly in Mexico City.  Victims are required to withdraw funds from credit or debit cards at a cashpoint to obtain their release.  Where victims have friends or relatives living locally, a ransom may be demanded from them.

Longer-term kidnapping for financial gain also occurs, and there have been allegations of complicity by police officers.  You should be cautious and discrete about openly discussing your financial or business affairs.

Be wary of strangers approaching you in person or contacting you by telephone, requesting personal information or financial help.  They may be part of a scam operation.  In particular, be wary of persons presenting themselves as police officers attempting to fine or arrest you for no apparent reason.  There have been instances of visitors becoming victims of theft, extortion or sexual assault by persons who may or may not be police officers.  When in doubt, ask for identification and if possible note the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number.

Exercise caution when accepting food, drinks or rides from strangers.  You are advised not to leave your food and drinks unattended in bars and restaurants.  Cases of travellers being robbed or assaulted after being drugged have been reported.

Drug-related violence is a continuing problem in Sinaloa, Acapulco and northern boarder states.  In February 2007, in two separate drug-related incidents, police officers and government officials were killed in Acapulco.  Also in February 2007, foreign tourists were caught up in drug related violence in Acapulco.  You are advised to be extra vigilant if travelling to these areas.

On 1 September 2006, two grenades were thrown at the door of the offices of the PorEsto! newspaper in Merida, on the Yucatan peninsular.  One grenade exploded, breaking windows and injuring three employees.  Military personnel disarmed the other device. The authorities blamed the attack on drug related violence.

For more general advice see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

We advise travellers to exercise caution when travelling to Oaxaca City.  There were violent protests in Oaxaca City during the period May to December 2006 and more recently during the annual Guelaguelta Indian Folklore Festival, July 2007.  The rest of the state of Oaxaca (including the resorts of Puerto Escondido and Huatulco) has been largely unaffected.  You are advised to monitor local media reports if travelling to the state of Oaxaca.

Political demonstrations can occur across the country.  These can be tense, confrontational and turn violent, and onlookers can be quickly drawn in.  You should avoid all demonstrations and monitor local media.

The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and participation in activities such as demonstrations may result in detention and/or deportation.

 

Mexico Country Profile

LOCAL TRAVEL

You should exercise particular caution if you have to travel after dark, and keep away from isolated beaches, ruins or trails at all times.

There is still tension in parts of the state of Chiapas, where armed groups are present.  If you visit the highlands around San Cristobal de las Casas and the municipality of Ocosingo and the jungle area towards the Guatemalan border, you should exercise caution, particularly where crowds are gathered, and should not venture off main roads without seeking local advice.

Road Travel

UK and International Driving licences are valid in Mexico.  The Mexican style of driving and standards are very different from the UK.  Be prepared to stop unexpectedly, and beware of potholes, slow moving vehicles, vehicles changing lane without indicating and going through red lights.  Many local drivers do not have any form of car insurance.  Keep your car doors locked at all times and the windows shut, especially at traffic lights.

 

For more general information see Driving Abroad

Sea Travel

If you visit Mexican beach resorts, you should be aware that sports and aquatic equipment may not meet UK safety standards and may not be covered with any accident insurance.  This applies particularly to scuba diving, parasailing and jet-ski.  Check that your own travel insurance covers these activities if you decide to rent equipment or take classes.

Do not become involved with drugs of any kind in any way.  Penalties for drug offences are severe.  Convictions carry very long sentences – up to 25 years.

Although civil unions between same sex partners are now legal in Mexico City and the state of Coahuila, homosexuality in Mexico is generally tolerated, rather than accepted.  Public displays of affection between same sex couples may be frowned upon.

 

For more general advice for different types of travellers see Travel Checklists.

Visa Requirements

 

British tourists visiting Mexico need a tourist card (known as the "FMT").  These can be obtained at Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports and border crossing points and most airlines serving Mexico.

 

Certain adventure or eco-tourism activities (eg caving, potholing, entomology) may also require visas, especially if they involve any scientific or technological research.  Be aware that the Mexican authorites may define scientific or technological research activities far more broadly than other countries.  If in any doubt, you should check carefully with the Mexican Embassy, 16 St George Street, London W1S 1LX Tel:  (020) 7499 8586 Email:  mexuk@easynet.co.uk.   Website:  www.mexicanembassy.co.uk well in advance of your visit and request written confirmation if necessary.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the intended date of entry.

 

Travelling with children

 

Families with children should note that since January 2005, it is no longer required that minors travelling alone or with only one parent needing to have a notarised letter from their parents.  Minors only need a valid passport to fulfil the general migration requirements applied to their nationality.

 

Working in Mexico

 

Tourists are not permitted to undertake voluntary work or any form of paid employment.  If you intend to work in Mexico you should obtain the proper visa before travelling.

 

Imports

 

You should not bring meat or dairy products to Mexico.  The importation of these products from the EU is prohibited.

Public hospitals are usually understaffed and under funded, which affects the quality of the treatment offered.

We strongly recommend you should drink bottled (not tap) water.  Ice is frequently made from tap water.  Food and unbottled drinks sold by street vendors are also likely to be unsafe.

On arrival in Mexico City and other high altitude areas, you may feel a lack of energy, shortness of breath or headaches.  Allow for a short period of adjustment when making your travel plans.

Malaria is endemic in low-lying rural areas of Mexico and outbreaks can occur throughout the year.
 
Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  In 2007 there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of dengue.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for Mexico.
 
For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Mexico you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel.
 
For more general health information see Travel Health

NATURAL DISASTERS

Hurricanes
 
The hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November and can affect both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Center website at:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.  For more detailed information see Hurricanes.
 
Hurricane Dean

Dean passed through Mexico in Augusts 2007.  Dean caused significant damage to infrastructure in the areas south of Tulum (including Tulum City) in the state of Quintana Roo; in the State of Campeche; and some damage in the State of Veracruz.  British nationals travelling to these areas should continue to exercise caution and follow the advice of local authorities.
 
Flash floods

A sustained period of torrential rain has caused the worst flooding ever experienced in Tabasco State.  Mexican authorities report that approximately 500,000 people have been affected.  The State Governor has declared a state of emergency.  If you are in the affected area you should keep in close touch with your travel operators and follow the advice of the Mexican authorities, who are responding to the situation.
 
Mudslide

On 5 November 2007, heavy rains caused a hillside to collapse, engulfing the remote village of Juan del Grijalva in the state of Chiapas.  The Governor of Chiapas, Juan Sabines, announced that the heavy rains have affected more than 3,000 people in the State. British nationals travelling to the region should monitor local weather reports for updates and follow the advice of the Mexican authorities.

Earthquakes

Most of Mexico is subject to earthquakes and tremors occur regularly.  The last major earthquake in Mexico occurred in January 2003, affecting the city and state of Colima.

Volcanoes

The Popocatepetl and Colima volcanoes are both active and they are closed to the public.  There are danger zones around both, the size of which can change depending on the current level of activity.  Updated information on their current status can be found at:  http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/mvolcan.html for Popocatepetl (reports available in English) and http://www.ucol.mx/volcan/boletin for Colima (reports in Spanish only).

Insurance

 

You should have comprehensive travel and medical insurance when you visit Mexico.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Please see Travel Insurance.  Be aware that not all hospitals will agree to deal directly with medical insurance companies and you should be prepared to pay for treatment yourself up front and then seek a refund.

If things go wrong when overseas please see:  What We Can Do To Help.

 

Language

English is not widely spoken outside the main cities.  Basic Spanish phrases are essential.

Identification

The police sometimes ask foreigners to show some form of identification.  You may wish to carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and important documents and leave the originals in a safe place.

Safety in hotels

Building specifications are different in Mexico.  In some hotels, balcony balustrades may not be at the same height as you would find in the UK or elsewhere in Europe and there is a risk of falling.

Purchasing property

Before buying property in Mexico, you should seek advice from a reputable and professionally qualified lawyer.

 

Money

 

American Dollar travellers' cheques and notes are more easily exchanged throughout Mexico than sterling equivalents.  But UK debit and credit cards are widely accepted, including by ATMs.

 

See the Crime section of this travel advice for more details about using ATMs and Bureaux de Change.