The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence in the early 19th Century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. However, the nation continued making an impressive recovery until the global financial crisis hit in late 2008. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. The elections held in 2000 marked the first time, since the 1910 Mexican Revolution, that an opposition candidate (Vicente Fox of the National Action Party, or PAN) defeated the party in government (the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI). In 2006, Fox was succeeded by another PAN candidate, Felipe Calderon. In January 2009, Mexico assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-2010 term.

Immunizations: Contact your physician or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication, and advise you on the precautions to take to avoid getting sick.

Travel Insurance: Ingle International provides comprehensive travel insurance for adventure travelers who wish to cover themselves in preparation the unexpected.

Entry/Exit Requirements: To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting.

Mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria and dengue fever, can be a threat, especially during the rainy season. Although health authorities are actively combating these diseases, travelers should cover up and use mosquito repellent.

Water-borne and food-borne diseases are prevalent. Purify tap water or buy bottled water, and avoid ice cubes. Fruits and vegetables washed in tap water should be disinfected, peeled, or cooked. Purchase only reliably pasteurized and refrigerated products. Choose restaurants carefully. Avoid consuming foods or beverages sold by street vendors.

In addition to problems caused by high altitude, travelers to Mexico City may experience health problems caused by air pollution, which is at its peak during the winter months. Individuals with heart, lung, or respiratory problems are advised to consult their doctor before booking a trip to Mexico.

Exercise a High Degree of Caution

Travelers to Mexico should exercise a high degree of caution due to a deteriorating security situation in many parts of the country. While most major tourist areas have not been affected by the extreme levels of violence witnessed in the northern border region, it is highly advisable to travel to Mexico by air. High levels of criminal activity, as well as occasional demonstrations and protests, remain a concern throughout the country.

Avoid All travel

Avoid crossing Mexico’s northern border by land, as shootouts, attacks, and illegal roadblocks may occur at any time. Along highways in the Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Sinaloa states, criminals tend to target SUVs and full-sized pickup trucks for theft and carjacking. Travelers are advised to reconsider their need to travel by land to or through these border states, and should do so only if it is absolutely necessary. Travelers should make appropriate arrangements to ensure their personal safety.

Organized Crime

In northern Mexico and all cities bordering the United States, organized crime and urban violence affect security. There has been a substantial rise in illegal roadblocks, robberies, kidnappings, and carjackings in larger northern cities, including Monterrey. Travelers have been attacked by heavily armed gangs while driving through Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo (in the state of Tamaulipas), and also on highways in the states of Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango, and Sinaloa.

Although foreigners are not commonly targeted, foreign residents and tourists have been victims of violence due to drug-related incidents. Those traveling to the states of Baja California (Norte), Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guerrero, Michoacán, Morelos, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Sonora, and Sinaloa should be particularly aware of their surroundings, monitor local news, and share their itinerary with friends or family in their home country.

In various parts of the country, military and federal police forces have been deployed in efforts to combat organized crime and improve security conditions. They maintain a visible presence, patrolling the streets, setting up roadblocks, and conducting random vehicle checks. Armed clashes between security forces and drug groups are commonplace in certain areas, and can occur at any time without warning. Travelers could get caught in the crossfire.

In the state of Chiapas, near the area bordering Guatemala, gang use of firearms has often been reported. While tourists are not specifically targeted, they risk being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Law enforcement and police protection are often lacking.

General Safety Measures

Demonstrations and protests regularly occur in large cities. Travelers should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, which could lead to violent incidents at any time. Participation in political demonstrations by foreigners is prohibited, and may result in detention, expulsion, and the denial of future entry into Mexico.

Those traveling to the state of Oaxaca should monitor local media reports closely. Incidents, roadblocks, and clashes continue to occur in the city of Oaxaca. Beach resorts, such as Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, have not been affected by these events.

Warnings on swimming conditions posted at beaches should be taken seriously. Many beaches are not supervised, or do not offer warnings. When in doubt, consult the hotel staff.

Ensure any recreational activities you take part in are covered by your travel insurance, or by a local insurance policy. Ensure sporting and aquatic equipment is safe and in good condition, especially when scuba diving. Many operators do not conduct regular safety checks. There have been cases of tourists involved in accidents, where operators demanded compensation in excess of the value of the damage caused to the vehicle or equipment.

Exercise caution when standing close to balcony railings, as deaths and injuries have resulted from falls. Height standards for balcony railings in Mexico can be considerably lower than those in North America.

Crime

Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times while traveling throughout the country, even in areas generally considered safe. Crimes, including armed robbery, purse-snatching, and pickpocketing, occur frequently. The arrest and detention rate is low, which contributes to high levels of criminality.

If you are the victim of a crime, report it immediately to the Agencia del Ministerio Público nearest to the crime scene. No criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint to Mexican authorities. You must present photo identification. It is especially important to report the loss or theft of your identification documents (to both the Mexican authorities and your country’s embassy or nearest consulate in Mexico) in order to protect yourself should the documents later be misused.

For emergency services, dial 060 or 066.

Theft

Thefts occur regularly. Dress down, avoid wearing or carrying expensive jewelry, and keep only small amounts of cash on your person. Keep your luggage secure at all times. In resort areas, leave your passport and valuables in your hotel safe, and not in your hotel room while you are out, or on the beach while you are swimming.

There have been reports of assaults and robberies against foreigners, some of which have been violent. Victims have been followed after exchanging or withdrawing large amounts of money in the arrival areas of Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City. It is therefore recommended that travelers avoid withdrawing or exchanging money in public areas of the airport. Should you need to do so, make sure financial transactions are small and absolutely necessary. Try to withdraw or exchange money before exiting the customs area.

Outside of the airport, you should withdraw or exchange money at automated banking machines (ABMs) or exchange bureaus (casas de cambio) during daylight hours only. It is recommended to do so inside shops and malls rather than on the street. Keep your credit card in sight when paying.

Assault

Incidents of assault and sexual aggression against foreigners have been reported. In some cases, hotel employees, taxi drivers, and security personnel have been implicated. Avoid walking after dark, especially if alone, and avoid deserted or underpopulated areas. You should only frequent bars and nightclubs as part of a group, and avoid separating from the group. In cases of sexual assault, police authorities will require a medical examination.

Exercise caution when accepting food, drinks, invitations, or rides from strangers or recent acquaintances. Avoid leaving your food or drink unattended in bars and restaurants. There have been cases where travelers are robbed or assaulted after being drugged. 

Kidnappings

Kidnappings occur frequently in large urban areas. The most common practice involves thieves working in cooperation with, or posing as, taxi drivers. The thieves force victims to withdraw money from ABMs with their debit or credit cards in exchange for their release. Kidnappers target both the wealthy and the middle class. Foreigners are not specifically targeted.

Scams

Criminals, posing as police officers, have approached tourists to ask for their passports or foreign currency. There have also been cases of legitimate police officers extorting money from tourists, or arresting tourists for minor offences or traffic violations. If this occurs, you should not hand over your money or your passport. Instead, ask for the officer’s name, badge number, patrol car number, location of the arrest, and the written fine payable at a later date. Should you feel the fine cannot be justified, proceed to the nearest Agencia del Ministerio Público and Tourism Office to file a complaint.

Avoid divulging personal information to strangers, both in person and over the phone. Virtual kidnapping, by telephone, is a common practice in Mexico. Should you receive a call from someone demanding payment for the release of an arrested or kidnapped family member, remain calm, note the phone number of the person calling, hang up, and report the call to local police. Scam artists have gathered information from luggage tags in hotel lobbies, and have later convinced guests to share their contact information from their home country. Afterwards, they have called parents of travelers to report that their child has been detained or hospitalized, and have requested that money be wired to Mexico.