Mexico’s borders remain open amid the pandemic and driving to get there is a good choice if you want to avoid crowds and reduce COVID-19 contagious risks. Know the latest travel requirements, places to go, and stay safe during your trip to Mexico.
COVID-19 Mexico Travel Requirements
In general terms, there are no entry restrictions for traveling to Mexico, so there is no need to take a COVID-19 test or to be in quarantine.
However, as a prevention measure, if you travel by air, you must submit a health declaration form provided by the airline to report your 15 days of travel before the trip.
To enter Mexico, you need a six-month valid passport, residence card in case you have it, the reason to travel, time spent in the country, reservations, addresses, and other documents that prove your regular entry as the Mexico travel requirements established. By traveling by car, you need to request a temporary vehicle importation permit and purchase mandatory car insurance to present them in customs.
Aside from traveling for business or tourist reasons, you can make trips to Mexico with a tourist visa (FMM). This can be downloaded via the Internet or provided in customs, to be filled, then delivered to customs authorities. While you can get a stay of 180 days, the authorities are the ones who will really give you the authorized period to be in Mexico.
When you return to the U.S. after crossing the border, you don’t need to take a COVID-19 test or quarantine. This changes if you fly back, in which case you must have completed a negative COVID-19 test no more than one day before traveling. In case you recently recovered from COVID-19, you should travel with documentation that shows this recovery and a letter from a doctor or a public health official. However, the general recommendation is to still avoid non-essential travel.
Tips to Stay Safe Traveling to Mexico
- It is important to follow the general recommendations and conditions for public spaces. These include mandatory use of face mask, washing or disinfecting your hands frequently, maintaining a healthy distance, and avoiding crowded spaces.
- Additionally, we suggest during your trips to Mexico carry an antibacterial gel with you or alcohol spray to frequently disinfect your hands or other items that you may use.
- To implement regulations for public space use against COVID-19 and reduce contagion, Mexico implemented an epidemiological risk traffic light. The colors are based on four colors and vary from one state to another each week. While this may reduce the number of visitors in some locations or those that may remain open due to traffic light colors, this is a safety measure. The types of risk are:
– maximum (red), strict departure; better to stay at home;
– high (orange), reduced mobility and 50% public capacity;
– medium (yellow), reduced mobility with more required activities and 75% public capacity;
– low (green), no mobility restrictions of any kind, but still having precautions and prevention. - We recommend being aware of these traffic light changes to go to places where you can stay safe and enjoy your trips to Mexico.
- Traveling to Mexico by car can reduce the risk of contagion in airports and during your trip by providing you with a means of transportation, so you won’t have to use taxis or public transportation to get to the airport.
- Finally, we suggest booking through Airbnb instead of staying at a hotel or resort, where there are crowded spots and, furthermore, increase your chances of getting the virus. Remember that this information may be requested by customs authorities as part of Mexico travel requirements.
What to Visit on Your Trips to Mexico
Summer is one of the best time periods to go to Mexico, especially if you go during August or September, and you want to experience the real Mexican spirit of Independence. Despite this, there are some places that are worth visiting throughout the year, right when you decide traveling to Mexico.
If you are looking for good sun tanning, Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and Baja California will be your perfect beach spots. But you must choose the type of adventure you want to live on, given that some of these places are more historical than others, and you can also visit archaeological sites, explore the beauty of nature, and experience the traditional festivities.
One of the main reasons people are making trips to Mexico is definitely their historical and cultural heritage. From the south to the north, you can visit Mayan and Aztecan pyramids and cities, see handicrafts and textiles, and walk-through colonial streets and villages. Your chosen tourist sites are Merida, San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara, Zacatecas, and Guanajuato.
A must when traveling to Mexico is the Magical towns, which encompass a series of elements that represent the very essence of the country and its people. These include traditional food, dancing, architecture, and handicrafts, among others. There is at least one Magical town in each state except for Mexico City.
Our bonus recommendation to stay safe during your trips to Mexico is to Get your Car Insurance. Counting on this, visiting the places mentioned above and getting road assistance while you’re safe will be easier than you might think.
