From delicious food to sandy beaches to historic sites, there’s something for every traveler in Mexico. But before you zip up your suitcase, you’ll want to make sure your trip is protected.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at options for Mexico travel insurance, requirements for traveling to Mexico, and offer destination-specific travel tips so you can have a safe and relaxing experience.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Mexico?
Insurance is not a requirement to visit Mexico; however, it is a smart idea to have! Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why you should buy insurance before your trip to Mexico.
Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Mexico?
It’s always a smart decision to buy travel insurance before your trip, especially if you’re traveling to another country like Mexico. It’s impossible to anticipate every potential mishap. The coverage you purchase can protect you — your money, your health, your belongings — when the unexpected happens.
Explain why purchasing travel insurance is recommended, even if the country readers are visiting does not require it for entry.
Mexico Travel Insurance Coverage Options
Seven Corners offers a variety of plans that meet most travelers’ needs. Coverage options can differ depending on the plan you choose, the specific benefits and add-ons you select, and your state or country of residency. Below are some travel insurance benefits found in many of Seven Corners plans to help protect you during your trip to Mexico.
Trip Cancellation
Seven Corners could reimburse you for the prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses you insured if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason. Covered reasons can include triggers such as an illness that prevents you from traveling or inclement weather, like a hurricane, that makes it impossible to get to your destination.
For the flexibility to cancel your trip for any reason, not just those listed in your plan document, consider adding optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage.
Trip Interruption
An interruption often means you ended your trip and returned home early, but it can also include needing to start your trip late. If you need to interrupt your trip for a covered reason, you could be reimbursed for unused prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses. This benefit also covers the expense of additional transportation.
For more flexibility to interrupt your trip and still be reimbursed, consider adding optional Interruption for Any Reason (IFAR) coverage. This allows you to interrupt your trip for any reason, not just the covered reasons listed in your plan document. Examples include feeling unsafe at your destination and deciding to return home or heading to your next destination early or simply changing your mind about travel so you end your trip early.
Trip Delay
This benefit can cover expenses resulting from a delay, whether you’re headed to Mexico or coming home or even if you’re delayed in the middle of your trip. To be reimbursed, the delay must be caused by a covered reason, such as a flight delay lasting the required amount of time.
Lost or Delayed Baggage
Seven Corners will reimburse you to replace necessary personal belongings if your baggage is delayed by your airline or other common carrier on your way to Mexico. Necessary personal items include things like clothing or toiletries so that you can continue on your trip.
If your baggage is lost, delayed, damaged, or stolen during your trip, your travel insurance could pay to replace or repair the insured items
For both lost and delayed baggage, it’s important to remember that some items such as laptops may not be covered, and your luggage must be delayed for the length of time stated in the plan before you are eligible for reimbursement.
Travel Medical
Travel medical insurance can cover expenses for medical treatment if you get sick or hurt during your trip. This is particularly important for travelers whose domestic health insurance does not provide coverage overseas.
Seven Corners Trip Protection plans provide coverage for Emergency Accident and Sickness as well as Emergency Dental expenses. We also provide a variety of travel medical plans with robust medical coverage.
Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
If you get sick or hurt during your trip to Mexico and adequate care is not available, Seven Corners will arrange an emergency medical evacuation to a medical facility that can provide treatment if it is deemed medically necessary. We will also arrange your return home so you can continue recovering.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
This Seven Corners benefit provides coverage for loss of life or limb resulting from an injury caused by an accident during your trip to Mexico.
What Is The Best Travel Insurance for Mexico?
Seven Corners Trip Protection is our most popular plan for U.S. residents traveling to Mexico. With this plan, you’ll find coverage to protect your trip expenses, belongings, and emergency medical expenses.
Seven Corners Travel Medical Insurance provides great levels of confidence for travelers headed to Mexico. These plans offer robust coverage for medical expenses if you get sick or hurt during your trip, so you can get the care you need without having to worry about how you’ll pay for it.
Finding the best travel insurance for your unique trip to Mexico is easy with our interactive guide. Answering a few simple questions will show you the best options for you and your trip. Plus, there’s no commitment or hassle when you get a quick quote. You can also contact our licensed agents for additional support, making sure you choose the best travel insurance for a Mexico vacation.
How Much Does Travel Insurance to Mexico Cost?
The cost of travel insurance varies depending on the plan you choose as well as a number of other factors. Trip protection plans generally cost 4-10% of your total insurable trip cost. See how to calculate your trip cost and make sure you have the right amount of coverage.
The cost of a travel medical plan is based on:
- The plan you choose
- Your age
- The length of your trip
Customizable selections such as medical maximum, deductible, and other add-ons
Get a quick quote with no commitment when you answer a few simple questions about your trip to Mexico and what kind of coverage you need.
Travel Requirements for Mexico
When planning any trip, it’s important to consider what travel documents your destination country requires, as well as any public health requirements. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need when traveling to Mexico.
Visa Requirements for Mexico
Visas are not required for permanent residents of the United States traveling to Mexico. Visas are also not required for Mexico if you already have a valid visa for the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any country that makes up the Schengen Area.
There are many countries whose residents are exempt from needing a visa to travel to Mexico. Check out the full list here.
Documents and Forms
While you may not need a visa to travel to Mexico, there are a number of other documents you’ll want to be sure to add to your carry-on. These documents include:
- A valid passport that has at least six months of validity.
- A completed Multi Migratory Form. Travel tip- this form can be completed at the airport, but you can save time by filling it out and printing it in advance!
- Documentation of why you’re traveling to Mexico. This can include a hotel reservation, a trip itinerary, a letter of admission from an academic institution, or a letter from your employer that you’re traveling for work. View more examples here.
Public Health Requirements
As of November 24, 2023, there are no COVID-19 restrictions in place when traveling to Mexico.
You won’t need to provide a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination to enter the country. However, the Centers for Disease Control recommends getting up to date on COVID-19 vaccines before traveling and wearing a mask in crowded places on your trip.
Travel Information & Safety Tips for Mexico
Curious about the weather at your destination? Want more info on transportation? Check out these travel and safety tips for a deeper dive into what you can expect on your trip to Mexico.
Is Mexico safe to visit?
Major cities and resort areas are generally the safest places to visit. These areas are well-regulated with first responders close by to help in instances of injury.
In some Mexican states, there are high amounts of crime and kidnapping. This Mexico Travel Advisory can tell you if the area you’re considering visiting has an especially high amount of crime.
It’s important to be aware of common scams that target tourists in Mexico so you can avoid them. Card-skimming is prevalent throughout Mexico, so try to pay with cash when possible. When you do withdraw cash, use well-lit ATMs in populated areas. Be careful when getting in a taxi, as there are a growing number of fake taxi drivers. If possible, ask your hotel to book you an authorized taxi. When getting in the car, ensure the driver is licensed and that their face matches the photo on the license.
If you’re a United States citizen traveling to Mexico, you can enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) as an additional safety precaution. Through the program, you’ll get up-to-date information about safety precautions in your destination country. It will also help the U.S. Embassy and your friends and family contact you in case of an emergency.
What languages are spoken in Mexico?
Spanish is the primary language of Mexico, spoken by about 94% of the population.
English is not prominently spoken throughout Mexico. However, in tourist areas such as Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel, and others, many locals have learned to speak English.
What currency is used in Mexico?
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the currency used in Mexico. As of November 24, 2023, the exchange rate between United States dollars and Mexican pesos is 1 dollar = 17.11 pesos.
For the most current currency rate, check out this currency exchange tool.
What is the weather like in Mexico?
Mexico is a vast country, stretching over 750,000 square miles. As such, the weather varies by region. Throughout Mexico, there is a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season runs from May through November, and the dry season from December through April.
Gulf Coast: Weather in the Gulf Coast is hot and humid, with lots of rain in the summer months. July is the hottest and wettest month of the year. The annual average temperature is 77 degrees.
Southern Mexico: The southern regions of Mexico which include Oaxaca and Chiapas tend to get the most rain. This weather in the valleys and coastal plains can be exceptionally hot, while the weather in cities of higher altitudes is cooler.
Yucatan Peninsula: The Yucatan Peninsula is a popular cruise destination, with its port city of Cancun. Temperatures stay warm and consistent throughout the year with an average of 78 degrees annually.
Northern Mexico: The weather in northern Mexico tends to be more arid and less humid than other parts of the country. This area in Mexico is characterized by dry, sweltering days and cooler nights. The temperature here varies throughout the year with highs over 90 degrees in August and lows in the upper 40s in January.
Central Mexico: It feels like springtime in Central Mexico for most of the year, with warm days and slightly cooler nights. The highs in the warmest months are in the upper 80s and dip to the low 40s in the cooler months.
Pacific Coast Region: The Pacific Coast region is home to popular tourist destinations like Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. This region stays toasty throughout the year, with high temperatures of 90 degrees and lows around 70.
Food and Water Safety in Mexico
The tap water in Mexico is generally unsafe to drink throughout the country. It’s recommended to buy purified bottled water during your stay. Bottled water is widely available for sale in stores and by street vendors, so it shouldn’t be hard to find. You should also use purified water for brushing your teeth. Travel tip: Bring your own refillable water bottle and purchase larger purified water jugs to fill it throughout your trip.
When it comes to produce, it’s best to always disinfect the fruits and vegetables you buy. You can buy produce disinfectant or make your own solution with a mix of white vinegar and purified water.
Transportation
Common ways to get around Mexico include renting a car, ordering a taxi, or taking public transit.
Larger cities like Mexico City have a Metro system to help you get around. Mexico City’s metro even has women-only wagons to help reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment. But in smaller cities and towns, buses will be the primary form of public transportation.
Train travel is currently limited, but is set to take off in Mexico in the coming decades. The country is planning to launch 11 new tourist train routes by 2050, with the first launching in 2023.
Do I need a power adapter for my electronics?
When traveling to Mexico from the United States, you will not need a power adapter for your electronics. Mexico uses type A and type B power plug sockets. The standard voltage is 127 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
U.S. Embassy and Consulate Information for Mexico
Before traveling to Mexico, it’s important to know the location of the nearest embassy or consulate to where you’re staying. Here’s a full list of Embassy and Consulate locations.
U.S. Embassy in Mexico City:
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, CDMX
U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juárez:
Paseo de la Victoria #3650
Fracc. Partido Senecú
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico C.P. 32543
U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara:
Progreso 175
Col. Americana
Codigo Postal 44160
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
U.S. Consulate in Hermosillo:
141 Monterey Street
Col. Esqueda, C.P. 83000
Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
U.S. Consulate in Matamoros:
Calle Constitución No. 1
Colonia Jardín
Matamoros, Tamaulipas 87330
U.S. Consulate in Merida:
Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31
Col. Alcala Martin Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050
U.S. Consulate in Monterrey:
Ave. Alfonso Reyes #150
Col. Valle del Poniente
Santa Catarina, Nuevo León
México 66196
U.S. Consulate in Nogales:
Calle San José s/n
Fraccionamiento los Alamos
C. P. 84065 Nogales, Sonora
U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo:
Paseo Colon 1901
Colonia Madero
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas 88260
U.S. Consulate in Tijuana:
Paseo de las Culturas s/n
Mesa de Otay
Delegación Centenario C.P. 22425
Tijuana, Baja California