Foreign travel advice

Mexico

! Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Mexico.

Warnings and insurance

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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Hurricane Otis

Hurricane Otis hit the Pacific south coast of Mexico around Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane overnight on 24 October with continued major hurricane conditions on 25 October. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings remain in effect along the south coast around Acapulco.

Life-threatening hurricane force winds are expected to continue and there is potential for catastrophic damage. Large waves pose a threat to life in coastal areas. Heavy rains from Otis will continue to impact areas of southwest Mexico through Thursday. This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain. The Del Sol and Cuernavaca-Acapulco motorways in Guerrero are reported to be closed due to mudslides and Acapulco and Zihuatanejo airports are closed.

Local Authorities have called for those in the affected zone to stay inside and take precautions, including staying informed about shelter locations. (further information below). You should follow the advice of local authorities. For more information, see Hurricanes.

In the aftermath of a hurricane, there can be effects on communications, transport links and electricity supplies, as well as continued flooding, high winds and continued rainfall. See the extreme weather and natural hazards for further advice about how to prepare for travel during hurricane season, what to do ahead of a storm and what to expect in the aftermath of a hurricane.

For 24/7 help for affected British people, you can call +52 55 1670 3200. If you are in need of urgent assistance, please stay on the line and select option 1 for English, and then 4 to speak to an officer.

Shelter locations in Acapulco will be published at : UK in Mexico twitter

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

State of Baja California

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tijuana, except:

  • airside transit through Tijuana airport
  • the Cross Border Xpress bridge from the airport linking terminals across the Mexican-US border
  • the federal toll road 1D and Via Rápida through Tijuana to the border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tecate in Baja California (including roads between Tijuana and Tecate)

Note: FCDO does not advise against all travel or all but essential travel to any part of the state of Baja California Sur.

State of Chihuahua

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Chihuahua, except:

  • the city of Chihuahua
  • the border crossing in Ciudad Juárez (accessed by federal toll road 45)
  • federal toll road 45D connecting the cities of Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez
  • the Copper Canyon rail route to and from Chihuahua and towns immediately on this route including Creel
  • the road from Creel via San Juanito to San Pedro
  • state highway 16 from San Pedro to Chihuahua

State of Colima

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Colima, except:

  • the city of Manzanillo accessed by sea or air via the Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport

State of Guanajuato

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the areas southwest of road 45D.

State of Guerrero

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Guerrero, except:

  • the city of Acapulco accessed by the 95D federal toll road
  • the town of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa accessed by air
  • the town of Taxco accessed by the 95D and 200D federal toll roads

State of Jalisco

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the areas south and southwest of Lake Chapala to the border with the state of Colima.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the northern municipalities of:

  • Bolaños
  • Chimaltitán
  • Colotlán
  • Hostotipaquillo
  • Huejúcar
  • Huequilla el Alto
  • Mezquitic
  • San Martin de Bolaños
  • Santa Maria de los Ángeles
  • Totatiche
  • Villa Guerrero

State of Michoacán

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Michoacán, except:

  • the city of Morelia accessed by federal toll roads 15D, 126 and 43; and the federal toll road 48D between the city of Morelia and the General Francisco Mujica airport
  • the town of Pátzcuaro accessed by federal toll roads 14D and 15 from Morelia, and boat trips out to islands on Lake Pátzcuaro
  • the Federal Highway 15D

State of Sinaloa

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Sinaloa, except:

  • the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán
  • road 32 that runs between El Fuerte and Los Mochis
  • the 15D federal toll road that runs the length of the state
  • the Copper Canyon rail route to and from Los Mochis, El Fuerte and the towns immediately on this route

State of Tamaulipas

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas, except:

  • the border crossing at Nuevo Laredo accessed by federal toll road 85D from Monterrey

State of Zacatecas

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Zacatecas.

Hurricane Otis

Hurricane Otis hit the Pacific south coast of Mexico as a category 5 hurricane overnight on 24 October with continued major hurricane conditions expected on 25 October. Major Hurricane warnings are in effect along the south coast, between San Jose del Progreso and San Jeronimo de Juarez. Life-threatening hurricane force winds are expected and there is potential for catastrophic damage. There is a severe and life-threatening risk of flooding from rain and coastal storm surges. Local Authorities have called for those in the affected zone to stay inside and take precautions, including staying informed about shelter locations. You should follow the advice of local authorities. For more information, see Hurricanes.

Hurricane Norma

Hurricane Norma made landfall on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. It has now passed. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been lifted, however, there is a risk of landslides, mudslides, and flash and urban flooding in the aftermath of a hurricane. For more information, see Hurricanes.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

  • advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
  • information for women, LGBT and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.