Mexico
Warnings and insurance
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 south coast of Mexico around Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane on 25 October. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office now advises against all but essential travel to the city of Acapulco.
HurricaneThere Otisare causedreports of significant damage to infrastructure in Acapulco and along Mexico’s southern coast between Zihuatenejo and Punta Maldonado, including hotels, transport, communications, and health services. There have been reports of lootinglooting, and robbery, given the scare supplies of food, water and fuel. The National Guard have deployed to the region to help with disaster efforts.
You should follow the advice of local authorities, including the National Guard. The Mexican civil protection secretariat offers local disaster advice, including hurricane shelter locations. These shelter locations in Acapulco are also available on: UK in Mexico twitter.
The 95D Federal Toll Road (Autopista Del Sol) has now reopened, but roads in the region have been subject to flooding, mudslides and traffic accidents. The Mexican Government have announced that they are offering busses to Mexico City for affected tourists. For more information, stay in touch with your accommodation provider and monitor communications from local authorities.
Zihuatenejo airport is open. As of 27 October, Acapulco airport re-opened, but only for flights transporting stranded tourists back to Mexico City. Normal commercial flights are still not operating. You can find more information on the status of airports on the OMA account. For further information on tourist evacuations, follow the Mexican Government SICT account, and VivaAerobus .
The post-storm situation remains dangerousdangerous. inHeavy Acapulcorains andfrom theOtis widerare statelikely ofto Guerrero.produce There may be further flash flooding and mudslides. Be aware that historically more accidents occur post-storm than during it. The storm is not the only hazard; many electric lines may be down and some buildings may not be structurally sound. 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 more information, see Hurricanes.
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.
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
cityofAcapulcoaccessedbythe95Dfederaltollroad the- 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.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.
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.