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.
Hurricane Otis caused 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 looting 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.
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 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, VivaAerobus .
The post-storm situation remains dangerous in Acapulco and the wider state of Guerrero. 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 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.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.
Hurricane Otis
Hurricane Otis hit the south coast of Mexico around Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane on 25 October. Hurricane Otis caused significant damage to infrastructure in Acapulco and along Mexico’s southern coast between Zihuatenejo and Punta Maldonado. There continues to be disruption to tourism while reconstruction efforts are ongoing and the security situation is unpredictable. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all but essential travel to the city of Acapulco.
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.
Update history
2024-07-02 09:58
Removal of information on Tropical Storm Chris (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-01 10:58
Information on Tropical Storm Chris (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-24 10:03
Removal of information on Tropical Storm Alberto (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2024-06-21 10:13
Information that tropical storm warnings have been lifted following Tropical Storm Alberto, but risks remain of heavy rains, landslides, mudslides and flooding (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-20 09:19
Information on Tropical Storm Warning for Tropical Storm Alberto, due to make landfall on the morning of Thursday 20 June (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-18 16:43
Information on Tropical Storm Warning for Potential Tropical Cyclone One (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-18 15:03
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-06-12 10:24
Information about passport validity when visiting Mexico as a tourist (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-06-10 11:32
Updated information on kidnapping (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-04 16:29
Removal of information about the risk of disruption during Mexico’s national elections on 2 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-29 10:52
Information about the risk of disruption during Mexico’s national elections on 2 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-09 11:23
Information on vehicle hijacking (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages). Additional information on limited medical services (‘Health’ page).
2024-04-02 16:34
Clarification on travel advice for Federal Highway 199 in Chiapas (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-04-02 16:04
Removal of information about Volcano Popocatépetl and updated information about Tamaulipas and Chiapas (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-03-21 11:02
CORRECTION: FCDO now advises against all but essential travel on Federal Highway 199 (Carretera Federal 199) between Rancho Nuevo (just outside San Cristobal de las Casas) and Palenque
2024-03-20 11:04
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to parts of the State of Chiapas and the town of Taxco in Guerrero State. The FCDO no longer advises against all travel on the federal highways 80, 81 and 85 between Tampico, Ciudad de Victoria and Magueyes, and the entire area south of these highways, in the state of Tamaulipas (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-28 04:31
Flight disruption following ash fall at Popocatépetl Volcano (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’)
2024-01-26 09:25
Update on swimming safely (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2023-11-20 10:54
Information on Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-29 09:29
Advise against all but essential travel to the city of Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page; ‘Regional Travel’ page)
2023-10-29 08:31
Information on the situation in Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-29 08:25
Information on the situation in Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-27 23:35
“Information on the situation in Acapulco following Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)”
2023-10-26 20:27
Further information on the impact of Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-26 00:05
Information on the impact of Hurricane Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-25 19:51
Information on Hurricane Otis making landfall (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-25 10:56
Information on Hurricane Otis making landfall (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-25 04:43
Update that Tropical Storm Otis has intensified to a category 4 Hurricane and anticipated to impact the Pacific south coast (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-24 09:58
Information on Tropical Storm Otis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-23 16:34
Hurricane Norma has now passed (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-23 11:28
Information on Hurricane Norma making landfall on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-20 11:45
Information on Hurricane Norma with hurricane and tropical storm conditions possible from Friday 20 October (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-13 16:45
Removal of information on Hurricane Lidia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-11 11:14
Information on hurricane warnings being lifted, however a risk of landslides, mudslides and flash flooding remains (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-10 09:50
Information on Tropical Storm Lidia being upgraded to a hurricane (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-09 16:11
Information on tropical storm conditions possible from 9 October (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-09-04 11:32
Removal of information on Tropical Storm Idalia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-08-27 20:35
Latest update: Information on Tropical Storm Idalia affecting the Yucatan Peninsula (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-08-23 10:34
Information on Tropical Cyclone Harold making landfall (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-22 15:42
(Correction) Addition of information about Tropical Cyclone Harold (‘Warnings and Insurance’ Page)
2023-08-21 18:42
Addition of information about Tropical Cyclone Nine (‘Warnings and Insurance’ Page)
2023-08-21 11:00
Information on Hurricane Hilary and the aftermath (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-20 22:31
“Updated information on Hurricane Hilary (Warnings and Insurance page)”
2023-08-18 16:46
Information on Hurricane Hilary making landfall on the Baja California Peninsula (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-17 16:48
Information on Hurricane Hilary (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-27 11:15
Information on Zacatecas and Michoacán (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page and ‘Regional Risks’ page).
2023-07-19 10:36
Information on extreme temperatures currently affecting parts of North Mexico, and updated information on vehicle crime (‘Safety and security page’).
2023-07-04 16:47
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-07-03 10:40
Updated information on Tropical Storm Beatriz (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-30 16:43
Updated information on Tropical Storm Beatriz (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-30 15:13
Information on Tropical Storm Beatriz (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-22 11:24
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-08 12:35
The alert level at Popocatépetl was decreased to Level 2 (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-05-23 18:07
Update regarding volcanic activity at Popocatépetl volcano. (see ‘Natural Disasters’ page)
2023-05-21 18:04
Update regarding Mexico City and Puebla airport closures as a result of volcanic ash falls. (Natural Disasters)
2023-05-17 09:50
It is forbidden to import electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and solutions into Mexico (‘Local laws and customs’ page).
2023-04-25 12:48
New information on altitude sickness (‘Health’ page).
2023-04-19 09:11
Updated information on Visa stamping (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page) and editorial changes throughout.
2023-03-08 11:03
Updated information on the kidnapping of American tourists in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, March 2023 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-03-07 12:58
Information on the kidnapping of American tourists in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, March 2023 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-25 16:14
Information on incidents involving taxi drivers in Cancun (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-20 09:33
Addition of information that from January 2023 there is a fine for smoking in public places (‘Local laws and customs’ page).
2023-01-12 09:26
New information on the situation in state of Chiapas (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-05 19:16
Update on the situation in the State of Sinaloa (See ‘Summary and Safety and Security Pages’).
2022-10-25 10:01
Removal of information on Hurricane Roslyn (“Summary” and “Natural disasters” page)
2022-10-22 20:44
Updated information on Hurricane Roslyn now expected to become a Category III hurricane, making landfall on Sunday, 23 October (“Summary” and “Natural disasters” page).
2022-10-21 16:00
Addition of information on Hurricane Roslyn a Category II hurricane, landfall is expected to be between Saturday, 22 October during the night and Sunday, 23 October during the early morning (“Summary” and “Natural disasters” page).
2022-10-21 13:24
Updates to Chihuahua and Sinoloa advice (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-10-19 11:44
Updates to Chihuahua and Sinoloa advice (‘Safety and Security’ page)
2022-10-05 15:32
Updated information on immigration documentation required for travel in Mexico (‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-10-02 20:15
Information on Hurricane Orlene (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2022-09-30 12:00
Changes advising against all but essential travel to some areas of Mexico (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-09-21 09:49
Removal of reference to Hurricane Kay (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-07 04:23
Hurricane Kay is affecting Mexico’s west coast and tropical storm conditions could impact areas of Western Mexico, including the Baja California Sur (see natural disasters).
2022-08-16 19:52
Updated information on security situation (see ‘Safety and Security’ page)
2022-07-28 13:03
Updated information on a shooting in the Centre of Playa del Carmen (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-31 22:01
Removal of information on hurricane Agatha
2022-05-30 04:22
Addition of information on hurricane Agatha, due to make landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico on 30 May (Summary page).
2022-05-05 17:35
Updated information on entry requirements for Mexico (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-22 13:52
Updated information; travellers need to be able to provide their passport and stamped ‘Forma Migratoria Múltiple’ (FMM) immigration form if requested by Mexican authorities (‘Local laws and customs’ page)
2022-03-14 16:56
Updated information on entry requirements to Mexico; travellers are no longer required to register on the Mexico Vuela Seguro before boarding flight to Mexico (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-23 14:09
Updated information on main tourist destinations (‘Safety and security’ page)