Travel & safety — Mexico

Mexico is a Spanish-speaking country about three times the size of Texas, consisting of 31 states and one federal district.

The capital is Mexico City.

Mexico has a rapidly developing economy, ranked by the World Bank as the thirteenth-largest in the world in terms of GDP.

The climate ranges from tropical to arid, and the terrain consists of coastal lowlands, central high plateaus, deserts, and mountains of up to 18,000 feet.

Many cities throughout Mexico are popular tourist destinations for U.S. citizens and in 2013 U.S. citizens continued to account for the largest foreign tourist population visiting Mexico.

Travelers should note that location-specific information contained below is not confined solely to those cities identified, but can reflect conditions throughout Mexico.

Although the majority of visitors to Mexico thoroughly enjoy their stay, a small number experience difficulties, and serious inconveniences.

All travelers to Mexico should review the Department of State's Travel Warning for Mexico which provides updated and detailed information about security issues affecting the country on a state-by-state basis.

Millions of U.S. citizens visit Mexico safely each year.

However, crime and violence, much of it fueled by transnational criminal activity, affect many parts of the country, including both urban and rural areas.

Visitors should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times, particularly when visiting areas identified in the Travel Warning with special advisories.

In its efforts to combat violence, the Mexican government has deployed federal police and military troops to various parts of the country.

Government checkpoints, often staffed by military personnel, have been erected in many parts of the country, especially, but not exclusively near the border.

U.S. citizens are advised to cooperate with personnel at government checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Demonstrations are common and occur in all parts of the country, both urban and rural.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.

Demonstrators in Mexico may block traffic on roads, including major arteries, or take control of toll booths on highways.

U.S. citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any protests.

Travelers should avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by the authorities as the Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners; such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.

Crime in Mexico continues to occur at a high rate and can often be violent.

Street crime, ranging from pick-pocketing to armed robbery, is a serious problem in most major cities.

Carjacking is also common (see the Travel Warning for Mexico on the U.S.

Department of State website for more specific information).

The homicide rates in parts of Mexico have risen sharply in recent years, driven largely by violence associated with transnational criminal organizations.

The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect foreign visitors traveling to major tourist destinations.

As a result, resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of violence and crime reported in the northern border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, crime and violence are still serious problems.

While most victims of violence are individuals associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for anyone, including U.S. citizens.

U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report incidents to the nearest police headquarters and to the nearest U.S. consular office.

The Mexican government has taken significant steps to strengthen its law enforcement capabilities at the federal level.

However, state and local police forces continue to suffer from a lack of training and funding and are a weak deterrent to criminals, often armed with superior weapons.

In some areas, municipal police are widely suspected of colluding with organized crime.

In others, police officers are specifically targeted by criminal organizations.

Because of the dangerous situation in which police officers operate, all travelers are advised to take a non-threatening posture when interacting with police and to cooperate with police instructions.

We further advise travelers to avoid any areas where law enforcement operations are being carried out.

Pirated Merchandise: Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available in Mexico.

Their sale is largely controlled by organized crime.

Purchase for personal use is not criminalized in Mexico; however, bringing these goods back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Personal Property: Travelers should always leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place, or avoid bringing them at all.

Visitors are encouraged to make use of hotel safes, avoid wearing expensive jewelry, clothing, or accessories, and carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing.

There have been significant numbers of incidents of pickpocketing, purse snatching, and hotel-room theft.

Public transportation is a particularly popular place for pickpockets.

Do not leave valuables in rental vehicles, even when locked.

Some travelers have had their passports stolen from their bags at airports.

Remember to secure your passport within a zipper pocket or other safe enclosure so that it cannot be easily removed from your person or your luggage.

Be vigilant of your passport even after passing through security and while waiting in a departure lounge to board your flight.

Business travelers should be aware that theft can occur even in apparently secure locations.

Theft of items such as briefcases and laptops occurs frequently at Mexico City's Benito Juárez International Airport and at business-class hotels.

Passengers arriving at Mexican airports who need to obtain pesos should use the exchange counters or ATMs in the arrival/departure gate area, where access is restricted, rather than changing money after passing through Customs, where they can be observed by criminals.

A number of U.S. citizens have been arrested for passing on the counterfeit currency they had earlier received in change.

If you receive what you believe to be a counterfeit banknote, bring it to the attention of Mexican law enforcement.

Personal Safety: Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, even when in areas generally considered safe.

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While in a foreign country, an individual is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which can differ significantly from those in the United States – and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.

The trial process and typical investigation/prosecution timeline in Mexico are significantly different and longer from that in the United States, and procedures may vary from state to state.

Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.

Persons violating Mexican laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Mexico are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

If you break local laws in Mexico, your U.S. citizenship will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It is very important to know what is legal and what is illegal wherever you go.

If arrested in Mexico, a U.S. citizen must go through the foreign legal process including possible charge or indictment, prosecution, possible conviction and sentencing, and any appeals process.

Within this framework, U.S. consular officers provide certain services to U.S. citizens and their families, including information about local attorneys, and advocacy to ensure fair and humane treatment.

Sexual Crimes: Sexual exploitation of children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

Soliciting the sexual services of a minor is illegal in Mexico, and is punishable by imprisonment.

The Mexican government has announced an aggressive program to discourage sexual tourism.

Police authorities in the state of Baja California recently began enforcement of anti-pedophile legislation.

Firearms Penalties: Illegal firearms trafficking from the United States into Mexico is a major problem and the Mexican government has strict laws prohibiting the importation of weapons.

The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against taking any firearm or ammunition into Mexico.

Entering Mexico with a firearm, certain types of knives, or even a single round of ammunition is illegal, even if the weapon or ammunition is taken into Mexico unintentionally.

The Mexican government strictly enforces laws restricting the entry of firearms and ammunition along all land borders and at airports and seaports and routinely x-rays all incoming luggage.

U.S. citizens entering Mexico with a weapon or any amount of ammunition at all, even accidentally, generally are detained for at least a few days which can result in arrests, convictions, and long prison sentences.

Travelers are strongly advised to thoroughly inspect all belongings prior to travel to Mexico to avoid the accidental import of ammunition or firearms.

For more information visit the websites of the Mexican Secretary of Defense and Mexican Customs.

The process for temporarily importing a hunting weapon or ammunition into Mexico is complicated and, if handled incorrectly can result in imprisonment and confiscation of the weapon and any ammunition.

The U.S.

Adequate medical care can be found in major cities.

Excellent health facilities are available in Mexico City, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.

Care in more remote areas is limited.

Standards of medical training, patient care, and business practices vary greatly among medical facilities in beach resorts throughout Mexico.

In recent years, some U.S. citizens have complained that certain healthcare facilities in beach resorts have taken advantage of them by overcharging or providing unnecessary medical care.

A significant number of complaints have been lodged against some of the private hospitals in the Cabo San Lucas area, including complaints about price gouging and various unlawful and/or unethical pricing schemes and collection measures.

Additionally, U.S. citizens should be aware that many Mexican facilities require payment ‘up front' prior to performing a procedure.

Hospitals in Mexico do not accept U.S. domestic health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid and will expect payment via cash, credit, debit card, or bank transfer.

Elective medical procedures may be less expensive than in the United States, but providers may not adhere to U.S. standards.

Additionally, visitors are cautioned that facilities may lack access to sufficient emergency support.

The U.S.

Embassy encourages visitors to obtain as much information about the facility and the medical personnel as possible when considering surgical or other procedures, and when possible patients should travel with a family member or another responsible party.

In addition to other publicly available information, U.S. citizens may click on the map of U.S. consular operations in Mexico to link to the nearest Embassy or consulate's website which contains lists of doctors or hospitals.

Before beginning international travel, U.S. citizens may wish to obtain emergency medical evacuation insurance, check with their healthcare providers to see if the cost of medical treatment outside the U.S. is covered, and inquire about the reimbursement process.

Procedures after the Death of a U.S.

Citizen in Mexico: When a United States citizen dies in Mexico, it is critical that the next of kin act promptly to contract with a Mexican funeral home to help carry out funeral arrangements, including the return of the deceased's remains to the U.S., if desired.

The next of kin must also provide documents establishing the identity of both the next of kin and the decedent.

Common documents used for this purpose are passports, and government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, birth certificates, and marriage certificates.

The next of kin is responsible for all costs associated with the funeral home, and/or shipment of remains or personal effects.

The Embassy or Consulate in the district where the U.S. citizen died can provide a list of funeral homes and location-specific requirements in the Consular District.

Although Embassy staff members may not make funeral and other arrangements, staff can help locate and notify the next of kin of their loved one's passing, inform families about the Mexican legal requirements for claiming a loved one's remains, and assist in shipping personal effects to the United States.

The U.S.

Embassy and its Consulates also prepare a Consular Report of Death of a U.S.

Citizen Abroad, based on the local Mexican death certificate.

The Consular Report of Death Abroad may be used in most legal proceedings in the United States as proof of death overseas.

To prepare this document, Embassy staff will need original evidence of U.S. citizenship of the decedent and the original Mexican death certificate.

Water Quality: In many areas in Mexico, tap water is unsafe and should be avoided.

Bottled water and beverages are safe, although, visitors should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.

Ice may also come from tap water and should be avoided.

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Continued concerns regarding criminal activity on highways along the Mexican border (which includes placement of illegal checkpoints and the murder of persons who did not stop and/or surrender their vehicles) have prompted the U.S.

Mission in Mexico to impose certain restrictions on U.S. government employees transiting the area.

Effective July 15, 2010, Mission employees and their families may not travel by vehicle across the U.S.-Mexico border to or from any post in the interior of Mexico.

This policy also applies to employees and their families transiting Mexico to and from Central American posts.

This policy does not apply to employees and their family members assigned to border posts (Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Matamoros), although they may not drive to interior posts as outlined above.

Travel is permitted between Hermosillo and Nogales, but not permitted from Hermosillo to any other interior posts.

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Mexico is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Public transportation vehicles, specifically taxis and city buses, often do not comply with traffic regulations, including observing speed limits and stopping at red lights.

Driving and Vehicle Regulations: U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Mexico.

Mexican law requires that only owners drive their vehicles, or that the owner is inside the vehicle.

If not, the vehicle may be seized by Mexican customs and will not be returned under any circumstances.

The Government of Mexico strictly regulates the entry of vehicles into Mexico.

Traffic laws in Mexico are sporadically enforced and therefore often ignored by drivers, creating dangerous conditions for drivers and pedestrians.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in all parts of Mexico.

Using a mobile device (such as a cell phone) is also prohibited while driving in many parts of Mexico, including Mexico City, and violators may be fined.

Insurance: Mexican insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles.

Mexican auto insurance is sold in most cities and towns on both sides of the border.

U.S. automobile liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, nor is most collision and comprehensive coverage issued by U.S. companies.

Motor vehicle insurance is considered invalid in Mexico if the driver is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Road Emergencies and Automobile Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death for U.S. citizens in Mexico.

Motorists should exercise caution and remain alert on all Mexican roads.

If you have an emergency while driving, the equivalent of "911" in Mexico is "066", but this number is not always answered.

If you are driving on a toll highway (or "cuota"), or any other major highway, you may contact the Green Angels (Angeles Verdes), a fleet of trucks with bilingual crews.

The Green Angels may be reached directly at (01) (55) 5250-8221.

If you are unable to call them, pull off to the side of the road and lift the hood of your car; chances are that they will find you.

If you are involved in an automobile accident, you may be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable and whether you have the ability to pay any penalty.

If you do not have Mexican liability insurance, you may be prevented from departing the country even if you require life-saving medical care, and you are almost certain to spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied that responsibility has been assigned and adequate financial satisfaction received.

Drivers may face criminal charges if injuries or damages are serious.

Road Safety: Avoid driving on Mexican highways at night.

Even multi-lane expressways in Mexico often have narrow lanes and steep shoulders.

Single-vehicle rollover accidents involvin