Health risks

The capital is located in Mexico City. The population of the area around Mexico City is about 20 million, the largest concentration of people in the world. The latest estimate (in 2000) has the population of Mexico at 97.4 million with an annual growth rate of 1.9%. Mexico has a chief executive (president); a bicameral legislature; a judicial system with a Supreme Court, local and federal courts; and an administrative subdivision of 31 states and one federal district. Mexico has a rapidly developing economy and has sought economic prosperity through liberalization of its trade regime. The climate ranges from tropical to desert, and the terrain consists of coastal lowlands, central high plateaus, and mountains up to 18,000 feet.

CRIME: Crime in Mexico continues at high levels, and it is increasingly violent, especially in Mexico City, Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to the high crime rate. Other metropolitan areas have lower but still serious levels of crime. Travellers are discouraged from bringing very large amounts of cash into Mexico because officials may suspect money laundering or other criminal activity.

Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, even when in areas generally considered to be safe. Armed street crime is a serious problem in all of the major cities.

Travellers should be aware that some bars and nightclubs, especially in resort cities such as Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Acapulco, can be havens for drug dealers and petty criminals. Some establishments may contaminate or drug the drinks to gain control over the patron.

Kidnapping, including the kidnapping of non-Mexicans, continues at alarming rates. So-called "express" kidnappings, an attempt to get quick cash in exchange for the release of an individual, have occurred in almost all the large cities in Mexico and appear to target not only the wealthy, but also middle class persons.

Criminal assaults occur on highways throughout Mexico. Therefore, travellers should exercise caution when traveling on all highways in Mexico and use "toll" ("cuota") roads, rather than the less secure "free" ("libre") highways, whenever possible.

All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances. Although there have been several reports of bus hijackings and robberies on "toll" roads, buses on "toll" roads have a markedly lower rate of incidents than buses (second and third class) that travel the less secure "free" highways.

Tourists should be wary of persons representing themselves as Mexican police or other local officials. However, one must have the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number to pursue a complaint. Please make a note of this information if you are ever involved with police or other officials.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical care can be found in all major cities. Health facilities in Mexico City are excellent. Care in more remote areas is limited.

Arthropodborne diseases:

  • Malaria
  • Chagas disease
  • Onchocerciasis in south
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Filariasis


We recommend to prevent Arthropodborne diseases:

  • Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
  • Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
  • Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
  • Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

  • Amoebiasis
  • Brucellosis
  • Cholera
  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Rabies

Vaccinations recommended:

  • Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
  • Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
  • Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
  • Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
  • A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years
  • Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.

Stay healthy:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water.
  • Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
  • Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
  • Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
  • Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
  • Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
  • Do not travel at night
  • Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
  • Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
  • Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
  • Use chloroquine as malaria prophylaxis outside tourist destinations particularly in Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, and Tabasco. There is moderate risk in Chichuahua, Durango, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Nayarit, Sonora and Veracruz.

Compulsory vaccinations: none.

Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria exists all year in some rural areas not often visited by tourists. High risk in the states of: Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa & Tabasco & moderate risks in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Nayarit, Sonora & Veracruz. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

  • Malaria: Yes, All year in the states of Chiapas Quintana Roo Sinaloa Tabasco Chihuahua Durango Nayarit Oaxaca Sonora Campeche Guerrero Michoacán and Jalisco, No risk in tourist resort of Cancun
  • Maliaria Risk Category: B
  • Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: Yes
  • Sub Saharan Africa: No
  • West Nile Virus Risk: No
  • Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Mexico
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Mexico and prevention before arrival at Mexico

Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Mexico