Travel to Mexico during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go

(CNN) — If you’re planning to travel to Mexico, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The basics

Mexico remains open to travelers. There is no need to provide a negative PCR test or quarantine on arrival, though most resorts ask guests to fill out health questionnaires. There are health screenings at airports.

Since December 6, all American air travelers 2 and older returning to the US need a negative Covid-19 test taken within one day their departing flight, regardless of vaccination status.

The US Embassy says results for PCR and antigen tests are reliably available within 24 hours in Mexico.

What’s on offer

You’ll find incredible food, sensational beaches, charming towns and historical remains.

While the beach resorts around Cancun attract the bulk of visitors, those who want more than a fly and flop go for Mexico City’s cultural heft, the coastline of Baja California and traditional towns such as Oaxaca.

Who can go

Mexico has had some of the world’s loosest border restrictions with anyone allowed to travel by air for business or leisure.

The land border between Mexico and the United States has been reopened to nonessential travel since November 8, 2021.

What are the restrictions?

Since March 2022, travelers to the country no longer need to fill out a health declaration form.

There is no need to take a test before departure or undertake any form of quarantine. Those concerned they may have symptoms should ask for the Sanidad Internacional health organization.

Some Mexican states or cities might have tighter restrictions than the country at large. Tourists may want to inquire with their hotels or resorts about any local directives before committing to plans.

What’s the Covid situation?

Mexico has had roughly 5.73 million cases of Covid-19 and just over 324,000 deaths as of April 26 (although some believe the actual numbers are higher). President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has come under fire for taking a laissez-faire approach to the virus. Restrictions have not been far reaching and life has gone on as normal for many, which critics say has led to high death and infection rates.

As of April 26, Mexico had administered roughly 198.3 million doses of vaccine, or 152 doses per 100 people. For comparison, the United States has administered about 173 doses per 100 people and Canada has given 220 doses per 100 people.

As of April 26, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had Mexico at Level 3 (high risk) for Covid-19 transmission.

What can visitors expect?

Mexico has a four-tier traffic light system of restrictions, with red signifying maximum restrictions, orange limiting capacity in public spaces and at work to 30%, yellow allowing for all work to resume and public gatherings to take place, and green meaning there are no restrictions in place. See a color-coded map here.

As of April 18, all states were green, including all of these popular destinations:

— Baja California, home to border crossover city Tijuana.
— Baja California Sur, home to resort city Cabo San Lucas.
— Guanajuato, where expat fave San Miguel de Allende is located.
— Jalisco, home to Puerto Vallarta.
— Mexico City, the bustling, cosmopolitan capital. 
— Quintana Roo, where Cancun and Playa del Carmen are located.