General Medical Care
From a medical point of view, Mexico is a relatively safe travel destination. The level of medical care in the main cities and tourist areas corresponds to that of Western Europe. In smaller cities, medical care is guaranteed to an acceptable level in exceptional cases, but this is not usually the case in rural areas. Contact your guide first in case you need medical treatment. He will give you important information on how they can help you. Tropical diseases are practically non-existent in the tourist areas. We recommend that you clarify doubts about your travel destination and your state of health with your family doctor or a specialist doctor. Your medical care should always be tailored to the region of the country you will visiting, travel time, travel style and your health.
Update vaccines
Use your trip as an opportunity to have your vaccination coverage checked by a doctor. All traveler should have the standard vaccinations recommended for their country, in particular a current vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles and a basic immunization against poliomyelitis. People over the age of 60 are recommended to be vaccinated against pneumococci (pneumonia) and, depending on the travel time, against flu.
Special vaccinations for Mexico
Especially for Mexico, experts also recommend vaccination against hepatitis A. if you are staying longer in the country or traveling in simple conditions (for example, with a tent and a backpack), you should also consider the following vaccinations: hepatitis B, rabies, possibly typhoid fever.
Time interval between vaccines
Make sure there is a time interval between the necessary vaccinations so they do not neutralize each other. You should also have the vaccinations on time to make sure immunization is fully achieved.
Visit the dentist before the trip
As a precaution, you should also see your dentist to make sure that your teeth are fine. If you experience toothache during your trip to remote regions, you will have problems getting it treated.
Medical check
Due to the large differences in altitude and temperature between day and night, those with cardiovascular problems or other respiratory disease are particularly exposed to extra effort in the mountains. Be sure to discuss this with your family doctor. However, a healthy person can adapt to heights and temperatures without problems, but he must also wait to adapt little by little
During pregnancy
When traveling with children or during pregnancy, we advise you to visit your doctor (4-6 weeks before the start of the trip) so that if necessary, he can issue you a medical certificate and you can make the trip comfortable.
Travel medical advice
There is always a risk of getting malaria in the Mexican jungle, but it is low. The disease mainly occurs in the rural areas of the provinces of Oaxaca, Chiapas and the Yucatán peninsula. Archaeologically interesting cities, seaside tourism centers and the larger cities are malaria-free. The most important protective measure against a disease is consistent protection against mosquito bites. Wear light-colored clothing as long as possible. WHO and other agencies also recommend carrying an appropriate emergency medicine with you when traveling to higher risk areas. The exact procedure should be coordinated with an experienced doctor in good time. Take your vaccination certificate with you on the trip. We recommend that the health risks / information that affect you with your family physician or tropical physician
First aid kit
Always carry your own first-aid kit throughout the trip. As a precautionary measure, you should have twice the amount of medication that must be taken regularly and hand it in your carry-on and checked baggage.
Foreign health insurance
Anyone traveling to Mexico should definitely take out private international health insurance. Since foreigners are mainly treated in private clinics, the costs can be significantly higher than at Home. Legal health insurance companies in your country can only reimburse cost incurred abroad in accordance with their rate schedule. Additional costs for transfers or transportation to a medical center or back to your country o origin are not included in the insurance.
Entry requirements for Mexico
Foreing citizens require a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry to Mexico. No visa is required for Ferman citizens for stays of up to 180 days. German citizens need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months to enter Mexico. Entry (by air) All travelers arriving by air no longer need a Tourist Card (Forma Migratoria Múltiple FMM), this form has been abolished. Visa: No visa is required for a stay of up to 180 days. German citizens do not need a visa to enter the country if the purpose of the trip is for vacation, transit or business purposes, as long as the stay does not last longer than 180 days. Tourists are not allowed to engage in paid activities. ATTENTION: If you enter the country via land, you must actively ensure that you obtain the INM (National Migration Institute) tourist card online. Or you can get these directly at the border, sometimes at airports close to the border (for example at Tijuana airport) from the so-called “Migración” (Instituto Nacional de Migración). This authority is not open 24 hours a day at some border crossings. The cost of the tourist card is currently around EUR 25 when entering by land The tourist card can be paid online or in cash in MXN against a receipt or at a bank branch. The card is stamped when you cross the border and the validity period is entered. The copy of the tourist card that remains with the traveler must always be carried and presented when leaving Mexico. It is not recommended to continue your journey through Mexico without a valid tourist visa. There is a risk of being taken into detention pending deportation and deported to Germany during a check. It is not advisable to continue your journey through Mexico without a valid tourist visa. There is a risk of being detained during a check and being expelled to your country of origin.
NOTE: If you are entering from the United States and will only be staying in the border cities. You will not need the tourist card. This facilitates border traffic. This explains why the tourist card is not actively offered. Take good care of your passport during your trip. Replacing a lost passport takes a long time. Under Mexican law, all tourist must carry their passport with them at all times. We recommend that you make a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate. In cities, you should keep your passport safe at the hotel and have a copy or ID card with you. Identity cards ("tarjetas de identificación") are also used in Mexico.
Entry to Mexico through the United States
If your arrival or departure (by flight) is with a layover in the United States, participation in the United States Visa Waiver Program is mandatory. You must obtain an electronic entry permit from ESTA (Electronic System of Authorization to Travel) no later than 72 hours before your trip. You can request it online at the “US Custom and Border Protection page.
Https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
The costs are currently 14, - USD and can be paid by credit card. An ESTA permit is valid for two years and applies to any number of entries within this period. It is advisable to call up the ESTA application when you enter the country again, to verify it and, if necessary, to update data such as your own email address or US residence address. Print the ESTA application confirmation and take it with you. In case of refusal, entry to the USA will not be possible. In such a case, you must contact the US embassy or consulate to apply for a visa.
Please note that even in the event of a positive ESTA or US entry visa, decision, the final decision on entry is still reserved for US border officials. You should discuss all questions related to your entry into the United States with the US diplomatic mission well in advance of departure. Only these can provide legally binding information.
More information about the trip and security measures
It can be found on the website of the Federal, Foreign Office for Mexico: Ministry of Foreign Relations for Mexico
Disclaimer
The information provided is based on the information available at the specified time. No guarantee of accurancy and completeness can be assumed, as well as a liability for possible damage. Legal regulations can also change at any time without our being aware of it.
Travel insurance
We recommend that you purchase additional travel medical insurance for travel abroad. This should fully reimburse all important medical treatments, as well as possible medical transportation back to your country. Also coordinate the length of insurance coverage with your travel plans. This is often limited (for example minimum 6 weeks).