Travel insurance for Mexico
When you’re travelling as far as Mexico, you’ll want to be prepared. We look at how to find and compare Mexico travel insurance so you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
When you’re travelling as far as Mexico, you’ll want to be prepared. We look at how to find and compare Mexico travel insurance so you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
Do I need travel insurance for Mexico?
It isn’t compulsory to have travel insurance if you’re visiting Mexico, but we strongly recommend you do get cover. You’re not entitled to free healthcare in Mexico, so if you’re ill or injured and need a doctor, you’ll have to pay for it out of your own pocket. However, insurance could cover your medical costs and even your flight home for continued treatment in the UK, should you need it.
Some bank accounts offer free insurance policies, but it’s worth noting that these may only cover Europe. When you travel to Mexico, you’ll need worldwide travel insurance for your trip. So, even if you think you do have a travel insurance policy through your bank, it’s important that you check what it covers you against.
Thousands of Brits travel to Mexico every year and, while most visits are trouble-free, tourists are sometimes victims of crime. This is another good reason to protect yourself with travel insurance, which could cover you if your belongings are stolen.
What should I think about when choosing travel insurance for Mexico?
Travel insurance policies vary so it’s important to find one that matches your needs. Before you compare Mexico travel insurance, there are a few factors to consider:
- What activities are you doing? Some activities are considered riskier than others, so if you’re planning on diving, horse riding, surfing or even caving (all popular activities in Mexico), check your insurance covers you should anything go wrong. Find out more about adventure travel insurance.
- Can you afford to pay medical treatments upfront? Some insurance providers expect you to pay your medical expenses upfront, then claim them back (so keep the paperwork safe). If you can’t afford this, choose a different policy. Just be aware that some hospitals in Mexico won’t deal directly with insurance providers so keep some spare funds available. You should also choose a policy that pays for ambulances and emergency repatriation flights back home.
- What are you taking with you? Make sure your insurance covers the cost of replacing your belongings if they’re lost or stolen – whether it’s a few hundred pounds for a backpack of essentials or a few thousand pounds worth of designer clothes, gadgets and scuba gear.
- What would you lose if you had to cancel? If, for some reason, you end up unable to go to Mexico, because of COVID-19 for example, travel insurance could make sure you don’t end up out of pocket – but there’s a limit to what your policy will pay for. Make sure your travel insurance covers the full cost of your trip. Find out more about cancellation cover.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. However, you should always declare any medical conditions and tell your insurance provider the truth, because if you give false information your claim could be rejected. When you declare medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers that will cover them with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers that may be able to offer quotes.
Travelling to Mexico and COVID-19
Individual countries have their own rules on vaccination and other entry requirements. The situation is constantly changing, so before you book your trip to Mexico, check the Mexico travel advice and entry requirements at GOV.UK.
Mexico travel insurance: a checklist
What should your travel-insurance policy include if you’re heading to Mexico? Check you're covered for the following:
- Holiday cancellation cover
- Medical care
- Damages, loss or theft of luggage
- Flight delays
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Personal liability cover
- Repatriation
- Curtailment.
Also check what cover your policy offers if your trip is disrupted because of COVID-19.
A holiday to Mexico is likely to be an expensive adventure so make sure your insurance policy offers you the peace of mind you need.
Do I need a visa for Mexico?
If you’re visiting as a tourist, you won’t need a visa, but you will need an immigration form. You can get this when you arrive in Mexico and sometimes on the flight there. As long as your passport is valid for six months after the day you enter the country, you could also get it online in advance.
Don’t lose your immigration form because you’ll need it to leave Mexico. If you lose yours during your trip, you can get another one at the airport’s immigration office, but it’ll cost you 500 Mexican pesos (about £17). You’ll also need to make sure your passport is valid for as long as your stay.
Any other tips for visiting Mexico?
Here’s some useful information to know before you go:
- Tap water: not generally safe for drinking or teeth-brushing. Only drink bottled water and avoid having ice in your drink.
- Altitude sickness: many places in Mexico, including Mexico City, are at high altitudes. That means you could experience tiredness, headaches and other symptoms of altitude sickness. Take it easy and you should feel better in a couple of days.
- Currency: the currency is the Mexican Pesos (Mex$). ATMs are plentiful in big cities, but pickpocketing is rife so it’s safer to find one inside a bank.
- Vaccines: you should see your doctor at least one month before you travel just to double-check you’re fit. Check the coronavirus vaccination requirements at GOV.UK. It’s also worth making sure you’re up to date on your flu and MMR vaccines. You might also be advised to have Hepatitis A and Tetanus vaccines – these are usually free on the NHS.
- Language: Spanish is Mexico’s official language. Some people do speak English, but it’s worth having a few Spanish phrases up your sleeve.
- Tipping:
- Hotel staff: tipping is optional, but much appreciated as typical wages for hotel staff are very low.
- Restaurants: tip 10-15% of the total bill (unless service is included).
- Porters: tipping is expected – good to tip around Mex$50 to Mex$100.
- Taxi drivers: no need to tip unless they’ve done something above and beyond.
Compare travel insurance for visiting Mexico
At Comparethemarket, we help you find and compare Mexico travel insurance that’s right for you. Get started now and get it sorted in a flash.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mexico cheap?
It depends where you are. The large tourist resorts cater to US visitors and can be extremely expensive. But you don’t have to travel too far off the beaten track to find a bargain.
Is Mexico safe?
The beach resorts around Cancun are provided with extra protection, making them pretty safe for visitors. But violent crime can be an issue in Mexico so keep your wits about you. In parts of the country, drug-related violence is a major problem, so be extremely careful about where you travel.
Where’s the best place to visit in Mexico?
It depends what you’re looking for. Tulum offers white-sand beaches, historical Mayan ruins and a wide range of hotels. Playa del Carmen is a party town with a great food scene. Mexico City, meanwhile, gives you history, culture and big-city attractions.
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Anna McEntee - Insurance expert
Anna’s all about delivering fantastic insurance products at a great price. Value is the most important thing for Anna, as she cuts through the jargon and finds what’s most important and worth your hard-earned money.
Rebecca Goodman - personal finance expert
Rebecca Goodman is a freelance financial journalist who specialises in insurance, personal finance and consumer affairs. Rebecca regularly writes for national newspapers including The Independent and The Mail on Sunday on a wide-range of financial topics. She covers everything from money-saving tips and holiday advice to investigations into how energy efficient appliances can cut the cost of household bills and the impact donating money can have on those in need. Along with features in national papers, Rebecca also writes news stories for websites including Yourmoney.com and The Money Edit.