mexico reopening

Mexico is open for tourism but starts requiring vaccine in some hotspots

Mexico is open for tourism without testing or quarantine requirements. All countries are welcome to enter, including U.K. travelers.

Most of the country is under yellow threat level which is quite good for tourists, and multiple states have now made it to green.

To overcome the logistical and economic challenges of the pandemic, the Mexican government has updated its “Traffic Light” strategy which gives us all a clear understanding of which States and cities are best to visit for tourism.

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Mexico Reopening for Tourism – Latest Updates

JULY 2021

July 31 – Mexico to request proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 to access hotels, restaurants and bars from Aug. 2. 

With nearly 14,000 new daily infections – the highest daily tally of new confirmed Covid-19 cases since January, Mexican authorities have enacted public health measures to minimize the spread of the Delta variant.

Starting August 2, Quintana Roo State, home to Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel and Tulum, will request hotel, restaurant, shopping center and bar customers to present proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test. 

The new rule will also apply to hospitality employees in these destinations, said state’s Governor Carlos Joaquín on July 26.

Source: Travel Pulse

July 14 – Mexico-U.S. border could reopen for international tourism after August, 2021

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has told Reuters that she is “pushing really hard,” to lift the current travel restrictions with the European Union, the U.K., Canada and Mexico as soon as possible. 

For its part, U.S. travel industry officials forecast the long-awaited reopening could happen in “August or later” since the White House does not have a reopening timetable. 

As for now, it is expected that authorities will extend the Mexico-US travel ban for another month on July 21.

Source: Reuters

Is Mexico open to American tourists?

Mexico is open to American visitors with no negative COVID-19 test or quarantine restrictions. However, visitors should keep in mind that they can only access the country via air travel. Land borders will remain closed until further notice.  

Which countries are allowed to travel to Mexico?

All countries (including US citizens) are allowed to travel to Mexico. No COVID test, quarantine, or insurance is required but visitors should definitely consider insurance that covers COVID.

Latest update of Mexico’s traffic light map

Green

In green zones, there is a “new normal” approach with most businesses open and a sense of normalcy on the streets.

  • Students are back to school.
  • Reopening of non-essential recreational and public spaces.
  • The State has reached the “new normal” way of living.

Yellow 

Yellow zones are those “testing the waters” after more severe lockdowns. Measures are lifted and if no outbreaks follow they transition to green zones.

  • Non-essential activities restart.
  • Reopening of closed public spaces.
  • All work activities are allowed.

Orange 

Orange zones are still epidemiologically dangerous. Self-care and awareness are highly advisable and government measures are still enforced.

  • Hotels, restaurants, barbershops, open-air parks, and gyms are open at a 50% percent capacity.  
  • Markets and supermarkets are open at 75% capacity.
  • Shopping malls, churches, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events are allowed at 25% percent capacity.

Red

Red zones are in complete lockdown. There are restrictions to movement within the zone and with other color zones.

  • Only essential activities are allowed. 
  • Public spaces remain closed.
  • People considered “at-risk” will experience mobility restrictions.
  • Schools and sports facilities remain closed.

Which states of Mexico are already open to tourism?

Mexico is not opening its country in one major swoop. Instead, it’s opening them piece by piece.

For example, certain states in Mexico are open to tourism and actually have never been closed. One such example is the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which is home to popular tourist places like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, etc. That state has been open to tourists since June.

Is the land border between Mexico and the USA open?

Land border between Mexico and the USA reopening

The US-Mexico land border closure was again extended until July 21, 2021.

Essential travel between the two countries is still allowed.

At the moment, there are no air restrictions between the United States and Mexico. This means that citizens are able to fly back and forth between the two countries.

Additional screening measures remain in place at the borders of both countries, and travelers should prepare themselves to spend additional time at any airport or border crossing.

What is the current COVID-19 situation in Mexico?

As of July 14, Mexico has reported 2,604,711 positive cases, and 235,277 people have lost their lives to the virus.

What is even more concerning about the course of the disease in Mexico is that it seems to have peaked later -and harder- than in many other countries.

What’s open in Mexico?

Mexico remains open for tourism

Mexico, like the United States, has a federal system of government. It is made up of 31 states and the Capital of Mexico City. These different states have varying degrees of power and autonomy.

However, their epidemiology Traffic Light System gives visitors a clear understanding of what states are open for tourism and what can be done for fun in each of them.