Is Travel to Mexico Safe during COVID?

In short, yes, travel to Mexico can be safe.

I’ve traveled to three different states in Mexico since late 2020—Mexico City, Oaxaca and Yucatan.

Unfortunately, there are also Karens’, Karina’s or Kareem’s that do not practice preventive measures such as wearing masks or avoiding large gatherings. I know people suck.

However, unlike my home country in the US, Mexico is doing MUCH better in terms of cleanliness and following more stricter protocol from my personal experience. As always please do your own research, and travel at your own risk.

Here is what you need to know about travel to Mexico:

You will be required to fill out a Health Questionnaire

Either travel by land or air, you will be required to present a health questionnaire at the port of entry. It will asks you questions related to your health and where you’ve visited prior to Mexico with date. It’s very simple and you will show this to the customs officer either prior to boarding or landing in/out Mexico.

There are temperature checks in airports, most restaurants, stores and grocery stores

My experience in Mexico, City and Oaxaca was a lot different than in Yucatan, specifically Tulum & Cancun. Upon arriving I was scanned for my temperature in Mexico City and Oaxaca for both arriving and leaving. Oaxaca City in particular had a doctor and nurse scanning our temperature whilst collecting our health questionnaires. Truthfully, the temperature guns look like they’ve been dropshipped from AliBaba.

A large majority of restaurant, stores, groceries will also temperature gun you before allowing you to enter. Tulum was not as strict than my experience in Mexico City and Oaxaca.

You will wash your hands or be given hand sanitizer/gel pretty much EVERYWHERE

One of the most interesting observations was that many places require you to wash your hands or use hand sanitize prior to entering large majority of restaurant, stores, groceries. Restaurants in Oaxaca had large water stations with water and soap. Where these weren’t available they gave you hand sanitizer/gel. There are also mats that you step on to sanitize your shoes.

You will be sprayed down in sanitize in some cases

Happened to me a few times in Oaxaca City, but I was sanitized head to toe. It doesn’t smell it didn’t cause me an issue, just was a little weird.

Social distancing is enforced…sorta

Tulum is interesting and I need to make its own post of this ENTIRELY. I accidentally bumped into someone at the airport in Mexico and got the DEATH stare and a “ 6 ft distance please!”. shouted at me. Please keep to the rules y’all, social distance.

Wearing your mask, even at beach entrances

Any beach you enter you will be required to wear your mask or areas where there is people, such as buying food or drink or common areas. However, that said beaches can pretty much be social distanced activities and mask free. In Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca I remember a man keeping count the number of people on the beach, Tulum not so much. Puerto Escondido is much smaller and less touristic vs. Tulum.

With any travel, please be courteous to the people around you and other travelers. Be considerate of the workers in the hospitality and restaurant industry, tip well. And practice patience, we are in a pandemic after all. Happy and safe traveling!

Let me know what other question you have about Mexico in the comments!