Travel insurance for Mexico

Palm tree-filled beaches, chilli-infused cuisine and plenty of sunshine. Mexico is a popular destination among British travellers for good reason!

If you're ready to compare policies, click 'get a quote'. But, if you'd like to learn more before you do that, no problem.

On this page, you'll find all you need to know for your upcoming trip to Mexico. From top travel tips to what your insurance could cover, we've made sure to cover all bases. Read on.

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert

Reviewed by Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert 7 min read | Published 18/09/2024

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Important information

All insurance products exclude cover for known events. These are global events that can disrupt travel and/or put you in danger. An example of this is the COVID-19 pandemic.

This exclusion applies if the event is declared as a 'known event' when you bought your insurance.

If you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, you won't be covered by travel insurance. The same applies if you don't meet your destination's entry requirements.

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to a many areas of Mexico*. These include:

State of Chiapas
State of Guerrero
State of Colima
State of Jalisco
State of Michoacán
State of Guanajuato
State of Zacatecas
State of Tamaulipas
State of Sinaloa
State of Chihuahua
State of Baja California

Remember, you'll invalidate your policy if you travel against FCDO advice. You can find more information about FCDO travel advice to Mexico on their website.

^{*Correct as of September 2024}

Do I need travel insurance for Mexico?

Travel insurance for your Mexico trip is worth thinking about.

Unlike places like Cuba, travel insurance for Mexico isn't a legal requirement. But, that doesn't mean it's any less important.

Medical care isn't free in Mexico. So, this means medical bills can be costly. But, with travel insurance in place, you can the have peace of mind you're covered if you're ill or injured. If you need to be flown home to receive medical treatment, your policy can cover the cost, too. Without insurance, you could have to pay thousands of pounds.

Plus, flights from the UK to Mexico are long-haul. This raises the risk of your experiencing travel disruption, like flight delays. In certain situations, your travel insurance can cover any delays you experience. Travel insurance is a no-brainer!

Choosing the right policy for your trip to Mexico

You'll need worldwide travel insurance that includes the Caribbean, USA, Canada and Mexico.

There's a few policy types available to you. You can choose which you'd like out of the following options:

Single-trip travel insurance

If your trip to Mexico is a one-off, single-trip travel insurance is a great policy option. It can cover 1 trip, from the day you've purchased it until you come back home again. Usually, it's up to 31 days, but some policies can offer a longer timeframe.

Annual travel insurance

Are you someone that likes to travel a lot? If you are, you should consider annual travel insurance. It covers separate trips, usually up to 31 days each over 12 months. It can also work out cheaper than taking out separate policies for each trip you go on. Cha-ching!

Backpackers travel insurance

Is Mexico part of a bigger trip? If it is, backpacker travel insurance is what you'll need. This type of policy can cover you across multiple countries, anywhere between 3 to 18 months.

Family travel insurance

If you're travelling with family, this policy can be a more affordable option. It can cover up to 2 adults and 8 children. Usually, children don't have to be living at the same address to be included on the policy.

What our travel insurance expert says

‘’From the white sands of Tulum to the vibrant party scene in Cancun, Mexico can be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. But, it can be unsafe in large parts of the country, so do your research before you travel.

Check government travel advice for areas you're thinking of visiting. Aside from helping you stay safe, this advice must be followed to validate your insurance. If you go against it? Well, you could be left unprotected from things like theft or expensive medical fees.

For peace of mind during your Mexican adventure, get covered with travel insurance.’’

Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert

What does travel insurance for Mexico cover?

What’s usually covered:

Emergency medical treatment

If you don't have travel insurance, medical care if you get an illness or injury can be expensive.

Repatriation to the UK

If you need to be flown home to the UK for medical treatment. Without the appropriate policy in place, this could cost thousands of pounds.

Theft, accidental damage or loss

If your luggage is stolen, or accidentally damaged or lost. Most policies also include personal possessions, such as your passport.

Travel disruption

If you experience travel disruption because of bad weather, strikes or mechanical issues.

Cancellation or curtailment

If you need to cancel your trip before it starts or come home early for an unexpected circumstance. For example, sudden illness.

What's usually not covered:

Travelling against government advice

If the FCDO advises against travel, but you decide to go anyway.

Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions

Pre-existing medical conditions can be covered by travel insurance. But, you'll need to make your insurance provider aware. If you don't, you won't be able to claim

Extreme sports and activities

Certain sports and activities insurers deem to be 'high-risk' need enhanced cover. For example, if you plan to go to a Mexican hiking resort, you'll need activity travel insurance.

Incidents involving alcohol and drugs

If illness, injury or death occurs due to these substances your insurance won't cover you.

Changing your mind

If you have a change of heart and decide you no longer want to go to Mexico.

How much is travel insurance to Mexico?

The price depends on the nature of your trip and personal circumstances.

So, the best way to discover how much your policy costs is to get a quote.

That being said, let's take a look at at some examples of the cheapest Mexican travel insurance policies:

Policy type	Policy cost
Single trip travel insurance	£22.16¹
Annual travel insurance	£37.35²
Backpacker travel insurance	£103³

¹The cheapest single-trip policy for a 30 year old with no previous medical conditions, travelling to Mexico for 1 week. Correct as of August 2024 - Confused.com data

²The cheapest annual Worldwide policy including Mexico for a 30 year old with no previous medical conditions. Correct as of August 2024 - Confused.com data

³The cheapest backpacker policy including Mexico for a 30 year old with no previous medical conditions, travelling for 3 months. Correct as of August 2024 - Confused.com data

Medical care in Mexico

The quality of public healthcare in Mexico can vary. But, private healthcare is often considered excellent.

If you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - you won't be able to use them in Mexico. This is why it's so important to have a travel insurance policy in place.

If you need emergency medical treatment, travel insurance can cover the cost. Your travel insurance should also cover you if you need to head back to the UK to receive medical treatment. Without insurance, this could cost thousands of pounds.

Keep in mind, some healthcare facilities refuse to deal with insurance companies. If you find yourself in this situation, you may need to pay upfront. But, you'll be able to claim on your travel insurance afterwards.

Helpful hint: While all travel insurance policies offer medical cover, the amount offered can vary. Read policy details carefully when comparing quotes to make sure you get the level you need.

Travel insurance for activities in Mexico

What's on your itinerary for your trip to Mexico? Standard travel insurance can cover a range of activities and sports, but not all of them.

If anything you've got planned isn't covered by your policy, don't worry. This just means that you'll need a policy add-on.

Policy add-ons can offer tailored cover. They can be added to your insurance policy for an additional cost.

Let's take a look at some popular add-ons for Mexico trips:

Golf travel insurance

When you think of Mexico, golf might not be the first thing that springs to mind. But Mexico has hundreds of 'stay and play' golf courses, like Atelier Playa Mujeres. Golf is normally covered by a standard travel insurance policy. But, cover can be limited. So, if you plan to play a lot of golf, you might like to consider extra cover. It can offer cover for golf-related problems. For example, damaged golf equipment, or green fees if you can't play because of bad weather.

Activity travel insurance

Things like snorkelling are often covered on a standard policy. But, adventurous activities like skydiving might not be. For activities your insurer considers to be 'high-risk' you'll need an activity add-on.

Ski travel insurance

Believe it or not, skiing is a thing in Mexico! So much so, the Bosques de Monterreal offers skiing to its visitors all year round. If you're going to be visiting a ski resort, you'll need a ski add-on. It'll be able to cover you for alpine-related problems, such as piste closure.

Helpful hint: Knowing what policy add-ons you might need to get can be confusing. If you're in doubt, reach out to your insurer for clarification on what add-ons you need.

Do I need a visa to travel to Mexico?

No, you don't need a visa to travel to Mexico. Hooray!

The Mexican Embassy here in the UK recommends to have your passport valid for at least 180 days.

This is because 180 days is the maximum time you can stay in Mexico visa-free. You'll also have your passport stamped with the number of days you can stay.

Are you a backpacker? If you're planning to enter Mexico by land, you'll need to fill in an immigration form online.

Top tip: You can find out more about Mexico's entry requirements on the GOV.UK Mexico Travel Advice page.

Tips for travelling to Mexico

Follow our tips to make the most of your Mexican adventure!

Time zones

Mexico is on Eastern Standard Time (EST). So, this means it’s 7 hours behind UK time. It's a good idea to let loved ones know this before you set off on your Mexican travels. That way, you can stay in touch more easily.

Driving

Your car insurance will not cover you while in Mexico. When hiring a car it's likely that you'll only have third-party cover. Always check the hire car company terms and excess you might have to pay in the event of an accident. You'll also need to make sure that you have an International Driving Permit. These cost £5.50. To be eligible for one, you'll need to have a full UK driving licence and be aged 18 or over.

Crime and safety

Just like other places around the world, certain places in Mexico can be dangerous. This is why many holidaymakers stay in a resort for the duration of their trip. Resorts are safe and secure, and have plenty of leisure activities. Usually, you can go on day trips with a guided group outside of your resort complex, too.

GOV.UK's Mexico Travel Advice Page is a great resource for guidance on staying safe, especially if you're travelling around a bit more outside a resort.

Vaccines

Travel Health Pro recommends most travellers have Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus vaccines, and some travellers have rabies*. It's advised to get these 4-6 weeks before travelling to Mexico.

Top tip: Stay updated with vaccine recommendations on the Travel Health Pro website.

Lost passports

If you lose your passport, you'll need to pay a fee to replace the entry stamp. The fee is around 700 Mexican pesos. Typically, you need to pay at the immigration office. Migration officers do not usually accept cash, so you'll need a card.

You can replace the stamp at the immigration office. These are in all international airports in Mexico. Or, you can start the entry stamp replacement process online.

Note: Fake immigration officers can operate in international airports. If you're suspicious or unsure, head directly to the immigration office for help.

You can find more information on visiting Mexico in Lonely Planet’s Mexico guide.