All destinations

Mexico

North America · Updated April 2026

See a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before you leave.

Current alert — Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in northern Mexico

Illness and death due to RMSF reported across Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León. Use insect-bite precautions.

Current alert — New World Screwworm Myiasis

Cases reported across Mexico and Central America in areas where it had been eliminated. Avoid bug bites, keep open wounds clean and covered, and avoid time around livestock.

Current alert — Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport

Travellers returning from Mexico have been infected. Follow food and water precautions.

Planning a trip to Mexico? CDC recommends Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and typhoid vaccines for most travellers to protect against food- and water-borne infections. Your doctor may also discuss rabies and chikungunya if your plans include animal contact or mosquito-heavy rural areas. See a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before departure to review your itinerary together.

Malaria is limited to parts of Campeche, Chiapas, and southern Chihuahua. Cancún, the Riviera Maya, and US border areas are not malaria zones.

Required for entry

No vaccines are currently required for entry to Mexico from most countries.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to Mexico.

Food & Water

Hepatitis A

A contagious liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Most travellers to regions with less reliable sanitation should get this vaccine.

Two doses at 0 and 6–12 months. Over 90% of people develop protective antibodies within a month of the first dose, so one dose is usually enough for the trip itself. No booster needed after the full series.

Blood & Body Fluids

Hepatitis B

A liver infection spread through blood, sexual contact, and contaminated medical or cosmetic equipment. Recommended for most travellers, especially those with longer stays or possible medical exposure.

The full series is three doses over 6 months. An accelerated 4-dose schedule (0, 7, 21 days, 12 months) is available when combined with Hepatitis A. Partial protection starts after the first dose.

Food & Water

Typhoid

A bacterial infection spread through food and water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Risk is higher in rural areas and when eating with locals.

The injected vaccine is a single dose at least 2 weeks before travel and lasts 2 years. The oral version is four capsules taken every other day, completed at least a week before travel, and lasts 5 years. Neither is 100% effective — safe food and water habits still matter.

Recommended for some travellers

Depends on your itinerary, activities, duration, or health.

Animal Contact

Rabies

A fatal viral disease spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal — most often dogs, bats, or monkeys. Pre-travel vaccination simplifies treatment after exposure.

Mosquito

Chikungunya

A mosquito-borne virus causing sudden fever and severe joint pain. Symptoms usually resolve in 7–10 days but can linger for months.

Malaria

Not a vaccine

Risk in parts of Campeche, Chiapas, and southern Chihuahua. Rare cases in Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Tabasco. No risk along the US border or in resort areas of the Yucatán coast.

Discuss prescription chemoprophylaxis with a travel doctor if your itinerary includes risk areas.

Routine vaccines to be up to date on

CDC advises every international traveller to have these current.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Two doses at least 28 days apart, ideally completed at least 2 weeks before travel. Adults born before 1957 or with documented immunity are already considered protected.
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
A single Tdap or Td booster, effective within days. Adults should have a booster every 10 years — or after 5 years if you've had a dirty wound or burn. Pregnant travellers should receive Tdap during every pregnancy.
Polio
A single lifetime adult IPV booster for travellers to at-risk countries. For some destinations, the booster must be received 4 weeks to 12 months before departure and documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination.
Flu (Influenza)
An annual dose at least 2 weeks before travel to areas with active flu circulation. A single current-season vaccine covers travel to either hemisphere.
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Two doses at least 28 days apart for adolescents and adults without immunity. Children get doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years. Two documented doses protect most people for life.
Shingles
Two doses of Shingrix 2–6 months apart. Protection stays high for at least 7 years. Adults 19+ with weakened immune systems can use a faster schedule (2nd dose 1–2 months after).
COVID-19
Follow the current CDC schedule for your age and risk group. If you had COVID-19 recently, you may delay vaccination for up to 3 months from the onset of infection.

Entry requirements

For US citizens. Non-US travellers should check their government's guidance.

VisaNo visa required for US citizens staying up to 180 days.
Yellow fever certificateNot required

Food and water precautions matter — multidrug-resistant Salmonella has been identified in returning travellers. Dog rabies is present but not widespread.

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Mexico.

Disclaimer:This information is for general guidance only, based on CDC Travelers' Health. It does not replace advice from a qualified travel health professional. Consult a doctor 4–6 weeks before your trip.