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United States Drops Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ Warning For Mexico

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The United States government has dropped its level 4 ‘Do Not Travel' warning for Mexico. 

Back on August 6th, the U.S. removed its global level 4 travel warning but slapped Mexico with an individual ‘do not travel' advisory due to COVID-19. 

As of September 8th, the level 4 advisory for Mexico has been downgraded to a level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel'.

A supermarket cashier wears a protective mask against COVID-19 while a customer with a mouth cover makes a purchase.
A supermarket cashier in Cancun wears a protective mask during COVID-19

Originally the level 4 advisory was put in place at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in Mexico when confirmed cases were reaching 6000-10,000 daily. 

Over the last month the number of confirmed cases has shown a downward trend averaging 3000-6000 per day.

Mexico Daily COVID-19 Cases (Image Worldometers)
Mexico Daily COVID-19 Cases (Image: Worldometers)

The U.S. State Department still has a level 4 advisory in place for some states in Mexico including: 

  • Colima state due to crime.
  • Guerrero state due to crime.
  • Michoacán state due to crime.
  • Sinaloa state due to crime.
  • Tamaulipas state due to crimeand kidnapping.
Mexico Federal Police
Mexico Federal Police patrol a highway

Mexico has been one of the top destinations for Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its close proximity and easy entry requirements. With no required COVID-19 testing or mandatory quarantines, travelers have still been flocking to Mexico regardless of the level 4 advisory that was in place.

Tourists Arriving at the Cancun International Airport with face masks during COVID-19
Tourists Arriving at the Cancun International Airport with face masks during COVID-19

Mexico's high season for North American travelers begins in the fall and peaks during January and February. With the recent announcement to drop the level 4 advisory, there may be hopes for an even stronger recovery of the Mexican tourism industry.

Cancun was already seeing a sharp rebound after reopening for tourists back in June. In the first month alone, Cancun saw over 70,000 tourists arrive at the popular beach resort town. 

Aerial view of resorts along the beach in Cancun, Mexcio

The land border between Mexico and the United States has been closed to all non-essential travel since March 16th, 2020. Non-essential travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature and applies to travel in both directions across the border.

A view of the highway entrance to Tijuana Baja California at the international US Border with Mexico in San Diego.
A view of the highway entrance to Tijuana Baja California at the international US Border with Mexico in San Diego.

The land border closure was recently extended for an additional 30 days and is set to expire on September 21st. No announcement has been made if the closure will be extended for another month. 

Air traffic between the U.S. and Mexico has no COVID-19 restrictions and travelers may fly between the two nations for any reason including tourism. Airlines are however enforcing the use of face masks on most flights. 

Travelers wait at LaGuardia airport to board a flight to Cancun
Travelers wait at LaGuardia airport to board a flight to Cancun

Canadians are another one of Mexico's main tourism markets. With the winter season coming, over 2 millions Canadians flock to the tropical beaches of Mexico each year. 

With the Canadian government still enforcing mandatory 14 day quarantines upon arrival, many Canadians will have to forgo their trip this year if the restrictions stay in place.  

travel with mask at airport in canada

Earlier this week the Dominican Republic took a page out of Mexico's playbook by removing their COVID-19 PCR testing requirement. Along with free travel insurance the Dominican Republic is hoping to see the surge in tourists that Mexico has experienced. 

Drone view of beautiful beach on Saona island, Dominican Republic
Drone view of beautiful beach on Saona island, Dominican Republic

Cancun, Mexico has become one of the top destinations in the world during the pandemic and is now seeing upwards of 200 flights per day. 

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Sandi Herman

Thursday 1st of October 2020

I am an American citizen from NYC...Manhattan...I have a home in Acapulco ... have been coming here for at least 40 years ... I never feel afraid ... like in NYC I avoid dark streets walking by myself ... when you are on the Costera it is as busy as Second Ave where i live in Manhattan. It is such a shame that people have such a misconception of Mexico especially Acapulco .. they don’t know what they are missing .. the people are kind, honest ... actually much nicer than many New Yorkers...many of my friends here are Americans that have also been visiting Mexico for years. When I go into a supermarket and ask for something actually take to me where the product is located. I get into a taxi by myself at night ,, by the time I get to my destination I feel like have a new friend.

I was a travel agent ... recently retired ... I found that most Americans expect to find American type people that are natives of the country they are visiting ... if you want that stay home..

Tom

Monday 28th of September 2020

When can Mexican citizens with US tourist visa's be able to visit the US?

Kashlee Kucheran

Monday 28th of September 2020

Mexico is not a banned country by the USA, so with the proper visa, travel is possible now and has been for a while :)

Byron M Bishop

Sunday 13th of September 2020

I visit Northern Baja California weekly, and most of the establishments require:

Social distancing. Temperature check Wear a mask

Or no entry!

I only patronize those establishments, that require and enforce the above procedures!

VIVA MEXICO!

Ramon narsizo Gomez

Friday 11th of September 2020

This past Saturday September 5, 2020 I returned to the States from Valle De Bravo, Mexico and did Paragliding .. It was awesome..... Beautiful scenery.... And in June 2020 i went skydiving in Cualta Morelos....now that was scary...In early August we went to Acapulco it was beautiful there too...To bad i can't post pictures nor videos on this site... You the paragliding and skydiving were about 140 dollars each....

Stephen

Friday 11th of September 2020

My wife and I spent a week in Cancun and came back last Saturday. It was great and super, super safe. Masks on the plane, masks at the airport, masks/gel/social distancing at the resort. We witnessed one man who was denied boarding on a connecting flight because he'd taken his mask off during the flight in order to sleep. We had a great time and the Mexicans treated us splendidly. (although we both speak very fluent Spanish, so that helped!)