Mexico
North America · Physician brief
Yellow fever — entry certificate only if arriving from a risk country
There is no yellow fever risk in Mexico and the vaccine is not recommended for the destination itself. A YF vaccination certificate is required only for travelers arriving from (or transiting) a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.
CDC / WHO ↗ · Updated 2026
Vaccines
Disease-specific guidance
Malaria
LowRisk is limited to a few rural southern states; all major tourist destinations are no-risk. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended only for rural areas of Chiapas, Campeche, and southern Chihuahua. Low-risk states (Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco) need mosquito protection only. The popular resort and city destinations — Cancún, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and the U.S.–Mexico border — have no malaria transmission. Where present, the parasite is almost entirely P. vivax.
- Risk areas
- Rural Chiapas, Campeche, southern Chihuahua
- Low risk
- Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco
- No risk
- Cancún, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Mexico City, border
- Parasite
- P. vivax (~100%)
- Prevention
- Prophylaxis only for risk states; mosquito protection otherwise
Dengue
HighEndemic year-round, with peaks during and after the rainy season (roughly June–November). Transmission is concentrated in coastal and lowland areas, including the major resort regions of the Yucatán Peninsula and the Pacific coast. Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection.
- Distribution
- Nationwide; highest in coastal/lowland areas
- Season
- Year-round; peaks June–November
- Mosquito
- Aedes aegypti — bites during daytime
Chikungunya
LowSporadic transmission with periodic outbreaks; cases in 2025 were reported from Chiapas, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán. The same daytime Aedes mosquito vector as dengue, so dengue prevention also protects against chikungunya. Vaccination is considered in outbreak settings (see EKRM statement).
Zika
PresentZika transmission has been reported in Mexico. Because Zika infection in pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, pregnant travelers are advised not to travel to areas with risk; those planning pregnancy should discuss timing and precautions with their doctor. Zika can also be sexually transmitted, so condom use and bite prevention are advised for couples.
- Pregnancy
- Avoid travel if pregnant; risk of birth defects
- Mosquito
- Aedes aegypti — bites during daytime
- Sexual
- Can be sexually transmitted — use condoms
General prevention
Food & water
Use bottled or filtered water, avoid ice from unverified sources, and pay attention to food hygiene. Standard tropical precautions reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid — particularly relevant outside large hotels and all-inclusive resorts and when eating from street vendors.
Mosquito protection
Year-round dengue risk — with periodic chikungunya and Zika activity — means daytime mosquito protection (DEET or picaridin repellent, long sleeves) is important, including in coastal resort areas such as Cancún, the Riviera Maya, and Puerto Vallarta. For travel to the few rural malaria-risk states (Chiapas, Campeche, southern Chihuahua), also protect at dawn and dusk.
Sources
Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.
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This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.