Travel Insurance for Mexico (2026): What You Need, What to Avoid, and How to Choose

Most travelers don't need travel insurance as an entry requirement (this depends on nationality and specific situations). However, insurance is strongly recommended for practical protection against medical costs, activity accidents, theft, and trip disruptions that commonly occur in Mexico.

Most basic travel insurance policies exclude scuba diving, including cenotes. You'll typically need a sports/adventure extension or a policy specifically covering diving. Check for depth limits and certification requirements—many policies only cover certified divers to certain depths.

ATV and quad tours are commonly excluded from standard travel insurance policies. If you plan to do ATVs (very common in Riviera Maya and other tourist areas), you need to either add a sports/adventure extension or choose a policy that explicitly covers motorized activities.

We recommend at least €100,000–€150,000 in medical coverage for Mexico trips, with strong evacuation and repatriation coverage. Private hospitals in tourist areas can be expensive, and if you need medical evacuation from a remote area, costs can escalate quickly.

Travel insurance medical and liability coverage generally applies while driving a rental car. However, car rental excess/damage coverage is usually separate. Some travel policies offer rental car excess add-ons, or you can get standalone rental car insurance. Tell us if you're renting a car so we can recommend appropriate coverage.

Yes, food poisoning and gastrointestinal illness are covered under emergency medical coverage. This is one of the most common claims from Mexico travelers. Your policy should cover doctor visits, medication, and hospital treatment if needed.

Most policies require a police report (denuncia) to process theft claims. File the report as soon as possible at the nearest police station. Keep all documentation including the report number, list of stolen items, and any proof of ownership. Notify your insurer within 24 hours if possible.

Recreational surfing is often covered by standard travel insurance, but check the wording. Some policies exclude water sports, while others cover non-competitive surfing. If you're taking surf lessons or surfing at challenging spots like Puerto Escondido, confirm your policy includes water sports.

Cancellation coverage protects non-refundable bookings if you must cancel for a covered reason (illness, injury, family emergency, etc.). Important: most cancellation coverage has timing requirements—it should be purchased close to your initial trip booking. Check the policy for specific covered reasons and exclusions.

Yes, most travel insurance covers delays and disruptions for domestic flights within Mexico during your trip. This includes delay benefits (hotels, meals) and missed connection coverage if your policy includes it. Keep all receipts and get written confirmation of delays from the airline.

Yes, even resort trips benefit from travel insurance. Medical costs at private hospitals near Cancún can be high, and most resort guests end up doing at least one excursion (boat trip, cenote visit, Mayan ruins). Plus, theft and trip disruptions can happen anywhere. The cost of insurance is minimal compared to potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Most travel insurance policies can be purchased and activated within 24 hours. Some activate immediately. However, for cancellation coverage, you'll get better terms if you purchase close to your initial booking date. Contact us with your details and we can often have quotes and policy options ready the same day.