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Hi Mexico-loving friends,
I hope this email finds you well.
This week all but one state in Mexico has gone green. It's looking up for tourism and businesses across the country as things begin to return to some sense of normalcy.
Traffic Light Changes
For those that are new around here, last year Mexico's federal government created a traffic light system to help businesses and people understand the risks of Covid-19 in each state around Mexico. It was then up to the state governments to decide how to interpret these traffic light colors.
Currently, red means the highest risk of covid and that hospitals are near capacity. It means that capacity at restaurants and hotels is lowered. In some places, it will mean that you will not be able to sit inside a restaurant at all, but only place an order for take-out (unless they have outdoor seating available). For the next two weeks, there will continue to be no states in the high-risk "red" category.
Orange is a level below red status and means that there is still a high risk of covid-19 and many restrictions are still in place. The federal government have given control over to the state governments to decide how they implement these colors and what restrictions should be in place. These are the states that will remain in orange with a risk of possibly moving into the red because of continued increases in severe cases and hospitals becoming overrun. There is only one state in the orange for the next two weeks and that is Baja California.
Yellow means lower risk level and most places are allowed to have up to 50% capacity. States in yellow are allowed to have fans at sporting events and bars are allowed to be open (in some states clubs are also open in Yellow). Museums and other tourist attractions can be back open with restrictions. The majority of the states in the country are now yellow. There are currently no states in the yellow.
Green means that there is a very low risk of Covid, that many places can have more than 75% capacity and almost all services can resume. Precautions like masks and temperature checks are still being taken, especially when going indoors. There are now four states currently in the green. All Mexican states except Baja California are now in the green.
You can view the full map on the government website here.
Just know that "green" looks different in every state and even within every city and small town that you may want to visit in Mexico. Please check below for my list of friends and fellow content creators who live in different parts of Mexico. The best way to know what restrictions are still in place is to get in touch with someone who actually lives in the city or town in which you plan to visit.
It also seems that for now, the traffic light system will remain in place. There'
Recent Mexico Content
I've been busy catching up with content about the beautiful state of Baja California Sur. Many of you know that I spent the first half of this year living in a few different towns there as well as traveling as extensively as I possibly could around the state.
While the Baja California Sur guidebook was my priority this past summer, I also want to make sure that there is always some free content accessible for everyone. So I have been writing up a storm all about Loreto and Mulegé and I hope it will be helpful for anyone planning a trip to this region of Mexico soon!
I recently put together a Baja California road trip guide which many of you have been asking for. You can read that guide here. I hope that you find it helpful as you plan your travels around the state.
I have a guide for Baja California here which includes stops through Tijuana and Ensenada if you are planning to do the entire peninsula this winter.
Mexico Immigration News
If you are in any of the Mexico expat or foreigner groups around Facebook, you may already be aware of this, but Mexican immigration have really begun to crack down on those that are over-staying their 180-permits. There are random checks taking place at bus stations and airports to check your FMM. If you have been to Mexico recently and are returning after a quick trip back home, you may not even receive a full 180-days anymore.
This article on Mexico News Daily gathers information from those that have been coming into and out of the country recently (although it just reads as an extended version of what is being said on Facebook, to be honest).
This video from Alex of Backpacking Brunette is a great resource. She recently spoke to an immigration lawyer about the changes and gives clear information about what you need to know about entering Mexico and ensuring you don't run into any issues with immigration officials.
Two Mexico Expats explain in this video a few things that have been happening to their subscribers and friends who have been visiting Mexico in the last month or so and what you can do to ensure you get the amount of time you need when visiting. I think Paul is quite clear about what problems people are experiencing if they are "perpetual tourists." It's actually the best explanation I've heard since this whole thing started.
The general consensus is not to panic as long as you continue to follow the rules by not overstaying your FMM and have proof of return flights and hotel stays.
I would also suggest that if you do have real concerns about this, Facebook groups are not the best place to get your immigration questions answered, immigration lawyers and your local Mexican consulate are who you should seek out.
What's happening in other parts of Mexico
As always with Mexico, I highly recommend seeking out people who are currently living in the places that you want to visit. With Covid rules changing constantly and safety issues cropping up every now and again, only people who are on the ground there living it every day can share with you what's really happening.
For updates about Mexico City, as always I recommend following Ubish Yaren on Instagram. You can also follow Anais of The Curious Mexican for updates on the restaurant and food scene in Mexico City and what is back open.
For information about what's going on in and around Puerto Vallarta, be sure to follow along with the Kinetic Kennons on YouTube.
For updates about what's going on in Oaxaca, Susan of Brooklyn Tropicali has been sharing her updates of what's going on around the city and state of Oaxaca.
For regular updates about life in Merida and around the Yucatan, check out Mexico Cassie who has also recently written a fantastic guide about Traveling Yucatan with Kids.
Shelley of Travel Mexico Solo also shares her experiences in Merida and around the Yucatan. Her Instagram is a particularly good resource for what she's seeing at the moment.
The Yucatan Times is the local English newspaper in Merida that shares local updates and news reports.
To keep up with what's going on in and around Querétaro, follow Alex of the Backpacking Brunette.
Vallarta Daily is the local English news there where you can learn about any changes in the situation in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding Nayarit beach towns as well.
Janine Around the World is traveling around the Riviera Maya at the moment sharing her experiences on her blog and Instagram.
Riviera Maya News is the local English newspaper there where you can keep up with changes.
The Mexican government's Coronavirus website is a huge resource for those that are currently living in Mexico and want to know more about what's happening in their state.
As always, a great place to keep up to date with news about what's happening all over Mexico in English is Mexico News Daily.
Visiting Mexico Soon?
If you are planning a trip to Mexico soon, I hope you'll have a browse of the different locations on my blog or have a search through my YouTube videos to help you plan your trip!
I also have FOUR extensive guidebooks available for Baja California Sur (brand new and published in July 2021!), Mexico City (updated this year with tons of new content!), Merida, and Guanajuato!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to email me by simply hitting reply on this email.
Speak soon and safe travels,
Laura
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