Health and Emergencies in Mexico

911 — Unified number since 2016, works throughout Mexico for ambulances, police and fire trucks.

065 — Mexican Red Cross (also valid in some regions).

068 — Fire Department (in some states).

Key advice: Save these numbers on your phone AND on paper separately. If you lose your phone, you will need the written numbers.

ABC Medical Center (American British Cowdray) — The preferred hospital for foreigners in Mexico City. Bilingual staff, international standards. Las Américas neighborhood. 24h emergencies.

Hospital Ángeles Pedregal — High quality, accepts international insurance. Southern CDMX.

National Homeopathic Hospital — High-quality public option for emergencies, free for visitors in certain cases.

For minor emergencies: any private clinic "Urgencias" in tourist areas (Roma, Condesa, Polanco) attends quickly and affordably.

In Tuxtla Gutiérrez: Hospital de las Culturas (public, basic), Hospital San José (private, recommended for travelers).

In San Cristóbal: Regional Hospital (public, basic), Clínica Santo Tomás (private, better option).

Recommendation: if you travel to the jungle (Palenque, Bonampak), it is safer to have medical evacuation coverage to Mexico City in your travel insurance.

Farmacias del Ahorro, Benavides, Guadalajara, Farmacias Similares — all have a doctor on duty in a clinic inside the pharmacy.

Consultation cost: $30-50 pesos (less than $2 USD). No appointment needed. Many simple diagnoses are resolved here.

Present on every corner in Mexico City, Tuxtla, San Cristóbal. It is the most accessible option for minor issues: colds, diarrhea, simple infections.

Advantage: the doctor prescribes and you buy the medicine at the same pharmacy. Very convenient.

Traveler's Diarrhea (Montezuma's Revenge): Caused by tap water, ice, salads washed with tap water. Golden rule: if you cannot peel it, do not eat it raw.

Pollution Bronchitis: Mexico City has poor air quality in winter. If you have asthma or allergies, bring an inhaler.

Dehydration: Combination of heat, altitude (CDMX is at 2,250m) and tourist pace. Drink water constantly.

Sunburn: In Chiapas the sun is more intense. SPF 50+ is mandatory.

Hepatitis A: Highly recommended for travelers.

Tetanus: Check that it is up to date (every 10 years).

Typhoid Fever: Especially recommended for jungle trips.

Antimalarial: Only needed for low jungle areas of Chiapas and coast. If you only travel to Mexico City, San Cristóbal and Tuxtla you do not need it.

Consult your doctor 4-6 weeks before traveling. Some vaccines require multiple doses.

For all travelers:

• Antidiarrheal (loperamide)
• Oral rehydration salts
• Painkiller (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
• Antihistamine (cetirizine)
• SPF 50+ sunscreen
• DEET repellent (especially for Chiapas during rainy season)

Remember: Mexican pharmacies have everything cheaper. You do not need to bring a heavy first aid kit.