Sexual health and vaccines in Mexico City: a guide for travelling couples

Travelling to Mexico City as a couple, in the lifestyle or not, deserves a health check before you book. This guide only summarises two official sources: the US CDC and the UK travel advice (FCDO). On vaccines neither source singles out the capital, so what follows applies to Mexico in general. It does not replace your doctor or a travel clinic.

Vaccines the CDC mentions

The CDC advises staying up to date with routine vaccines before every trip, including measles (MMR), flu and polio. For Mexico it also recommends hepatitis A for unvaccinated travellers aged one year or over, hepatitis B for unvaccinated travellers under 60 and, for most travellers, typhoid, noting that the vaccine is not 100% effective. Yellow fever vaccine is neither recommended nor required.

Mpox and sexual contact

The CDC recommends the mpox vaccine (its page still says monkeypox) for adults with certain planned activities, explicitly naming sexual contact with a new partner or at a commercial sex venue. If you expect encounters with new people, talk to your doctor weeks ahead, since the schedule may need more than one dose.

Condoms, alcohol and limits

Under body-fluid precautions the CDC advises using latex condoms correctly, not sharing needles and limiting alcohol. It is simple advice and also the basis of any couple agreement: decide before going out which activities are in and which are out, and do not let alcohol change that.

Water, food and insurance

The FCDO says to drink only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. The CDC adds avoiding raw or undercooked beef and unpasteurised cheese, and washing hands often. The FCDO notes altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Mexico and air pollution is a health risk; it does not name the capital for either. It also asks for appropriate travel insurance, since some hospitals require payment up front and a refund claim afterwards.

If something goes wrong

According to the FCDO, in Mexico City you dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. The city also has emergency buttons on CCTV cameras connected to emergency services. Keep your insurer's number and your accommodation address written in Spanish.

What we do not claim

We have not verified specific clinics, prices or STI testing centres, so we do not list them. Check your own government's current advice before you travel: recommendations change.