Spain or Mexico?

If I may...you´ve been to the south of Spain, which is the "classic" idea of Spain: gazpacho (a rarity here in the North, Basque Country), paella (hard to see anywhere north of Madrid, at least the real thing) and moorish architecture (the Moors did not arrive to most parts of the north of Spain). In terms of architecture, stunning cathedrals in León, Burgos, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Salamanca...And Palencia offers the highest concentration of Romanesque architecture (churches, cave churches, paintings...).

The north is very mountainous and rainy, full of forests and deep valleys (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Basque Country). Food in the Basque Country is considered one of the best in the world (we have the highest number of Michelin starred restaurants per capita in the world, although no need to go to one to enjoy a fantastic meal), and Donostia-San Sebastian may be the most beautiful city in Spain and the gourmet capital of Europe. In Bilbao we have the amazing Guggenheim museum a masterpiece of modern architecture. Furthermore, we have the oldest language in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. Don´t come if you´re looking for beach weather; come if you like to discover a Spain far away from the prototypical idea.

I have been to Spain (Seville, Granada, Córdoba, Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo and a few other places). In Mexico I’ve been to Mexico City but nowhere else. I’ve researched the other areas you’d go to and love the idea - I was planning a trip for March 2020 which obviously didn’t happen. I chose Merida, but looked at multiple places in Mexico including most of your list.

Between northern/big city Spain and Mexico Id go with Mexico. But if you were considering Andalucia, especially Seville and Granada that would be my choice.
Both Mexico and southern Spain have a magic and sense of life to me. Madrid and Barcelona are wonderful cities but they don’t have the same vibe to me, more modern less magic but still amazing.

Mikel and Mira, thanks.

Mira, when you say "sense of life," what do you mean?

With only 7 to 9 days at your disposal I'd suggest Mexico - splitting time between San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City. Basing yourselves in SMA and doing day trips to some of the other nearby colonial towns (Queretaro, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, etc.) would be much more cost-effective than a trip across the pond ... as inviting as that may seem. Depending on your particular interests, there are easy (and cheap) day trips and tours to the Monarch Butterfy Sanctuary in Michoacan and the pyramids at Teotihuacan, though that's more easily reached on a day trip from Mexico City.
Back when we lived in the Pacific Northwest we spent several winters in SMA to escape the gloom and generally fell in love with the place. Winter weather is idyllic, and prices for accommodations and food are still affordable. The little town is one of the most relaxing travel destinations we've visited.

Flying into Mexico City is probably the cheaper option from most US destinations - from there it's about a 3.5 hour bus ride to SMA. The long distance coaches in Mexico are cheap, efficient, and of excellent quality.
The other option is to fly into the Guanajuato airport from which it's about an hour and a half by bus to SMA.

My choice woould be Spain. I like Mexican food but Spanish food surpasses it particularly that found in the Basque region. You had 6 days in Spain which is nowhere near sufficient to garner a good experience of it. I've been travelling to Spain every year for a long time and still experience new things, not least the food, there is simply much more variety than Mexican. However, 7 days is a short amount of time and I wouldn't want to travel so far for such a brief period.

I've been to Mexico once, Cancun so my experience of Mexico is certainly a jaded one although I did try to keep away from the strip as much as possible. Food seems to be an important factor to you, what is it about Mexican food that you like so much? Perhaps you just need some guidance to steer you away from the tourist staples of Spanish cuisine.

Sense of life is a hard thing to put into words. It’s a feeling of vibrancy and cultural specificity. Walking around Barcelona is beautiful and fun. Walking around Granada or parts of Mexico City is exciting and feels more different from home.

I will also say that many of the churches, squares, and big old buildings in Mexico seem very similar to Spain, for obvious reasons. You go there knowing this but it’s really striking anyway.

You would not be bored in Mexico. We spent a week between Xmas and News Years. We had planned to go to the West Coast Beaches, but were booked out by the Beach People. So we went to Guadalajara instead. We were very happy with all Mariachi Bands in the Plazas, The Crafts Markets, the Public Food Markets and the Hotel Prices were great! We got a top floor suite with a view of the city for the same price as a regular room because I asked for a "quiet" room. You will have to check todays prices and situations. We went to Tlaquepaque which has a big plaza and crafts market. We went to Tequila and went on Distillery Tasting Tours. It was interesting to see the fields of Agave Cactus. Guadalajara also has a Folk Ballet and some great Museums featuring huge Orozco Murals. We took a scenic drive to Lake Chapala. We went out to a News Years Celebration at a Local Hotel with an American Couple who spoke Spanish. We went with them to a Bull Fight on New Years Day, the Ring here is second only to Mexico City. We went to Taxco and bought silver jewelry and saw a Franciscan Monastery chapel which has a huge mural of the Monks who went to Japan in the Shogun era. I have been to Mexico City in the past and enjoyed staying at the Hotel Majestic on the Zocalo. Mexico City is a much more Metropolitan experience. You can get small van tours to the Aztec pyramids from the hotel. You can see some wonderful Rivera Murals in the civic and theater buildings around town.

If you had more time and more money, I would definitely go with Spain. But, I just don't think it's worth it to fly from the US to Spain for 8-9 days, especially if that count includes your arrival and departure days.

Taxco would be a great day trip from Mexico City. I would stay in Mexico City and one other choice, using them as bases for day trips.

I love both Spain and Mexico, although they are quite different. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Your choice of colonial Mexico seems a good option for your interests. It will be a bit of a slower pace in Mexico, but I don't think that's a negative (you might). For the price and limited time, I would choose Mexico.

Thank you to each. I appreciate the thoughts of each post.

A great tough choice.

For value of the dollar the choice is Mexico.
For value of travel efficiency the choice is Mexico.
Question about food, are your taste buds craving "TexMex" or truly have experienced authentic Mexican food? Yes, there is a difference. Yes, you can find "TexMex" in Mexico, but there is a larger menu to experience in Mexico.
For value of travel effectiveness the choice is Barcelona. Some thoughts......
Would help to know if the 8-9 days include travel days. If the 8-9 days includes travel days then you have essentially 7 days to experience your journey which provides ample time to create wonderful memories.
Barcelona is a top destination for travelers from around the world. Strive to diminish the crowd experience by traveling mid- September to mid October. Wonderful weather and less crowds.
Our travel style is slower than most and we focus upon "engagement" over "been there saw that". Our travel theme music would be from a Simon and Garfunkel song whose lyrics include "Slow down you move too fast, you got to make the moment last."

Spain is essentially the size of Texas and traveling from Madrid to Barcelona is akin to Dallas to Houston. The trip will consume a minimum half day of your vacation time and feel more like a full day once you have disconnected from Madrid and settled in Barcelona.

Barcelona, and the surrounding area, offers a huge diverse menu of opportunities plus wonderful public transport to ease getting from point A to B.

My vote would be for Barcelona.

Safe Travels!

Having been to almost all the places mentioned by you and others in both Spain and Mexico, I agree that your time is too short to go to Spain. I think it's pretty short for Mexico, too.

Spend some time researching the Mexican options you've identified along with those suggested by others and come up with an itinerary that will be both relaxing and interesting. I don't think you will be bored.

I agree with your implication that Spain having more culture than Mexico is debatable. The cultural history for each is just different.

You don't say where you live, but keep in mind that the cooking in Mexico varies depending on where you are and is not likely the same as that for the Mexican food you've eaten where you live. It's as varied from state to state as the Mexican food is in the US.

I grew up in San Antonio. I can't remember a time when I didn’t eat Tex-Mex. But it's not the same as the Mexican food in New Mexico (my favorite) or the same as in AZ where I now live.

Even not knowing where your trip will start or what time of year you want to go, your cost estimates for Mexico seem low to me.

As you research locations, include potential lodging costs. That will probably be your biggest expense after transportation including airfare. I like Booking.com for doing that research because there are so many ways you can limit the results to get down to the best options for your trip.

Budget is limited (Am a teacher in a public school living in GA) so time in either place would be 8-9 days. Would love to stay 2 weeks, but can't bec of $.

With 8-9 days, I think you could do Madrid and Barcelona, or you could pick one or the other and visit some smaller towns. I would not stay in more than two places with that time frame.
Spanish food is quite regional.
When you say you are looking at trips that cost XX, are you looking at tours? We need more info to compare the two options. Either way, I think going somewhere you speak the language is such a great idea--it really adds to a trip, good luck!

Your budget will go a lot further in Mexico (look at the exchange rate right now between USD and MXN - it's insane). I would whittle down this list though if you are only visiting for 8 days (Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, and Morelia is already 5 places). Mexico City is huge and could easily take up 8 days on its own. How much time were you planning on spending only in Mexico City? Is it just the place you fly into, or are you planning on spending some time there? Mexican food is highly regional, so the Mexican food you had in the US is (very likely) not the same you'll have in Mexico.

Since you like old churches and architecture I’ll throw another possibility into the mix. Quito, Ecuador. It’s been a while since we were there, but airfare would be less expensive than going to Spain and the flight not much longer than going to Mexico. The historic center is loaded with the colonial architecture. We hired a driver from the hotel for day trips to La mitad Del Mundo monument, actual equator, the native market in Otavalo, and Ibarra. We went to another town too where the stores specialized in leather good. Quicentro Mall was nice and we enjoyed the teleferico to the top of the mountain. There was petty crime, so we did need to be careful at night. You could even try cuye if you haven’t yet tried it.

Otherwise, I’d choose Spain over Mexico only because I’m concerned about the cartel issue in many parts of Mexico, although the resorts and Mexico City are pretty safe.

Spain have just announced that anyone arriving from a high risk Covid area must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival there. The quick 20 minute test will not be valid. This requirement has not been introduced as a temporary measure and may therefore continue well into 2021. In the U.K., the required test takes 48 hours to get the results, which is tight in a 72 hour deadline, including flight time to get there.

I would opt for Mexico, given your timeframe - less jet lag and therefore more enjoyment from day 1.

For a trip in 2021, I think only the delusional or irresponsible wouldn't factor in the covid situation into your decision. Covid is way out of control in Mexico - they've largely given up (by comparison, Mexico makes the USA look like New Zealand). While Spain is in for some rough sledding in the coming months, they at least have had some success in dealing with the pandemic when they bothered to (then, like many other places, slacked off and let down their guard in the summer - we're seeing the results now). Mexico has largely just given up and is getting on with it, burying lots of bodies.

I've traveled extensively in both Mexico and Spain, both are wonderful. Although I agree with almost everything written in posts above (especially the part about your trip being too short for going to Europe), if it were me, I'd give Spain the nod simply because of covid. Yes, your available time and budget point to Mexico as a better choice, but going to Mexico (anytime in 2021) will be a major roll of the dice from a pandemic/safety/responsibility standpoint. Going anywhere in 2021 you will still have to deal with covid to some extent (a lot depends on WHEN in 2021 are hoping to go...January versus December could be two different worlds...). I'd have much more confidence in Spain getting a handle on managing the pandemic than Mexico.

I think your airfare figures for Spain are low (I didn't check Mexico). I looked at Atlanta to Barcelona in June (you said you are a teacher, so I assumed that means a summer trip) and got $800 per person with one stop up to $1300 per person for a nonstop Atlanta to Barcelona. And Google thinks these prices are $500 lower than normal for these trips.

Mexico has tons of culture! It's just not Spanish. If you like a more colonial feel, though, Guadalajara is a great choice for reasons given above. And Guanajuato is beautiful, but small. I don't know San Miguel de Allende, but I hear it's both beautiful and chock full of tourists. What I heard about it came from someone who wasn't impressed, but they said the main area was a tourist version of Mexico. Great for people who want to venture away from the resorts, but you might want more given your travels and language.

If you'd be willing to expand your search, look into Puebla. It's on the other side of Mexico City from where you were planning, but it checks all the boxes. Churches galore. Not sure how they're supported anymore given that there seems to be one on every block. The main square was full of activity (in the beforetimes), even at night in November when it's chilly. There are great museums, the architecture will be familiar if you like Spain, ceramic tiles all over the place, and the food scene was quite good. Mole poblano is from this area, but there are other moles, tacos arabes, posoles, and other great food that will be familiar but still different than what you get in NC. You said you didn't care about ancient sites, but there are several outside town worth seeing with indigenous populations and precolonial ruins. Cholula, a pretty town where the Spaniards built a church on top of a hill that turned out to be a pyramid, would be worth a stop for you. It's an easy bus ride from Puebla, especially if you know Spanish, and you can get a driver there to see some other interesting churches nearby that are too far to walk to. And Puebla wasn't that far from Mexico City and there was a bus that goes right to the airport.

We all know the risks of planning with covid, but it's fun to start thinking about traveling again whenever it happens!

"For a trip in 2021, I think only the delusional or irresponsible wouldn't factor in the covid situation into your decision. Covid is way out of control in Mexico - they've largely given up (by comparison, Mexico makes the USA look like New Zealand). "

The truth is just the opposite. Mexico is doing very well in the COVID pandemic. Mexico's current rate (last 7 days) of new cases per 100,,000 population is 4.4 while the US's rate is 34.9 new cases per 100,000. Mexico's rate is one eighth that of the US. Spain's in comparison is 34.2 new cases per 100,000, which is just about equal to the US. Of course, I assume, just like in the US, some states in Mexico are doing better an some much worse than the national number

All statistics are from the Harvard Global Health Institute.

I’d pick Mexico if you’re locked into that length of time. Shorter flight and no jet lag, even if you’re never affected by jet lag, there’s a first time for everything and losing a day of a short trip in a jet lag haze isn’t good.

But, if the trip is constrained by budget rather than actual time, then look at ways the budget could be stretched. Remember, you’re going to have to eat no matter at home or abroad. None of us have any ideas what hotel prices will look like after Covid, but with Spain being hit so hard by Covid, it might take longer for prices to return to 2019 levels.

Thanks to each one so much. Great responses on here.

Mexico is open now and your proposed itinerary is excellent. Those should be safe places to visit. Lots to see in Mexico City. Make sure you see the Ballet Folklorico. Also, the Archaeological Museum and the Pyramids of Teotuhuacan.

Spain is great, Seville, Barcelona, Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Granada and more.

Also, we have done three trips to South America in the past 9 years. My favorite countries are Peru, Argentina and Chile.

Don't miss Cusco and Machu Picchu. Amazing places. Recommend tours from PeruAgency.com

Tours are very inexpensive with university graduates as guides and very knowledgeable of Incan history.

Take a cruise around the Horn of South America from Buenos Aires to Chile. Amazing.

I know this is off topic. But I hope to go to Europe in the next 10-15 years: see Germany, France, Britain, Italy. A city I've become interested in in the last 2 weeks, looking at it on the Net, is Prague. So much old stuff and beautiful statues!!! Would love to go there for a few days in the future.

Looking at practicalities, a direct flight from Atlanta to Mexico City is about 6 hours, to Madrid twice that. The time difference is 1 hour to Mexico City, 7 hours to Madrid. Jetlag can make the first 2-3 days inefficient, not too bad on a long trip, but that's nearly half of your shortish one. Then just as you've settled into the new routine, you're back at home and dealing with it all over again.

As for food, can you not get good Mexican food in your area? I've never had a problem finding excellent Mexican (not Tex-Mex, which I also like) in California (north or south) or Chicago - but they all have large Mexican communities. Spanish food is much more "Mediterranean", lighter on starches and meat, more emphasis on vegetables, olive oil for cooking and dressing, and many types of cheese. There is great variety in Spain. Personally, I manage to enjoy regional food wherever I am (my biggest challenge was 2 weeks in Poland and a strong dislike of Polish food in general), but it would not be a reason to choose a destination.

I haven't been to Mexico but I'm sure there are lots of interesting tourist sights. I have been to Spain 3 times for 3-plus weeks each and would go back in a flash.

I always managed to be pretty accurate in my trip budgets. My biggest expense is lodging and I've found that off-season can be half the price of high season. But Covid has had drastic effects on all parts of the tourism industry. I don't think anyone really knows how to budget for a trip these days.

Since you're a teacher I'm assuming that your discretionary time off is limited to the Christmas break and summer. Know that while central Mexico is a terrific winter destination (moderate temps, plenty of sunshine, low humidity, etc) the summers can be brutal - hot, humid and with daily afternoon thunderstorms ... probably a lot like where you're from come to think of it.
Have only been to central Spain during the shoulder season in September-October but I believe that mid-summer temps there can be punishingly hot as well. Point being that if you have a choice I'd suggest trying to schedule your trip during one of the the Winter months if possble.

Your choice may be "all of the above", just add time in the perspective of years.

Have only been to Spain during the shoulder season in September-October but I believe that mid-summer temps there can be punishingly hot as well. Point being that if you have a choice I'd suggest trying to schedule your trip during one of the the Winter months if possble.

Well, Spain is one of the most heterogeneous countries you can visit in terms of different foods, climates, architecture...It´s hot in the summer in Andalusia and the Mediterranean coast...up here in the north summers are very mild, we get plenty of rain all year round and snow in winter, with below zero (Celsius) temperatures quite a few days. Again...if looking for a different view of Spain, the north (from Galicia to the Basque Country) is your area!

You should go to Mexico because you already were in Spain for 6 days and you travel infrequently.

I suggest you borrow some guidebooks from your local library. Make up two supposed itineraries, one for Mexico and one for Spain. For each day. list one or more major sites, museums, and/or activities. See which itinerary is more appealing to you and/or your wife.

What I spent on past trips may not be helpful because I traveled alone and kept my costs low by eating food from markets or grocery stores and I stayed in hostels or low end hotels. Two week trips to Europe in the last 5 years cost me $2,600 to $3,100 US dollars, not factoring in inflation and whether I could have been even cheaper. 3,100/14 = 221.43 per day, x 9 days = 1992.86. Factor in hotels more expensive that where I stayed, and restaurant food. Your cost estimate is probably a good rough ballpark estimate, if you are careful about not buying expensive restaurant food and if you pick the right hotels.

Our last Spain trip started in Madrid, and then headed north, finishing in Barcelona. The food in the north was truly phenomenal. This was an October trip.

Since you brought up Prague, our trip there had started in Vienna, Austria - another old-world location, with buildings, magnificent statues (one park is pretty much dedicated to them), and celebrated cuisine. Prague and Vienna on the same trip was a winner!

You said you like Mexican food better. Better than which of the many different regions of Spain.? I enjoyed the food in Spain.
The Basque region leads the world in Michelin starred restaurants.

Am planning a trip to Mexico, my wife and me, for Jan. 2022. Do you think it will be too soon to travel there then? I think there is a possibility one will be able to go, but I am only guessing. If we can't go to Mexico then, we will postpone until July 2022 or 2023.

Thoughts? Thank you.

Do you think it will be too soon to travel there then (January 2022)?

I would see how they are doing with vaccinations over time and not commit to any date (I personally doubt that January 2022 will be totally clear). Right now, they don't even have enough oxygen tanks and they are dealing with inflated prices just to get life-saving oxygen...I would personally not want to end up in a Mexican hospital when they are dealing with such dire conditions (many of their hospitals are almost full anyway), and so many people are unvaccinated. Even if you're vaccinated, much of their population likely won't be - so there will be vulnerable people there still. Most US travelers go to all-inclusive resorts where they are blissfully unaware of how bad things are throughout the country. Mexico has never closed to tourists.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-mexico-oxygen-idUKKBN29Q2NG
https://www.dw.com/en/mexico-coronavirus-crisis-leads-to-oxygen-shortage/av-56452417
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/americas/mexico-covid-oxygen-shortage.html
https://insightcrime.org/news/criminal-groups-exploit-oxygen-canister-shortage-mexico/

I'd be cautiously optimistic ... but the operative word here is cautious.
Per Agnes, I'd continue to monitor the situation from month to month, and I wouldn't commit to anything (airline reservations, hotel bookings, etc.) that can't be cancelled without penalty.

You may be able to go to Mexico now or as soon as you are ready to plan your trip. You don't have to avoid travel to Mexico or wait for any specific date, and not just because hyper-fearful people caution you against travel to Mexico or anywhere far from home. It does seem like a large percent, perhaps most of the posters, or at least the frequent posters on this forum are about 50-80 years old. A loose generalization with many exceptions, is that the older a person is, the more fearful of the pandemic the person is.

Mike, I'm thinking of going in Jan. 2022. I've had Covid. Had it for a week last October. Very sick. I'm 49 and wife is 50. I don't want my wife to get Covid. I'm not scared of it; many ppl are. But I'm thinking of taking a trip to Mexico in Jan. 2022 to Mexico City, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and San Miguel de Allende. Beautiful colonial areas.

Want to go badly. But just want to make sure that there is little chance we might get the sickness from someone. I'm wondering if 10 months will be enough time for Mexico to get it fairly control. Maybe so, maybe not. Hard to say.

Why would you be more likely to get coronavirus disease 2019 in Mexico versus in or near your own hometown or in your neighborhood, at work, while jogging, at the laundromat, buying groceries, and so on?

I don't understand the reference to 2019, but in general vacationing is more risky than staying home because at home most of us spend a great deal of time in our own houses; if we go somewhere, most Americans hop in their private vehicles. On vacation, we tend to spend a lot of time inside museums, historic sites, restaurants, shops or public transportation, surrounded by other people. This is why the CDC continues to recommend that people stay home.

Unless your vacation is focused almost exclusively on outdoor activities and you don't use public transportation, you will be more at risk than you are at home. That's even without considering that the US is actually doing appreciably better than most countries in rolling out the vaccinations. There's a good chance the rapid administration of vaccinations is going to help a lot in suppressing the virus in the US over the next 2 to 4 months. I hope we'll share with Mexico and Canada relatively soon, but that probably isn't going to happen for months.

I have no clue whether the reported statistics from Mexico are accurate.

From the Washington Post today:
"Mexico has scrambled to get shots, signing agreements for seven vaccines that have been approved or are in testing, but they have been slow to arrive. About 2.5 million people in Mexico had received at least one dose as of Sunday; the number in the United States is about 50 million."

That gives you a sense of the scale of the vaccination effort in Mexico so far.

acraven, do you think it will be too risky to travel to Mexico in Jan. 2022? I know it's all a guess.

I have no experience traveling to Mexico and haven't been following the COVID-19 news there, so I don't really think my opinion should carry any weight. But: For me it would be too early to give up on the idea of January 2022. We just don't know how many doses of vaccine will be floating around by late summer and fall; multiple manufacturers are ramping up production. On the other hand, we don't know what's going to happen as current and new variants meet up with vaccinated people in the real world, and I assume Mexico's health-care system isn't as robust as ours in the US.

I haven't given up on the idea of Europe by August, but I haven't made a single reservation. I am very solidly on the fence.

mpeedin!, I'm wondering what your wife has to say. What sorts of experiences does she want? What have been her experiences traveling? What are her traveling likes and dislikes? (Retired marriage and family therapist of over 35 years, here!)

She & I have done a little bit of traveling, but not a lot. We've been to NYC, DC, Charleston, several places in Virginia.
I really would like to go to Mexico next year, but I'm afraid the country won't be ready by Jan. 2022.
If I had the vaccination and my wife had it and several ppl in Mexico had virus, would we have a low chance of contracting the virus?
I'm not overly worried about it. But just trying to calculate this and consider.

What I’m learning from news reports is that having a Covid-19 vaccination, whichever formula, means that if you’re exposed, you’ll have a much less severe reaction (if any) than you would if you hadn’t gotten vaccinated. There’s no guarantee that you’re not going to get the virus if you’re vaccinated. Like wearing a seatbelt doesn’t guarantee you won’t be in a car accident, but you’ll come out better if you’re buckled up.

The virus variants that are emerging could make the situation more challenging in the future, depending on what develops, and where. Getting your shot(s) is going to help for traveling, no matter what else happens.

Just skip eating in restaurants, if using a mask, use a reusable mask and wash it in the sink and put it back on, before you leave the mens rooms, see if you can avoid getting too close to people, and so on. The virus will be in circulation for the rest of our lives. Like how the epidemics of malaria and gastritis and other sicknesses never ended. Yeah, i know analogies are not persuasive. Yeah, I know i am not supposed to refer to other diseases, which could be perceived as me trivalizing coronavirus disease 2019, which could be perceived as offensive. Anyway, we can either stay no more than 15 miles from home, never travel outside our home state, and keep being afraid of catching coronavirus disease 2019, or we can go out and travel to places that will accept American tourists, taking typical precautions as you would against any major disease - don't touch your face, wash your hands often and before eating, don't put Mexican tap water in your mouth, be careful what water you wash your produce you buy and eat in Mexico with, and so on. There never will be a magic day when suddenly it becomes "safe" to visit Mexico in terms or risk of catching diseases.