Understanding Emergency Response Systems in Mexico as a Foreigner
When a foreigner contacts a Mexican emergency response team, they can expect a similar procedure to those established in the United States and Canada. If you call 911, the operator will ask for the type of emergency and your location. They will dispatch the appropriate providers to come to your aid.
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Where some of the systems may differ is that often the operators of 911 only speak Spanish, so you will either need to know the language, request an English speaker, or dial a different Emergency Number for a team that has English-speaking workers.
Are you a foreigner heading to Mexico who wants to know what to do if you encounter an emergency while traveling? Are you in the middle of a crisis and need to find out what to do right away?
This article is for you! (And if you are in the middle of a crisis, call 911 or 078!) We will break down the emergency service procedures of Mexico, what to do if you have a medical, roadside, or other type of emergency, and what emergency evacuation is.
We’ll also give you some safety tips to follow while traveling to Mexico and a lengthy list of ways you can prepare ahead of time in case you do have an emergency.
We highly recommend before any trip to Mexico that you learn about health insurance for foreigners in Mexico and who the best international providers are.
How Emergency Services Work in Mexico for Foreigners
Foreigners in Mexico who find themselves in an emergency should immediately call 911 or your local Emergency Number. This will connect you to an operator who will ask about the nature of your emergency and your location. They will then dispatch the appropriate service providers: police, EMTS, etc.
The emergency response systems in Mexico can be different from the systems put into place in the United States and other countries, though they do have some overlaps. For example, the United States, Canada, and Mexico all use 911 as their Emergency Number.
The following steps outline how the Mexico emergency response systems often work:
1. Call 911 for an Emergency: As stated, you should immediately call 911 when you encounter an emergency. 911 is established throughout large cities in Mexico, such as Mexico City, though not in all rural areas. Some urban areas will have their own local contact phone number.
2. Provide Your Information: On the phone call, the operator will ask you to describe what your emergency is and your exact location. Be prepared to share this in Spanish. If you don’t speak Spanish, you can ask to speak to an English-speaking operator.
You also have the option to call The Green Angels instead of 911. This is an organization funded by Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism to assist foreigners in Mexico. They have English-speaking operators, and their phone number is 078.
Their services include telephone support, towing, mechanical assistance, medical emergency aid, and more.
3. Support is Dispatched: The operator will send the correct support team to your location. This could be firefighters if you have a fire, police officers for a crime, and an ambulance for a medical crisis. This could include the Red Cross, Civil Protection, or other emergency service providers.
4. Ambulance Transportation to the Hospital: If your emergency is medical, paramedics will arrive at the scene and transport you in an ambulance to the nearest hospital. In large cities, response time will be short, but in some regions, it is slower.
5. Sign a Release of Legal Redress: Upon arrival in Mexico, it is common for the patient to be required to sign a Release of Legal Redress. Make sure you read and understand what you are signing before anything in Mexico. And make sure you understand your role and your insurance company’s role.
6. Pay for your Treatment Upfront (or before you leave): It is common in Mexico for the hospital to request payment for your treatment before you are given care, and it is always required that you pay in full before you leave. This is the case regardless if you have insurance or not (you can request reimbursement later).
In a true medical emergency, it is more likely they will offer you care first and then expect payment before you leave.
7. Receive Care: After you have paid for your treatments, your care will be administered. Be sure you ask lots of questions about what they are doing and what medications they are prescribing.
One expat gives sound advice to research the medication before you fill any prescription so you understand what side effects are likely and what medication is typically prescribed for the same treatment in the United States.
8. Ask for a Factura: Before a foreigner leaves any Mexican hospital, you will want to make sure you ask for a factura, or a receipt that is used to get repayment from your insurance. You will also want to demand complete records of your care at the hospital so you can use those to request reimbursement from your insurance later.
What Foreigners Should Do in an Emergency in Mexico
When foreigners in Mexico have a medical emergency, they should call 911 to be connected with local paramedics. If foreigners need roadside assistance, they should call 078 to reach The Green Angels who patrol federal and toll highways. If you need information in Mexico City, call 555-286-7097.
Depending on the urgency and type of emergency you find yourself in, tourists and travelers in Mexico should do something different. We’ll break down a few of the most common needs below.
For a Medical Emergency
911 is Mexico’s national Emergency Number; Foreigners who have a medical emergency should use this number to call for an ambulance or speak to a paramedic. You will then be transferred to the hospital if necessary according to your type of emergency. This is discussed in more detail above.
For Roadside Assistance
Foreigners and travelers in Mexico who need roadside assistance but don’t necessarily have an urgent emergency can call The Green Angels at 078. The Green Angels patrol federal and toll highways in Mexico to help tourist drivers with car troubles, like changing a tire and getting medical attention.
They typically drive green SUVs with emergency lights. The types of services they provide include:
- Telephone Support in English offering basic travel information like road conditions or local tourist attractions
- Towing
- Mechanical Assistance/ Vehicle Repairs/ Flat Tire Service
- Medical/ First Aid Help
- Emergency/ Accident Aid
- Disaster Assistance
You can also leave the hood of your car up to signal you need help to a green angel patrolling by.
For Information
Travelers in Mexico who need information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rentals, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, and more can also call 078 anywhere in Mexico.
If you are traveling in Mexico City, you can call LOCATEL to talk to Mexico City’s information and helpline about non-emergency and non-life-threatening situations. That number is 55-5658-1111.
If you’re in Mexico City and want to talk to The Tourist Assistance Hotline about specific issues with your trip, you can call 555-286-7097 or 555-286-9077 ext. 2104 or 2309. They are open Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
What is Emergency Evacuation from Mexico?
If a traveler in Mexico develops an acute medical emergency that is so severe it requires transfer to a better-equipped medical facility in a different country, you may be emergency evacuated by helicopter out of Mexico.
You may be transported to the nearest exemplary hospital, or you may be evacuated all the way back to your home country, depending on your needs and situation. If this becomes a likely scenario for you, the medical staff with you will explain the situation to you and your fellow travelers.
Emergency evacuation can become incredibly expensive, so it is wise to have international health insurance that covers emergency evacuation and other emergency care.
Safety Tips for Foreign Visitors in Mexico
To protect themselves from possible threats and to do their best to avoid an emergency situation, international visitors in Mexico should use the toll roads when driving, follow eating and drinking recommendations to avoid food poisoning, and don’t walk around after 10:00 pm.
Here is a list of some more tips to follow:
- Use the toll roads if you choose to drive
- Dress down so you don’t target yourself as a possible victim of theft – dress like you’re going to the city and not the beach
- Use ATMs during daylight hours
- Avoid drugs and places where illegal drugs are consumed
- Be careful to follow these food and drink safety tips designed for Mexico tourists
- Carry your ID with you and/or a copy of your passport
- Don’t walk in secluded areas of the city at night, and avoid walking around after 10:00 pm
- Use TheCitymx App (for those in Mexico City) so you have an always-on Panic Button for emergencies and even taxi services
Prepare for an Emergency Before Traveling to Mexico
Foreigners going to Mexico will want to prepare for any emergencies by making copies of their travel documents, registering at their local embassy, getting auto, travel, and health insurance, purchasing a Mexican SIM card, getting the app Travel Smart, and gathering local emergency services info.
Keep a Copy of Your Itinerary and Passport
It is wise for travelers in Mexico to save a copy of your travel itinerary and passport in your home country before you travel to Mexico. You can leave these with someone you trust, so in the event your documents get stolen, you still have a copy readily available to help you request a new passport.
Register with the U.S. Embassy
Foreigners in Mexico who are from the U.S. should consider registering with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico before entering the country. This is because the embassy can provide efficient assistance if you need help while in Mexico. Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) online.
Get Auto and Travel Insurance in Mexico
It’s highly recommended that travelers in Mexico get travel insurance before they leave and auto insurance if they drive. You never know what type of car problems may arise, and you’ll want car coverage. Also, travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses in addition to travel investments.
Get Short-Term Health Insurance
If you’ll only be traveling in Mexico for a brief period of time, it is still recommended that you secure short-term health insurance. Companies like GeoBlue provide extensive medical coverage that far exceeds emergency care if you have health needs that require that.
You can also get a more bare-bones type of medical plan from a company like Allianz Travel if all you want is emergency coverage in the event of a serious medical accident while you’re away from home.
See a detailed comparison of the best annual travel insurance plans here and learn how to compare travel insurance plans effectively.
Purchase a Mexican SIM Card to Use Your Phone
If your phone includes a strong international service plan in Mexico, then you can skip this step, but if your phone use will be limited in Mexico, you may want to purchase a Mexican SIM card. You can switch out your SIM card for the Mexican SIM card when your phone is unlocked.
You can then use your phone in Mexico for much less money. You can buy a Mexican SIM card at most mobile internet shops in Mexico, such as Telcel, AT&T, and Movistar.
Download the App ‘Travel Smart’
Smart travelers in Mexico prepare for emergencies ahead of time by downloading the app Travel Smart. This app provides a lot of services, including:
- Complete travel dashboard
- Quick and easy travel document management
- Call local emergency services and the national embassy
- Up-to-date country information
- Latest travel tips
- Do’s, don’ts, and dangers wherever you are
- 24/7 travel alerts
Gather the Emergency Services Information
Gather a list of the addresses and phone numbers of the nearest hospital, clinic, police station, and your country’s embassy or consulate before traveling to Mexico. If you have this data on hand, it can decrease your stress about frantically trying to figure out where to go in a moment of crisis.
It can also help you receive help faster!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the emergency phone number in Mexico?
Many travelers and expatriates want to know the equivalent of 911 in Mexico to ensure they can quickly access help in an emergency. In Mexico, the primary emergency number is 911, which can be dialed for police, medical, and fire emergencies, similar to the system in the United States and Canada.
How reliable are emergency medical services in Mexico?
The reliability of emergency medical services in Mexico can vary depending on the region and service provider. In major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, EMS is generally reliable and comparable to services in developed countries. The quality in rural areas may be lower.
Conclusion
We’ve now gone through a deep dive of topics to help you better understand the emergency response systems in Mexico. Hopefully, you know better what to expect and where you can learn more in the event you ever have an emergency during your travels.
We also encourage you to read our blog posts A Beginner’s Guide to Holistic Health Centers in Mexico and Ambulance Services for Expats in Mexico.
If you’d like to learn more about how Pacific Prime can help you find the right travel and/or medical insurance plan for your trip to Mexico, please contact our insurance team, try out our insurance plans comparison tool, or read this blog post about how a broker can help you.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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