Coming soon: a trip? What you should know is as follows.

Editor's note: Travelers are strongly advised to research any COVID-19-related local government regulations, policies, and safety precautions before setting out, as well as to evaluate their comfort levels and health status.

Even the greatest among us fantasize about our upcoming vacations, but there are a few things to consider when making travel plans while the nation is still dealing with COVID-19.

Despite the State Department's Level 3 warning and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's last month's travel advisory telling Americans to "reconsider travel," tourists continue to flock to Mexico in quest of beaches, Mayan ruins, and tequila.

According to an Expedia travel forecast, those looking to travel in 2021 frequently chose Mexico as their destination, with Cancun and a cluster of Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum ranking as the top two most-desired beach destinations.

Here is all the information you need to travel to Mexico securely at this time.

Do you have permission to visit Mexico?
 

Yes, Mexico is among the nations that permit American tourists to arrange for a holiday, to give a quick answer. Additionally, while Americans cannot fly there for non-essential trips, they may drive there. Airlines like United Airlines and Southwest began adding flights to well-liked locations like Cancun, San Jose del Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City during the summer and fall.

The numerous resorts throughout the nation have also adapted to COVID-19, adopting health requirements such as providing an abundance of hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and masks as well as embracing an outdoor lifestyle (hello romantic dinner on the beach).

What is the COVID-19 situation in Mexico?
 

According to Johns Hopkins University, which counts instances globally, Mexico has reported more than 1.6 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in total, including more than 141,000 fatalities.

The seven-day rolling average of cases in Mexico is currently moving upward. According to The New York Times, as of January 18, the nation had a seven-day rolling average of 15,410 cases, a 64% increase in just two weeks.

What safety precautions are implemented at Mexican airports?
 

The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico advise travelers to prepare for health tests, such as temperature checks, at Mexican airports. Additionally, those who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms may be subject to quarantine or other medical examinations.

What COVID-19 guidelines should you be familiar with before visiting Mexico?
 

A color-coded stoplight system has been developed in Mexico to classify states according to their COVID-19 circumstances. The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico claim that the list, which is based on new cases, hospitalizations, hospital occupancy rates, and the percentage of positive cases, is updated regularly.

Only critical activities are permitted in "red" states, which at the moment include Mexico City. Hotels in certain states can only accommodate up to 25% of guests who are there for essential activities.

Hotels and restaurants are permitted to operate at 50% capacity in "orange" states. Popular locations at the moment include Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo, and Jalisco.

Public areas can open in states with the designation "yellow," while all social and commercial activities are allowed in states with the designation "green."

What must you do before returning to the United States?
 

All foreign visitors going back to the United States, including those from Mexico, must provide documentation of a COVID-19 virus test that was negative within 72 hours of their departure. Before boarding a flight to America, the test, which the CDC states may be a quick antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test, must be presented to the airline.

Young children under the age of two are exempt.

States in Mexico are progressively providing COVID-19 tests in hotels and airports. The COVID-19 test can be taken by visitors to Cabo San Lucas right at their hotel or timeshare. Additionally, travelers departing from Guanajuato International Airport and Mérida International Airport in Yucatan will be able to take the test there.

Passengers who recently recovered from COVID-19 and are no longer contagious may substitute a letter from a healthcare professional or public health official stating that they have been cleared for travel for evidence of their positive test results.

Vaccinated travelers are not excluded from the testing requirement.

According to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico, several regional hospitals, clinics, and laboratories offer private testing for travel purposes. Mexico also has several certified laboratories for viral testing.

Contributing to Travel & Leisure is Alison Fox. She enjoys spending her free time at the beach or traveling to new places and eventually plans to visit every nation in the world. You can follow her travels on Instagram.