Mexico Study Tour Health and Safety Information

Medical Clearance and Insurance

Please note that your participation in the program is contingent on your ability to be covered under AJWS’s international medical and evacuation insurance policy.

You must complete this Physician Form no later than 30 days prior to the trip (August 23, 2024). Please email your completed Physician Form to Iconic Contact.

Travelers over the age of 75 are required to complete an additional medical form, which must be approved by Global Rescue, AJWS’s emergency medical and evacuation provider, in order to guarantee full coverage while traveling. If, for any reason, Global Rescue is unable to guarantee a participant’s coverage, AJWS reserves the right to deny the individual’s participation in the Study Tour, so please contact AJWS staff prior to making your non-refundable deposit to discuss your eligibility.

Please note that this trip requires participants to: 

  • Walk at least one mile without difficulty on uneven surfaces 
  • Spend extended periods of time on their feet 
  • Climb sets of stairs without assistance 
  • Keep pace with an active group of travelers 
  • Spend time outside in warm, dry weather 
  • Ride comfortably in a vehicle on bumpy roads for extended periods of time 
  • Flexible and positive attitude in the case of sudden changes to the itinerary or weather—expect the unexpected!

Medical Insurance

Approved travelers will be covered under AJWS’s international medical and evacuation insurance policies, which are with Cigna and Global Rescue. Cigna health plans cover medically necessary claims related to infectious diseases and medical conditions, per the terms of the health plan. Cigna health plans do not contain an exclusion for COVID-19 specifically or for pandemics more generally.

In the case of emergencies, Global Rescue provides relocation/evacuation services, as well as medical emergency services. In both cases, they will coordinate their own teams with those of local resources to assist in an emergency, and will coordinate with AJWS’s and an individual’s insurance carriers to manage coverage for whatever needs arise. If you have or are purchasing additional insurance, please email us a copy, and if you have questions about AJWS coverage please reach out to Andy Myhrum at amyhrum@ajws.org or via his direct line (212) 792-2872.

Medical Recommendations

We recommend that all travelers do the following: 

  • Check the CDC website for Mexico for updated information about vaccinations and health concerns and ensure that you are vaccinated early enough to be protected on the trip. 
  • Check with your medical provider or travel clinic about any individual precautions you should take for safe travel, according to your individual health needs.

Illness Policy

If you are unwell while on the trip we ask that you isolate until you have spoken with an AJWS staff member. If you have mild symptoms and no fever you may join the group, but we ask that you wear a mask. If at any point you develop a fever or your symptoms worsen you should isolate until you are 24hrs fever free, per CDC guidelines.

Safety Recommendations

Your guide will give you up-to-date briefings on safety while in-country, but here are some basic ground rules for safety while traveling: 

  • Keep all valuables in the hotel safe. 
  • Avoid showing money in public. Be mindful of your belongings at all times. Keep bags in front of you in crowds, and on your lap when at restaurants. 
  • Pay attention: avoid walking around with your smartphone in hand. 
  • Be vigilant when crossing roads. 
  • Stick with the group. 
  • Always make sure that others know of your whereabouts and movements. 
  • Avoid street protests or large gatherings. 
  • Do not wear expensive or sentimentally valuable jewelry while traveling. 
  • Let a staff person or your guide know if you have any safety concerns. 
  • Always wear sun protection in the form of lotion, a hat and/or a scarf to cover your shoulders, especially during the peak of the day.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

We recommend that all travelers from the U.S. sign up for the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in case of an emergency.

Enrolling in this program has enormous benefits in case of an emergency while abroad: 

  • You will receive information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination. 
  • Enrolling lets the U.S. Embassy in that country know that you are there and helps them contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family-related. 

Please Review Our Safety & Security FAQ