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U.S. Issues Travel Warning for Mexico Ahead of Spring Break

The warning is asking travelers to “travel smart” and “be informed."

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The United States is warning travelers heading to Mexico to be aware of their surroundings ahead of the spring break holiday season.

The warning , which was issued this week by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico, reminds travelers to “travel smart” and “be informed” as “thousands of U.S. citizens visit Mexico during spring break” each year. The embassy continued that “while the vast majority travel safely,” visitors should be aware of issues with crime, drugs, unregulated alcohol, drownings, and more. 

“Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations. Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations,” the embassy warned. “U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break locations including Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark.”

The warning also reminded American travelers that drug possession and use is illegal in Mexico, including medical marijuana. It also advised that unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, that counterfeit medication is common, and that guns are illegal in Mexico.

When it comes to the country’s popular beaches, the embassy reminded travelers some beaches may have strong rip tides and “may lack lifeguards, warnings, or signs of unsafe conditions.”

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued a similar spring break warning last year .

The U.S. Department of State classifies different states in Mexico under different warning levels. While travelers can “exercise normal precautions” when traveling to the Campeche and Yucatan states, the State Department warns them to “exercise increased caution” when heading to places like Baja California Sur (where Los Cabos is), Mexico City, and Quintana Roo (where Cancun is) due to crime.

The State Department also asks American travelers to “reconsider” going to the state of Jalisco, which is home to popular destination Puerto Vallarta , due to the danger of crime and kidnapping.

The State Department recommends Americans who do travel to Mexico keep people at home informed of their travel plans and enroll in the department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to both receive alerts and make it easier to locate them if an emergency occurs.

Travelers heading to international destinations can view all current travel advisories on the State Department's website at  travel.state.gov .

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Mexico Travel Restrictions

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Ready to travel, find flights to mexico, find stays in mexico, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

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Can I travel to Mexico from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mexico.

Can I travel to Mexico if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Mexico without restrictions.

Can I travel to Mexico without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Mexico without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Mexico?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Mexico.

Can I travel to Mexico without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Mexico?

Mask usage in Mexico is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Mexico?

Restaurants in Mexico are open. Bars in Mexico are .

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Heading to Mexico? These Are the COVID Restrictions in Place

By Shannon McMahon

Considering a getaway south of the border? As we all inch back out there, Mexico certainly has appeal, thanks to its proximity to the United States and familiarity for American travelers—especially at a time when traveling abroad is still nebulous.

In fact, with most of Europe and many other destinations off the table as of late, some parts of Mexico saw an increase in American arrivals late last year when compared to the same time in 2019. According to the Washington Post , the state of Quintana Roo, which is home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, saw a 23 percent rise in U.S. visitors. (The proof is in most of our Instagram feeds, as well.)

The government of Mexico is asking visitors to come, too. The country declared its tourism sector reopened on June 1, 2020. “Mexico has maintained its borders open through air travel to North American visitors with no need to quarantine,” according to the Mexican Embassy in the United States . “It is encouraged that people continue respecting social distancing measures, washing their hands, and coughing or sneezing in the inner part of the elbow to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

But there are some minor entry requirements in place for visitors, and a system for COVID-19 health restrictions on the ground that could greatly impact what you are able to enjoy on your trip. We've spelled them out below so you know what to expect. Remember, wherever you're headed, make sure to also do your homework on the wider situation on the ground—local case counts and hospital capacities, the sentiment towards visitors during the ongoing pandemic, if particular restaurants or site you want to visit are open—before you book a flight. 

Read on for our full list of Mexico COVID travel restrictions, by state. 

Mexico COVID travel: Entry and exit restrictions

Since March 21, 2020, Mexico’s northern border with the United States has been closed to all nonessential land crossings—and the closure has been renewed every month since. This means you cannot drive across the border to Mexico as a traveler; you will have to fly. Although air travel to tourism-dependent Mexico remains open to leisure travelers, who are permitted to visit without quarantining or testing negative for COVID-19, health checks have been implemented at Mexican airports. As always, Americans do not need a visa for stays of under 180 days. Air travelers are required to submit a mobile health questionnaire before they arrive in Mexico, and once it is completed travelers receive a QR code to be scanned by officials at their arrival airport for entry. Health measures at the airport may also include temperature checks. Public transportation in Mexico and public spaces where crowds may gather, including hotels and restaurants, require masks and social distancing (except when eating).

All travelers must test negative for COVID-19 to re-enter the United States. The U.S. Mission Mexico offers a list of private testing providers travelers can utilize if their hotel or resort does not offer on-site testing.

It’s also worth noting that the U.S. Department of State updated the travel advisory for Mexico to its highest, “Do Not Travel,” level on April 20 due to COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advises Americans to avoid international travel to Mexico due to COVID-19 levels. Data from the World Health Organization shows that the country has seen over 2.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 219,000 deaths, and about 20 million vaccine doses have been distributed in Mexico as of May 7.

What's open?

Varying levels of health restrictions, which are dependent on COVID-19 case rates in a given state, have been in place to varying degrees throughout Mexico since the beginning of the pandemic. The nation has implemented a stoplight-style alert system for its 32 states, assigning color-coded epidemiological statuses of green, yellow, orange, and red—with red carrying the highest restrictions. As of mid-May the most tourist-frequented states are yellow or orange, with less-visited areas in the green, or least-restrictive phase. The governor of the state of Quintana Roo, however, is warning that the area, which is home to Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen, is in danger of returning to red status, which implements stay-at-home orders and strict capacity limits on hotels and tourism sites. You can check the color assigned to each state on this interactive map , and read more about the country’s sanitary measures for reopening tourism here .

Here’s what each phase generally mandates:

Green: States in the green phase are largely open, with only social distancing and mask requirements in place for public places and at businesses.

Yellow: States designated as yellow have some reduced capacity requirements in place for public spaces that may become crowded: Hotel lobbies, restaurants, beaches, theaters, shops, and tourist attractions must operate at about 70 percent capacity or less (exact limits depend on the state case count), and bars and clubs are closed.

Orange: States categorized as orange have a tighter capacity limits. Hotel lobbies, restaurants, and tourist attractions are limited to 50 percent capacity, while beaches, theaters, and stores are limited to 30 to 40 percent or less , depending on the case count.

Red: States in red alert status are subject to stay-at-home orders and curfews, and public beaches and parks are closed. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions operate at 20 percent capacity or less, while shops, theaters, gyms, bars, and clubs are closed.

Stop-light colors are assessed on a weekly basis and can change at any time. Here are the current colors assigned to some of the most tourist-frequented areas in Mexico, and where to find updates on their restrictions.

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Caitlin Morton

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Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel: Quintana Roo is currently in the second-highest orange phase and implementing 50 percent capacity limits on hotel spaces, restaurants, and tourist sites. Beaches, theaters, shops, and casinos are limited to 30 percent capacity. Updates can be found here .

Mexico City and Puebla’s Magic Towns: The states of Mexico City and Puebla are currently designated as yellow, with 70 percent capacity limits widely in place. Mexico City plans to return to allowing theater and other indoor events at 30 percent capacity starting on May 17. Updates can be found here for Mexico City and here for Puebla .

Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, and the Los Cabos Corridor: The states of Baja California & Baja California Sur are also yellow-designated states, with 70 percent capacity limits widely in place.  More health information on Los Cabos can be found here .

Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita: Jalisco and Nayarit states are among Mexico’s green-designated areas, with most businesses operating at socially distanced capacities and with masks required. Online updates for Riviera Nayarit can be found here , and Puerto Vallarta updates can be found here .

Merida, Chichen Itza, and Valladolid: The state of Yucatan, home to the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza and the bustling city of Merida, is in the yellow phase and enforcing capacity limits of about 70 percent. More information can be found here . Chichen Itza briefly closed due to bad tourist behavior in April, but has since reopened with masking, social distancing, and health checks required.

Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido: The state of Oaxaca and its resort towns are currently in the green phase, with most businesses open but social distancing and masking requirements still in place. More information can be found here .

Central Mexico and San Miguel de Allende: The states of Guanajuato and Querétaro are currently yellow with 70 percent capacity limits widely in place. Updates can be found here for Guanajuato , which is home to historic San Miguel de Allende, and here for Queretaro .

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Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now? What American tourists should know

In the wake of the recent killing of two U.S. citizens in Mexico , travelers may be wondering if it's safe to go there for spring break or other vacations.

Four Americans traveling for cosmetic surgery were kidnapped in Matamoros, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Two died when caught in the crossfire of rival drug cartel groups. The others returned to the U.S., one of whom was injured with a leg wound.

The U.S. Department of State issues different advisory levels for each Mexican state rather than for the country as a whole. Here's what the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico advise if you plan to visit Mexico.

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Are there any travel advisories for Mexico right now?

The State Department currently has a Level 1 advisory, meaning to exercise normal precautions, for Campeche and Yucatan. Yucatan includes the tourist areas of Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal and Valladolid.

A Level 2 advisory, meaning exercise increased caution, is in place for Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur (including Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and La Paz), Chiapas, Coahuila, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico State, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo (including Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and the Riviera Maya), San Luis Potosi, Tabasco, Tlaxcala and Veracruz. The advisory is in effect because of crime and/or kidnapping in these states.

A Level 3 advisory, meaning reconsider travel, is in place for Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco (including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta), Morelos and Sonora (including Puerto Peñasco). The advisory is also in effect because of crime and/or kidnapping.

Find the State Department's complete guidance on travel to Mexico at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.

What are the 'do not travel' states in Mexico?

The State Department's highest advisory is Level 4, or "Do Not Travel." It warns Americans not to travel to six Mexican states because of the risk of violent crime and kidnapping.

The six states are Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico stated that U.S. government employees have been instructed to avoid the area until further notice. When travel by government employees is prohibited or restricted, it means the U.S. government has a limited ability to provide emergency services to citizens, according to the State Department.

The State Department also includes guidance on travel to high-risk areas.

What documents do I need to travel to Mexico?

A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico by air, according to the State Department. A passport book or card may be used if entering by land.

People taking Mexico cruises can use a passport card to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry, but the State Department advises that a traveler who is unable to return via the cruise ship for any reason, such as an emergency evacuation, must present a passport book to fly back to the United States.

Anyone entering Mexico who plans to travel outside the immediate border area must stop at a National Migration Institute office to obtain an entry permit. If traveling with a car, a temporary vehicle import permit is also required, according to the State Department.

A tourist visa is required for travelers staying longer than 180 days.

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What should I do to stay safe in Mexico?

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico offers the following recommendations:

Avoid travel to "do not travel" states.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Seek shelter if needed.

Monitor local media for updates and call 911 in case of emergency.

Review your personal security plans and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Get the latest Mexico travel alerts from the U.S. Embassy at https://mx.usembassy.gov/category/alert/ .

When is spring break 2023 in Arizona?

Arizona's three public universities — Arizona State, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University — as well as public schools in Maricopa County are on spring break in early and mid-March 2023. Here's the spring break calendar for metro Phoenix public schools .

Reach the reporter at [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Is it safe to travel to Mexico? What Americans should know

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Thinking About Spring Break in Mexico? These Are the Travel Warnings You Should Know

Tamaulipas, where the deadly kidnapping of four americans occurred last week, was listed on the state department’s “do not travel” list, published march 9, 2023 • updated on march 9, 2023 at 5:56 am.

Spring break season has arrived and college students will be vacationing in many parts of the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, and other destinations around of the world.

After the most recent kidnapping of Americans in Mexico, visitors – including spring breakers – are being advised to continue practicing extreme caution while in the country.

A group of four childhood friends from North Carolina drove to Mexico last week for a medical procedure and were attacked and kidnapped by cartel gunman , FBI officials said. Two of the Americans were killed and two survived the deadly encounter, in which officials say may have been a case of mistaken identity.

Tamaulipas, where the kidnapping occurred, was listed on the State Department’s “Do Not Travel” list, citing a heightened risk of crime and kidnapping.

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“Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico,” the department wrote on it’s travel advisory , which was last updated in October.

U.S. travel advisories are issued in four levels: exercise normal precautions, exercise increased caution, reconsider travel, and do not travel.

These states are on the Do Not Travel list:

State officials also warned that the U.S. government is limited to the emergency services it can provide in many parts of the Mexico and issued guidelines for Americans visiting the country.

• Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.

Click here for more safety tips on traveling to Mexico.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Photos from the path of totality and elsewhere in the U.S.

Images show the Great American Eclipse, seen by tens of millions of people in parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada for the first time since 2017.

Millions gathered across North America on Monday to bask in the glory of the Great American Eclipse — the moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. 

The path of totality measures more than 100 miles wide and will first be visible on Mexico’s Pacific coast before moving northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and upward toward New York, New Hampshire and Maine, then on to Canada.

Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

During the cosmic spectacle, the moon’s movements will temporarily block the sun’s light, creating minutes of darkness, and will make the sun's outer atmosphere, or the corona, visible as a glowing halo.

Here are moments of the celestial activities across the country:

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‘A mystical experience’: millions watch total solar eclipse sweep across North America

Almost 32 million people in the path of totality as moon’s shadow crossed the Mexico-Texas border and then traversed 15 states

• If you missed the total solar eclipse just wait … until 2044
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The ethereal spectacle of a total solar eclipse swept across North America on Monday afternoon, giving tens millions of people in Mexico, the US and Canada the chance to witness a rare and dazzling celestial show .

Almost 32 million people were in the path of totality as the moon’s shadow crossed the Mexico-Texas border at lunchtime and traversed 15 states over the next hour and a half, although many, especially in the south and midwest, were denied a clear view by low clouds and rain.

Those who did get to experience it were treated to a remarkable and surprisingly emotional display that won’t be seen again in the US until 2044 . Cities were plunged into sudden darkness, chilled by a precipitous drop in temperature, and felt the stillness of twilight in the middle of the day.

“There’s something very mysterious about a total solar eclipse, when literally day turns to night, animals start to behave differently, and we see changes in the Earth’s atmosphere,” Pam Melroy, the deputy head of Nasa, and a retired astronaut who has degrees in astronomy and planetary sciences, told CNN.

“It’s a mystical, mysterious experience. And I love the thought that millions of Americans stood together today, looking up into the sky.”

Tourism officials believe at least 4 to 5 million traveled from other parts of the US to witness the show, making it the country’s biggest travel day of the year and bringing in an estimated $1.5bn economic boost .

Many were up before dawn to stake their place, and cities from Texas to Maine, as well as others outside the path of totality, hosted watch parties and gave away free eclipse glasses.

Joe Biden posted a message from the White House, calling the eclipse an event “worth marveling at”, and urging Americans to use safety glasses to look at the sun.

The Dallas-Fort Worth region was the largest metropolitan area on the path of totality, making north Texas a major destination and creating potential headaches for locals. The cloudy weather left some scrambling at the last minute to change plans and head for clearer skies, but for much of north Texas totality itself was clear.

Ignas Barauskas traveled to Texas from Lithuania, arriving at midnight, just hours before the eclipse began.

“Better than all expectations,” he told the Guardian, after the clouds parted and Dallas experienced almost four minutes of blackout.

“Everyone was screaming, like a concert,” he added.

For many, the experience proved costly, with surging air fares and exorbitant hotel rates. Others found long-held bookings canceled and resold to new customers at up to three times their original prices.

Such was the interest in the eclipse that numerous states and municipalities declared states of emergency in expectation of massive crowds. The entire event, however, appears to have passed off peacefully, amid warnings from US intelligence of a rise in the terror threat , particularly for large gatherings, following last month’s deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall .

Nasa live streamed the event for those who could not see the eclipse directly or lived outside the path of totality. Almost everywhere in North America experienced a partial eclipse of varying percentages depending on the proximity to its center track.

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The agency also conducted science experiments. It fired rockets into the moon’s shadow to study how Earth’s upper atmosphere is affected by the momentary dimming of sunlight and the possible impact on communications systems, and it harnessed an army of citizen volunteers to capture images of the solar corona during totality, then help analyze them afterwards.

Meanwhile, at several zoos, researchers joined public volunteers to watch the behavior of animals . During previous eclipses, giraffes ran around frantically, tortoises started rutting and gibbons sang and barked, although television images of zebras at Dallas zoo on Monday showed them largely unimpressed by the event.

The most recent total solar eclipse in the US was in 2017 , but an interval of only seven years is unusual. This one had a longer track, and a wider shadow of totality than seven years ago because the moon was closer to Earth.

The time of totality in any given location was also longer. In 2017, the longest duration anywhere was two minutes and 42 seconds. Today it was four minutes and 28 seconds in Torreón, Mexico , while almost every place along the path experienced between three and a half to four minutes of totality, even if those below could not always see the eclipse.

The next total solar eclipse anywhere in the world is 12 August 2026 , covering large areas of the northern hemisphere, with totality limited to Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small area of Portugal. The UK will see a partial eclipse of more than 90%.

Residents of the mainland US must wait until 22 August 2044 , when a total eclipse will be seen in North and South Dakota and Montana, plus northern Canada.

Following that, it is almost exactly one year until the next coast-to-coast total eclipse in the US, on 12 August 2045 , spanning California to Florida.

Additional reporting by Charlie Scudder

• Solar eclipses

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Solar Eclipse 2024: What to Know as the Eclipse Passes Over

T he first total solar eclipse to pass over the U.S. since 2017 took place Monday, as the moon scooted between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow that plunged parts of North America into darkness. In a swath of the continent known as the path of totality—where the sun was totally covered—temperatures were expected to drop, and some animals were expected to go gaga as day turned to night.

“The first time I saw one was life-changing and mind-blowing,” said C. Alex Young, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration solar astrophysicist. “I feel like there’s this window that opens up that allows me to see our star in a way that normally we can’t experience with our own eyes.”

What time is the eclipse?

The eclipse began in the U.S. just before 12:30 p.m. local time in Texas, ending in northeastern Maine around 4:40 p.m. local time.

In Austin, Texas, the total eclipse started at 1:36 p.m. local time. Indianapolis was in total darkness beginning at 3:06 p.m. local time, while Buffalo, N.Y., completely lost sight of the sun at 3:18 p.m. local time.

Astronomers had suggested checking Timeanddate.com to see when the total eclipse began and ended in a specific area.

Where is the path of totality?

It changes from eclipse to eclipse, but this time, the path was a roughly 115-mile-wide band stretching from central Mexico to Newfoundland, Canada—passing through more than a dozen U.S. states in between.

Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y., were among the cities in the path of totality. Most of the rest of the continent saw a partial eclipse.

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

In the path of totality, the celestial spectacle starts as a partial eclipse, as the moon slowly obscures more of the sun over a period of time.

Just before totality, points of light appear around the edges of the moon. Scientists call these Baily’s beads, after one of the first eclipse chasers. They are the result of sunlight moving through valleys on the lunar surface and quickly disappear, leaving one final bright spot resembling a diamond on a ring. Once that disappears, the sun takes on the appearance of a black disc.

“It’s not like a sunset where it’s bright in one direction and dark in another direction,” said Jay Anderson, a Canadian meteorologist and eclipse chaser. “For the eclipse, you’re in the middle of a big shadow.”

The moon on Monday completely blocked the sun for as long as 4½ minutes. Then the process reversed, with the sun slowly re-emerging.

How can you watch a solar eclipse safely?

Skywatchers needed to use eclipse glasses, which consist of solar filters that block out light from the sun, during the event. The only time it’s safe to look directly at the sun is during totality, when the moon completely blocks the bright orb. Even 1% of the sun’s surface is 10,000 times brighter than a full moon and dangerous to view without the right equipment.

Gazing at the sun without protection can cause what is known as eclipse blindness, or retinal burns, when nerve tissue at the back of the eye is damaged. The retina has no pain receptors, so viewers are unaware when this damage occurs.

What causes a total solar eclipse?

The sun is 400 times the moon’s diameter, yet about 400 times farther away, resulting in the two appearing nearly the same size in the sky. So when the moon passes in just the right spot between Earth and the sun, the star is blocked from view.

How often do total solar eclipses occur?

These events happen somewhere on the planet every year or two. The geometry of the Earth’s orbit, moon’s orbit and their relative positions in relationship to the sun make it so that, on average, the same spot on Earth only experiences a total solar eclipse once every 375 years.

Some parts of the U.S. are lucky. Small areas in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky experienced totality in 2017 and got to experience it again in 2024.

How long do total eclipses last?

There is no standard length for a total eclipse, though there is always one place where totality lasts the longest. For Monday’s eclipse, the maximum duration of totality was four minutes, 28 seconds near Torreón, Mexico. The longest total eclipses on record have exceeded seven minutes.

“The average length is about 3½ minutes,” Anderson said. “The shortest I’ve seen is 18 seconds.”

The length depends on how close the moon is to Earth, and how far the sun is from Earth on eclipse day. The farther away the sun, the smaller it appears in the sky, and the more easily it can be covered by the moon. The closer the moon, the bigger it appears, and the longer its disc will cover the sun.

The nearness of the moon also affects the shadow it projects onto the planet. The path of totality for this eclipse was wider than the one from 2017, which was roughly 70 miles wide.

How can cloud cover affect your eclipse experience?

Clouds can conceal a total eclipse but don’t completely thwart the experience. Even if the sight of the moon fully blocking the sun is obscured, the temperature drop, changing winds, impacts on animals and darkening that accompany totality are noticeable.

“There was still a visceral experience about it, there was still a sensory experience that’s different than anything you would experience in your lifetime,” according to Young, who said he has experienced a couple of total eclipses that were clouded out.

Historical data about typical cloud coverage this time of year in North America suggested Mexico and the southern U.S. were the most likely spots along the path of totality to be cloud-free. But the latest forecasts had shown Texas and many other parts of the path blanketed in clouds.

Cloud cover can change over the course of the day and during the eclipse itself, according to Patricia Reiff, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University in Houston.

“Some clouds begin to thin, and even those thin clouds become more transparent as totality approaches, because there’s not as much sunlight scattered inside them,” Reiff said, adding that she has experienced eclipses in which the sky opened up just for totality before the clouds closed in again.

What science can be done during a total solar eclipse?

Researchers can use these events to improve their understanding of difficult-to-study parts of the sun’s upper atmosphere, known as the corona. The superhot corona is so faint compared with the sun’s surface that it can’t be seen from Earth unless the light from the sun is totally blocked. While scientists can build instruments that mimic solar eclipses, they don’t measure up to the real thing, experts say.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research planned to use a jet to follow the path of totality and observe infrared light from the corona. The corona is a source of solar wind—a stream of charged particles spewed into the solar system that can affect our navigation and communication systems, satellites and power grids by causing space weather above our planet. By better understanding the corona, scientists hope to improve our ability to predict dangerous space weather, said Paul Bryans, a project scientist at the center.

NASA also planned to launch small rockets to study how an electrically charged part of Earth’s atmosphere known as the ionosphere changes in the sun’s absence during an eclipse. Radio and GPS signals from satellites and ground-based systems travel through the ionosphere, so changes there could affect technology.

What happens to animals during an eclipse?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that, as the moon slowly blocks out the sun, most animals tend to switch to their nighttime routines, but the study of animal behavior during these events has been limited, according to Adam Hartstone-Rose, a professor of biological sciences at North Carolina State University.

During the 2017 eclipse, Hartstone-Rose said he and his colleagues watched more than a dozen species at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C., during totality. The group noticed lorikeets flocked together and flew to their nighttime roost, giraffes started galloping in their enclosure, a sedentary Komodo dragon started running around its cage, and Galapagos tortoises began mating.

“Obviously, we can’t know exactly what animals are thinking,” he said, “but many species had a reaction that we think that we relate to anxiety.”

When is the next total solar eclipse?

Viewers in Spain and Iceland will experience the next totality on Aug. 12, 2026. Less than a year after that, skywatchers in parts of North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Spain will also glimpse a total solar eclipse.

The continental U.S.’s next totality experience won’t occur until 2044, when a total eclipse passes over Montana and North Dakota. A 2045 total eclipse will herald a longer path of totality, cutting from Florida to California.

According to scientists, eventually Earth will stop experiencing total eclipses. More than 50 years ago, Apollo astronauts left laser reflectors on the moon’s surface to help determine how far away it is from Earth. Observations show the moon is moving away at a rate of about 1.5 inches a year. As the moon recedes, how large it appears in the sky shrinks, so in about 600 million years the moon will be far enough away that it will appear too small to fully cover the sun, Bryans said.

How do you photograph a solar eclipse?

Believe it or not, a smartphone mounted to a tripod is sufficient to photograph totality. Don’t forget to turn off the autoflash, and consider doing a panorama shot.

To snap a close-up of the sun’s darkened disc, opt for a powerful telephoto lens.

Eclipse chasers and scientists recommend spending most of a total eclipse looking up or observing the world around you rather than taking photos.

“What I’ve sometimes done during totality is set up my camera, or my cellphone, on a tripod, turned it on video and just hit record and left it alone,” Young said. “My recommendation has always been to just put your camera down and enjoy.”

To photograph a partial eclipse before and after totality, be sure to purchase a solar filter for your lens. (Remove it during totality.) Never use a camera—or binoculars or a telescope—without a filter because these devices concentrate a lot of light into your eyes and cause injury, even if you have eclipse glasses on, according to NASA.

Other tips for seeing a total solar eclipse?

Totality plunges parts of the world into a darkness akin to a full moonlit night. Astronomers say you are able to see planets such as Venus and Jupiter.

To get a better experience, Young said to avoid city lights as you would if you were watching a meteor shower.

“If there’s a place that normally has really good stars, then that’s going to be a good place to see the eclipse,” Reiff said.

This explanatory article may be periodically updated.

Write to Aylin Woodward at [email protected]

Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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Guide to the 2024 total solar eclipse, gracing North American skies today: All to know

A spectacular celestial event is upon us.

Today, Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cloak the Earth in darkness.

Here's everything you need to know about the total solar eclipse – also known as the Great North American Eclipse –  including how to practice safe viewing, its path of totality, the local weather forecast and more.

GUIDE TO 2024 ECLIPSE: Total solar eclipse will cross 13 U.S. states on April 8: Is Maryland in its path?

What is the eclipse's path of totality?

A total solar eclipse's path of totality is where observers located in the center of the moon's shadow will witness the moon completely cover the sun.

Totality is the only stage of the eclipse that can viewed with the naked eye, according to  NASA . Due to the sun's bright surface, special eclipse glasses must be worn for safety during every other stage.

Today, the total solar eclipse's path of totality will stretch 115 miles wide. To witness the solar eclipse, onlookers must be within its designated path.

Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. The eclipse will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT, reported  NASA .

The path of the total solar eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas, before cutting diagonally across the country, Delmarva Now previously reported.

The eclipse will then travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse, according to  NASA's map .

WHERE TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE: Solar eclipse watch events at Wallops, Maryland and DC: Where, when to get in on the fun

Here are the 13 major U.S. cities that will experience totality (note that the included times do not account for when the partial eclipse begins and ends), reported  USA TODAY :

• Dallas, Texas: 1:40-1:44 p.m. CDT
• Idabel, Oklahoma: 1:45-1:49 p.m. CDT
• Little Rock, Arkansas: 1:51-1:54 p.m. CDT
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: 1:56-2:00 p.m. CDT
• Paducah, Kentucky: 2-2:02 p.m. CDT
• Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59-2:03 p.m. CDT
• Evansville, Indiana: 2:02-2:05 p.m. CDT
• Cleveland, Ohio: 3:13-3:17 p.m. EDT
• Erie, Pennsylvania: 3:16-3:20 p.m. EDT
• Buffalo, New York: 3:18-3:22 p.m. EDT
• Burlington, Vermont: 3:26-3:29 p.m. EDT
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: 3:27-3:30 p.m. EDT
• Caribou, Maine: 3:32-3:34 p.m. EDT

How to practice safe viewing during the total solar eclipse

NASA reminds onlookers to practice safe viewing before and after the solar eclipse. During the eclipse, special eclipse glasses or welder's goggles must be worn.

Without proper eye protection, viewers can suffer “eclipse blindness” – a serious injury in which the eye’s retina is damaged by solar radiation – within seconds of staring at the sun, according to the American Optometric Association .

The sun produces enough light to permanently damage one's retina, reported USA Today. Humans' eyes have never evolved to look at the sun without suffering severe damage. Regular, everyday sunglasses are, therefore, not safe to use.

"Keep safety your #1 priority when viewing the eclipse by knowing how to protect your eyes," the Worcester County Health Department said.

ECLIPSE RETINA DAMAGE: Can you really go blind from looking at a solar eclipse? Real life cautionary tales.

Can the total solar eclipse be seen in Maryland?

The state of Maryland is not in the solar eclipse's path of totality.

However, a partial eclipse  —  hinging on good weather and clear skies, which Delmarva may very well be handed —  will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states, including Maryland.

A partial eclipse differs greatly from a total solar eclipse. This kind occurs when the orbiting moon passes between the sun and Earth, but the sun, moon and Earth are not perfectly lined up.

Maryland's Lower Shore will see a partial eclipse for 2 hours and 27 minutes. 83.1% of the sun will be obscured by the moon at the peak. Search for your ZIP code below or select a major city to reveal the time, duration, peak and percentage of the eclipse in your area.

Marylanders can choose to stay put for the partial eclipse or travel to see more. Those who want to travel to witness the total eclipse won't have to go too far. The total solar eclipse will be visible in cities such as Erie, Pennsylvania; Cleveland, Ohio; and Buffalo, New York.

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: When is the solar eclipse in Salisbury, Delmarva? Search by ZIP code

Weather forecast for Salisbury, Ocean City for solar eclipse day

Here's what residents of Salisbury and Ocean City, Md., can expect for today's weather forecast.

Accuweather says Salisbury can expect sunny to partly cloudy skies, with a daytime high of 62 degrees and nighttime low of 46 degrees. There will be a 6 percent chance of precipitation and southwest winds of 8 miles per hour.

In Ocean City, onlookers can also expect sunny to partly cloudy skies, with a daytime high of 56 degrees and a nighttime low of 48 degrees. There will be a 4 percent chance of precipitation and south-southwest winds of 8 miles per hour.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at  [email protected] .