Mexico Travel Guide
November–April is the dry season and the most reliable window. June–October is the rainy season with afternoon storms, and is also hurricane season on both coasts.
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Mexico at a glance
Best time to visit Mexico
November–April is the dry season and the most reliable window. June–October is the rainy season with afternoon storms, and is also hurricane season on both coasts.
Peak: Christmas–New Year, Semana Santa, US spring break (March) on the Caribbean coast, and Día de Muertos (late Oct–2 Nov) in Oaxaca and Mexico City.
Shoulder season: May and November: dry, warm and noticeably cheaper than the winter peak.
Visa and entry
Visa-free for most nationalities for up to 180 days. Fill in the FMM tourist form on arrival.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Mexico uses the MXN (MX$).
Expected. 10–15% at restaurants; 10–20 MXN per bag. Keep small bills for tips.
Getting around
Mexico City Metro rides are a flat MXN$5 on the integrated mobility card, Metrobús MXN$6, and the same card works on metro, bus and cable car.
When a pass pays off: There's no day pass because flat fares are already very low — load MXN$100 onto the card and it will cover most of a trip.
Local etiquette
Do
- Carry small peso notes; change for large bills is often unavailable.
- Tip 10–15% in restaurants, plus a few pesos for supermarket baggers and parking attendants.
- Ask for purified water (“agua purificada”).
Avoid
- Don't drink tap water, or take ice from places you don't trust.
- Don't hail unmarked taxis in Mexico City — use authorised sitio stands, Uber or Didi.
- Don't use flash photography in churches during services.
Common scams and tourist traps
- ATM skimming at standalone machines; use bank-lobby ATMs and cover the keypad.
- Dynamic currency conversion at card terminals — always pay in pesos.
- Timeshare “welcome gift” pitches at Cancún and Los Cabos airports, dressed up as transport desks.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Mexico, dengue precautions are worthwhile in coastal and southern regions, and travelers to Mexico City should allow time to adjust to the altitude. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| lunch | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| dinner | 7:30 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:30 PM |
Useful Spanish phrases
English is common in resort areas and Mexico City tourism, limited in smaller towns.
- Hello
- Hola(OH-la)
- Thank you
- Gracias(GRA-syas)
- Excuse me
- Disculpe(dees-KOOL-peh)
- How much is this?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta?(KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Mexico: Airalo, Holafly, Ubigi. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Mexico travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Mexico?
- November–April is the dry season and the most reliable window. June–October is the rainy season with afternoon storms, and is also hurricane season on both coasts.
- Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?
- Visa-free for most nationalities for up to 180 days. Fill in the FMM tourist form on arrival. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Mexico?
- Expected. 10–15% at restaurants; 10–20 MXN per bag. Keep small bills for tips.
- What currency is used in Mexico?
- Mexico uses the MXN (MX$).
- What power plug and voltage does Mexico use?
- Mexico uses Type A and Type B sockets at 127V / 60 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Mexico?
- In Mexico, call 911.
- What time zone is Mexico in?
- Mexico is in the America/Mexico_City time zone (UTC-06:00).
- What language is spoken in Mexico?
- The main language is Spanish. English is common in resort areas and Mexico City tourism, limited in smaller towns.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Mexico?
- Mexico City Metro rides are a flat MXN$5 on the integrated mobility card, Metrobús MXN$6, and the same card works on metro, bus and cable car. There's no day pass because flat fares are already very low — load MXN$100 onto the card and it will cover most of a trip.
- What health precautions should I take in Mexico?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Mexico, dengue precautions are worthwhile in coastal and southern regions, and travelers to Mexico City should allow time to adjust to the altitude. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a Mexico trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Mexico tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.