Know before you go: A basic guide to Mexico
Popular destinations
- Mexico City: A bustling metropolis with over a hundred museums, great public transportation, and more things to do than you'll ever have time for. Popular places to visit are Teotihuacán, the Zócalo, Frida Kahlo's house, and the National Museum of Anthropology. Check out our detailed guide to Mexico City here.
- Oaxaca: A cultural and culinary capital of Mexico with mountainous towns and great beaches for surfing. Popular places to visit are Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, and Mazunte. Check out our detailed guide to Oaxaca City here and read about the majestic coastal town of Zipolite here.
- Chiapas: Colonial villages and ancient ruins dot this region filled with mountains and jungle. Popular places to visit are Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas, and Sumidero Canyon.
- Yucatán Peninsula: Sun-drenched peninsula known for its white sand beaches, world-class diving, and Mayan ruins. Popular places to visit are Bacalar, Mérida, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancún, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Akumal.
- Baja California Peninsula: An iconic rugged coastline with stunning beaches and spectacular wildlife. Popular places to visit are Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
- Guanajuato: Picturesque colonial towns with cobblestone streets and colorful houses. Popular places to visit are San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City.
- Jalisco: Land of tequila, mariachi music, and boutique beach towns. Popular places to visit are Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.
When to go
High season in Mexico is December through April, as these are the driest months and many people come to escape winter in the north and visit for the holidays.
Low season is May through June and September through November. May and June see peak temperatures in many areas, and September is hurricane season which brings heavy rains to the coasts.
Shoulder season is July through August. Temperatures across the country are hot, and the Pacific Coast sees a good amount of rain.
Currency exchange rates & affordability
(as of November 2017)
Mexican peso
$1 USD = $19 pesos
€1 = $22 pesos
£1 = 25 pesos
$1 CAD = $15 pesos
$1 AUD = $15 pesos
Compared to other Latin American countries, Mexico is neither cheap nor expensive. You can travel here on any type of budget. Cross-country travel is made simple by a well-developed and affordable bus system, and cities offer adequate public transportation. Most sites can be visited without booking a tour. Street food is delicious and abundant. Plenty of inexpensive lodging options can be found in nearly all popular destinations.
Entry & exit requirements
US residents need a valid passport to enter Mexico. All tourists are issued a tourist visa that is valid from 90-180 days. Mexico was one of the easiest countries to enter, as we had no problem receiving 180-day visas with no proof of departure tickets.
The fee for the tourist visa is $360 pesos ($19.45 USD), which is included in your airfare if arriving by plane into Mexico. If arriving by land, you can pay the fee at the border (the fee is waived if you are staying less than seven days in the country).
Getting around Mexico
Mexico is one of the easiest countries in Latin America to traverse. If you are traveling slowly, want to travel economically, and have time to spend a good chunk of a day or night on a bus, the entire country is connected by first-class bus networks that provide safe, comfortable, and affordable service. If you are short on time or want to jump across the country, domestic airlines serve more than 60 cities across the country.
Local transportation
Mexico City has one of the world's best and cheapest metro systems. At only $5 pesos ($0.25 USD) a ride, you can easily navigate your way to any part of the city.
In other towns and cities, your transportation options are usually buses, colectivos (shared taxis), or taxis.
Staying healthy
It is not safe to drink the water in Mexico, but bottled water is available everywhere, and you can refill large jugs of water at water dispensaries across many towns.
Mosquitos can transmit illnesses like dengue fever, malaria, Zika, and chikungunya. Discuss your travel plans with a doctor to see if you need to take anti-malarials or need any vaccines. Typhoid fever and Hepatitis A vaccines are usually recommended in addition to routine vaccines. Applying sunscreen, insect repellent, and staying hydrated are always good ideas.