Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Mexico depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for MexicoEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- Mexican Peso
- Code
- MXN
- Symbol
- $
ATMs widely available throughout the country. Cards accepted in cities and tourist areas. Cash preferred in markets, smaller towns, and for street food. USD accepted in border areas and some tourist spots but at poor exchange rates.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 127V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
Multiple zones: most of Mexico CST (UTC−6); Pacific Coast MST (UTC−7); Quintana Roo (Cancún) EST (UTC−5) — no DST in Quintana Roo and Sonora
Best Time to Visit
November–April is generally dry season for most of Mexico. Mexico City (Museo Nacional de Antropología, Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul, Teotihuacan, Xochimilco, food scene) is excellent year-round. Oaxaca (mole, mezcal, Monte Albán, Día de los Muertos) is best October–April. The Yucatán (Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Mérida) is best November–April. Baja California is excellent October–April. Hurricane season on the Pacific coast is May–October.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% | Standard — 15% for good service |
| Taxis (official, with meters) | Round up; not strictly required | — |
| Porters / hotel staff | 20–50 MXN per service | — |
| Tour guides | 10–15% of tour cost | — |
Dress Code
- Casual throughout
- Cover arms and legs at churches and cathedrals
- Smart casual for Mexico City's Polanco and Roma Norte restaurants
Social Etiquette
- Mexican culture is deeply warm, family-centred, and proud — the ancient civilisations (Aztec, Maya, Olmec, Zapotec) are a living cultural inheritance, not just a tourist attraction
- Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, November 1–2) is one of the world's most beautiful cultural celebrations — not a Mexican Halloween but a genuine honoring of the dead; Oaxaca and Janitzio are the best places to experience it authentically
- Mexican food is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — mole (with 30+ ingredients), oaxacan tlayudas, tacos al pastor, and ceviche from Veracruz are not approximated anywhere outside Mexico
- Mezcal (from Oaxaca, made from agave) vs tequila (from Jalisco, made from blue agave) — Oaxacan mezcal is the artisanal spirit; try it with a slice of orange and sal de gusano
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Drug trafficking carries very severe penalties; cartel activity is a real risk in specific regions — check your government's current advisory for specific states (Sinaloa, Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima have had significant cartel activity)
- LGBTQ+ rights: Mexico City and many states have marriage equality; overall one of the more progressive countries in Latin America, though attitudes vary by region
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Mexican Spanish) | Hola! / Buenas! | OH-lah / BWEH-nahs |
| What's up? (Mexican slang) | Que onda? / Que pedo? | keh ON-dah — standard; 'que pedo' (keh PEH-doh — literally 'what's the fart?') is casual and young-generation |
| Cool (Mexican slang) | Chido / Padre / A huevo | CHEE-doh / PAH-dreh — both mean 'cool'; 'a huevo' (AH WEH-voh) means 'hell yes!' |
| Cheers! (Mexican) | Salud! | sah-LOOD — with mezcal, tequila, or a michelada |
| Thank you (Mexican Spanish) | Gracias / Gracias, guey | GRAH-syahs; 'güey' (WEY) means 'dude' — used constantly between friends |
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