Americas · North America
🇲🇽 Mexico travel guide
Pyramids, painted towns & taco stands.
- Currency
- $ MXN
- Time
- UTC −6
- Emergency
- 911
Best places in Mexico
- Chichén Itzá. Maya pyramid — arrive at opening.
- Mexico City. Zócalo, Frida Kahlo museum and Teotihuacán.
- Oaxaca. Markets, mezcal and Monte Albán.
- Tulum & cenotes. Clifftop ruins and swimming holes.
Hidden places
- Bacalar. Lagoon of seven colours.
- Real de Catorce. Ghost town in the desert.
- Hierve el Agua. Petrified waterfalls.
- Holbox. Car-free island with whale sharks (June–Sept).
When to go
- Best time. November–April dry season.
- Avoid. Hurricane season (June–Nov) on coasts.
- Festivals. Día de Muertos (1–2 Nov), Guelaguetza in Oaxaca (July).
What you need
- Documents. Passport, visa if required, entry record (FMM).
- Pack. Light clothes, swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen for cenotes.
- Apps. Uber, DiDi, ADO (buses).
- Safety. Check government travel advice per state.
The soul of Mexico
- Start somewhere unforgettable. Mexico City, Oaxaca, the Yucatán and its cenotes, San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato.
- Choose your season. November–April is dry; Día de Muertos is early November.
- Before you leave. Choose one region; buses and domestic flights link them.
Visual money
- Currency · MXN $. Prices are shown with $ — check they mean pesos.
- A daily budget. Illustrative, per person: budget MX$900–1,500; comfortable MX$2,500–5,000.
- Paying locally. Cash for markets and street food; cards in restaurants. Tip 10–15%.
Arrival playbook
- Documents first. Check visa rules for your passport on official Mexican government sites.
- Your first ride. Use official airport taxis or ride apps.
- Get connected. Telcel SIMs are sold at OXXO shops.
Street codes
- Greetings. Say “buenos días” when entering shops.
- Churches. Dress respectfully and be quiet during services.
- Indigenous communities. Ask before taking photos.
Beyond the postcard
- Bacalar. The lagoon of seven colours.
- Copper Canyon. Ride the Chepe train through deep canyons.
- San Cristóbal de las Casas. Highland town with Maya culture.
Food dossier
- A few first plates. Tacos al pastor, mole in Oaxaca, cochinita pibil in Yucatán, tamales.
- Eat with care. Busy stalls are best; drink bottled water.
- Spice. Ask “¿pica?” to check heat.
Scam shield
- ATM skimming. Use ATMs inside banks.
- Timeshares. Avoid “free tour” offers that are sales pitches.
- Taxi fares. Use apps or agree fares first.
Language cheat sheet
- Hello · Hola / Buenos días. Thank you · Gracias. Please · Por favor.
- How much? · ¿Cuánto cuesta?. Water · Agua. Help · ¡Ayuda!
- “Ahorita”. Can mean now, soon or later.
Survival essentials
- Emergency · 911. National emergency number.
- Safety. Check government travel advice for each state.
- Power & time. 127V; sockets types A and B. Central time UTC−6.
Your Mexico chapter
- A gentle first journey. Mexico City → Oaxaca → Yucatán over 12 days.
- A different pace. A slow week in Oaxaca’s mountain villages.
- Before confirming. This is a starter guide, not live advice. Verify visas, prices, opening times and safety conditions with official sources.