Mexico is a country thriving with unique culture and history. As the country in Latin America with the highest amount of tourism, Mexico offers a variety of opportunities to explore its ancient historical landmarks or indulge in one of its many unique resorts right on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean.
These Mexico travel tips will help you plan your next vacation.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Fast Facts about Mexico
- Currency: The local currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN) and is around 15 MXN to 1 USD
- Water: Outside of major tourist zones, stick to bottled beverages and avoid ordering any uncooked food items like salads, especially outside the major tourist zones. Beware of ice cubes that may have been made with tap water.
- Power: Mexican power voltage is 127 V 60 Hz; Power sockets A & B
- Entry: To enter, you will need a U.S. passport valid for at least 6 months after your departure date.
- Getting Around: The best way to get around is by public transport or renting a car.
- Tipping in Mexico is not only customary but is expected and appreciated in return for good service.
- Money should be withdrawn from ATMs or exchange bureaus during daylight hours and inside shops and malls rather than on the street. Travellers should only use ATMs that are affiliated with national banks, such as Banamex, Banorte, Santander and/or Bank of Nova Scotia.
- Taxis: It is recommended not to hail taxis off the street in major cities, especially after dark. However, if you do hail a taxi, make sure you are able to effectively communicate your final location to the driver as many drivers in Mexico do not speak English.
Things to See and Do in Mexico
- Swim with Whale Sharks – They may be the biggest fish in the sea, but they are gentle giants. Growing to lengths of over 12 metres (40 feet) whale sharks are impressive to see.
- Kayak the Sea of Cortez – join avid kayakers for a 10-day trip, circumnavigating an island on the Sea of Cortez
- Explore Rio Secreto – 12 km of underground rivers to explore and you don’t need a dive certification!
- Spend some time in La Paz – La Paz is the perfect blend of a sleepy Mexican town with all the amenities of the big resort towns like Cabo San Lucas and Cancun.
- Bask in the sun on the Mayan Riviera of Cancun and Playa del Carmen
- Explore the Yucatan Peninsula
Mexico Travel Guides
Budgeting
Accommodation
Budget: You can find hostels in the range of 167-325 MXN per night. These hostels come with dorm or private rooms, free Wi-Fi, central locations, lounge areas with games, and a swimming pool. Selina Playa Del Carmen even offers yoga lessons and a rooftop bar.
Mid-Range: For mid-range, expect to pay around 590-1,970 MXN per night. These hotels include private rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, a casual hotel restaurant and bar, a gym, and an outdoor pool.
High-End: For five-star hotels, pay around 4,920-14,460 MXN per night and get the best. Amenities include suites with balconies and private hot tubs, spa services, a gym, 24/7 room service, multiple restaurants serving fine dining, and separate swimming pools for adults and kids.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation in Ireland.
Food
The national dish is
Mexico has a vibrant street food scene where you can try many great and affordable foods, such as gorditas (fried and stuffed corn dough), quesadillas (sometimes without cheese), enchiladas, churros, and more. There are also many restaurants where you can try more of Mexico’s cuisine. In total, expect to pay around 220 MXN per day for food.
The Best Ways to Get Around Mexico
Getting to Mexico:
Getting to Mexico: Most of Mexico has direct flights from Canada, the United States, and Europe. If there isn’t a direct flight, most will fly through Miami or somewhere on the American mainland.
Benito Juárez International Airport is the main airport to fly into and is located about 7 miles from the center of Mexico City. The Cancún International Airport (11.6 miles from Cancún, 34.5 miles from Playa Del Carmen) is the second busiest airport.
You can check for the best flights to the Mexican city of your choice on Skyscanner.
Transportation:
Train: The only passenger train is the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, which connects Chihuahua City to Los Mochis and makes a scenic trip through the Sierra Madre Occidental and Copper Canyon. The train ride lasts around 15 hours, has several stops along the way, and includes meals and air-conditioning.
Buses: Buses are a cheap way to get around and travel both locally as well as between cities. City buses in Mexico City cost about 2-5 MXN for a ticket, while local buses in Cancún cost around 8.50 MXN. You can also opt for long-distance buses. Go from Cancún to Playa Del Carmen in about 70 minutes for 40 MXN, or from Playa Del Carmen to Mexico City in 24 hours for a little over 1,000 MXN.
Metro: Mexico City has its own metro, with tickets costing just 5 MXN. During peak hours, it can get very crowded. If you will use the metro a lot and want to avoid getting a new ticket each time, consider getting a metro card for just 10 MXN, which is refillable (bring cash to pay) and will avoid the hassle of getting a new ticket each time you ride.
Taxis: Taxis are a good way to get around. Many drivers will not speak English, so it helps to know some Spanish. Taxis are either metered or operate on a flat rate. Prices tend to have starting fees of 15 MXN and increase 10-15 MXN per kilometer traveled. Final prices for a ride depends on things like traffic and if you can negotiate for a lower price.
Uber: Uber is available in most major cities, except Playa Del Carmen.
Car Rental: To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old and have a U.S. driver’s license as well as proof of auto insurance.
When to go To Mexico
- The best time to go is from November through April. During this time, you are out of hurricane season and officially in Mexico’s dry season, which means great weather for outdoor activities.
- Going during this time means you avoid a lot of the humidity that can come in the summer months. If you are looking for some of the cheapest flights, go in October, though know it is still hurricane season, as well as the wet season.
Where to Stay in Mexico
Hotel Ritz: Set in the Historic Center of Mexico City, take a walk outside to see iconic buildings and great street food. Afterwards, head back to the hotel to enjoy private rooms with free Wi-Fi and cable TV, a courtyard restaurant, a lobby bar, and a patio with umbrella-covered tables.
The Carmen Hotel: When in Playa Del Carmen, stay at this adults-only hotel. Set on a private beach and right next to the 5th Avenue shopping area, it has everything you need for a great stay, including suites with balconies, complimentary breakfast, room service, a rooftop bar with a pool, and spa services.
Marriott Cancun Resort: Stay in the Hotel Zone neighborhood and head to the numerous shops and exciting nightclubs. Afterward, come back to the hotel to relax in rooms with balconies and Caribbean Sea views, try one of their six restaurants serving international cuisines, head to the gym or spa, or take a dip in the pool or hot tub. Great for the whole family, the resort also comes with a kid’s pool and kid’s entertainment.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Air B&B for the best deals on accommodation in Mexico.
What to Pack for Mexico
The typical weather of Mexico varies as you move north toward the United States, West toward to the Pacific Ocean, East toward the Caribbean and South toward the Equator. It is these factors that affect the climate as well as varying elevations across the country.
- Shawl /Scarves – Travellers should carry a shawl or scarf to cover bare arms or a plunging neckline, in cases of visiting churches, to shield themselves from the sun or cover up if it becomes chilly.
- Pack loose clothing with breathable fabric – cover up with a fabric you know will breathe. Tunics are a great option as they can be dressed up or down, are lightweight and offer good coverage. Long pants should also be worn if you heading to see some ancient ruins as they will protect against insect bites and scuffed knees from climbing up steep pyramids.
- Personal safety products – Before leaving for your trip, make sure to pack some personal safety products, RFID wallets so that you can keep your valuables safe on your trip
- Footwear – Pack a pair of lightweight, durable and comfortable shoes. Colonial cobbled streets can be treacherous so wear good walking shoes.
- Water bottles – Though the water quality in Mexico has improved in recent years (especially in popular travel destinations) it’s safest to avoid drinking tap water. If you’re visiting a rural area, be sure to use bottled or boiled water when brushing your teeth.
Mexcio Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources
Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.
We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.
- Booking.com: This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
- Trip Advisor: What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
- VRBO: is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
- Hostelworld: With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
- Skyscanner: This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
- Rome 2 Rio: If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
- Get Your Guide: For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
- World Nomads Insurance: When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.
Mexico Travel Guide: Related Articles
To browse all our articles and guides about Mexico click here.
