Visas & entry
For ordinary tourism, U.S., Canadian, UK, EU/Schengen, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese and many Latin American passport holders are generally visa-exempt; the immigration officer, not the traveler, determines the permitted stay, up to 180 days. Airports usually process entry electronically, while land crossings may still use an FMM; carry a valid passport plus accessible proof of onward travel, accommodation and funds. Check current Mexican immigration rules for your nationality and any visa-waiver eligibility before departure.
Getting in
- Mexico City International Airport: The best all-purpose gateway for Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca and domestic connections across the country.
- Cancún International Airport: The practical gateway for the Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Valladolid and much of the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Guadalajara International Airport: Use it for Guadalajara, Tequila and the Bajío; it is a sensible alternative to routing everything through Mexico City.
- Puerto Vallarta International Airport: The easy arrival point for Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.
- Los Cabos International Airport: The main gateway for southern Baja, including Cabo, Todos Santos, La Paz and onward Baja road trips.
Getting around
Fly between regions: Mexico City–Yucatán, Oaxaca–Yucatán, Baja–central Mexico and coast-to-coast jumps are not efficient overland journeys. Within a region, first-class buses are often excellent—particularly ADO in the south and southeast—and work well for routes such as Mexico City–Oaxaca and Mérida–Valladolid. Rent a car for Baja and parts of the Yucatán if you want flexibility; in Mexico City, traffic and parking make a car more burden than advantage.
Money
The currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). Cards are widely accepted in cities, resorts and established restaurants, but carry pesos for markets, small towns, street food, tips and occasional cash-only businesses; use bank ATMs rather than airport or standalone exchange counters. Tipping is expected in restaurants and for guides, drivers and hotel staff; around 10–15% in restaurants is the normal baseline.
Book before you land
Chepe Express railway, Copper Canyon—limited operating days and seats make this a pre-trip booking. · Guelaguetza performances in Oaxaca in July—high-demand festival tickets and accommodation should be arranged well ahead.
- Do not treat the country as having one uniform safety profile: research the specific states and routes you will use, use reputable transport, and avoid driving unfamiliar intercity roads after dark.
- Mexico City’s altitude can hit lowland arrivals hard; take the first day slowly, hydrate and go easy on alcohol.
- Use bottled or properly purified water where needed, especially outside established hotels and restaurants; be cautious with ice and raw food if your stomach is sensitive.
- Book holiday-week transport early, especially around Christmas/New Year, Semana Santa and Day of the Dead; buses and domestic flights do fill.
- On the coast, check local sea conditions rather than assuming every attractive beach is safe to swim—Puerto Escondido’s Zicatela and many Cabo beaches are not casual swimming water.
- Treat Day of the Dead as a family commemorative holiday, not a costume-party performance; ask before photographing graves, ceremonies or people in traditional dress.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this country.