Mexico Travel Tips: Our Guide for First-Timers

Is a Trip To Mexico Worth it?

Absolutely! Mexico is a fantastic travel destination. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing on the beaches of the Yucatán, exploring ancient Mayan ruins like Chichén Itzá, or wandering through colorful colonial towns, you’ll find something that fits your style of travel in Mexico.

And then there’s the food—a highlight all on its own. Think street tacos bursting with flavor, rich mole dishes, and stuffed chilies. Simply unforgettable.

Beyond the popular Yucatán peninsula, Mexico is also a budget-friendly country to explore. Plus, many regions are far safer than their reputation suggests.

How to Get to Mexico

Mexico has plenty of airports, with the biggest ones located in Mexico City and Cancún. Both are well connected, offering lots of direct flights from the USA and Europe.

We usually book our flights with Skyscanner.

Book your flight to Mexico on Skyscanner

Entering Mexico

Which documents you need to enter Mexico depends on the country you’re traveling from. Be sure to check your country’s embassy or foreign ministry website for the latest entry requirements.

Our entry at the airport in Mexico was smooth. We just answered a few questions about our stay (tourism, length of visit), and then got our passport stamped.

How to Pay and Currency in Mexico

The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso (MXN).

Mexico falls into the mid-range when it comes to travel costs. It’s not as cheap as much of South America or Southeast Asia, like Peru or Thailand, but it’s much more affordable than the USA or UK.

Resort areas like Tulum and Cancún are pricier, while cities like Mexico City or Oaxaca are more affordable.

Cards are widely accepted in Mexico, but in small eateries or street stalls, it’s often cash only. Some hotels and restaurants also add fees for card payments.

So always carry some pesos with you.

Withdrawing money in Mexico

You can take out cash at almost any ATM. Banks charge different fees, but you shouldn’t pay more than 50 pesos. There are cheaper options.

We usually withdrew from BanCoppel, which charges 29 MXN and has ATMs across most cities.

Note: ATMs may ask if you want to accept a conversion. Always choose Decline—the exchange rate is terrible.

Tipping in Mexico

Tipping is expected in Mexico, usually around 10 percent. In most restaurants, you pay your bill and leave the tip on the table.

If you pay by card, the tip—called servicio—is sometimes added to the bill. You’ll be asked how much you’d like to include. Otherwise, just leave cash.

Where to Stay in Mexico

Mexico offers every type of accommodation, from luxury hotels to budget hostels and vacation rentals. Prices vary widely depending on where you go.

Here are some of our favorite hotels in Mexico’s popular destinations:

Cancún: The Quetzal
Tulum: Botanica Tulum
Playa del Carmen: Meliora by Bunik
Mexico City: Casa Comtesse
Oaxaca: NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca
Guadalajara: Hotel Real Maestranza

Read more of our hotel recommendations in this Mexico travel guide:

• Tulum hotel tips
• Tulum Boutique Hotels
• Playa del Carmen hotel tips
• Playa del Carmen Boutique Hotels
• Cancún hotel tips
• Cancún Boutique Hotels
• Cancún Luxury Hotels
• Yucatán Boutique Hotels
• Yucatán Luxury Hotels
• Mérida Boutique Hotels

Safety in Mexico

You’ve probably heard a lot about crime in Mexico—and usually not the good kind. The reality is: you can still have a wonderful trip here.

Most tourist destinations are safe, and chances are you won’t notice much crime during your stay.

Of course, it also depends on where you travel and which neighborhoods you’re in. Since safety is a big topic, we’ve put together more detailed travel tips for safety in Mexico in a separate article where we share practical advice and rules of thumb.

How to Get Around in Mexico

Traveling between cities in Mexico isn’t always cheap. The main options are: domestic flights, long-distance buses, or a rental car.

Domestic flights in Mexico

For longer distances, a domestic flight is often the best choice. Prices vary, but you’ll rarely find flights for under 2,000 MXN. Popular routes include:

• Cancún – Mexico City
• Cancún – Guadalajara
• Tijuana – Mexico City

Intercity buses in Mexico

Another good option is the bus. Intercity buses are widespread and reliable. In southern Mexico, the ADO bus company runs the largest network. The buses are comfortable and usually on time.

You can book tickets directly on the ADO website. If the site doesn’t work, ViajoMucho and Checkmybus are good alternatives.

Here are a few popular bus routes with travel times and prices:

• Mexico City – Oaxaca: 7 hours (800 MXN)
• Mexico City – Puebla: 2.5 hours (400 MXN)
• Cancún – Tulum: 2.5 hours (250 MXN)
• Mérida – Cancún: 4 hours (650 MXN)

North of Mexico City, other providers are more common. ETN is an excellent choice, with very comfortable buses that are a bit pricier but fast and reliable. For Mexico City – Guadalajara, for example, you’ll pay around 900 MXN.

We’ve often heard that intercity buses can be unsafe, but we never had any issues. We’ve taken several (including night buses) and felt completely fine.

That said, some routes are riskier. For example, between San Cristóbal and Palenque in Chiapas, robberies do happen. Best to avoid such stretches if you can.

Car rental in Mexico

Driving is another option. For a Yucatán road trip, a car works really well since the roads there are generally safe.

For a larger Mexico road trip, though, we wouldn’t recommend it. Mexico is a huge country, and it’s easier to cover long distances by plane or bus.

Also, some regions aren’t safe. If you’re not familiar with the country, driving long distances on your own isn’t the best idea. In some areas, there’s a risk of robberies.

Book a rental car for Mexico with Discover Cars

Note: Keep in mind that Mexico’s main highways are toll roads.

Getting around within cities in Mexico

Within cities, you’ll mostly use buses or colectivos (shared minivans). They don’t usually follow fixed schedules, but they’re cheap—around 8 MXN per ride.

Only three cities have a metro system: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Language and Communication in Mexico

The official language is Spanish, but you’ll also find many indigenous languages spoken throughout the country.

In the main tourist areas, you can usually get by with English. In smaller towns and rural areas, though, very few people speak it.

That’s why it’s a good idea to learn a few basic Spanish phrases before your trip. It makes a big difference and is one of our top travel tips for Mexico.

SIM Card, Internet & Sockets

SIM cards are inexpensive in Mexico. The most reliable provider with the best coverage is Telcel.

We recommend not buying your SIM card at the airport, as prices there are usually higher than in the city. If you’d rather keep things simple, you can also get an eSIM before your trip.

You’ll also find good Wi-Fi in many places across Mexico—at airports, cafés, bus stations and of course in most hotels and guesthouses.

You might need a travel adapter for Mexico. Mexico uses type A plugs.

The Best Time to Travel to Mexico

In Mexico, the year is divided not into four seasons but into a rainy and a dry season. The dry season runs from November to April and is generally the best time to travel to Mexico.

Still, since it rarely rains all day, the rainy season from May to October can also be a good option. Just be aware that June through November is the official hurricane season.

Food and Drinks in Mexico

Mexican food is world-famous. Here are a few dishes and drinks you shouldn’t miss during your trip.

Typical dishes in Mexico

• Mole: A rich sauce that comes in many varieties. It’s made with ingredients like chocolate and chilies and has a very distinctive flavor.
• Tacos: Small tortillas with different fillings and salsas.
• Quesadillas: Tortillas filled with melted cheese.
• Chile en Nogada: Stuffed chilies with walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds.
• Enchiladas: Rolled tortillas topped with red or green sauce.
• Chilaquiles: Fried tortilla chips simmered in sauce, often eaten for breakfast.

Typical drinks in Mexico

• Tequila: Mexico’s most famous spirit, a type of mezcal.
• Mezcal: A smoky spirit made from agave.
• Aguas Frescas: Refreshing fruit drinks. Jamaica, made with hibiscus flowers, is especially popular.

Of course, these are just a few examples. Each region has its own specialties and the list could go on forever.

Vaccinations and Diseases

Some vaccinations are recommended for Mexico. The best option is to check with your doctor beforehand, as they can give you advice tailored to your trip.

In general, hepatitis A, dengue fever, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies are often recommended. In some southern regions there is also a low risk of malaria.

We never came across malaria cases during our Mexico trip, but we did meet travelers who had caught dengue.

Dengue fever cases have increased sharply in 2023. It’s spread by mosquitoes that bite during the day. Protect yourself with repellent and long clothing.

Food poisoning and stomach problems

Almost every traveler we met in Mexico had stomach issues at least once.

Especially at the start of your trip, take it easy. The spices and heat in Mexican food are very different from what you may be used to. Give your stomach time to adjust and don’t dive in too fast.

More Travel Tips for Mexico

And finally, a few small but important travel tips for Mexico that will make your trip a little easier.

Toilets

In Mexico, toilet paper doesn’t go into the toilet but into the bin next to it.

Public toilets usually cost 5–8 pesos. When you pay, you’ll often get a few sheets of toilet paper. Sometimes it’s available outside the stalls.

Drinking water in Mexico

Tap water in most areas of Mexico is not safe to drink. Most hotels and guesthouses provide filtered water that you can refill bottles with.

Be careful with drinks that include ice. It’s better to ask if the ice is made with purified water. This is not always the case, especially at street stalls.

This was our travel guide for Mexico

Do you have any other travel tips for Mexico? Or any questions? Let us know in the comments.