Mexico Travel Tips: Essential Info for Your Vacation in Mexico

Is a Vacation in Mexico Worth It?

Oh yes, Mexico is a fantastic vacation destination! Whether you’re dreaming of a beach vacation in Yucatán, exploring ancient Maya sites like Chichén Itzá, or wandering through colorful colonial towns — Mexico has something for every type of traveler.

And the food? Simply incredible: delicious tacos on every street corner, traditional mole, stuffed chile peppers — seriously, yum.

Aside from the Yucatán region, Mexico is generally also an affordable destination. Plus, many parts of the country are significantly safer than you might think.

Getting to Mexico

There are direct flights from major European hubs to Mexico City and Cancún. If you’re heading to another city in Mexico, you’ll likely connect through Cancún or Mexico City.

You can save money on flights by connecting through the US — for example in New York or Atlanta — or by making a stopover in Madrid.

Flight duration from Europe is roughly 12 hours direct. With a stopover, plan for more time.

We always search for flights through Skyscanner.

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Entry Requirements for Mexico

To enter Mexico, you need a passport valid through the end of your stay. As a tourist, you’re allowed to remain in Mexico for up to 180 days.

Note: Our passports were stamped with 90 days as the permitted length of stay. If you plan to stay longer than that, you may need to extend your permit while in the country.

When we boarded our flight to Mexico, we were asked to present our return ticket.

As far as we know, this isn’t technically mandatory — but some airlines do require proof of onward travel anyway. It’s safer to have a return flight booked before you arrive.

Our entry at the airport in Mexico was completely straightforward. At customs, we answered a few questions about the length of our stay and the purpose of our visit (tourism), and received our stamps right away.

Paying and Currency in Mexico

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). 1 Euro is worth approximately 20 MXN.

Mexico sits in the middle of the affordability spectrum. It’s not as cheap as most countries in South America or Southeast Asia like Peru or Thailand, but significantly cheaper than the US or Western Europe.

Keep in mind that tourist hotspots like Tulum or Cancún are pricier than, say, Mexico City or Oaxaca.

In many places you can pay by card. At smaller restaurants or street stalls, though, cash is usually your only option. Some accommodations and restaurants also add a surcharge for card payments.

Bottom line: always carry cash with you.
Withdrawing Money in Mexico

You can withdraw cash at almost any ATM in Mexico. Mexican banks charge a fee that varies by bank — but you shouldn’t have to pay more than 50 Pesos, since there are plenty of cheaper options around.

We always used BanCoppel ATMs. They charge just 29 MXN in fees and have machines in almost every city.

Note: Some ATMs will ask if you want to pay a Conversion. Always click Decline — the exchange rate they offer is really bad.
Tipping in Mexico

Tipping is customary in Mexico. The minimum is around 10 percent. In most restaurants, your bill comes to the table, you pay the amount, and then leave the tip on the table.

If you pay by card, the tip — called servicio in Spanish — is sometimes already included. You’ll be asked whether you want to pay the servicio and what percentage. Alternatively, you can always leave the tip in cash.

Where to Stay in Mexico

Mexico’s most popular destinations offer a huge range of places to stay — from luxury hotels to simple hostels and vacation rentals. The price range is enormous.

Here are our hotel picks for popular vacation spots in Mexico:

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
Also check out all our hotel guides for Mexico

• 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
• Mexico City Hotel Tips

Safety in Mexico

You’ve probably heard plenty about crime in Mexico — and not much of it reassuring. Here’s the honest take: you can absolutely have a great vacation there.

Tourist destinations are safe, and you’ll likely barely notice the country’s security issues during your trip.

That said, it does depend on where you go and which areas you spend time in. Since this topic deserves more space than we have here, we cover it in depth in a separate article on safety in Mexico — including the most important guidelines for your trip.

Getting Around in Mexico

Traveling between cities in Mexico is relatively expensive. You have three options: domestic flights, intercity buses, or a rental car.

Domestic Flights in Mexico

For very long distances, we recommend booking a domestic flight. Prices vary, and you’ll rarely find anything under 100 euros. Here are a few popular routes by plane:

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

Intercity Buses in Mexico

Many routes can also be covered by bus. Long-distance buses are widespread across Mexico. In the south, the bus company ADO has the largest network. The buses are comfortable and usually run on time.

You can book tickets online on the ADO website. Since it doesn’t always work reliably, ViajoMucho and Checkmybus are solid alternatives.

Here are some popular bus routes with approximate journey 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 bus companies are more common. ETN is an excellent choice — their buses are a bit pricier than the competition, but very comfortable and fast. The Mexico City – Guadalajara route, for example, runs about 900 MXN.

We’ve heard people say intercity buses in Mexico are dangerous. We can’t confirm that from our own experience. We traveled multiple routes on (overnight) buses and never had any issues.

There are some roads where robberies occur more frequently, though — such as in the Chiapas region between San Cristóbal and Palenque. Try to avoid those routes if possible.

Rental Cars in Mexico

Exploring Mexico by rental car is also an option. If you’re doing a road trip in Yucatán, for example, a car works really well — the roads there are fairly safe.

For a full road trip across Mexico, though, we wouldn’t recommend it. For one thing, Mexico is enormous, and flying or taking a long-distance bus makes more sense for some stretches.

For another, some regions are genuinely dangerous. If you’re not very familiar with Mexico, driving long distances without a solid plan isn’t a great idea — the risk of robbery exists in many areas.

Compare rental car deals for Mexico on Discovercars
Note: Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay toll fees on highways in Mexico.

Getting Around Within Cities in Mexico

Within cities, transportation is mainly provided by buses and colectivos (minivans). They often don’t run on fixed schedules. A ride within a city usually costs around 8 MXN.

A metro system only exists in three cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Language and Communication in Mexico

The official language of Mexico is Spanish. A number of indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country.

English will get you by just fine in most tourist areas. In smaller, less touristy places, however, only a few people speak it.

We’d recommend picking up at least the basics of Spanish before your trip — it goes a long way.

SIM Cards, Internet & Power Outlets

SIM cards are affordable in Mexico. The best-known provider with the widest internet coverage is Telcel.

We’d suggest skipping the airport SIM card stands — prices there tend to be higher than in the city center. If you’d rather sort things out before you land, you can also pick up an eSIM ahead of your trip.

Stay connected on the go: With an eSIM from Saily

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In many parts of Mexico, you’ll find good Wi-Fi — at airports, cafés, and bus terminals alike. Wi-Fi at most accommodations is also very reliable.

The power outlets in Mexico are different from those in Europe. You’ll need a travel adapter — Mexico uses Type A outlets, while most of Europe uses Type C and Type F.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico

In Mexico, the seasons aren’t divided into spring, summer, fall, and winter — it’s all about dry season versus rainy season. The dry season runs roughly from November to April and is also the best time to visit Mexico.

That said, it rarely rains all day long, so you can still have a fantastic trip during the rainy season from May to October. Just keep in mind that the official hurricane season runs from June through November.

Food and Drink in Mexico

Mexican cuisine is world-famous — and for good reason. Here are the dishes you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

Typical Dishes in Mexico

• Mole: A thick sauce that comes in many versions. Made from a mix of ingredients including chocolate and chilis, it has a truly unique flavor.
• Tacos: Small tortillas with various meat fillings and sauces.
• Quesadillas: Tortillas with melted cheese.
• Chile en Nogada: Stuffed chile peppers in walnut sauce topped with pomegranate seeds.
• Enchiladas: Filled, soft tortillas in red or green sauce.
• Chilaquiles: Tortilla chips in sauce — a classic Mexican breakfast.

Typical Drinks in Mexico

• Tequila: Mexico’s most famous spirit — technically a type of mezcal.
• Mezcal: A spirit made from agave.
• Aguas Frescas: Water infused with fruit flavor. The Jamaica (hibiscus) variety is especially popular.

There are, of course, many more regional specialties across Mexico — we could fill a whole article just with food tips. But this gives you a solid starting point.

Vaccinations and Health

A number of vaccinations are recommended before traveling to Mexico. It’s worth speaking with your doctor ahead of time, as they can give you more tailored advice based on your specific itinerary.

In general, Hepatitis A, Dengue fever, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies vaccinations are recommended. In most southern regions of Mexico, there is also a low risk of malaria.

On our trip we never encountered malaria, but we did meet several travelers who had come down with Dengue.

Dengue fever cases increased significantly in 2023. The disease is transmitted by daytime mosquitoes, so protect yourself as best you can with mosquito repellent and long clothing.

Food Poisoning and Stomach Problems

Almost every traveler we met in Mexico dealt with stomach problems at least once during their trip.

Especially at the start of your vacation, take it easy. The spices and heat level of Mexican food are different from what most people are used to at home, and your stomach needs time to adjust. Ease into it gradually.

Other Tips for Mexico

Finally, a few practical things worth knowing before you arrive.

Restrooms

In Mexico, toilet paper does not go in the toilet — it goes in the trash can next to it.

For public restrooms, you usually pay 5–8 Pesos to use them. When you pay, you’re typically handed toilet paper. Sometimes it’s located outside the stalls.

Drinking Water in Mexico

Tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink. That said, all of our accommodations had a water filter we could use to fill up on drinking water.

Be careful when ordering drinks with ice. It’s worth asking whether the ice was made from filtered water — this isn’t always the case, especially with juices at street stalls.