Mexico Travel Guide
Mexico always has us coming back for more.
Yes, the beaches are are irresistible. But beyond the resorts, we’ve wandered vibrant colonial towns, explored cool museums and dipped into jungle-hidden cenotes (perfect for a swim!). After umpteen trips – and even creating a separate Cabo-focused blog (Cabo Visitor), we’ve got lots of insights to share.
This guide is your shortcut to planning a Mexico trip you’ll fall for, just like we have.
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Useful Mexico facts
- Geography: Located on the continent of North America, Mexico covers 761,610 sq. miles (1,972,550 sq. km), making it the world’s 13th largest country.
- Capital: Mexico City
- Population: 128+ million
- Official language: Spanish, though English is widely spoken in tourist places.
- Currency: The official currency is the Mexican peso, but U.S. dollars are accepted in most tourist destinations. The exchange rate is about 1 USD to 20 Mexican pesos. Things will cost less if you pay in Mexican cash, rather than using your credit card.
Things to know before traveling to Mexico
Plugs and electricity
Mexico’s power plugs and sockets are type A and B. The standard voltage is 127 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
You won’t need any adapters or converters if coming from the U.S. or Canada, as the plugs are the same.
Visa and entry requirements
Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and most European countries don’t need a visa to go on holiday in Mexico.
Getting to Mexico
Getting to Mexico from the U.S.
United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta and other major airlines offer flights from most major cities in the United States to Mexico.
Flight times are, for example:
- Chicago to Cancun – 3 hours and 50 minutes
- L.A. to Mexico City – 3 hours and 40 minutes
- New York City to Puerto Vallarta – 6 hours and 5 minutes
Getting to Mexico from Canada
From Canada, WestJet and Air Canada (the two main carriers) offer direct flights from Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and other cities to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and other sunny Mexican beach destinations.
The flying time is:
- Vancouver to Cabo San Lucas – 4 hours and 25 minutes
- Toronto to Cancun – 4 hours and 15 minutes
When to go to Mexico
The climate in Mexico is generally very pleasant most of the time.
But different parts of the country have different climates. The best time to visit Mexico depends on the region you want to visit and the activities you plan on doing.
For example, the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas depends on whether you want to go sportfishing (August to October are prime) or whale watching (January is a great month).
Mexico in winter
In general, the best time to travel to Mexico is in the winter months, between December and April.
This is the coolest time (as in not scorching hot!), with very little rain.
Winter is also Mexico’s high season, however, so you have to contend with more crowds, and hotel rates are higher.
Bring a sweater and long pants if you visit some of the colonial cities in Mexico’s heartland in December or January.
For example, during the day in San Miguel de Allende, it’s balmy and short sleeves weather, but at night, temps drop and you need woollies. A fireplace in your hotel room is a welcome amenity too!
Mexico in summer
The rainy season runs from about July/August to October in the southern parts of the country. This is the hurricane season too. It’s also steaming hot!
If you’re looking for ideal beach weather, you may want to avoid going to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and other coastal areas during this time.
Mind you, summer in Los Cabos marks the arrival of sea turtles, so this is when you can help release baby hatchlings to the sea – a very special activity!
In Cabo, the sea water is also the warmest and visibility is at its best in October and November, so this is an awesome time for snorkeling and scuba diving.
In Cancun, July and August is the peak whale shark season. If you want to swim with these gentle giants in Cancun (who doesn’t!), summer is when you should visit.
What to do in Mexico?
There are countless amazing things to do and places to see in Mexico. Still, some experiences stand out as being real highlights.
Put the following on your Mexico bucket list
- Swim with whale sharks in La Paz. Snorkeling with these gigantic but gentle creatures is surreal.
- Visit Mexico’s beautiful colonial cities like San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato (covered in more detail below).
- Explore Chichen Itza and other Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Swim in one of the cenotes in the Riviera Maya. Cenotes are natural freshwater underground pools – dream-like places often adorned with stalactites and stalagmites.
- Ride the Copper Canyon Train over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels.
- Experience the joyful Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) festival, when Mexicans celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on. (The small town of Patzcuaro is especially well-known for its authentic and colorful celebrations.)
- Sample exquisite regional Mexican cuisine in Oaxaca, an international culinary destination. (Braised rabbit mole enchiladas, anyone?)
Pueblos Magicos (“magical towns”)
The Pueblos Magicos of Mexico are special small towns that the Mexican government has designated as “magical towns.”
What makes a town magical? It could be the town’s beauty, natural wonders or historical significance.
Take Bacalar.
This cute beach town on the Yucatan Peninsula (about 4 hours south of Cancun) hugs a vast gorgeous lake called the Lake of Seven Colors.
It’s a great place to do nothing but swing in a hammock over the water (or perhaps in the water!) and gaze at the different hues of teal and turquoise wavelets lapping the lush mangrove-fringed shoreline.
Over in the state of Chiapas, the colorfully painted colonial architecture in San Cristobal de las Casas is an absolute delight.
Built in 1528, the egg-yolk yellow cathedral which overlooks the town’s main plaza welcomed Pope Francis in 2016.
The town has a large indigenous population; many are skilled artisans. Markets as well as high-end shops sell their Mayan textiles, jade sculptures, artworks and amber jewelry.
Then there’s Cholula, considered one of the oldest cities in the world, in the state of Puebla.
Its rich history, traditions, legends and the Great Pyramid of Cholula make it a Pueblo Magico.
From a distance, the pyramid, known as Tlachihualtepetl (which translates to “man-made mountain”) looks like a small hill with a golden-colored Spanish church on top.
But upon exploring the archaeological site, you see rock steps and walls – evidence that a great Aztec pyramid, believed to be the largest monument ever built on Earth, is hidden under the grass.
Where to stay in Mexico
Mexico offers every type of accommodation you can think of.
From 5-star hotels in the big cities to boutique places in coastal towns to deluxe all-inclusive resorts in beach destinations like Cancun, you’ll find accommodation to suit you.
You’ll also find some gorgeous Mexican resorts with private pool suites.
Be aware, of course, that hotel rates soar during high season and over major holidays like Christmas and Easter.
Hotels in Mexico City
The Red Tree House is the #1 bed-and-breakfast in Mexico City, located in the leafy Condesa neighborhood.
We also enjoyed our stay at the Four Seasons Mexico City – a luxury boutique hotel in a great central location in Mexico City.
Hotels in Los Cabos
Perhaps you’d like the uber-luxe One & Only Palmilla? It pretty well ticks off all the boxes for a luxury beach resort in Cabo.
For an all-inclusive stay, the Grand Velas Los Cabos will pamper you silly with large suites, gourmet restaurants and superb service.
Or maybe you’d like the edgy chic style of The Cape, a Thompson Hotel?
We’ve stayed at these top Mexican hotels in Cabo – and many more. Head on over to our reviews of the top luxury hotels in Los Cabos for all the luscious details!
If you want an adults-only stay in Cabo, check out the artsy Hotel El Ganzo. It’s a boutique hotel in Puerto Los Cabos with a cool beach club.
Hotels in Puerto Vallarta
We’re partial to the beautiful boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta.
Casa de Mita, for example, is a true beachfront gem (with just 8 rooms and suites) in the Punta Mita area, outside of Puerto Vallarta.
And Hacienda San Angel has heavenly suites in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica.
Come to think of it, you might want to split your stay between these two hotels to get a taste of both the beach and colonial PV in one holiday.
Hotels in Tulum
Wondering where you should stay in Tulum? It’s gone quite upscale in recent years.
You now have plenty of choice when it comes to chic, boutique and cool digs in Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula.
We love these boho-chic beachfront hotels in Tulum. Many offer private pool suites too.
There are also some cool hotels in downtown Tulum.
Other places to stay in Mexico
We’ve stayed at all of the following individual hotels in Mexico.
(For most hotels, clicking on the link will take you to our review of that hotel.)
More top hotels in Mexico
- Villa Ganz | Beautiful villa hotel, with a garden, right in the city (Guadalajara)
- Casa de Sierra Nevada | Gorgeous colonial-style hotel with 37 rooms in various casonas or mansions (San Miguel de Allende)
- Quinta Las Acacias | A 19th century French-style mansion (Guanajuato)
- Cantera 10 Boutique Hotel | Hip 5-star boutique hotel in a 300-year-old building (Morelia)
- La Casa Que Canta | Romantic boutique hotel in Mexican style, with stunning pools and sea views (Zihuatanejo)
- Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sophisticated all-inclusive resort with deluxe suites and superb restaurants (Riviera Maya)
- Banyan Tree Cabo Marques | Seductive hideaway with 45 villas, all with private pools (Acapulco)
Food and drinks in Mexico
We don’t want to forget mentioning all the tantalizing local cuisine!
One of the best tips we can offer is to try different Mexican culinary creations.
Don’t think just tacos and burritos. One of the facts about Mexican food you may not know is that it can be very creative. The state of Oaxaca, for example, is renowned internationally for its complex cuisine.
Tortillas are a staple local food in Mexico.
A type of pancake, tortillas are traditionally made with corn and eaten with pretty well everything! They can be stuffed with veggies and chicken, beef or seafood. Or turned into enchiladas (stuffed with cheese and meat, topped with sauce and baked).
We happen to like our tacos made with flour tortillas and so order them made with flour.
And to go with those tacos? Mexican margaritas of course! Fresh lime margaritas are the most popular. But we also love tamarind margaritas and mango margaritas.
The fresh fruit is always a juicy pleasure to eat too.
Have you heard of the chocolate pudding fruit? No? Well, it’s delicious! Check it out in our post on 17 delicious types of fruit in Mexico.
How to get around Mexico
Bus
The main form of public transportation in Mexico is the bus.
One of the biggest surprises for us was the first-class bus service in Mexico for traveling between cities.
We were delighted to discover big reclining seats for lying back, with raised footrests offering lots of legroom in front to stretch out one’s legs.
Think business class on an airplane. That’s what it almost feels like.
The first-class buses are clean, comfortable, inexpensive and the best way to travel between cities. Taking the deluxe buses makes getting around the country easy – and it’s less of a hassle than flying.
Some of the most reliable bus companies with deluxe class seating are:
- ADO
- Primera Plus
- Estrella de Oro
Our Mexico itinerary by bus
Not keen to rent a car in Mexico, we rode the deluxe bus from Guadalajara to Guanajuato, then to San Miguel de Allende and Morelia, and lastly to Zihuatanejo.
Within the cities, we took taxis when distances were too far to walk.
Taxis
In general, getting around by taxis within cities or resort areas is fairly inexpensive.
The exception is Los Cabos, where taxi rides are quite pricey. (Mind you, the distances sometimes warrant that.)
Uber
What about Uber in Mexico?
You’ll find Uber operating in several cities in Mexico, including Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cancun, Cuernavaca, Merida and Aguascalientes.
But in places like Cancun and Los Cabos, Uber isn’t allowed to cover the airport – and we believe this is true for the rest of Mexico too.
You’ll also discover that the taxi drivers hate Uber.
That being said, we’ve used Uber for certain rides in Mexico without any problems. But for getting to and from the airport, we’d suggest booking a transfer in advance (or hopping in a cab).
Other Mexico travel tips
Shopping
From tequila to Day of the Dead figurines, silver jewelry and Talavera pottery, you’ll want to bring back some authentic Mexican souvenirs as mementos of your Mexico holiday.
And bargaining? Yep, it’s expected at local markets and when shopping from beach vendors. It’s part of the shopping fun!
Here’s how to bargain like a pro in Mexico.
Tipping
It’s customary to tip between 10 to 20% of your bill in restaurants.
In hotels, give the porter 10 to 20 pesos per bag. And it’s nice to leave housekeeping a little something on the bed before you check out.
You usually don’t need to tip taxi drivers.
Can you drink the water in Mexico?
In most places, tap water is not okay to drink straight from the tap.
Play it safe and drink bottled or purified water.
Learn some Spanish
Knowing Spanish is a big help, especially when exploring beyond the most popular destinations in Mexico.
It’s not really needed in the main tourist places, where most everyone in the hotel and restaurant industry speaks decent English.
But it’s always nice to know a few words and phrases of the local language. You’ve got to know at least “Gracias!” and “Dos cervezas, por favor.”
Communicating in the local language shows you’re trying to connect with the locals – and they’ll appreciate your effort, even if you end up mangling your Spanglish.
Travel in the shoulder season
Don’t expect to find good deals if you travel to popular vacation spots in Mexico over Christmas, New Year’s, Easter or spring break. You’ll also need to book your accommodation early if you’re fussy about where to stay.
While we often vacation in Mexico over Christmas, we’ve found the shoulder season is a better time to travel for fewer crowds and better rates.
November (avoiding the U.S. Thanskgiving holiday) and early December are especially good times for beach vacations for the best combination of great weather, fewer people and appealing rates.
Get travel insurance
It’s most important to buy solid travel insurance to protect you against injury, illness, theft and trip cancellations. We never travel anywhere without insurance!
SafetyWing, for example, is designed for frequent travelers and digital nomads. It offers coverage for things like medical expenses, lost checked luggage and trip interruption.
5 Fun facts about Mexico that might surprise you!
- Color TV was invented in Mexico (by Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena).
- Mexico has the oldest university in North America (National University of Mexico).
- Mexico’s southern jungles are home to jaguars.
- The largest pyramid in the world is the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico.
- Mexico City has 150+ museums – it ranks second after London as the city with the most museums in the world.
Is it safe to visit Mexico?
Most of Mexico is safe for visitors. Violent crime against visitors is rare, and millions of tourists visit every year with no problems.
The areas most affected by drug cartel crimes are places tourists don’t visit.
We’ve never felt unsafe.
Petty theft is the biggest crime risk in the tourist areas in Mexico. Take the normal precautions you would when visiting anywhere in the world. And if you don’t hang out in dodgy areas, you should be fine.
That said, it’s a good idea to check the latest travel advisories for Mexico before you go. See the US Travel Advisory and Canada Travel Advisory on Mexico.
More Mexico travel information
- Planning: Find useful flight, hotel booking and other tips in our Resources guide.
- Guide books: Check out the Mexico travel guides available on Amazon. (As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)
- All our articles: See all our Mexico posts.
Adios, and enjoy your vacay! The Mexican people are warm and friendly, and they know how to show you a great time…
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Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
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