Entry Requirements
Do I Need a Visa for Mexico?
Most nationalities can enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days as tourists.
✓ No Visa Required — 180 days
ℹ️ Alternative exemption — valid for all nationalities
Holders of a valid visa or permanent residency from the US, Canada, UK, Japan, the Schengen Area, or Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia, Peru) may enter Mexico without an additional Mexican visa, regardless of their passport nationality.
Visa Required
Note
Requirements subject to change. Always verify with the Mexican consulate before traveling. Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores México (gob.mx/sre)
Safety First
Emergency Numbers in Mexico
911
General Emergency
Police, Fire, Ambulance — nationwide
078
Tourist Assistance Hotline
24/7 — English available
800 890 3300
Cruz Roja (Red Cross)
Medical emergency, nationwide
*0311
LOCATEL
Mexico City info & lost persons line (CDMX metro area)
Embassies in Mexico City
| Country | Phone |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | +52 55 5080 2000 |
| 🇬🇧 UK | +52 55 1670 3200 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | +52 55 5724 7900 |
| 🇫🇷 France | +52 55 9171 9700 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | +52 55 5283 2200 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | +52 55 1101 2200 |
US Travel Advisory
Understanding the US Travel Advisory for Mexico
Mexico's most-visited international destinations — Cancún / Riviera Maya, Mexico City and Los Cabos — fall under Level 1 or Level 2 according to the US Department of State, the same range as most of Western Europe. The classification is issued per state, not per country, so tourist zones within a state can differ significantly from the state-level advisory.
The US Department of State issues a Mexico Travel Advisory with individual levels per state — not for the country as a whole. Most tourist zones fall under Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) or lower. Here is the current breakdown by state:
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Level 3 — Reconsider Travel
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions
ℹ️ Note on Jalisco: The state as a whole is classified at Level 3 due to conditions in certain rural areas, but the tourist zones of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta do not share the same risk profile as the rural areas that raise the state's overall advisory — the same pattern that applies to other large states on this list.
Health
Health Tips for Mexico
Tap Water
Do NOT drink tap water anywhere in Mexico. Always buy bottled water (agua embotellada). This applies to brushing teeth too when sensitive.
Vaccinations
No mandatory vaccines required to enter Mexico. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended. Consult your doctor 4–6 weeks before travel.
Travel Insurance
Strongly recommended. Public hospitals are free but can be slow. Private clinics (Médica Sur, Hospital Ángeles) are faster and excellent.
Medical Emergency
Call 911 or go to the nearest Hospital or Cruz Roja. In CDMX, Hospital Ángeles and Médica Sur are recommended for tourists.
Pharmacies
Farmacias del Ahorro and Farmacias Guadalajara are everywhere, many open 24 hours. Basic medications are cheap and widely available without a prescription.
Sun & Heat
Mexico is hot and sunny year-round. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, stay hydrated and be cautious at altitude (Mexico City sits at 2,240m above sea level).
Money
Money in Mexico
Mexican Peso (MXN)
1 USD ≈ 17–19 MXN · 1 EUR ≈ 18–21 MXN · 1 GBP ≈ 21–24 MXN
ATMs
Widely available. Use bank ATMs (BBVA, Santander, Banamex) to avoid high fees. Avoid ATMs inside convenience stores.
Credit Cards
Accepted in most restaurants, hotels and shops. Visa and Mastercard preferred. Amex less common outside tourist areas.
Cash
Always carry some cash for street food, markets, taxis and smaller businesses. Many places are cash-only.
Airport Exchange
Avoid currency exchange at airports — rates are poor. Use an ATM on arrival instead for the best rate.
Tipping
10–15% in restaurants is expected. Tip hotel staff (20–50 MXN/night), tour guides (50–100 MXN) and drivers.
Digital Payments
Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in major cities. Oxxo convenience stores accept cash payments for everything.
Transport
Getting Around Mexico
Uber
RecommendedAvailable in most major cities — safer and more reliable than street taxis. Exception: in Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen), Uber cannot pick up at airports or hotels due to local taxi regulations; Tulum has no Uber service at all. Use authorized airport transfers or hotel taxis there.
ADO Buses
Best valueExcellent first-class intercity bus service. Connects all major tourist destinations with comfortable, air-conditioned coaches. Book at ado.com.mx.
Metro CDMX
5 MXNCheap, extensive network, safe during daytime. Avoid rush hours (7–9 AM, 6–8 PM). Download the official Metro CDMX app for navigation.
Domestic Flights
Volaris, Aeromexico and VivaAerobus connect all major cities. Book early for cheap fares. Flight time CDMX to Cancún: ~2.5h.
Street Taxis
CautionOnly use licensed taxis (with taximeter) or taxis booked through hotel concierge. Avoid hailing taxis from the street, especially at night.
Apps
Essential Apps for Mexico
Uber
Safest way to get around in most cities. Note: in Quintana Roo, Uber cannot pick up at airports/hotels in Cancún or Playa del Carmen, and has no service in Tulum.
Google Maps
Works offline — download maps before you go. Essential for navigation.
Everyone in Mexico uses WhatsApp. Essential for contacting hotels, guides and locals.
ADO
Book intercity buses online. Best way to travel between cities.
Farmacias del Ahorro
Find the nearest 24h pharmacy. Delivery available in major cities.
XE Currency
Real-time peso exchange rates. Never get confused about conversions again.
Ask our AI guide anything about Mexico — destinations, food, transport and more.
Planning
When to Visit Mexico
Dry Season
December – April
Best weather nationwide. Clear skies, low humidity. Peak tourist season — book in advance. Ideal for beaches and city exploration.
Hot & Dry
May – June
Hot and dry. Fewer crowds and lower prices than peak season. Good time for cultural cities like Oaxaca and Guanajuato.
Rainy Season
July – September
Lush green landscapes but afternoon showers. Hurricane risk on Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Lower prices. Jungle and nature destinations at their best.
Shoulder Season
October – November
Excellent weather, fewer crowds, lower prices. Día de Muertos (Nov 1–2) — one of the world's great cultural experiences. Highly recommended.
2026 FIFA World Cup — México hosted June–July 2026
Mexico hosted matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — the Azteca, Akron and BBVA stadiums. The three cities remain major travel destinations year-round. World Cup recap →
Weather
Rainy Season & Hurricanes — What to Expect
Mexico's weather is highly regional. Understanding the rainy season and hurricane risk can help you plan a safer, more enjoyable trip.
Rainy Season (May – October)
Afternoon showers, not all day
Rain typically falls between 2–6 PM for 1–2 hours. Mornings are usually sunny — plan outdoor activities in the morning.
Greener landscapes, fewer tourists
The rainy season makes Mexico's jungles and mountains lush. Prices drop and popular sites are less crowded.
Pack a light rain jacket
A compact waterproof jacket or poncho is all you need. Umbrellas are widely sold everywhere.
Cities are largely unaffected
In CDMX, Oaxaca and Guadalajara, rain rarely disrupts travel plans. The main risk is on coastal areas during hurricane season.
Rainy Season by Region
| Destination | Rainy Season |
|---|---|
| Mexico City (CDMX) | May – October (afternoons) |
| Cancún / Riviera Maya | June – October |
| Oaxaca | May – September |
| Guadalajara | June – September |
| Los Cabos / Baja | August – September (brief) |
| Chiapas | May – October (heavy) |
| Yucatán | May – October |
Hurricane Season (June – November)
Caribbean / Gulf Coast
Cancún, Cozumel, Tulum and Playa del Carmen can be affected by Atlantic hurricanes from June to November. Peak risk: August, September, October.
Pacific Coast
Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Acapulco have a hurricane season too, though less frequent than the Caribbean.
Los Cabos
Occasionally affected by Pacific hurricanes in September. Most years pass without major storms, but monitor forecasts.
Interior & Highlands
Mexico City, Oaxaca, Guanajuato and most inland destinations are not affected by hurricanes. Safe year-round.
If traveling to coastal areas during hurricane season:
- ✓ Buy travel insurance that covers trip cancellation due to weather
- ✓ Monitor the National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov) during your trip
- ✓ Hotels in coastal areas have established evacuation protocols — follow their guidance
- ✓ Hurricanes are typically predictable days in advance — there is time to evacuate if necessary
Month-by-Month Overview
January
Dry / Ideal
February
Dry / Ideal
March
Dry / Ideal
April
Dry / Ideal
May
Rains begin
June
Rain + hurricanes begin
July
Rain + hurricanes
August
Peak hurricane risk
September
Highest hurricane risk
October
Rain + hurricanes
November
Rains end — Día de Muertos
December
Dry / Peak season
Blog
Related Articles
Tips de viaje
Is Mexico Safe to Travel Right Now? A State-by-State Answer
Mexico is huge and safety varies by state. Here's how to read the official travel advisory, where most tourists go, and practical rules for a safe trip.
Tips de viaje
Is Cancún Safe for Tourists?
Cancún is rated Level 2 by the U.S. State Department. Here's what that means in practice, which areas to be careful in, and how to stay safe.
AI Travel Guide
Have more questions?
Ask our AI travel guide anything about Mexico — visas, safety, transport, food and more.
Ask GO MEXICO →