Mexico travel guide

Chichén Itzá

Yucatán

Arrive at opening to beat heat and crowds

Teotihuacan

State of Mexico

Pyramids of the Sun and Moon near Mexico City

Tulum

Quintana Roo

Clifftop Maya ruins above the Caribbean

Cenotes of Yucatán

Yucatán Peninsula

Swim in natural sinkholes — use biodegradable sunscreen

Palenque

Chiapas

Maya temples in the jungle

Copper Canyon

Chihuahua

Ride the Chepe train through the canyons

Guanajuato

Guanajuato

Colourful hillside UNESCO city

Xochimilco

Mexico City

Colourful trajinera boats on ancient canals

Mexico City

Zócalo, Frida Kahlo Museum, Chapultepec and world-class food

Guides in Mexico →

Cancún

Caribbean beaches and the gateway to the Riviera Maya

Guides in Cancún →

Oaxaca

Colonial centre, markets, mezcal and Day of the Dead traditions

Guides in Oaxaca →

Guadalajara

Home of mariachi and tequila

Guides in Guadalajara →

Mérida

Yucatán capital — base for Maya ruins and cenotes

Guides in Mérida →

San Miguel de Allende

Colourful colonial town and arts hub

Guides in San →

✈️ Mexico City — Benito Juárez (MEX)

• Metrobús Line 4 to the historic centre
• Metro station Terminal Aérea (Line 5) near Terminal 1
• Authorised prepaid taxis (buy a ticket inside) or ride-hailing

✈️ Cancún (CUN)

• ADO buses to downtown Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum
• Pre-booked shuttles and authorised airport taxis

✈️ Tulum — Felipe Carrillo Puerto (TQO)

• ADO buses to Tulum and Playa del Carmen
• Authorised taxis and shuttles

🚆 Getting around

• Domestic flights connect major cities cheaply
• First-class long-distance buses (ADO, ETN, Primera Plus) are comfortable and safe
• Metro and Metrobús in Mexico City; Uber and DiDi in most cities
• The Tren Maya links the Yucatán Peninsula’s main sights

🙏 Culture & etiquette

• Greet people politely — “Buenos días” goes a long way
• Don’t drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water
• Dress modestly in churches
• Mealtimes are later: lunch (comida) around 2–4pm

📍 Places, scams & seasons

• Several states carry government travel warnings — check your government’s advisory for each region before travelling
• Use authorised taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than hailing cabs on the street at night
• Hurricane season June–November on both coasts
• Strong currents on some Pacific and Caribbean beaches — follow warning flags

⚖️ Laws & restrictions

• Carry your passport and entry record; immigration checks happen
• Bringing guns or even single bullets into Mexico is a serious crime
• Selling e-cigarettes and vapes is banned — don’t bring them
• Drug penalties are severe

💬 Words & topics to avoid

• Avoid calling people from the US “Americans” only — Mexicans are Americans too (say “estadounidenses”)
• Avoid cartel and narco jokes
• Some slang words that are harmless in Spain are rude in Mexico — check before using

Mexico City

Roma Norte and Condesa (leafy, cafes), Centro Histórico (sights), Polanco (upscale)

Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen (walkable), Tulum (boutique), Cancún Hotel Zone (resorts)

Sargassum seaweed can affect beaches in summer

Oaxaca

Centro Histórico

Walkable to markets and churches

Budget idea

Hostels and family-run posadas

Good value in colonial towns

Mercado de San Juan

Mexico City

Gourmet market with exotic ingredients

Mercado 20 de Noviembre

Oaxaca

Grill your own meats in the smoky passage

Mercado Libertad (San Juan de Dios)

Guadalajara

Huge market with birria and tortas ahogadas

Mercado Lucas de Gálvez

Mérida

Cochinita pibil and Yucatecan dishes

Tacos al pastor

Spit-roasted pork with pineapple

Mole

Rich sauces with chilli and chocolate — Oaxaca and Puebla

Cochinita pibil

Slow-roasted Yucatán pork

Chiles en nogada

Patriotic stuffed chilli, served August–September

Tamales

Steamed corn dough with fillings

Tequila & mezcal

Agave spirits from Jalisco and Oaxaca

Carnaval

February/March

Mazatlán and Veracruz

Holy Week (Semana Santa)

March/April

Nationwide

Guelaguetza

July

Oaxaca

Independence Day

15–16 September

Nationwide (Zócalo, Mexico City)

Festival Internacional Cervantino

October

Guanajuato

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

31 October – 2 November

Oaxaca, Mexico City, Michoacán

Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

12 December

Mexico City and nationwide

📱 SIM & eSIM

• Main networks: Telcel, AT&T, Movistar
• Prepaid SIMs at Telcel stores and OXXO shops; eSIMs are easy
• Mexico is introducing ID registration for phone lines — buy from an official store and bring your passport

📶 Coverage & Wi-Fi

• Good 4G in cities and resorts; weak in mountains and remote areas
• Wi-Fi in most hotels and cafes

🔌 Power plugs

127V, 60Hz — plug types A and B