All you need to know before visiting Mexico

Budget

Prices in Mexico vary greatly by region – from pretty high in tourist places (but still lower than in most US tourist destinations) to very low in rural regions.

• Prices for private rooms for two start at 17 USD (14 EUR) in Puerto Vallarta, 12 USD (10 EUR) in Guadalajara and Cancun, and 10 USD (8.5 EUR) in Mexico City, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen.

• Food prices are generally low. A budget dinner costs somewhere between 4 and 11 USD (3.4 – 9 EUR). Street food is even cheaper (2-3 USD/1,7-2.5 EUR).

• Transportation costs are low in Mexico. A bus ride around the city is generally cheaper than 0.5 USD (0.4 EUR) and intercity bus rides cost approximately 5 USD (4.2 EUR) for a 100 km (62 mi) ride. Car rental rates start at 14 USD (11.8 EUR), gas is pretty cheap as well, but tolls are surprisingly expensive.

To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.

Where to stay

You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real Mexican experience.

Best time to go

Since Mexico is a very big country, the weather varies by region. Generally speaking, the best time to visit Mexico is during its dry season (between December and April), even though the prices are higher this time of year. Hurricane season is from June to November. Beach destinations may get crowded during Spring Break and destinations popular among locals get overrun in July and August and during the holidays.

Other information

♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.

♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.

♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.

♦ Language: The official language in Mexico is Spanish. Check out the typical travel vocabulary (in English) here. Learn useful travel phrases in Spanish here.

♦ Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)

♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All visitors are required to have a valid travel document and a visa. Citizens of visa-exempt countries can travel to Mexico without a visa. For more information check out their official website.

♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in Mexico are A and B, the standard voltage is 127 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

♦ Time zones: UTC-08:00 to -05:00 (Standard Time Zone),

UTC-07:00 to -05:00 (Daylight Saving Time – during the summer, from March to November)

♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Mexico. However, it is recommended to get travel vaccines and medicines for tetanus, hepatitis B, typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies, and malaria. To prevent malaria avoid mosquito bites. Currently, Zika virus is a risk in Mexico.

♦ Health and safety tips:

You should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:

• Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
• Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
• Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
• Don’t carry a lot of money.
• Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
• Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
• Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
• Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
• Don’t count your money in public.
• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

For other common safety concerns in Mexico, check out Trip Advisor’s Mexico Public Safety tips. For health concerns check out Lonely Planet’s health tips.

To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.

• Tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink. Drink bottled or filtered water instead.
* Always make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.

• Mexico is relatively close to the equator and the sun is very strong. Therefore, always make sure to use sunscreen.

♦ Local Customs: Mexican are very warm, friendly, polite, sociable and ceremonious. They tend to be frank, loud and expressive. A friendly handshake when meeting a person is customary; friends kiss on one cheek. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of Mexico. Avoid wearing a bikini elsewhere than on the beach. Revealing clothes are frowned upon. Standing with your hands on your hips or with your hands in your pockets is considered rude. Giving up one’s seat on a bus for the elderly, the blind, and pregnant women is common courtesy. Basic Spanish will earn you a lot of points in Mexico.

Check out top things to see and do in Mexico, as well as top romantic experiences and adventures here.