The Completed Mexico Travel Guide For Hassle-Free Travel
A Mexican travel guide is what you need to read before you can say "¡Viva México!" and groove to salsa. Why, you ask?
With so many amazing options that a country as diverse as Mexico has to offer, you’ll probably need one. No matter if you’re chilling on sun-kissed beaches sipping margaritas or exploring the majestic ruins of ancient civilisations. A good Mexico travel guide can give you ideas on which best options to put on your itinerary, including what essentials to pack.
Here’s what you can expect to find in this guide:
- An overview of Mexico
- Important travel tips, such as visa requirements and transportation
- Where to go and what to do to enjoy Mexico to the fullest
- How to plan and budget the perfect Mexico trip
- Safety advice and exclusive local insights
Now, let the mariachi play!
The Magnificent Mexico - An Overview
Geographic and cultural beauties, Mexico has them all. Photo by Richie Chan - stock.adobe.com
Mexico’s geography is one big part of its charm. Bordering the US to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala and Belize to the south, its terrains are incredibly varied.
From gorgeous beaches, lush jungles, great mountains and cities with both modern and ancient allure, they all make for an exciting and diverse itinerary. The best part? It’s an experience you can enjoy without breaking the bank.
When it comes to Mexican culture, it’s not wrong to say the country is famous worldwide. Even if you have never been to Mexico, you’ve probably already heard of or experienced Mexican food and arts before. Surprisingly, certain parts of the nation is also very LGBT-friendly.
Delicious cuisine like tamales, tacos and mole, vibrant music scene with the salsa and mariachi bands, the adored telenovelas, the great Frida Kahlo, and what else? Oh, yes, the festivals, such as the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos).
Mexico’s history dates back thousands of years, being the home to some of the world’s oldest civilisations like the Maya, Aztec, and Olmec. Their remaining architectural marvels can still be explored today.
Mexico’s weather is also favourable to tourists year-round. No matter when you visit the country, there’s always an adventure waiting for you. The sunny days call to the beachgoers. The tropical forests await hikers. The desert and cold mountains draw in adrenaline-seekers.
How Many Days In Mexico Is Enough?
At least a week for all the iconic sights and sees. Credit: @st4xu
Some of the most popular cities in Mexico, including Mexico City, can be fitted in a 7-10 day trip.
You can spend 4 days in the urban areas to explore famous landmarks, attractions and experience the food, culture and art scenes. Then the next 3 days can be spent exploring the natural beauty of Mexico, such as the archeological sites like Chichen Itza or stunning beaches of Cancun.
However, since Mexico is very diverse, with lots of unique indigenous cultures, a 2 or 3 week stay is also ideal. You can expand your itinerary to include more lesser-known places like Chiapas or Baja California.
All in all, it depends on your preferences. Mexico City, and the entirety of Mexico itself, is impressively huge with lots and lots, and lots of things to do. Just the neighbourhoods of Roma Norte and La Condesa alone are enough to fill a two-day itinerary.
The Best Months To Visit Mexico
Mexico is nice to visit year-round. But the best time to visit Mexico depends on what you want to enjoy the most.
For example, if you’re looking for a beach getaway in places such as Cancun, then December or early January are the best because the weather is fantastic. It’s warm but not humid, and there are going to be a lot of bird species migrating there. The downsides might be that ticket fares and accommodations may be a bit more expensive than usual.
Mexico City and other cities can be visited anytime, but if you’re a foodie, we recommend the time around All-Saints day, which takes place on November 2nd.
Summer months are rainy, so if you’re bothered by the rain, avoid July and August.
What Is Required To Enter Mexico?
Similar to other countries, Mexico has both visa-free entry and visa-required entry.
Which Countries Do Not Need A Visa For Mexico?
Many European countries are exempt from visa application to visit Mexico. Photo by Marcos - stock.adobe.com
As of 2024, citizens from 65 countries travelling to Mexico for leisure purposes do not need a visa application if the length of their stay is less than 180 days.
For European countries:
- Schengen area:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland.
- The United Kingdom
- Andorra
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Vatican City
For American countries:
- Argentina
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
-
The United States
For Asian countries and Oceanian countries:
- Japan
- South Korea
- Hong Kong and Macau (less than 90 days)
- Australia
- New Zealand
For Visa-Free Entry
Here are the documents you need:
- Valid passport with at least a six-month validity
- A valid Multiple Digital Migration Form (FMMd), which can be obtained from airlines, travel agencies, or at the port of entry
- Depending on your nationality, you may need proof of permanent residency
- Other documents may be asked to present are a valid APEC business travel card, proof of travel such as flight tickets, accommodations, itinerary, and proof of funds
- As well as other personal documents required by immigration officials.
Mexico entry requirements vary, depending on where you’re entering Mexico from, your mode of transport to Mexico, purposes of travel, and, most importantly, your nationality.
H3. For Visa-Required Entry
The documents are not that different from visa-free entry, but of course, with the addition of an approved visitor visa.
H2. Best Ways To Travel Around Mexico
Many tend to overlook the aspect of transportation within their destination. It can cause quite a few headaches later on into the trip, especially with budgeting and timing.
And Mexico is not a small country at all! Travelling from one city to another might take more hours than you’d expect. So, it’s best to be very well-prepared in how to travel around the country safely and cost-effectively.
Flight, Rail, Bus, or Taxis In Mexico?
Each has its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick comparison for your reference:
Mode of transport |
Good for… |
The downsides |
You can try |
What we think |
By plane |
- Long distance travel between cities - Safe and accessible anytime of the day |
- Higher cost - Unable to enjoy the Mexico scenery and the local experience |
- The top airlines that offer domestic flights in Mexico: Aeromexico, Volaris, Interjet, and VivaAerobus |
Perfect for those who want quick travel and have a more comfy budget |
By bus |
- Both short and long distance travel within Mexico City or between cities - Budget travellers as well as luxury travellers |
- Some buses don’t have a “passenger limit”, meaning that drivers may just pick up as many people as they like. If you’re not comfortable with overpacked transport, avoid rush hour. - Wifi doesn’t always work |
- ADO, Primera Plus, and ETN |
Perfect for multi-stop trips. It’s also affordable and safe. |
By train |
- Touristy trips to specific cities, which are not that many because apparently there are only 3 active passenger trains in Mexico (Guadalajara - Tequila, Los Mochis - Chihuahua, Tijuana - Tecate) |
- It’s obviously a downside for those who do not wish to travel within these areas, but if you do, then keep in mind that these are mainly for tourism purposes, so tickets can be quite expensive. |