🇲🇽Mexico

About Mexico

Mexico City is the natural starting point, with the Museo Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán, the vast Zócalo and the pyramids of Teotihuacán an hour outside town. From there the country divides into distinct trips. The Yucatán Peninsula holds Cancún and Tulum on the Caribbean, plus Chichén Itzá inland and the colonial city of Mérida; Chiapas in the south has Palenque's jungle-set temples and the highland town of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende cover the colonial interior, and Baja California offers whale watching and desert coastline. ADO coaches are comfortable and cover most routes, though internal flights save days on long hauls and Mexico City's metro is cheap and fast. Food varies sharply by region: tacos al pastor in the capital, mole in Puebla and Oaxaca, cochinita pibil in the Yucatán. Budget travel runs about $35 to $60 a day and mid-range $80 to $160, with Cancún and Los Cabos two to three times the mainland rate. The dry months from December to April are the most reliable, though Christmas and Easter bring peak prices. May and June are hot, and the hurricane season runs June to November, heaviest in September and October. November to April suits most trips.

Mexico at a Glance

When to Visit Mexico

High Season (December-April): Dry season with warm, sunny weather (25-32 C on the coasts, 18-25 C in the central highlands). Beach resorts are packed, especially around Christmas, New Year, and Easter (Semana Santa). Prices are 40-60% above shoulder rates. Whale shark season runs November-March on the Yucatan Peninsula. Shoulder Season (May-June, September-November): Good value with warm weather. May and June are the hottest months (30-35 C coasts) before the main rains. September-October sees the most rain but also the lowest hotel prices outside the holidays. Crowds are lighter and everything is open. Dia de los Muertos (end of October to early November) is a special cultural highlight worth planning around. Low Season (July-August, late September-early November): Hot and humid on the coasts with afternoon thunderstorms. Hurricane season runs June-November (peak September-October), primarily affecting the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Prices drop 30-50%. Mexico City and the central highlands are more pleasant year-round due to higher elevation.

Visa Policy for Mexico

Entry rules for Mexico depend on your passport. We track visa-free stays, e-visas and visa-on-arrival rules for US & Canadian, EU & UK, Chinese, and Australian & Japanese passports — with official sources and last-verified dates.

Visa policies are subject to official sources. Please verify with the embassy/consulate before travel.

Travel Budget for Mexico

Budget: $35-60/day (hostel or budget hotel 400-700 MXN, street tacos and market food 150-300 MXN, local buses and metro 50-100 MXN, free sites + 1 attraction 100-200 MXN) Mid-Range: $80-160/day (3-star or boutique hotel 1,200-2,500 MXN, restaurant meals and cantinas 400-800 MXN, intercity buses or domestic flights 200-600 MXN, attractions and tours 300-800 MXN) Luxury: $250-500+/day (4-5 star all-inclusive or boutique hotel 3,500-7,000 MXN, fine dining and rooftop restaurants 1,000-2,500 MXN, private transfers and tours 800-2,000 MXN, premium experiences like cenote diving or cooking classes 500-1,500 MXN) Per person per day in USD, excluding international flights. Cancun, Los Cabos, and other beach resort areas are 2-3x more expensive than the mainland. Mexico City mid-range is reasonable; Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas offer the best value.

Prices are per person per day in USD, excluding international flights.

Must-Visit Attractions

Travel Guides for Mexico

Other Countries in North America

Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico