Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Mexico

A photograph of Mexico
Photograph · Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0

Mexico took 42.2 million international arrivals in 2022, sixth most of any country in the world, and a large share of them never left the Caribbean coast. That coast is a reasonable holiday and a very small fraction of 1,972,550 km2, thirteenth-largest on Earth, holding 32 states and more than 134 million people. Mexico City sits high in a valley in the middle of it, with colonial silver towns a few hours north and the Maya sites of the Yucatan two hours east by air. No country in the Americas has more World Heritage Sites.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Spanish; recognised Indigenous languages are also spoken
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+52
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Mexican peso (MXN)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
911
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A and B · 127 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Perisur
    03 45 min

    Perisur

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  2. Mercado de Sonora Mercado de Sonora
    04 45 min

    Mercado de Sonora

    Mercado de Sonora, known in English as Sonora Market, is a specialised public market in Mexico City. It has established recognition for its concentration of herbal products, ritual and spiritual goods, handcrafted items, and expressions of Mexican popular culture.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  3. 2 de Marzo
    10 45 min

    2 de Marzo

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  4. Alterna
    13 45 min

    Alterna

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  5. Antigua
    16 45 min

    Antigua

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  6. Antigua
    17 45 min

    Antigua

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  7. Argentina
    18 45 min

    Argentina

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  8. Calligaris
    34 45 min

    Calligaris

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  9. Cananea
    35 45 min

    Cananea

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  10. COMETRA
    65 45 min

    COMETRA

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  11. COMETRA
    66 45 min

    COMETRA

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  12. COMETRA
    67 45 min

    COMETRA

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  13. Coral Negro Market Coral Negro Market
    75 45 min

    Coral Negro Market

    Mercado Coral Negro, known in English as Coral Negro Market, is a commercial establishment situated in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It operates within the broader Mexican Caribbean tourism corridor.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Cancún
  14. Daikin
    77 45 min

    Daikin

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  15. Del mar
    78 45 min

    Del mar

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  16. Elektra
    83 45 min

    Elektra

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Cancún
  17. Elektra
    84 45 min

    Elektra

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Cancún
  18. El Globo
    86 45 min

    El Globo

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City
  19. El Zorro
    93 45 min

    El Zorro

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Mexico City

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Mexico be?

Ten to fourteen days should focus on one Mexican region, such as the central highlands, Yucatán or a Pacific corridor. Domestic distances are too large for a first trip that treats Mexico City, Cancún and several coasts as nearby stops.

What entry documents are needed for Mexico?

Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Migración provides the official entry process and forms. Admission conditions depend on passport, purpose and route, so use its current service rather than an airline summary or an old exemption list.

What is the best way to travel around Mexico?

Mexico City and Cancún are major international gateways, with domestic flights and intercity buses linking regional centres. Urban transport is city-specific, and road legs should be planned against current official route guidance.

When is a practical time to visit Mexico?

November to April is a useful broad window for many central and coastal routes. Hurricane exposure, altitude and regional rainy seasons differ sharply, so the selected coast or highland region should control timing.

What money and payment basics apply in Mexico?

The Mexican peso (MXN) is the recorded currency. ATM fees, card acceptance and conversion terms are Not recorded in this guide; read the amount in pesos before approving a transaction.

What practical safety details should I save for Mexico?

Mexico uses 911 for emergencies and Type A or B plugs at 127 V. Tap-water guidance is Not recorded nationally in the cited source and should be checked at the destination.