Mexico

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 2/4 — Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 2/4
• ☐ Canada: level 2/4 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

Health notices

• ☐ Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico (level 1)
• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)

Entry requirements

☐ Foreign nationals wishing to enter Mexico must obtain a visa unless they are nationals of one of the visa-exempt countries or are eligible for the Electronic Authorization System. Visas are issued by the National Institute of Migration, dependent on the Secretariat of the Interior, with the stated goal of regulating and facilitating migratory flows into the country.

Practical

• ☐ Plug type A/B, 120V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the right
• ☐ Emergency (police): 911
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 911
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 911
• ☐ Money: The currency of Mexico is the peso, denoted in Mexico as "$" (ISO code MXN) and in Wikivoyage as "M$". It is divided into 100 centavos. Prices in US dollars (in tourist areas) are labeled "US$" or sport an S with a double stroke. Coins are issued in denominations of 5, 10 (steel), 20, and 50 centavos (brass; new 50-centavo coins issued from 2011 onwards are steel and smaller in size) and 1, 2, 5 (
• ☐ Tipping: Tipping in Mexico is similar to the United States. It is usually from 10 to 15%. Meals have a 10% to 15% tip (this includes fast food deliveries). This tip is usually left by most people in restaurants, although it is not so common in street restaurants or stands, where the tenders usually have a can or box where people deposit coins.

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Political demonstration participation — Mexican authorities do not approve of foreigners participating in demonstrations or voicing support for groups like the Zapatistas.
• ☐ Possession of restricted items — Buying or carrying prescription medicines with abuse potential, pornography, or weapons can lead to police harassment or arrest.
• ☐ Illegal drug laws — Mexican police are strict regarding illegal substances. Carrying them can lead to arrest and prosecution.
• ☐ Confrontations with police — Disagreements with police can result in poor treatment and demands for payment to regain freedom. Respect and cooperation are advised.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Mexico — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM