Diving into Mexico: A Cultural Adventure Guide for the Bold and Curious Traveler

Discover Mexico

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The history of the Mayan civilisation is still visible in Mexico’s ancient sites, one of the reasons why Mexico is the 8th most visited country in the world!

Not only is Mexico one of the most visited countries, but being the 13th-largest country, it’s also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. And we can’t forget to mention that the country offers an extraordinary range of incredibly diverse landscapes.

We’ve created this ultimate guide to Mexico to share with you everything that this diverse country has to offer. Decided that Mexico is somewhere you HAVE to visit? 

Check out our ten in-depth guides to learn about the best things to do and see in Mexico.

Is Mexico worth visiting?

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There’s a whole host of reasons why you should visit Mexico: the friendly people, the thriving and lively culture, the fascinating Mayan history, the diverse landscapes, and don’t even get us started on the delicious food!

Travelling through Mexico is like visiting a number of different countries because different areas have their own atmosphere, landscape and climate.

Venture to the North of Mexico, and you’ll discover deserts and canyons. In the centre, Mexico proudly boasts thriving colonial cities, tightly clustered in the mountains. Head south and you’ll find an array of Maya ruins, picturesque beaches and dense jungles.

Not many countries in the world can offer such a variety!

Besides these spectacular sites and landscapes, you will be treated to the world-famous Mexican cuisine that was recently added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list by UNESCO. Of course, there are plenty of tacos, quesadillas and tostadas to try, but look beyond these and you’ll notice that each region has its own speciality and treasure.

Is Mexico safe?

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The million-dollar question. And something your family will probably be asking you relentlessly when you tell them you’ve booked a flight to Mexico. The question of safety is a tricky one.

There are so many misconceptions and prejudices wrapped up in it that it’s very difficult to get an objective answer. It’s true that there’s violence in Mexico. It’s also true that it’s largely concentrated in certain areas of the country, none of which are covered in this ebook. 

Tourist destinations are largely safe from violent crime. 500,000 Brits travel to Mexico each year and according to the British Government: ‘most visits are trouble-free.’ Having said that, there are definitely some rules you should follow. 

Best destinations in East Mexico

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Best destinations in West Mexico

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Top 3 places to visit in Mexico

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Mexico is a huge country with one place offering completely different things to the next. Its diverse landscapes range from deserts, mountains and beaches to dense cities.

Picking our favourite places in Mexico was hard when there are so many to choose from, but here are our top 3 places to visit in Mexico:

Mexico City — an unsuspecting city with incredible street food

Most capital cities in the world only need a few days of exploring to get a good understanding of the place. Mexico City is a different story.

It’s one of the largest cities in the world and a hotspot for art, politics, history and innovation. The 150 museums alone can keep you entertained for days. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for a day trip to the impressive pyramids of Teotihuacán.

After Mexico City, many travellers take the 2.5-hour bus from Mexico City to Puebla.

Tulum — parties, white-sand beaches and luxury

Tulum is best described as a bohemian beachside town surrounded by history that’s getting popular fast. Travellers can’t help but be drawn to its glorious white sand beaches, such as Playa Paraiso, or resist a swim in the clear turquoise sea.

Without having to venture far from the beach, perched on top of a cliff, overlooking the ocean is Tulum’s Mayan ruins. The ruins are a sight to see in themselves, but now imagine them placed against an ocean backdrop. Really, views can’t get much better than that.

You can easily get from Cancun to Tulum by bus, minivan or colectivo in about 2.5 hours.

Oaxaca City — a cultural and food hub in Mexico

Pronounced as wa-ha-ka, Oaxaca City is thriving with energy which you can’t help but notice as you explore the churches, museums and Mayan ruins nearby. If you’re a food lover, Oaxaca offers a unique food scene that you have to try. A popular dish to try is mole, which involves a sauce made from chocolate and chillies.

Check out this page to compare the bus with the flight from Mexico City to Oaxaca.

When is the best time to travel to Mexico?

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Mexico’s climate likes to keep it simple and only has two seasons: wet and dry.

Dry season (December-April)

The dry season runs from December to April, with temperatures averaging at around 28°C. Just bear in mind that if you’re staying in areas of high altitude, the weather can still get pretty cold.

Because this is the best time to visit Mexico, you won’t be the only one making the most of the good weather. Big crowds flock to areas like Cancun, as well as the popular Mayan Ruins. Also, keep in mind that prices are higher during the dry season, and you’ll need to book in advance.

Rainy season (June-October)

The wet season is from June to October. During this time, Mexico experiences short, heavy rainfall and more intense temperatures ranging between 26-32°C.

Luckily, it’s still possible to travel during this time. It’s actually when Mexico will be gorgeously lush and green and places will be less crowded. Plus, prices will be lower.

The only time that’s probably best to avoid is between August and October. During these months, there’s the possibility of hurricanes, especially along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

How to get around in Mexico

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Your budget, the number of people you’re travelling with, and whether you have a driver’s license or not are all factors that will influence how you decide to travel around Mexico.

Here are the best ways to get around Mexico:

By bus

Mexico’s bus routes cover a large proportion of the country, making it the best way to travel the majority of the time.

They’re often reasonably priced and offer a surprisingly comfortable way to travel. Executive and First Class buses offer reclining seats, A/C, Wifi and a toilet.

By colectivo

Colectivos are essentially Mexico’s version of a minivan.

For short trips, particularly along the Caribbean coast, they’re predominantly used by locals to get from one place to another, but can also be used by tourists.

Colectivos don’t have much space for luggage. They can only be used as cheap transport for day trips and are not really suitable to travel long distances to your next destination.

By plane

With the size of Mexico, the country has an extensive network of domestic airports which makes flying convenient and more time-efficient than other methods.

Also, when you book in advance, flight prices tend to be much lower. Keep your eye out for low-cost airlines such as Interjet, VivaAerobus and Valoris.

It’s always good to be aware of your travel footprint, though. Taking a short-haul flight can be up to 10 times more polluting than taking a more environmentally-friendly option like the bus.

By car

Driving around Mexico can be one of the best ways to see the country and truly get ‘off the beaten track’.

Mexico has several toll roads, so make sure you have cash on you at all times to pay for these.

There are some things to keep in mind if you do decide to drive. There are several military checkpoints, especially between states. It’s also best not to drive at night and some of Mexico’s roads aren’t in the best condition.

Also, car rental isn’t cheap in Mexico, but sometimes you will be able to find some good offers on Skyscanner Car Rental and Rentalcars.com.

By taxi

Mexico’s taxis are reasonably priced. The majority tend to have a meter, so make sure it’s working before you get in. If the taxi doesn’t have a meter, agree on a fixed price.

Uber also operates in most larger cities, so download the app even if it’s just to cross-check local taxi prices. Taxi prices vary quite a lot per city. A helpful app to find a good indication for taxi fares is Taxi Fares by Numbeo.

By train

Mexico doesn’t have a train network.

Entry requirements and visa for Mexico

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Thankfully, travelling to Mexico doesn’t require a lot of paperwork! Currently, citizens of 69 countries can travel to Mexico without the need for a visa, as long as their stay is under 180 days.

Countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand and those within the European Union, amongst others, are all included in the list of countries that don’t require a Visa. You can check whether you need a visa here.

In addition, all visitors are required to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry, so renew your passport if it’s going to expire soon.

Keep your immigration form

When entering the country, you’ll need to complete an immigration form (FMM), which will be provided to you by the airline or at the port of entry. Make sure to keep hold of this form because you’ll need it when you leave the country.

Some other things to keep in mind – when travelling to Mexico, your airline or border control may ask to see proof of exit from Mexico e.g. a plane ticket, as well as proof of your intentions whilst in Mexico. However, checking and enforcement are sporadic.

Must-try food in Mexico

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Mexico’s food is world famous, so much so that it was recently added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list by UNESCO. The thing is, most people have tried Tex-Mex, which is essentially America’s version of Mexico. Wait til you try the real thing!

Here are some food and drinks that you have to try before you leave Mexico:

• Tacos – you can’t go to Mexico and not have a taco. Served in a corn tortilla, unlike in some other countries, they’re commonly filled with al pastor, chorizo, beef, seafood, plus a whole host of toppings.
• Tortas – big sub-style sandwiches that are overflowing with meat, cheese, beans, peppers, onions or whatever you want!
• Elote – it’s essentially corn on the cob, but on a whole other level. Instead, they’re served with an abundance of spices and garnishes such as lime, salt, chilli powder, and sour cream, to name a few.
• Tequila – the throat-burning drink we normally shot with lemon and salt originated in Mexico, need we say anymore?
• Mezcal – is often overshadowed by tequila. Both drinks are made from the agave plant, but Mezcal is like a more complex, sophisticated older brother to tequila. You probably won’t want to go back to drinking Tequila after you’ve tried Mezcal.

Essential travel tips for Mexico

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Here’s a selection of the best tips and pieces of information that may make your trip to Mexico that bit easier:

Paying with Mexican Pesos in Mexico

Mexico uses the Mexican Peso (MXN). As of June 2023, $1 was equivalent to around 17 MXN.

It’s good to always have some cash on you since not all establishments take cards. You’ll also need cash for taking the bus, markets and tips too.

ATMs

It’s sad to hear, but unfortunately, there aren’t any free ATMs in Mexico. On the bright side, the fee charged by most ATMs isn’t extortionately high. The cheapest two ATMs are BanCoppel and Santander, charging around $1.50-2 per transaction.

Make sure to avoid Scotiabank and BBVA, otherwise, you’ll end up spending $6-10 in fees.

When withdrawing money from ATMs, always ‘decline conversion’. Most of the time, the exchange rate used by the ATM is pretty poor. Your own bank should offer you a better exchange rate.

Buying a sim card in Mexico

You have a few options when it comes to sim cards in Mexico — Telcel, Movistar and AT&T. Out of the three, we highly recommend Telcel. It’s the biggest provider in Mexico and has the largest coverage.

Prices are very reasonable, and there are Telcel stores all over Mexico, making it super easy to top up when you need to. Or, you can top up online.

You’ll need to make sure that your phone is ‘unlocked’ which means that you can put any sim card in your phone, rather than being locked to a specific provider.

Mexico’s language cheat sheet

The language spoken in Mexico is Spanish.

It’s always good to know a few essential words before travelling to a place, so here are a few to get you started:

• Hello – Hola
• Thank you – Gracias
• Please – Por favor
• Sorry – Lo siento
• Beer – Cerveza

The perfect packing list for Mexico

If you’re travelling to Mexico, just know that it’s going to be hot no matter what time of the year you arrive. It’s best to bring loose-fitting, cool clothes and of course, your swimsuit if you’re making your way to Mexico’s spectacular beaches.

It’s also good to bring a jumper or jacket for the evenings if you’re visiting the highlands or mountainous areas.

Aside from the essential travel gear, here are some that have become permanent fixtures on our packing list:

• Reusable water bottle – they’re better for the environment and can save you money on water.
• A portable charger – there’s probably going to be a time when your phone’s battery is on red, at a time that you desperately need it.
• An adaptor – Mexico uses the same plugs as the US (A&B), which is different from European plugs. A universal travel adaptor is a great buy if you’re travelling between different continents.