Know before you go: Mexico

Mexico’s tourist entry document is the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), issued by the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Citizens of approximately 65 countries can enter Mexico with just the FMM and a valid passport, including nationals of the US, Canada, UK, all EU and EFTA countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the UAE. The FMM permits a maximum stay of 180 days, but the immigration officer at the port of entry decides how many days to grant; it could be 30, 90, or the full 180, so always check your stamp or digital record before leaving the counter.

If you arrive by air, the airline includes the fee in the ticket and provides the form to the passenger. By land, stays of seven days or fewer are free, though you still need to process the form at the INM office, while longer land stays cost roughly 983 MXN (about 57 USD).

Even if your nationality normally requires a Mexican visa, holding a valid visa from the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, or any Schengen country lets you enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days, and you will still receive the FMM on arrival. A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity is standard practice to carry.

Rules on nationalities, fees, and permitted stays shift periodically, so confirm your specific situation directly with the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate before booking, rather than relying solely on third-party blogs.

Mexico City’s public transport is cheap and extensive. The Metro runs on a flat ride cost of MXN 5.00, including transfers that stay inside the Metro paid area. Payment now runs almost entirely on the Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada (MI card), which costs MXN 15.00 before stored value is added and is sold at ticket windows. The same card offers interoperability with the Metro, Metrobús, Ecobici, Cablebús, Light train, RTP, and Trolebús systems. Metrobús (the bus rapid transit network) charges about 6 pesos a ride, and transfers are free between Metrobús Lines 1 through 7 if completed within the first two hours of entering the system and in a single direction, though Metro to Metrobús transfers are not free; you pay each system separately.

Landing at Mexico City’s airport, you can reach downtown via Metro Línea 5 from a station a short walk from the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, at the same flat fare as anywhere else on the network, or via Metrobús Línea 4, boarding at Terminal 1 gate 7 or Terminal 2 gate 2, running toward the Centro Histórico and Paseo de la Reforma.

Outside the capital, intercity travel relies heavily on comfortable long-distance buses, domestic flights between major cities, and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Cabify, which operate widely in cities and resort zones. On toll highways, a free roadside-assistance patrol (the “Green Angels”) is available if you break down; see the Emergencies section below.

The Mexican peso (MXN) is the national currency, shown with the $ symbol. Card acceptance has grown steadily: debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas and tourist destinations, with restaurants, hotels, and retail stores commonly taking Visa and Mastercard, though American Express is accepted noticeably less than Visa or Mastercard. Smaller shops, markets, taxis, and rural areas still run largely on cash, so keep pesos on hand.

For withdrawals, stick to bank-affiliated machines. Use bank ATMs like Citibanamex, HSBC, BBVA, Banorte, or Santander, ideally during the day and attached to a branch. At the machine, selecting your home currency lets the ATM’s bank choose the exchange rate, which increases fees; to get better rates, always pay in Mexican pesos (MXN). Typical bank ATM fees run roughly 30 to 55 pesos per withdrawal, with standalone kiosk machines charging considerably more. As a rough guide, as of August 2026, one US dollar buys around 17 pesos, with the rate moving between roughly 17 and 18.8 over the preceding twelve months, so check the current rate before you budget. US dollars are not a reliable substitute for pesos outside a few heavily touristed strips, so plan to spend in local currency.

The best time to travel to Mexico is during the dry season between November and April, when the weather is at its sunniest and driest, making it ideal for beaches, colonial towns, and archaeological sites. This is also peak season, so expect soaring prices and hectic crowds, especially during the holidays in December and February.

September marks the start of the peak hurricane season in Mexico and is also the wettest month, with average humidity above 80% and frequent rain, particularly on the Gulf, Caribbean, and Pacific coasts. If you want lower prices and fewer crowds and can tolerate afternoon showers, the shoulder months of May and late October to early November offer a reasonable compromise, and early November also brings Día de los Muertos celebrations around the country.

911 is Mexico’s national emergency number and will give you the fastest response for police, fire, or medical situations anywhere in the country. For roadside issues or tourist assistance, you can also dial 078 to reach The Green Angels, a service with English-speaking operators, funded by Mexico’s tourism authority to help travelers on highways.

For non-emergency help in the capital, LOCATEL is Mexico City’s information and help line, with operators prepared to address any non-emergency, non life-threatening situation. Be aware that emergency care is not automatically free for everyone; uninsured travellers and short-term visitors are typically billed, frequently before treatment begins, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Keep your embassy’s contact details and your hotel address written in Spanish in case you need to describe your location by phone.