Mexico travel guide
Mexico is a country of deep contrasts and endless appetite. In a single trip you can climb a Maya pyramid at Tulum above the Caribbean, walk the colourful alleys of Guanajuato, taste mole in Oaxaca, drink tequila near Guadalajara and see the vast squares of Mexico City. The food alone could fill a journey. The regions each have their own character. The Yucatán brings the Maya sites, cenotes and beaches of Mérida, Valladolid, Cancún and Playa del Carmen, the colonial highlands hold San Miguel de Allende, Puebla and Morelia, and the Pacific coast offers Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and the surf of Puerto Escondido. Chiapas adds the jungle ruins of Palenque and the highland town of San Cristóbal de las Casas. The dry season from November to April suits most trips, though the colonial cities are good through much of the year. Mexico suits food lovers, history enthusiasts and beach seekers alike, and you can plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Mexico City.
Visa for Indian passport holders
Visa required, apply before you fly.
Before you go to Mexico
- Currency
- MXN $
- Emergency number
- 911
- Plug type
- Type A, B
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Expected
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express (limited)
- ATM fees
- MXN 35-65 at Santander or Banorte; BBVA charges around MXN 197. Withdraw larger amounts less often
Cities in Mexico
- Mexico City The sprawling, vibrant capital of Mexico — a megacity of 22 million blending Aztec heritage, colonial grandeur, world-class cuisine, and…
- Cancún Mexico's premier beach resort city on the Caribbean coast, famous for its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and gateway to the Riviera…
- Cabo San Lucas The glamorous tip of Baja California Sur, famous for the El Arco rock arch, sport fishing, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife at Land's…
- Oaxaca City A UNESCO colonial city celebrated for its indigenous Zapotec culture, complex moles, mezcal, vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations, and…
- Puerto Vallarta A charming Pacific coast resort town backed by the Sierra Madre, with a cobblestone Old Town, whale watching, sport fishing, and jungle…
- Tulum A bohemian beach town famed for its clifftop Mayan ruins, crystal cenotes, eco-chic resorts, and wellness culture on the Caribbean coast.
- San Miguel de Allende A UNESCO-listed colonial gem in the Bajío highlands, famed for its pink baroque Parroquia church, expat art scene, boutique hotels, and Day…
- Mérida The elegant "White City" of the Yucatán Peninsula, gateway to Chichen Itza and Uxmal, with grand colonial mansions, Mayan cuisine, and…
- Guadalajara Mexico's second city and cultural capital — birthplace of tequila, mariachi, and charreada, with a thriving food and arts scene.
- San Cristóbal de las Casas A cool highland colonial city in Chiapas, known for its indigenous Tzotzil markets, colorful textiles, nearby Sumidero Canyon, and bohemian…
- Mazatlán A classic Pacific port city with 21 km of golden beaches, a beautifully restored historic center, fresh seafood, and legendary carnival…
- Valladolid A charming small colonial city in the Yucatán heartland, ideal base for Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, with cenotes in the town center and an…
- Huatulco A planned eco-resort destination on the Oaxacan coast with nine pristine bays, excellent snorkelling, a coffee-growing hinterland, and some…
- Playa del Carmen A stylish beach town on the Riviera Maya with a famous pedestrian strip, cenotes, and easy access to Cozumel and Tulum.
- Guanajuato City A fairy-tale UNESCO colonial city built in a ravine, famous for its colorful alleyways, the Alley of the Kiss, the Mummy Museum, and the…
- Puebla A UNESCO-listed city known as the birthplace of mole poblano and chiles en nogada, with over 70 Catholic churches, gorgeous talavera…
- Puerto Escondido A surfer's paradise on the Oaxacan Pacific coast, famous for the massive Zicatela Pipeline, bioluminescent bays, turtle nesting, and a…
- Monterrey A modern industrial powerhouse in northern Mexico surrounded by dramatic Sierra Madre mountains, with excellent cuisine and growing tourism.
- Palenque The jungle gateway to the spectacular Maya ruins of Palenque — one of the most impressive pre-Columbian cities in Mexico, with towering…
- Morelia The pink-stone capital of Michoacán, a UNESCO World Heritage colonial city famed for its majestic cathedral, candied fruit, butterfly…
Frequently asked questions about Mexico
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Mexico?
- Visa required, apply before you fly.
- What currency is used in Mexico?
- The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso ($). $1 is about ₹5.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Mexico?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express (limited). Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Mexico?
- Tipping in Mexico: expected. Typically about 15% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Mexico?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Mexico use?
- Mexico uses Type A, B plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Mexico?
- Emergency: 911. Police: 911. Ambulance: 065. Tourist helpline: 800-987-8224.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Mexico?
- SIM and eSIM available in Mexico.
- What is the capital of Mexico?
- The capital of Mexico is Mexico City. Time there: IST - 11 h 30 min.