🇲🇽 Mexico
Ancient pyramids, colonial cities, Caribbean and Pacific beaches, and one of the world's richest culinary traditions.
🌍 View on the globe- Continent
- North America
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Best time to go
- November to April (dry season)
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)
- Languages
- Spanish, plus 68 recognised Indigenous languages
Quick guide: Mexico essentials
🛂 Visa & entry
Many passport holders (including Canada, the US, the UK, the EU and Japan) can visit visa-free for up to 180 days; the immigration officer decides how long you get, so ask for enough days. Keep your entry record until you leave.
💉 Vaccines & health risks
Routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended. Dengue is present; use repellent. Low malaria risk in a few rural areas.
🚗 Driving
Drive on the right. Most foreign licences are accepted, but Mexican liability insurance is mandatory and US or Canadian policies usually don't cover it. Use toll highways (cuota) and avoid driving rural roads at night.
🏥 Healthcare & emergencies
Good private hospitals in big cities and resort areas, usually paid up front; get insurance. Emergencies: 911.
⚖️ Drug laws
The Supreme Court has ruled against punishing personal cannabis use, but there is no legal shop market and possession over 5 g can lead to arrest. All other drugs are illegal and the drug trade is linked to cartel violence, so don't buy. Check your government's state-by-state advice.
🎉 Nightlife & party scene
Mexico City's Roma and Condesa (mezcal bars, clubs, live music), Guadalajara, and the beach clubs of Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Late nights are normal. Drinking age 18.
Last reviewed 2026-10-17. Entry, health and legal rules change and can depend on your passport; always confirm with official sources before you travel.
City guides
All cities in Mexico (8,951)
- Bacanora
- Los Aldamas
- Asunción Tlacolulita
- Huasca de Ocampo
- La Yesca
- Escobedo
- Ocampo
- Santa María Ecatepec
- Sitio de Xitlapehua
- Yucuita
- San Miguel Huautla
- San Lorenzo
- San Juan Sayultepec
- Santiago Lalopa
- Magdalena Jaltepec
- San Esteban Atatlahuca
- Susupuato de Guerrero
- El Plateado de Joaquín Amaro
- Atlangatepec
- Sierra Mojada
- San Miguel de Horcasitas
- Tepetlapa
- Lagunillas
- Santiago Tilantongo
- San Mateo Cajonos
- San Cristóbal Amoltepec
- San Pedro y San Pablo Tequistepec
- Jaltepetongo
- San Javier
- Santiago Tenango
- Mixtla de Altamirano
- San Lorenzo
- Santa María Yavesía
- Santa María Chachoápam
- Santa María Apazco
- San Andrés Yaá
- San Juan Yatzona
- San Mateo Etlatongo
- Oquitoa
- San Juan Ihualtepec
- Acatlán
- Santiago Nuyoó
- San Felipe de Jesús
- Atarjea
- Santiago Tillo
- Villa Mainero
- San Lucas Zoquiápam
- Cosoltepec
- Santiago Zoochila
- San Pablo Macuiltianguis
- Santa Cruz de Bravo
- Santo Domingo Yodohino
- San Francisco Nuxaño
- Rayones
- Onavas
- Yalina
- Tubutama
- Santa Cruz Nundaco
- Opodepe
- San Miguel Achiutla