MEXICO

Mexico is a gem of a country hidden in plain sight! Unfortunately, many people only know it on a surface level through the lens of its many resort towns such as Cancún, Cabo San Lucas, or Puerto Vallarta. There is nothing wrong with these towns but you can find much more depth and history elsewhere. To get the true Mexican experience, you must dive into immaculate cenotes, explore Aztec and Mayan ruins, visit pueblas, sip smoky mezcal (or pulque), and eat your body weight in tacos!

• Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:

  • U.S. Embassy in Mexico

• Currency:

  • The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN)

    • $1 USD = 20 MXN

• Pricing for Leisure Travelers:

  • Average Hotel Expenses = 1,400-1,700 MXN/Night ($70-$85 USD/Night)

  • Average Food/Drink Expenses = 400-700 MXN/Day ($20-$35 USD/Day)

• Pricing for Backpackers:

  • Average Hostel Expenses = 140-340 MXN/Night ($7-$17 USD/Night)

  • Average Food/Drink Expenses = 160-360 MXN/Day ($8-$18 USD/Day)

• Communication:

  • The official language of Mexico is Spanish. In resort towns, you can expect English to be spoken at a high level. In some of the smaller pueblas though, it would behoove you to have conversational fluency in Spanish.

• Transportation:

  • Bus: This is the best way to travel throughout Mexico in my opinion. The bus system is very well developed and easy to navigate. That said, be prepared for some long rides; Mexico is a huge country! My top choice for buying tickets is Bookaway, followed by ADO. ADO has bus terminals in most cities, comfortable fleets, and reasonable prices.

  • Airplane: Given the size of Mexico, flying isn’t a bad option if you are pressed for time. The main international airports are located in Mexico City, Cancún, Tijuana, and Mérida.

  • Taxi/Uber: I wouldn’t recommend traveling via taxi between cities but it is a great option for traveling inside of a city. Taxis and colectivos are everywhere and they are very inexpensive. Uber is super convenient, too; it services Mexico City, Mérida, Guadalajara, and Puebla.

  • Private Transportation: For those who do not prefer public transportation, there are private options. Depending on the size of your group, you can book 3-passenger sedans or 9-passenger vans. Book through Wayak.

  • Train: Sadly, passenger rail travel in Mexico is a thing of the past. The once-robust national train network no longer exists for travelers. There have been rumblings that regional lines may emerge over the next few years, but I think we are at least another decade from seeing a national passenger railway resurface.

• Miscellaneous:

  • To avoid confusion, it’s important to note that Mexico City has two main pseudonyms: DF (or Mexico Distrito Federal) and CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico). You may hear it referred to as both during your time here.

  • There is no fee associated with leaving Mexico but there is a $25 USD (500 Mexican Pesos) entrance fee.

  • I do not recommend drinking tap water in Mexico. If you have a reusable water bottle, most hotels and hostels will have potable water for you to fill up with.

Thank you, Israel Trejo (for the photo of Mérida) and Joanna Szumska (for the photo of Tulum)!