Classic Mexico Tour

Good to Know

Travel Information

Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Mexico.

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. If you're visiting Mexico as a tourist you don't need a visa – you'll receive a stamp in your passport with the number of days you're allowed to stay (a digital version is also available via the Portal de Servicios INM or the National Institute of Immigration website in advance, if your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry). To leave the country, you'll need to present your passport with this entry stamp – if you lose your passport, a replacement stamp costs a fee, payable at a bank.

Mexican police may ask for proof of legal status at any time, so carry your passport and entry stamp – copies or photos are not accepted. Penalties for drug offences are severe, with convictions carrying sentences of up to 25 years. Since January 2023, smoking or vaping in public places is illegal, with fines up to £150, and it is illegal to sell or buy e-cigarettes.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Mexico, including Mexico City and the Sierra Madre Mountains, and high air pollution levels in Mexico City may aggravate heart, lung or respiratory conditions. Drink only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks unless made from boiled or bottled water. Not all hospitals deal directly with medical insurance companies, so be prepared to pay upfront and claim a refund – make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds. For emergency medical assistance, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance.

What to Bring

Lightweight, casual, non-synthetic clothing (cotton and natural fibres are best) that appropriately covers the body when in the company of local communities – it doesn't have to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful. On the coasts, even in winter, it's generally warm, though a light jumper or jacket is useful for evenings. During summer, most of Mexico experiences a good deal of rain, so pack a waterproof jacket alongside light clothing, and don't forget a bathing suit. Walking shoes or boots and sandals are the ideal footwear.

Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack – you're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself; a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We'd also recommend a first aid kit, personal medication, glasses/sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, antihistamine cream, antibacterial gel, motion sickness tablets, anti-diarrhoea pills, toiletries, a small travel towel and a power adapter.

While You're There

The local currency is the Mexican Peso – it's easier to exchange US dollar notes than Sterling, and UK debit/credit cards are widely accepted for payment and in ATMs (cash exchange isn't usually possible at hotel receptions – only at banks and bureau de change). Credit cards are generally accepted at large stores and most mid-to-high-range hotels, though the best local food is often found at cash-only places.

Mexico has a tropical climate with high temperatures year-round and both dry and rainy seasons – the best time to visit is between December and March, when sunshine is best and rainfall lowest. Internet access is good, with wi-fi widely available, and local SIM cards are easy and affordable to buy (your phone must be unlocked first). Mexico's standard voltage is 127V at 60Hz, so you'll need an adapter to use most other appliances.