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Mexico City Travel Guide

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Mexico Travel Tips

Need a little travel inspiration before you plan your trip to Mexico? Check out some of our most popular articles about Mexico including recipes and travel tips!

Mexico Travel FAQs

Below you’ll find answers to general travel questions about Mexico. For questions on a specific part of Mexico, please visit the appropriate web page or email us at travel@saltandwind.com

• GENERAL MEXICO TRAVEL INFORMATION

• MEXICO TRAVEL ETIQUETTE

• MONEY MATTERS

• HEALTH & SAFETY

• TRAVEL SAFETY

How do I start planning a trip to Mexico?

Well, the path of least resistance would be to contact us and have us plan your trip for you. If you want to do some research before that or plan it yourself, you’ll want to check out our Mexico travel guide.

What are the best apps for traveling to Mexico?

• Google Maps Use the offline function to view a map without using data

• Google Translate Download the languages you want to translate, and you’re all.

• Rappi Like the local UberEats (which is also in Mexico, btw), we order from Rappi when we want to eat in. Know that they don’t always take foreign credit cards, but you can use Paypal for payment instead.

• Uber Uber is the most prevalent ride-share service in Mexico.

• XE Currency Converter The peso to US dollar exchange rate doesn’t fluctuate a ton, but we suggest you use this app to know exactly how much money you’re spending.

When is the best time to visit Mexico?

That depends on where you want to go! These are the best times to travel to the parts of Mexico where we travel most:

• Tijuana And Valle De Guadalupe:
  Similar to nearby Southern California, Northern Baja California has pretty mild weather year-round. From late Spring to early Summer there is consistently a “June Gloom” (ie dense morning fog) in the coastal areas and in late summer to early Fall, the wine region of Valle De Guadalupe can get hot with temperatures in the low triple digits. Our favorite time to travel to Ensenada and Valle De Guadalupe is from mid-September to mid-April.

• Los Cabos And Todos Santos:
  The southern part of Baja California is prime beach land with a hot and arid desert climate. They do have a hurricane season that runs from June to November but the majority of hurricanes seems to hit in early Fall

• Mexico City:
  Thanks to its higher elevation, the climate in Mexico City tends to be milder than other parts of Mexico. That means you can travel to Mexico City year round. Know that they city does experience a rainy season from June through October so you’ll always want to be equipped with an umbrella or rain jacket during that time. The only real time of year to completely avoid visiting Mexico City is during the Spring holiday known as Semana Santa between Good Friday and Easter because many businesses close and lots of locals leave the city for vacation.

• Oaxaca:
  There isn’t really a low season in Oaxaca as travelers visit year round. However, you tend to get the majority of travelers to the area in the summer months and during the massively popular festival known as the Guelaguetza and during the December holidays when they have a beloved radish festival.

• Guadalajara and Tequila:
  The weather in Guadalajara is on par with Mexico City in that it ranges from temperatures of low 70s to high 90s throughout the year but there is a particularly hot and rainy season from early summer to late Fall. You can visit Guadalajara and Tequila any time of year but we’d avoid July to November if you want to avoid hot humid weather.

How do I use my cell phone in Mexico?

Many cell phones work exactly as they would in the States so you often don’t need to use any international calling code.

52 is Mexico’s country code, followed by an area code and local number. The number of digits in the area code and local number may vary. To place an international call to Mexico, dial + or the international access code of the country from which you're calling (e.g. 011 from the US) - 52 - area code - local number.

To place an international call from Mexico, dial + or 00 (Mexico’s international access code) - country code of the country to which you're calling (e.g. 1 for the US) - area code - local number. For example, to call the US, dial 00 -1 - area code - local number.

To place a call within Mexico, drop the country code 52 and dial area code - local number. The area code is always used when placing calls within Mexico. For additional information on placing international phone calls, visit www.countrycallingcodes.com.

Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico?

U.S. citizens traveling in and out of Mexico must have a valid passport (that is valid 6 months beyond your last day of your trip). Also, each visitor must fill out a Tourist Form (usually distributed on flights) for entry into Mexico. The Mexican Immigration Official will give you a stub of this form that you’ll want to keep track of it because it must be returned at the airport prior to leaving Mexico.

Do I need Global Entry or SENTRI to crossing the border into Mexico?

If you travel abroad frequently, you'll want to look into the CBP Global Entry and/or SENTRI programs, which grants you expedited border crossing. The SENTRI program is specific to the Mexico/U.S. border while Global Entry is for travelers flying in and out of the U.S.

Do you I need travel insurance for Mexico?

Yes. in fact we require travel insurance to attend our group tour and we recommend you have it any time you’re traveling. There are a variety of services for providing trip insurance and note that many credit cards (such as Chase Sapphire and AmEx) include travel insurance as part of a trip purchase. Check with your credit card to confirm.

What is the time zone in Mexico?

The country of Mexico covers four time zones and they are on similar times to those in the United States. The majority of the country is in the central time zone and the majority of the country observes Daylight savings; however the timing of when Daylight Savings starts and stops is different from the United States.

What are the electrical outlets in Mexico?

The electrical voltage and outlets in Mexico are the same as those in the United States so you can use the same plugs throughout the country. However, if you are traveling in a more remote area, you may find that utilities like electricity and water are not as reliable as they are in the United States so be prepared with backup batteries.

What is the quality of service in Mexico?

The Mexican culture is known for its hospitality and kindness. However, things tend to go at a slower pace than in the United States. There are often long lines to wait for street food or other well-worth-it experiences. An open-minded traveler who is sympathetic to the changing environment of a foreign country will have the best time.

What are some tips for traveling in Mexico?

So long as you conduct yourself in a respectful manner you should be fine when you travel to Mexico. That said, here are some specific tips:

Do's and Dont’s

• Do learn a few words of Spanish. Locals appreciate the effort!

• Do greet people. Say "Buenos Dias” (“Buenas Tardes” or"Buenas Noches" in the evening).

• Do say "Gracias" when leaving a location is basic good manners.

• Do wander and explore. Most cities are best understood through exploration.

• Do be street smart (keep your cell phone and purse close) as you would in any large city.

• Do keep a form of I.D. on you (ie a photo of your passport) but don’t walk around with your physical passport.

• Do have an abundance of smaller bills -- 10 and 20 pesos -- when you’re visiting markets and grabbing street food.

• Do be careful when crossing the street as crosswalks are often ignored by motorists.

• Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry large sums of cash on your person.

• Don’t be a jerk. Do drugs. Start fights. Display public drunkenness. Walk around with an open alcohol container. Urinate in public. Jump in fountains. Climb on monuments. You get it.

How does a trip to Mexico cost?

That depends on the type of trip you’re doing (budget luxury, adventure, or lounging around). However, we suggest budgeting about $3,000 for a solo traveler from the United States looking to make a week-long midlevel trip as follows: $500 for flights, $250/day for lodging, $500 for meals for the week, and a few hundred dollars for activities or tours. Of course, these prices will increase or decrease depending on whether you share lodging and what sort of meals and activities you plan.

What is the currency in Mexico?

The monetary unit in Mexico is the peso (peh-soh).

Should I get pesos before traveling to Mexico?

We recommend getting pesos at ATMs once you land in Mexico and not using a currency exchange service at a stateside airport. Your bank will most likely charge you a fee, so it’s best to withdraw the maximum amount. However, you can use credit cards in most places, so you shouldn’t need more than US $100 in cash at any time.



Can I use my credit cards in Mexico?

Yes but let your credit cards know that you will be traveling abroad. Also, keep in mind that many spots in Mexico will not accept American Express so it is best to always travel with another type of credit card (ie Visa or MasterCard).

Do you need cash in Mexico?

You can use credit cards at hotels, boutiques, and most restaurants, but cash is very much used (especially for street vendors, musicians, and street food). Always have at least MX$200 to purchase street food or tipping.

How much should I tip in Mexico?


Most locals tip 10% for restaurant meals, but we tip closer to 15%. We only tip 18%- 20% for exceptional service.

Is environmental pollution an issue in Mexico?

Pollution isn’t an issue in most of the parts of Mexico where we work; however, Mexico City has notoriously bad pollution, and it can be an irritant, especially for anyone with sensitive eyes or a history of allergies. Be sure to pack eye drops, allergy medicines, or anything else that may help you deal with it.



Does Mexico have earthquakes?

Yes, earthquakes occur nationwide, especially from Baja California down the Pacific coast. And aside from worrying about tap water, this is probably the most significant fear people have when coming to Mexico City. The city sits in a seismic zone, and the soft soil of the former lakebed amplifies the effects of strong tremors. Earthquakes don’t happen that often, and they’re rarely as bad as the one that struck on September 19, 2017. Even so, we recommend keeping your hotel or apartment keys, wallet, phone charger, and shoes near your door so you can quickly leave in an emergency.

Also, pack any specific medications (prescription or OTC) you may need. 



How bad is the noise pollution in Mexico?

Mexico is a vibrant culture that’s very much punctuated by its sounds. While in Mexico, you’ll hear everything from dogs barking and trucks honking to vendors hawking their wares and friends whistling between the street and their apartments to get each other’s attention. The long and short is that the major cities in Mexico are often much louder than most US cities, so you can either embrace it or get frustrated by it. We say pack some earplugs and go with the flow!

What should you not eat when you travel to Mexico?

Honestly, we eat anything we want when we travel to Mexico. There’s nothing you should not eat in Mexico as long as you use the same judgment you’d use anywhere else. Does the place you’re entering have no one there, bad online reviews, or does the food look terrible or like it’s been sitting around for hours? That’s probably not a great choice. When in doubt, we follow the crowds. If a particular street food stand has a line, the food is likely fresh because they have a high turnover.

Finally, if you have a particularly sensitive stomach or are not an adventurous eater, the spices and chiles in Mexican food may bother you, no matter how fresh the food is. If that is your situation, you can avoid spicier foods and/or consider doing as our doctor friend once advised: take one dose of an antidiarrheal (like Pepto Bismol or Imodium) every day as a precautionary method.

Can I drink the tap water in Mexico?

The water in most of Mexico’s hotels and resorts is potable; however, we always advise you to take extra precautions. Do not drink the water from the tap unless a notice says it is potable (i.e., “agua potable”). We bathe, wash our faces, brush our teeth with tap water, and don’t have a problem, but you can make the call yourself. All the restaurants we recommend have clean ice and water in their establishments, but when it comes to everyday drinking water, we recommend you stick to bottled water.



What about the plumbing? Can I flush toilet paper in Mexico?

Many of the older buildings in Mexico have decades-old pipes, which can result in inconsistent water pressure or sensitive plumbing. As a result, you may not always have a full flow of water from the faucets.

Also, it is advisable in more working-class areas (say, markets, older restaurants, or street food spots) not to put toilet paper in the toilet but instead throw it in the trashcan adjacent to it. As a general rule, if there is a trash can next to a toilet, throw your toilet paper in there; otherwise, you are okay with flushing the toilet paper.

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Wait, is zika still an issue in Mexico?

Zika is not a significant issue in Mexico; however, you can check the CDC website for the most updated information. Baja California has an arid, desert climate, and Mexico City and Guadalajara are at such high elevations that it is not usually an issue. The only places where we commonly work where that is in potential zika zones are Oaxaca City and Morelia.

Please check the CDC website for the most up-to-date information and the State Department for any travel advisories for Mexico.

As with any trip abroad, we encourage you to register with the U.S. government’s STEP program. This allows the US government to know your travel plans so they can be aware of your location in case of a terrorist event, natural disaster, or other major emergency.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

Generally, yes, but it depends where exactly you’re traveling. Our team members have all spent an extensive amount of time traveling, drinking, eating, shopping and hanging out throughout Mexico and we would not be working there if we didn’t think it was safe.

Even so, we urge you to check the U.S. State Department website and make your own decision. You can also enroll in the STEP program for travel warnings and updates.

What general safety precautions should I take in Mexico?

As with any unfamiliar location, we urge you to take precautions against pickpockets and to minimize traveling with unnecessary valuable goods, like high-end jewelry. Also, try not to walk with your cell phones out if only so you don’t trip on any uneven ground!



Can I walk alone in Mexico at night? 

It depends on where you’re traveling. In general, if you’re in a well-lit area that has lots of foot traffic (say downtown Puerto Vallarta), you should be fine. However, we always encourage you to walk with someone else and to take a ride share services if you’ve been drinking.  We do not recommend walking alone at night in bigger cities like Tijuana and Mexico City. Sure, you can walk a few blocks in your neighborhood and in well-lit and busier areas but we don’t recommend you go off on long walks or wander side streets alone. In general, it’s safest to take an Uber whenever you have to go more than a couple blocks at night.

Can I travel alone to Mexico?

Yes, you can travel solo in Mexico. Our team is majority women and we often travel by ourselves throughout the country. Of course, we think it best for you to keep your wits about you and to be particularly diligent at night. For more specific tips on traveling solo as a woman, check out this article, or, for general Mexico tips, email us at travel@saltandwind.com

What do I do if there is a protest in Mexico?

Mexicans are very politically vocal so you may come across a demonstration or two during your travels. They are pretty much always non-violent but they may just cause general chaos as big crowds tend to do so you’ll want to try to avoid them and give yourself extra time to head out.

Can I drive in Mexico?

That depends on where you’re going! Email us at travel@saltandwind.com and we’ll help you decide.

What happens in case of a medical emergency when I travel to Mexico?

We have work with local hospitals in case of an emergency. You can also look into buying a MedeVac such as AirMed if you want to be able to easily return to the United States for medical care.

How do I reach authorities in case of emergency when I’m in Mexico?

Dial 911 in case of any emergency.

Have another question about traveling to Mexico?

Email us at travel@saltandwind.com and we’ll help you out!