What to know before travelling to Mexico
Nicknamed the 'Land of Enchantment', Mexico is one of the world's most popular and exotic holiday destinations. Visitors can blend with the country's natural beauty and friendly local people, as well as, enjoy the delight of daily siesta, festive costumes and sombreros, music and dance, exotic food, good Mexican beer and world-famous tequila. Are you getting excited to learn more? Let's take a further look at what to know before you plan your travel to Mexico!
Travel tips to know before your visit to Mexico
- Top reasons to visit Mexico
- What is Mexico famous for?
- Exciting attractions in Mexico
- Which cities should I visit when I go to Mexico?
- When is the best time to visit?
- Things that are good to know when travelling to Mexico
- Learn more about Mexico!
Top reasons to visit Mexico
Beautiful mountains and the sandy beaches of Cancun and Cabo San Lucas, exciting nightlife, traditional Mariachi musicians, delectable tacos, burritos, tortillas and Mexican chocolate treats, interesting birds and animals and the must-see Mayan ruins make Mexico a fascinating destination to share with the whole family. There is excellent marine diving, sea life, boat tours and water and adventure sports to make your visit even more thrilling. Local ancient and modern art can be found in Mexico's museums and art galleries and there is plenty of family entertainment at amusement parks and adventure locations.
What is Mexico famous for?
Mexico is famous for its tasty, often spicy cuisine, incorporating succulent beef, fish and chicken, paired with rice, tortillas, a multitude of corn dishes and other traditional vegetables. Chilaquiles - a breakfast dish made from fried tortilla chips, simmered in a tasty sauce is served almost everywhere you go in Mexico. Pozole, enchiladas, tostada and elote are other famous Mexican dishes. There are hundreds of Mayan ruins in Mexico and the most famous are found on the Yucatan peninsula. Chichen Itza is the architectural wonder of Mexico and home to El Castillo, The Great Ball Court and the Temple of the Warriors built by the ancient tribes of Maya people. Mexico is world-renowned for its top quality and highly potent tequilas and the Day of the Dead festival which honours dead relatives in street processions throughout the country.
Exciting attractions in Mexico
Chichen Itza's massive ancient city and Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan was once the centre of political, military, cultural and religious activities for the Maya people and used to be home to tens of thousands! This UNESCO site is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and you can wander the ruins for hours and not see everything. The nearby Xtoloc Cenote, a fresh water source, formed the hub around which the city was built. Copper Canyon is the Mexican equivalent of the Grand Canyon and is found in the Sierra Madre mountains. Puerto Vallarta has a boardwalk, bars and beautiful beach hotels to enjoy.
Which cities should I visit when I go to Mexico?
Cancun is a pristine coastal area on the Gulf Coast of Mexico that is well known for water sports and it's nightlife. The Mayan Riviera is a stretch of coastline and sandy beach that attracts celebrities, locals and tourists alike. Hotels in the area are the best in the country. Puerto Vallarta is another beach resort where boutique hotels take centre stage and you will find a more ethnic mood. Mexico City is a must see for its National Museum of Anthropology, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace and Chapultepec Park.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season between December and April is the best time to visit. During these months there is no rain and the weather is warm, but not too hot. Of these months the coolest ones are from December to February. From May onwards the wet season begins in southern Mexico and lasts until October. In Mexico, 'The Day of the Dead' is celebrated on 'All Saint's Day' and 'All Soul's Day' on the first two days of November and the lives of lost loved ones are celebrated with dressing up, parties, music and food.
Things that are good to know when travelling to Mexico
Other than the current Covid-19 travel regulations and documents that need to be prepared by the traveller prior to arriving in Mexico, you will need an up-to-date passport and entry permit. It is recommended that your passport is valid for six months or more from your arrival date. You can pay for almost everything in Mexico using a credit card but you should carry some pesos when you visit, for certain purchases or tipping. Service is not included at every restaurant, so it is usual to tip at least ten percent. At a bar, you can tip ten to 20 pesos for each drink and ten to 20 percent of the bill. Getting a local SIM card when you arrive is a good way to ensure your mobile phone service is reliable and uninterrupted. The tap water in Mexico isn't drinkable so you will need to buy bottled water to stay hydrated. There are numerous fun and interesting places outside of the local tourist haunts, so don't be afraid to go beyond the beaten path in search of unique adventures! Don't miss out on local street markets where you can buy gifts, handbags, treats and jewellery.
Learn more about Mexico!
Mexico City is the oldest city in North America! The country is a mixed landscape with high mountains and low-lying beaches, deserts, canyons and rain forests in the south. The Rio Grande and Yaqui are the two main, very large rivers in the region. Its real name is the 'United Mexican States', but nobody really calls it that. The native language in Mexico is Spanish. The people of Mexico are very artistic and have always produced sculptures, crafts, wall paintings, amulets and jewellery.
When the time is right, plan your trip to a land full of pristine nature preserves, wildlife to photograph and arts and crafts to shop for! Compare flight deals and book your flight to Mexico with BudgetAir.