MEXICO · COUNTRY GUIDE
Mexico Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Mexico is an easy country to enjoy and a slightly harder one to get right the first time. Most of what goes wrong on a holiday here is avoidable: the wrong taxi, the wrong ATM, too many flights, or too much sun on the first day.
The short answer: carry some pesos, drink sealed water, use authorised taxis, learn a few words of Spanish, and check the advice for your exact route.
The Essentials
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Money | Peso (MXN). Cards work in many places, but carry cash for markets and small stalls. See our money guide |
| Tipping | Commonly 10% to 15% in restaurants; check if service is already added |
| Tax | Mexico's value-added tax, IVA, is 16% |
| Water | Drink sealed bottled or boiled water |
| Plugs | Two flat pins, as in North America. Voltage is about 110 to 127 V, so check your devices |
| Time zones | Four. Cancún is one hour ahead of Mexico City |
| Emergencies | 911 |
| Altitude | Mexico City sits at about 2,240 m, so take the first day easy |
| Vapes | Do not bring them; see entry requirements |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Better idea |
|---|---|
| Trying to see the whole country | Choose two regions. See our itineraries |
| Hailing a taxi on the street | Use a sitio rank, an app where it is allowed, or ask your hotel |
| Using a street-side ATM at night | Use machines inside banks or shops during the day |
| Paying in dollars | Pay in pesos. The conversion offered is often poor |
| Accepting a card conversion | Choose to be charged in pesos when the machine asks |
| Assuming beach flags exist | Many beaches have none, and riptides are common. Ask locally |
| Booking only by resort name | Check the area, the visitor fee and the time of year |
| Ignoring regional advice | Read our safety guide for your exact route |
Language and Manners
English is common in resort areas but less so elsewhere, and a few words of Spanish go a long way. Say buenos días when you walk into a small shop, and provecho to people eating when you pass their table. Bargaining is normal in craft markets, but not in shops with fixed prices, and small amounts mean more to the seller than they do to you.
Dress modestly in churches, ask before taking photographs of people, particularly in Indigenous communities in Chiapas, and treat religious festivals as what they are, not as photo opportunities.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Good morning / afternoon | Buenos días / buenas tardes |
| Please / thank you | Por favor / gracias |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favor |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño? |
| I don't speak Spanish | No hablo español |
| Help! | ¡Ayuda! |
Useful Contacts
| Need | Where |
|---|---|
| Emergency services | 911 |
| Mexico City information line, LOCATEL | 5658 1111 |
| National parks | CONANP |
| Embassies | See our health and safety guide |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do people speak English in Mexico?
In resorts and major tourist areas, often yes. Elsewhere, learning some basic Spanish helps.
Should I tip in Mexico?
Yes. About 10% to 15% is normal in restaurants, unless service has already been added. Taxi drivers do not generally expect a tip.
Can I use US dollars in Mexico?
Sometimes in resort areas, but you will usually get a better deal paying in pesos.
Can I drink the water in Mexico?
Stick to sealed bottled or boiled water.
Sources and Planning Checks
Facts were checked on 8 November 2026 against UK Foreign Office and Government of Canada advice. Tipping guidance is based on Frommer's. Voltage figures vary between sources. Etiquette notes and the list of mistakes are editorial judgments.