Mexico holidays

Mexico has always attracted explorers, from Hernán Cortés in the 1500s to the digital nomads crowding the hip cafes of Mexico City. No matter what you seek on your holiday to Mexico, you’ll find it here somewhere. From the mezcal bars of Oaxaca and the beaches of Puerto Vallarta to ancient ruins, active volcanoes and one of the hottest food scenes in the Americas, come see where nature, history and culture meet.

Top destinations in Mexico

Cancun

Cancun is a city where white-sand beaches hug the Caribbean Sea and ancient Maya culture meets a never-ending fiesta. Come experience Mexico at its best.

Guadalajara

With food as colourful as its streets and handicrafts, Guadalajara is a cocktail of traditional culture and urban excitement. Explore the museums, markets and malls of Mexico’s second-largest city.

Mexico City

From cutting-edge art and ancient ruins to one of the world’s most exciting food scenes, North America’s biggest city steals your heart again and again.

Puerto Vallarta

Lounge on white-sand beaches, gorge on Birria tacos and uncover pristine nature in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s Pacific Coast resort city.

Mexico: fast facts

Language

Spanish

Currency

Mexican peso ($)

Time zone

Mexico City - UTC-6 (CST)

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Mexico holiday highlights

Cancun

Pre-Columbian ruins

Civilisations thrived in Mexico for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish, and you can still walk among the well-preserved ruins of those cities today. The ruins at Chichén Itzá and Palenque preserve Maya hieroglyphs from the 6th century AD. Or marvel at the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, more than 2,000 years old.

Day of the Dead

‘Día de los Muertos’, or the Day of the Dead, is one of Mexico’s most important celebrations. On the first two days of November, Mexicans honour their departed loved ones by making altars with offerings such as sugar skulls, marigolds and bread called ‘pan de muerto’. Oaxaca City is the epicentre of the celebrations, where cemeteries glow by candlelight. Mexico City also hosts an annual parade.

Lucha libre

Seeing a ‘lucha libre’ (Mexican wrestling) match is one of the best things to do in Mexico. Most major cities have arenas where masked fighters face off in semi-staged bouts involving acrobatic manoeuvres off the ropes and the occasional tossing of a folding chair. In the crowd, everyone from toddlers to grandmas cheers for the ‘técnicos’ (good guys) and boos the ‘rudos’ (bad guys).

Things to do in Mexico

Puerto Vallarta
Visit Mexico

Top attractions

Archaeological sites like Teotihuacan near Mexico City and Chichén Itzá on the Yucatán Peninsula give you a glimpse at what life was like for the people who lived here before the Spanish conquest. In Jalisco, tour the agave fields and distilleries of the town of Tequila to learn the deep history and culture behind the popular spirit.

Beaches

The beaches in Mexico are world-class, from the rugged Pacific Coast to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Travellers come to snorkel in Cozumel, catch surf waves in Zihuatanejo and buff out their tan lines at Playa Zipolite, Mexico’s most famous nude beach. You can even commune with friendly grey whales in Baja, where they swim right up to the boat.

Nature

Mexico’s landscape spans arid deserts, lush tropical forests, coral reefs and mangroves. There are volcanoes to hike (Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl, near Mexico City), rivers for rafting and waterfalls to gawk at (like Agua Azul in Chiapas). Don’t miss the mystical freshwater cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula, formed from sinkholes in underground caves.

Culture and museums

There are more than 150 museums in Mexico City alone, making it one of the cultural capitals of the world. You could spend a whole day at the National Anthropology Museum, the Frida Kahlo Museum and the Jumex Museum, which displays contemporary art. But keep an eye out for the quirkier ones too, like the Antique Toy Museum.

Cuisine

Whether you’re dining at one of 18 Michelin-starred restaurants in Mexico or at a family-run taco stand, chances are you’re going to have a great meal. While the cuisine varies by region, tacos are universal. The best feature handmade tortillas topped with grilled or stewed meats or fried fish and drizzled with homemade salsa — not all of which is spicy!

Family friendly

The massive National Museum of Anthropology is by itself worth a trip to Mexico City. Visiting the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve during the annual migration will leave you speechless, as millions of the delicate creatures blanket the mountain forests near Michoacán, seeking warmth and mates. And the Mayan Riviera has it all, from kid-friendly resorts and snorkelling to white-sand beaches with gentle waves.

Find the best time to visit Mexico

Weather in Mexico

May – October: This is Mexico’s rainy season. Though mornings are often sunny, afternoon showers are common, especially in the central and southern regions. Peak hurricane season occurs in September and October, with the Yucatán Peninsula and the Pacific coast facing the highest risk. If you’re chasing dry, sunny winter weather, you’ll find lots of it in the northern deserts.

November – April: Mexico’s dry season is the most popular time to book a trip. Travellers escaping northern winters arrive at coastal resorts to find clear, sunny skies and warm days. March is the best time to visit Mexico City, when the pretty purple jacarandas are in bloom.

Events in Mexico

Mexican Independence Day (September): Hundreds of thousands of revellers gather on Mexico City’s central square for ‘El Grito’ (the shout or cry). At midnight, the president appears on the balcony of the National Palace and leads the crowd in a chant of “Viva Mexico” to celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spain.

Cervantino Festival (October): The city of Guanajuato hosts one of Latin America’s largest cultural festivals with performances by top talent in music, theatre and dance.

Día de los Muertos (November): During the Day of the Dead, the whole country honours its departed ancestors with marigolds, altars and elaborate offerings. But Oaxaca’s celebrations are in a class of their own, with candlelight vigils in the cemeteries.

Know before you go

Local etiquette

Start conversations with strangers with a smile and a warm greeting like ‘buenos días’ (good morning). It’s customary for riders on public transport to give up their seat for pregnant women and elders. Be especially respectful around churches and religious sites. Dress modestly (no tank tops or shorts) and honour any posted signs that say photography is off-limits.

Health and safety

In Mexico City, subways and buses have women-only cars at the front, a safety measure that should be respected, even at rush hour. Wear mosquito repellent in coastal areas where dengue fever and chikungunya are present. Always opt for bottled water over tap, and give yourself time to acclimatise to the altitude in Mexico City.

Budget

Cheap holidays to Mexico are easy to come by. A short taxi ride runs about 175 Mexican pesos ($), a casual meal can be had for under $200, while a cappuccino will run you about $60.

FAQs about Mexico holidays

Be sure to consult your local government for travel advisories in Mexico. Avoid driving at night, as roads can be poorly maintained. Environmental threats include extreme heat in Yucatán, plus earthquakes and the occasional volcanic eruption in Mexico City. Water purity can also be spotty, so opt for bottled water over tap.
Mexico’s low cost of living has been attracting artists, digital nomads and pensioners from around the world for decades. If you avoid pricey resorts and restaurants, it’s easy to have an affordable trip here.
Mexico uses the Mexican peso ($), but credit cards are widely accepted in bigger cities. Most airports have money-changing kiosks, though many visitors opt to withdraw cash directly from ATMs. It’s a good idea to have cash on hand, especially if travelling on toll roads. Tipping about 15% is expected.
Spanish is spoken throughout Mexico, but lots of city-dwellers and tourism workers speak English fluently. Many Mexicans also speak one of 63 recognised Indigenous languages, including Nahuatl, Mixtec and Zapotec.
Mexico enjoys many different climates. Summer in Yucatán can be very hot, while it’s a perfect 22°C in Baja. The best time to visit Mexico City is in the spring when the jacarandas are in bloom and before the rains arrive. Pacific Coast beaches are lovely in winter but can also be crowded with tourists.
Spend at least a few days in Mexico City to experience the world-class culture. After that, choose a beach to match your style — bohemians head for Puerto Escondido, while families often prefer the comforts of Cancún.