What's the best way to get between Mexican cities?

Flying is the most practical option for the distances covered in this guide — Mexico City, the Caribbean coast, and the Pacific coast are all several hours apart by road. Domestic flights are frequent and generally inexpensive.

Is Mexico safe for tourists?

The tourist zones covered in this guide — Mexico City's main visitor neighborhoods, the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta — see heavy, established international tourism and standard travel precautions apply. Petty theft is the more common risk in busy areas; stick to licensed transport and keep valuables secured.

Do I need to speak Spanish to visit?

No. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tour operations across the destinations in this guide, though a few basic Spanish phrases help outside the main tourist zones.

El Castillo, the stepped pyramid at the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá, seen against a blue sky

Paxson Woelber / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

North America

Mexico Travel Guide

Mexico is one of the most-visited countries on earth, and it earns that pull with sheer range: a sprawling, world-class capital packed with museums and food; white-sand Caribbean coastline backed by ancient Maya ruins; and Pacific resort towns built around surf, sport fishing, and sunset. Mexico City anchors the center of the country with colonial architecture, Aztec ruins beneath its streets, and one of the best restaurant scenes in the Americas. The Caribbean side — Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and the wider Riviera Maya — is where most first-time beach visitors land, close to Chichén Itzá and Tulum. On the Pacific, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta draw a different crowd with desert-meets-ocean scenery and a more laid-back resort pace.

Quick facts

Flag: Mexico
Capital: Mexico City
Language: Spanish
Currency: MXN ($)
Timezone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6); Pacific Time (UTC-7) in Baja California and parts of the northwest
Calling code: +52
Driving side: Right-hand side

Planning your trip

Best time to visit: The dry season, roughly November through April, is the most reliable stretch for both the coasts and Mexico City — sunny, warm, and outside hurricane season. May through October is hotter and wetter, with the Caribbean and Pacific coasts most exposed to hurricanes between June and November. Mexico City sits at high altitude and stays mild year-round, with its own rainy season from June to September.
Good to know: Mexico uses the Mexican peso (MXN); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas along the coast but change usually comes back in pesos, and you'll get a better rate paying in pesos. Tipping is expected — around 10-15% at restaurants, plus small tips for housekeeping and porters. English is common in hotels and tourist zones in Mexico City, Cancún, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta, but less so once you're outside them. Tap water isn't safe to drink anywhere in the country; stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing your teeth.

Cities

Where to stay in each of Mexico's cities — pick one below to see its best neighborhoods and hotels.

ProtoplasmaKid / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Mexico City

Best for: First-time visitors, Architecture lovers, Couples, Nightlife

Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Cancún

Best for: Beach time, Nightlife, Couples, Families

August Dominus / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0

Puerto Vallarta

Best for: Beach time, Nightlife, Couples, Families

El Arco, the natural rock arch at Land's End where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, off the tip of Cabo San Lucas

Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Los Cabos

Best for: Beach time, Couples, Luxury travelers, Nightlife

dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Playa del Carmen

Best for: Beach time, Nightlife, Couples, First-time visitors

Tips

Book a licensed airport taxi or an app like Uber rather than flagging a cab off the street, especially in Mexico City — it's the safer, more predictable option for tourists.
Carry small peso bills and coins for tips, street food, and local markets — many small vendors can't break large notes or don't take cards.
If you're visiting during hurricane season (June-November), check the forecast for coastal destinations a few days before you fly and buy travel insurance that covers weather disruption.

Good to know

Mexico is home to 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country in the Americas.
Mexico City is built on the site of Tenochtitlan, the former Aztec capital, and sits atop a drained lakebed — a reason parts of the city sink a few centimeters most years.
Mexico was the second-most-visited country in the world by international tourist arrivals in 2023, according to the UN World Tourism Organization.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best way to get between Mexican cities?: Flying is the most practical option for the distances covered in this guide — Mexico City, the Caribbean coast, and the Pacific coast are all several hours apart by road. Domestic flights are frequent and generally inexpensive.
Is Mexico safe for tourists?: The tourist zones covered in this guide — Mexico City's main visitor neighborhoods, the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta — see heavy, established international tourism and standard travel precautions apply. Petty theft is the more common risk in busy areas; stick to licensed transport and keep valuables secured.
Do I need to speak Spanish to visit?: No. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tour operations across the destinations in this guide, though a few basic Spanish phrases help outside the main tourist zones.