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México: qué saber antes del viaje

Lo esencial

  • It is illegal to bring e-cigarettes, vaping devices or vaping liquids into Mexico, or to buy and sell them. Customs can confiscate them and fine or detain you.
  • Get your entry recorded (stamp or e-gate ticket) and check the number of days granted — you need proof of entry to leave.
  • Visiting Cancún, Tulum or the Riviera Maya? Pay the Quintana Roo VISITAX (≈ USD 15 pp) only at visitax.gob.mx; you may be asked for the QR code at departure.
  • Many nationalities that need a visa can enter visa-free with a valid US, Canada, UK, Schengen or Japan visa or residence permit.
  • Use bank ATMs inside branches/malls and only app or authorised (sitio) taxis, especially at night.

Entrada y visados

Visa-exempt visitors may be admitted for up to 180 days; the officer decides the actual stay. Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian citizens can use SAE electronic authorisation for air entry if their airline accepts it. Land or sea entry requires a visa unless another exemption applies. Qualifying valid visas or permanent residence documents can exempt otherwise visa-required travellers; temporary residence alone is not sufficient.

Formularios y permisos en línea

Validez del pasaporte: Valid for the whole stay; the Mexican Embassy recommends at least 180 days.

En la frontera pueden pedir

  • Check the days granted on your stamp or e-gate record.
  • Keep the e-gate ticket or digital proof for departure.
  • Lost entry proof costs ~MXN 700 to replace.

Aduana

  • Vapes/e-cigarettes banned (confiscation, possible fines).
  • Declare cash over USD 10,000 equivalent.
  • Bring medicines with the prescription; some cold medicines (e.g. pseudoephedrine) and controlled drugs are restricted.
  • Firearms and ammunition: severe penalties, even a single bullet.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, inm.gob.mx ↗, visitax.gob.mx ↗, embamex.sre.gob.mx ↗, embamex.sre.gob.mx ↗

Dinero

Se usan tanto efectivo como tarjetas. Las tarjetas se aceptan casi en todas partes.

Redes de pago: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — funciona · Google Pay — funciona

Dónde cambiar dinero

  • Bank ATMs (BBVA, Banorte, Santander, Citibanamex) — choose MXN
  • Casas de cambio in city centres for USD cash

Dónde no cambiar

  • Airport exchange desks after customs
  • Paying in USD at tourist shops (poor rates)
  • Independent/street ATMs (high fees, skimming risk)
  • Dynamic currency conversion

Cajeros: Bank ATMs charge ~MXN 30–150 per withdrawal for foreign cards; use ATMs inside banks or malls in daytime.

Propinas: 10–15% in restaurants (propina, rarely included); small tips for baggers, hotel staff, guides. No tip needed for app taxis.

  • Cash still needed at markets, street food, small shops and colectivos.
  • Russian Mir cards don't work.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: banxico.org.mx ↗, gov.uk ↗, support.apple.com ↗

Normas y prohibiciones

Prohibido

  • Importing or selling vapes/e-cigarettes
  • Carrying firearms or ammunition
  • Any drugs; cannabis possession penalties still apply in practice
  • Removing archaeological artefacts or natural items (coral, shells) from protected areas
  • Participating in political activity as a foreigner

Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo

  • Drinking in public streets is prohibited in most cities.
  • Authorities may require your passport and entry stamp; copies and photos are not accepted. The INM portal provides a digital entry registry.
  • Sunscreen in many cenotes and marine parks must be biodegradable.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, mx.usembassy.gov ↗

Cultura y ropa

Religión: Mostly Roman Catholic.

Ropa: Casual; cover shoulders and knees in churches. Beachwear only at beaches and resorts.

Etiqueta

  • Greet with 'buenos días/tardes' before asking anything.
  • Politeness and patience go a long way; timing is relaxed.
  • Ask before photographing indigenous people, especially in Chiapas.
  • Learn a little Spanish — English is limited outside tourist areas.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Clima

Tropical coasts (hot; rainy season June–October, hurricane risk Jun–Nov); temperate highlands (Mexico City: mild year-round, cool nights); hot, dry north.

Mes a mes
  • enero: Jan: dry, Mexico City ~6–22°C; Cancún ~20–28°C
  • febrero: Feb: dry, pleasant
  • marzo: Mar: dry, warming
  • abril: Apr: hot and dry; Easter crowds
  • mayo: May: hottest month inland
  • junio: Jun: rainy season starts; hurricanes possible
  • julio: Jul: rainy afternoons; humid coast
  • agosto: Aug: rainy, hot; sargassum on Caribbean coast
  • septiembre: Sep: wettest, peak hurricane risk
  • octubre: Oct: rains easing; hurricanes possible
  • noviembre: Nov: dry season begins; Día de Muertos 1–2 Nov
  • diciembre: Dec: dry, pleasant, peak season

Mejor temporada: November–April (dry season).

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: en.wikipedia.org ↗, nhc.noaa.gov ↗

Qué llevar

  • Insect repellent (dengue)
  • Biodegradable sunscreen for cenotes/reefs
  • Light jacket for Mexico City evenings
  • Original passport and entry proof; keep separate backup copies
  • Small peso notes and coins
  • Prescriptions for medicines

Qué no llevar / prohibido importar

  • Vapes and e-cigarettes
  • Any ammunition or weapons (even souvenirs)
  • Pseudoephedrine cold medicines

Práctico

Enchufes: Type A/B, 127 V, 60 Hz

Agua: Don't drink tap water; use bottled or purified (garrafón). Ice in restaurants is usually purified.

Circulación: por la derecha

Móvil y eSIM: Telcel has the best coverage; SIMs at OXXO and Telcel stores; eSIMs available. Many US plans include Mexico roaming.

Apps: Uber, DiDi, Google Maps, Rappi, WhatsApp

Internet: No restrictions.

Salud: No compulsory vaccinations. Dengue is common — use repellent. Hepatitis A and typhoid advised. Mexico City is at 2,240 m altitude.

Seguro: Not required for entry; travel medical insurance strongly recommended.

Emergencias: 911 — all emergencies; 078 tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes)

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗

Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.