Mexico: wat je moet weten voor vertrek

Het belangrijkste

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.

Inreis en visa

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.

Online aankomstformulieren en vergunningen

FMM (Multiple Immigration Form) – land arrivals ↗ verplicht
Before crossing by land beyond the border zone · Kosten: ≈ MXN 983 for stays over 7 days (2026) · Foreign tourists entering by land
VISITAX (Quintana Roo tourist tax) ↗ verplicht
Before or during the stay; show QR on departure · Kosten: ≈ USD 15 per person · Foreign visitors staying in Quintana Roo (Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen)
SAE electronic authorisation for air entry ↗ verplicht
Before travel; confirm the airline accepts SAE. · Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian citizens using SAE instead of a Mexican visa or another exemption.

Geldigheid paspoort: Valid for the whole stay; the Mexican Embassy recommends at least 180 days.

Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar

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.

Douane

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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, inm.gob.mx ↗, visitax.gob.mx ↗, embamex.sre.gob.mx ↗, embamex.sre.gob.mx ↗

Geld

Contant en pinnen zijn allebei gangbaar. Kaarten worden bijna overal geaccepteerd.

Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — werkt · Google Pay — werkt

Waar je geld wisselt

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

Waar je beter niet wisselt

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

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

Fooi: 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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: banxico.org.mx ↗, gov.uk ↗, support.apple.com ↗

Regels en verboden

Verboden

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

Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden

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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, mx.usembassy.gov ↗

Cultuur en kleding

Religie: Mostly Roman Catholic.

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

Etiquette

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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗

Klimaat

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

Per maand

januari: Jan: dry, Mexico City ~6–22°C; Cancún ~20–28°C
februari: Feb: dry, pleasant
maart: Mar: dry, warming
april: Apr: hot and dry; Easter crowds
mei: May: hottest month inland
juni: Jun: rainy season starts; hurricanes possible
juli: Jul: rainy afternoons; humid coast
augustus: Aug: rainy, hot; sargassum on Caribbean coast
september: Sep: wettest, peak hurricane risk
oktober: Oct: rains easing; hurricanes possible
november: Nov: dry season begins; Día de Muertos 1–2 Nov
december: Dec: dry, pleasant, peak season

Beste seizoen: November–April (dry season).

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: en.wikipedia.org ↗, nhc.noaa.gov ↗

Wat mee te nemen

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

Niet meenemen / invoer verboden

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

Praktisch

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

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

Verkeer: rechts rijden

Mobiel en 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.

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

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

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

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗

Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.