How to get to Mexico & other Travel Advice

Mexico is bordered by several countries in North and South America so there are many ways to get there. Flying to Mexico is the fastest and most convenient way to reach this country. Airfares to Mexico tend to be highest around Easter; from early June to mid-September; and at Christmas and New Year.

Flying to Mexico is the easiest way to get there from most of North America. Aeromexico has direct connections to many destinations in Mexico. American Airlines, Delta, United, and US Airways are the largest US airlines and have connections to Mexico City as well as the most popular resorts in Mexico such as Cancun.

BA offers direct scheduled flights between London and Mexico City as well as Cancun. Virgin Atlantic has direct flights to Cancun. Charter flights to Cancun are also available (often cheaper) from Gatwick and Birmingham. Even though a direct flight from London is the most convenient way to get there it's often cheaper to fly with an American or European carrier.

The voltage of electricity supplies around the world can range from 100V to 240V. It is possible to be very dangerous to use an electric appliance rated at a voltage other than the supply. in Mexico the voltage is 127V.

In Mexico you may require a voltage converter, or transformer because voltages can vary from one country to the next. The normal operation of an electric appliance could be affected if the frequency is different. Many voltage converters or transformers are supplied with plug adaptors. You may not need to purchase a separate travel adaptor.

Dual voltage-rated appliances will have a label that says, for example, 'INPUT 110-240V' on their body or power supply. You won't need a converter, transformer, or travel adaptor because Mexico uses a voltage of 127V. This voltage is within the 110-240V range the dual voltage appliance works on.

Mexico has two types of plugs: type A and type B. Type A plug has two flat parallel pins while plug type B has two flat parallel Pins and a grounding point. Mexico uses a 127V supply voltage, and 60Hz.

The capital of Mexico is Mexico City and has been the capital since 1325. Mexico City is the largest city in Mexico with over 20 million people living the greater metropolitan area.

Mexico is GMT -5 hours.

US and UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit Mexico as a tourist. However, you will need to fill out an immigration form that you can bring with you when entering and leaving Mexico. You may be asked to provide proof of onward or return travel, details of your accommodation and proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Mexico's currency is the Mexican peso. Each peso is divided into 100 cents. Look out for the MXN currency code when buying Mexican currency. Once you arrive in Mexico, the $ symbol will be used to indicate prices. Mexican banknotes come in denominations of 20, 50 and 100. 200, 500, 1000, and 500. Mexican coins are available in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 100 pesos as well as 5, 10, 20 and 50c. Tourist areas and businesses usually accept USD dollars.

A mix of US dollars and pesos is the best currency to bring to Mexico. The dollars can be used to pay for big items like travel, entrance fees and accommodation. Pesos are required for everything else.

You should find it relatively easy to obtain pesos in your country before you travel. You may have to order large quantities, which usually takes between 1-3 days. Give yourself plenty of time before you go on vacation.

It is a good idea to bring at least two hundred dollars of Mexican pesos. This will allow you to get a good exchange rate. You can also use the currency to pay for any taxis and tips.

Your debit card can be used at ATMs to obtain pesos in Mexico. To make sure you get through your first day, we recommend that you exchange enough pesos from home before you travel. To get the best exchange rate, you can simply withdraw cash at a local ATM.

Mexico is a country where credit and debit cards are widely used. However, payments using smartphones remain very limited. Mexicans continue to use cash extensively and you should ensure that you have enough Pesos and USD cash with you when visiting.

All travellers should be up-to-date on Routine Vaccinations, including Tetanus, Polio, Measles and Rubella. Many travellers should also consider Typhoid and Hepatitis A boosters as these diseases are very common in most countries. Based on the risk assessment of each traveller, additional vaccinations like Hepatitis A, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies may be recommended.

Some parts of Mexico are at risk from malaria. The risk of malaria is low in Ozxaca and Chiapas. The risk is also very low in Chihuahua and Durango, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Qunitana Roo. Malaria Medication can be administered to prevent the disease from spreading to travellers who travel to areas with a high risk of malaria. The type of medication you need depends on where you are going, how long you plan to stay, and your current medical condition. You can further reduce the risk by using mosquito bite prevention such as DEET 50%, long sleeves, and trousers.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is purely for guidance purposes and we are not medical experts. We always recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor 6-8 weeks before departure who will be able to properly assess your personal medical history, give accurate advice and advise on exactly which immunisations or medical precautions you personally need to take.