Mexico

Mexico is an irresistibly vibrant Latin American country where diversity is key. Its Caribbean coast has the incredible blue surf and coral reefs but head into the steamy jungle interior of the Yucatan Peninsula and there are mind blowing Mayan temples to catch the imagination. Head to the west coast and the trendy Baja Peninsula is home to spectacular marine life including sea lions and top five star resorts such as Las Ventanas al Paraiso. Mexico City is a highland megalopolis of gargantuan proportions with a happening culinary and cultural scene. Guadalajara is home to some of Mexico’s most enduring traditions from mariachi bands to tequila.

Top Accommodation

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  Banyan Tree Mayakoba

  Mexico

  The first all-pool villa resort in the Riviera Maya region.

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  Fairmont Mayakoba

  Mexico

  Located on the stunning Yucatan Peninsula

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Top Restaurants

• 

  Banyan Tree Mayakoba

  Mexico

  The first all-pool villa resort in the Riviera Maya region.

  more

  

  0 ratings

  0 reviews

• 

  Fairmont Mayakoba

  Mexico

  Located on the stunning Yucatan Peninsula

  more

  

  0 ratings

  0 reviews

Mexico is a year round destination but the wettest time of year is from June to September. October and November is a fresh and lush time of year to visit. Along Pacific and Caribbean coasts, winters are warm and summers hot and humid. Late summer may bring heavy rain and the occasional hurricane.

Transport

Getting around

Flying still represents good value for money in Mexico, especially considering the long, hot bus trip that may be the only alternative. In recent years, the large airlines have left many of the domestic routes to smaller carriers. However, these start-up airlines and their timetables are particularly volatile; new ones are founded and older ones founder at an alarming rate. The majority of domestic air connections go through Mexico City.

Buses are the most common mode of public transport and bus routes are extensive. Long-distance buses are fairly comfortable, air-conditioned (bring a jumper!) and acceptably fast. Local rural buses tend to be ancient, decaying, suspensionless models grinding out their dying years on dirt tracks. Combis, colectivos and peseros are minibuses used for local transport. Note that highway robbery is a real risk in Mexico, especially at night on isolated stretches of highway.

Driving in Mexico is certainly not for everyone: you should know some Spanish, have basic mechanical aptitude, large reserves of patience and access to cash for emergencies. However, it can be just about the only way to get to some of the most beautiful and isolated towns and villages, although you need to be forgiving of road conditions.

Car and passenger ferries connect Baja California with the Mexican mainland; ferries also run between the mainland and the Caribbean islands of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel. Thanks to the government's privatization of Mexico's railways, most of the country now lacks a passenger train service. The exceptions are special tourist-oriented lines such as the Copper Canyon line from Chihuahua to Los Mochis and the Tequila Express from Guadalajara to Tequila.

Getting there and away

Most visitors to Mexico arrive by air. Around 30 Mexican cities receive direct flights from North America and Canada, and there are relatively cheap connections to the Caribbean and the rest of Latin America. From Europe you can fly to Mexico City and Cancún. Aeroméxico and Mexicana are the largest Mexican airlines.

Travelers can cross into Mexico by road from the US at one of the 40 official crossing points. Most cross-border bus services travel from Texas. There are 10 border crossings between Mexico and Guatemala, and fairly frequent bus services between border points and Guatemalan towns. Frequent buses also run between Belize City and Chetumal. Trains run from San Diego to Tijuana, El Paso to Ciudad Juárez and Del Rio to Ciudad Acuña.

The more adventurous might like to travel between the great Mayan ruins at Palenque and Tikal (Guatemala) by the jungle routes, via riverboat and back-country bus. The busiest and easiest route is via a short boat ride on the Río Usumacinta between Frontera Corozal (Chiapas) and Bethel (Guatemala); this route also squeezes in a visit to Yaxchilán and Bonampak. The other routes link Benemérito de las Américas (Chiapas) and Sayaxché (Guatemala), and La Palma (Tabasco) and El Naranjo (Guatemala). Travelers should check the security situation in Chiapas with their embassy before attempting these crossings.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

Mexico, especially its big cities, has a crime problem. Be savvy about where and when crime could occur and keep yourself out of harm's way.

Be aware that bandits occasionally hold up buses and cars on intercity routes, especially at night. Deluxe and first-class buses use toll highways, which are less prone to hold-ups. Mexico City taxis are notorious for (sometimes violent) robberies. Don't take a cruising cab; phone a radio taxi service instead.

Pick-pocketing and bag-snatching are risks in large cities and crowded areas frequented by large numbers of tourists - wear valuables underneath your clothing.

Mugging is less common than bag-snatching but resistance may be met with violence, so give them what they want.

Leave most of your valuables in a sealed, signed envelope in your hotel's safe. Stash money about your body and only carry a small amount of ready money in a pocket.

Use ATMs only in secure locations and try to use them during working hours.

Don't accept food or drinks from strangers as there have been cases of drugging followed by robbery and assault.

Be wary of attempts at credit card fraud. One method is when the cashier swipes your card twice (once for the transaction and once for fraudulent purposes). Keep your card in sight at all times.

In beach resorts be aware of ocean riptides and undertows. Like in any country, lone women should exercise caution in desolate places, including beaches.