Mexico is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and has almost 10,000km of coastline. Travellers booking flights to Mexico will find it heaven for almost everybody - surfers, golfers, sun worshippers, party-goers and culture vultures.
Cozumel is consistently named the top dive destination in the Western world; La Paz boasts coral reefs and rocky beds; and the Yucatan Peninsula has “sand falls”, sunken vessels, and the cenotes, to mention just a few. Sport fishing is also a major attraction, and charter boats with expert crews can take you where the fish are.
Mexico has a seemingly endless variety of flora and is one of the five most biologically diverse nations. History buffs can explore archeological sites while Copper Canyon is popular with hikers.
In their celebrations, Mexicans excel. Carnaval (just before Lent) is celebrated with gusto as is Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter). The Day of the Dead (November) is marked with great reverence while Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (December 12) honours Mexico's national patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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Mexico’s coastal plains are hot and humid, but the higher inland elevations, such as Mexico City, are more temperate and drier. Mexico’s average daytime temperatures range from the 20s to 30s (Celsius). The hottest and most humid time of the year is May to October, especially on the coasts. October to April are cooler, and inland temperatures can approach freezing in winter.The rainy season is usually May through September, but varies: it’s June to October in Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco, and mid-September through mid-November in Cancun. The coastal areas typically get more rain than the higher elevations. Puerto Vallarta’s hurricane season runs from late September to early November, and Cancun can get tropical storms May through September.
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Peak Season:
Southern-coast resorts are packed with tourists between July and September, especially since July and August are the peak holiday months for foreign visitors and native Mexicans. This is when the majority of tourists step off their Mexico flights. Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and Christmas week are also very busy.
Off Season:
Right after the rainy season is a good time to take flights to Mexico - smaller crowds, more reasonable prices, and the hills and mountains are green from the rain. However, it can still be very humid in Puerto Vallarta.
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For getting around on your own, walking or renting a car or moped are popular options.
Mexico has more 20 airports, which makes getting from one part of the country to another easy. Domestic Mexcico flights are cheap and reliable.
Mexican cities and resorts typically have public transport and taxis. Check before you go to find out what is best at your destination. For example: Cancun has a popular city-bus system. There are also private buses, but they charge far more than the city buses. Puerto Vallarta’s city buses are easy to use, inexpensive, and can take you to most locations. However, stay away from buses named Rambo, Terminator, etc. They don’t always stop for pedestrians, and they frequently have accidents that result in fatalities. In Cozumel getting to some of the hotels and the beaches requires transportation. Cozumel has a strong cabbies’ union and the fares are set (there’s no bargaining). Mexico City has an extensive public transportation system, lots of taxis, and a problem with crime.
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- With the clear water and white-sand beaches of the Caribbean, Cancun is Mexico’s most popular tourist destination. A gracious host to visitors, Cancun offers extensive water activities — snorkelling, scuba diving, parachuting, jet skiing — as well as spas, shopping, dining, and dancing all night. The outlying areas also offer attractions from Mayan ruins to ecological theme parks.
- On the Pacific coast, Acapulco is one of Mexico’s best-known resorts and, with its recent major revamping, is again a very popular resort. A party town, Acapulco goes nonstop and is a playground day and night. Days can be spent jet skiing, water skiing, playing golf or tennis, or lazing on the beach before partying all night.
- Also on the Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta has miles of beaches, cliffs, and the Sierra Madres as a backdrop. You won’t be bored here: stroll the cobblestone streets, shops, and galleries; dine in one of over 200 restaurants; try mountain biking, whale-watching, or sea kayaking. Puerta Vallarta is hard to leave, as its American, European, and Canadian residents can attest.
- Cozumel is one of the top diving locations in the world. Surrounded by more than 25 reef formations, there’s diving for all levels of experience. White, sandy beaches line both sides of the island with gentle waves on the leeward (western) side and huge crashing waves on the windward (eastern) side. The waterfront area is well populated with shops, and San Miguel the only town.
- Mexico City is one of the largest, most complex cities in the world. The architecture reflects the city’s cultural history, from pre-Hispanic remains to modern skyscrapers. As an urban playground, Mexico City offers trendy restaurants and nightlife, excellent museums, and the central square’s cobblestone, tree-lined streets. The city also has its share of crime — be cautious and stay alert.
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All visitors must hold a tourist card (FMT form), which is issued free of charge and obtainable from airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports and border crossing points.
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British passport holders must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days if in possession of a Tourist Card/FMT form and holding a passport endorsed British Citizen. If the passport is endorsed British National (Overseas) the visa exemption is for a maximum of 90 days. Travellers must have a return or onward ticket (unless a British Citizen with a Tourist Card or visa), as well as necessary documents for further travel, and sufficient funds.
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