Documents

Most visitors (US, Canada, EU, UK) need only a valid passport; no visa is required for tourist stays up to 180 days. You will fill out a tourist card (FMM) on arrival.

Keep the FMM stub: you need it when you leave.

When to go

November to April: dry season, the best beach and sightseeing weather. December to March is whale season in Baja.

June to October: rainy season with afternoon showers; hurricane risk on both coasts peaks August to October.

Day of the Dead (Nov 1-2) and Easter week (Semana Santa) are the busiest domestic travel periods: book ahead.

The dry season, November to April, brings the best beach and sightseeing weather; December to March is whale season in Baja. The June to October rains mean greener landscapes and fewer crowds, but hurricane risk peaks August to October.

JanDry season
FebDry seasonWhale season in Baja✦ Carnaval de Veracruz
MarDry seasonWhale season in Baja✦ Carnaval de Veracruz✦ Equinoccio at Chichen Itza
AprDry seasonSemana Santa: book ahead✦ Feria Nacional de San Marcos
MayShoulder seasonHot before the rains✦ Feria Nacional de San Marcos
JunRainy seasonAfternoon showers begin
JulRainy season✦ Guelaguetza
AugRainy seasonHurricane risk peaks Aug-Oct
SepRainy seasonHurricane risk peaks Aug-Oct
OctLate rainy seasonHurricane risk eases late month✦ Festival Internacional Cervantino
NovDry seasonDía de Muertos Nov 1-2: book ahead✦ Dia de Muertos
DecDry seasonWhale season begins in Baja✦ Noche de Rabanos

When are you going?

Pick your travel months above.

General guidance from regional climate patterns, not a forecast. Event dates follow their traditional pattern; confirm exact days before booking.

Health and safety basics

No vaccinations are required for most travellers; check current guidance for hepatitis A and typhoid. Drink bottled or purified water, not tap water.

Mexico City sits at 2,240 metres: take it easy the first day. Use sunscreen at altitude and on the coast.

Check your government's current travel advisories for specific states; tourist corridors are generally calm, but conditions vary.

Official resources

Visas and entry: the Instituto Nacional de Migracion publishes entry requirements at https://www.gob.mx/inm.

Official tourism information: Visit Mexico at https://www.visitmexico.com.

Protected areas and national parks: the Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) at https://www.gob.mx/conanp.

Archaeological sites: the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH) at https://www.inah.gob.mx.