Nationals of the following countries are eligible for a Tourist Card:
- EU countries for stays of up to 180 days (except nationals of Austria, France, Greece and Luxembourg who can stay for up to 90 days)
- Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA for stays of up to 180 days
- Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Chile, Costa Rica, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland and Uruguay for stays of up to 180 days
- Czech Republic, Israel, Monaco and Poland for up to 90 days
(Korea (Rep. of) for up to 60 days
- Venezuela for up to 30 days
All other nationalities require a visa to enter Mexico. For requirements and regulations contact the Mexican Embassy.
Nationals of the following countries require a special authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior in Mexico, which takes three to four 3 to 4 weeks:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Cambodia
- China (PR)
- Iraq
- Iran
- Jordan
- Korea (DPR)
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- Vietnam
If you are driving to Mexico, tourists must obtain a temporary import permit or risk having their car confiscated by Mexican customs officials. To acquire a permit, one must submit evidence of citizenship, title for the car, a car registration certificate and a driver's license to a Banjercito branch located at a Mexican Customs office at the port of entry, and pay a processing fee.
When to Visit
High, Swing and Low are the three travel seasons in Mexico, with the Swing and Low seasons proving to be more affordable and less crowded. Mexico is enjoyable throughout the year, however, some people prefer the cool winters to warm summers.
Items to Bring
It is always convenient to keep the following with you when traveling in Mexico:
- English / Spanish dictionary
- A small first-aid kit
- Traveler's checks and ATM cards
- Essential medications
Social Conventions
A handshake is the common form of greeting in Mexico. It is also customary for women to greet men or women with a kiss on the cheek.
Money, Currency Exchange and Credit
Bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos. Coins are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. Foreign currencies such as US dollars, Euros and Canadian Dollars are accepted at all currency exchange bureaus throughout the country.
Mexican banking hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays. For foreign exchange, the times are normally from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Currency exchange bureaus (Casas de cambio) are open later than most banks and generally provide faster service.
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the widely accepted credit cards in Mexico.
Tipping
In restaurants, leave 10% or 15% of the bill as a tip. It is customary to tip bellhops, skycaps, tour guides and valet parking attendants. Taxi drivers, however, are usually not tipped.
Holidays
January 1
Easter week (from March to April)
May 1
May 5
September 16: Independence Day
November 2: Day of the Dead
November 20
December 12: Virgin of Guadalupe Day
December 25: Christmas Day
Senior Travelers
For the senior travelers, summer months are the best period as the country is less crowded during that time. Check with your travel agent for discount packages and group tour options available for the elderly. When making hotel reservations and orders at restaurants, always mention that you are a senior and ask about the discounts. For the physically-challenged, it is always best to discuss your needs with the travel agent because some areas in Mexico may not have facilities for travelers with special needs.
