Mexico Holidays

What’s Mexico known for?

• Festivals and holidays. Festivals are exciting occasions in the Mexican calendar, giving people a chance to celebrate the country’s history and culture.
  
  Recognised across the globe, Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is Mexico’s most famous festival and it typically takes place on the first and second of November. It’s seen as a chance to celebrate both life and death, with families often visiting the graves of loved ones, leaving decorations and foodie treats to encourage the souls of the deceased to join in the celebrations. Tourists are welcome to join in the activities and parades, which take over city centres across the country.
  
  Other important festivals in the calendar include Dia de la Independencia (Independence Day) on the 16th of September and Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates the country’s victory in the 19th century Battle of Puebla.


• Cultural and historic sites. Only a handful of countries are home to more UNESCO-listed sites than Mexico, which has a grand total of 35. Some of the most impressive include Uxmal, El Tajin and Teotihuacan. Mexico is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the city of Chichen Itza. The centrepiece of this Mayan settlement is the stepped pyramid of El Castillo, which is one of the most recognisable cultural sites in the world.


• World-class beaches. With so much to explore inland, it’s only right that Mexico also offers myriad sandy stretches where visitors can kick back and do nothing at all. The west coast is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and is peppered with world-class beaches from top to bottom. Some of the most famous resorts in this part of the country include Los Cabos and Mazatlan.
  
  Meanwhile, the east side of Mexico has coastlines in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Some of the best beaches here can be found on the Yucatan Peninsula, which is home to spectacular seaside resorts like Cancun and Tulum.

What food and drink should I try in Mexico?

Mexico’s mouthwatering meals are hardly a secret – it’s one of the world’s most popular cuisines. However, a trip here gives travellers the opportunity to try the most authentic versions of the dishes we’re all familiar with. Churros, enchiladas, tacos al pastor and pozole should all be on the menu when in Mexico.

If you’re eager to find out how these dishes are made, don’t miss a private cooking class. One of our favourite places for this is in Oaxaca, Mexico's culinary capital. Choose your ingredients at a market before whipping up a four-course meal under the guidance of a talented local chef.

Mexico has also provided the world with iconic drinks that are enjoyed in bars and restaurants around the world. Produced only in specific regions of the country, tequila is Mexico's most famous alcoholic spirit. Sample the different varieties in a local bar or go one better and visit the agave fields in Jalisco where the drink was invented. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic beverages that are popular in this part of the world. One of our favourites is agua fresca, a refreshing blend of fruit, water and sweetener.

What’s the best way to get around Mexico?

Mexico is a vast country (the 13th largest in the world, to be precise), so if you’re planning to explore different regions, it’s important to know the best ways to get around. Fortunately, there are lots of options, so you can tailor your transport depending on your budget, preferences and itinerary. If you’re staying relatively local, the bus network is a common way to get around, with frequent services connecting the main towns and cities. Taxis are another popular option; in fact, there are more registered taxis in Mexico (60,000) than any other country, so you’ll never be short of a ride.

For travellers looking to discover different regions, domestic flights will generally be your best bet. With airports dotted across the country, flying is a handy method for exploring just about anywhere. Mexico City to Cancun is one of the most popular domestic routes, with a flight time averaging two hours and 20 minutes. Not only will flying often be the quickest way to get from A to B, but internal flights here are generally quite affordable too.

Check out our guide on transport in Mexico for more information and advice.

What’s the weather like in Mexico?

Mexico’s tropical climate welcomes warm temperatures throughout the year, with average lows of 15 degrees Celsius and highs of 28. However, like with most tropical countries, there are also distinct rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season runs through the summer months – May to September – but downpours are typically short and clear quickly. Hurricanes are also more likely to occur during this period, with extreme weather patterns typically intensifying towards the end of summer.

To make the most of the country’s cooler and drier conditions, the best time to visit Mexico is in winter or spring, between December and April. This period almost guarantees sunshine and comfortable temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius.

What’s the capital of Mexico?

Mexico City is the country’s capital. It’s the most populous city in the Americas, and one of the largest in the world. When it comes to tourism, the city is best known for its cultural attractions and rich culinary heritage, which can be explored at your own pace or alongside a savvy guide.

What languages are spoken in Mexico?

Spanish is the de facto official language of Mexico and is spoken by the majority of the population. A variety of indigenous dialects are also spoken in certain parts of the country, such as Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. English isn’t widely spoken, but you’ll generally be able to get by in the main cities and tourist areas.

What's the time zone in Mexico?

There are four different time zones in Mexico. The two most prominent are Central Standard, which covers most of central and eastern Mexico, and Mountain Standard, which is observed by most western parts of the country. Smaller zones also used are Pacific Standard (in the far west) and Eastern Standard (in the far east).

What currency does Mexico use?

Mexico uses the Mexican peso (MXN). At the time of writing, 1 GBP is worth around 26 MXN.

How long does it take to fly to Mexico from the UK?

An average flight from London to Mexico City takes about 11 hours and 40 minutes. There are daily direct flights connecting Mexico and the UK but if you’re happy to stopover along the journey, you can benefit from cheaper prices on connecting flights.

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

British citizens need a tourist card rather than a visa to visit Mexico. You can obtain this on arrival by filling out an immigration form, available at border crossings or on-board flights to Mexico. Before being allowed entry, you may have to provide immigration officials with proof of your departure plans, but this is not a formal entry requirement.

Check out our guide on Mexico passport and visa requirements for more information.