Travel to Mexico from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Key takeaways:

• UK tourists can visit Mexico without a visa for up to 180 days, but must ensure their passport is valid for the duration of their stay.
• Travelers should be cautious in certain areas of Mexico, as the UK Government advises against all but essential travel to specific cities and states.
• Vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, and typhoid are recommended, and travelers should take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue.
• The Mexican peso (MXN) is the official currency, and it's advisable to avoid exchanging money at airports or hotels due to poor rates.

Table of contents
Visas and entry requirements for Mexico Health and vaccinations in Mexico Safety tips for travelling in Mexico - including emergency contacts Transport in Mexico - how to get around Laws, rules and customs in Mexico Money and currency in Mexico Pack the Wise card for low-fee spending in Mexican pesos

Planning a trip to Mexico? It’s a popular destination for UK tourists, thanks to its delicious cuisine, vibrant culture and hot weather. To help you have an amazing trip, we’ve put together the essential guide on travel to Mexico from the UK, including info on visas and entry requirements, health and safety essentials, money and currency, laws and customs, and much more.

We’ll also show you a convenient and cost-effective way to spend in Mexico – the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. This clever international debit card automatically converts your pounds to Mexican pesos (MXN) whenever you spend, for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

Visas and entry requirements for Mexico

Before you hop on a flight to Mexico, you’ll need to know about the country’s entry requirements for UK nationals.

The good news is that you don’t need a visa to enter Mexico as a tourist from the UK. You can stay in the country for a maximum of 180 days without a visa.³

You’ll just need to make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. Ideally, it will have 6 to 12 months remaining - as this is what most countries require.

On entering Mexico, you’ll get a stamp in your passport with the number of days you’re allowed to stay.

Other things you need to know about entry requirements for Mexico:³

• Border control officials in Mexico may ask for proof of a return flight ticket, your accommodation in Mexico (i.e. a hotel booking) and evidence that you have enough money for your stay.
• When you leave the country, you may need to pay a ‘departure tax’ - unless the airline has included it in the ticket price. If not, you’ll need to pay in cash at the airport. Contact the airline or travel company for more information.
• You’re not permitted to do any work (paid or voluntary) while in Mexico as a tourist. If you want to work, you’ll need to get the appropriate visa from the Mexican Embassy back in the UK before your trip.

Is Mexico safe to visit?

Many parts of Mexico are generally considered to be safe for tourists and foreign visitors, provided you take sensible precautions to ensure your safety. We’ll cover some safety tips, including emergency contact information, later in this guide.

However, some cities and states in the country are best avoided for safety reasons. The UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises all but essential travel to the following areas:¹

• The city of Tijuana
• The city of Tecate
• The state of Chihuahua (except for the city of Chihuahua)
• The state of Sinaloa (except for the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán)
• The state of Tamaulipas
• The state of Zacatecas
• The state of Guanajuato
• The state of Michoacán
• The state of Jalisco
• The state of Colima
• The state of Guerrero
• The state of Chiapas.

How long is the flight from the UK to Mexico?

Flight times from the UK to Mexico vary depending where you’re travelling to and from.

But to give you an idea, the flight time between London Heathrow Airport and Mexico City is 11 hours and 35 minutes.² This is for a direct flight, although some routes will have at least 1 stop.

Health and vaccinations in Mexico

It’s always a good idea to read up on health information when visiting a foreign country. The last thing you want is for your dream trip to be ruined by illness, or because you’re turned away at the border for not having the right vaccinations when travelling to Mexico.

According to Travel Health Pro, travellers to Mexico should ensure they are up-to-date with vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid.⁴ This is in addition to the usual vaccines required for UK travellers.

There is also a risk of malaria and dengue in Mexico,⁴ so you should take all preventative measures possible to avoid mosquito bites. And make sure you’re aware of the symptoms of both illnesses.

Other health tips for Mexico include:

• Wearing adequate sun protection
• Avoid drinking tap water - drink filtered or bottled water instead
• Make sure you have suitable health/travel insurance before you travel.

Safety tips for travelling in Mexico - including emergency contacts

We’ve looked at health advice for Mexico, but it’s also important to think about how you’ll stay safe during your trip. Here are some tips to remember:

• Be careful with money and valuables - use a money belt under your clothes to avoid pickpockets, be extra vigilant when using ATMs (only withdraw money in daylight hours) and use the hotel safe to store valuables.
• Stick to tourist areas, city centres and well-lit areas, especially at night, unless you have a guide or you’re travelling in a group.
• Research your destination in advance, and follow local advice when you’re there.
• Avoid unmarked taxis - only used authorised taxis.

Emergency contacts

If you experience an emergency situation during your trip, here are the numbers to call:⁵

• 911 - the emergency number for police, fire and ambulance services
• (0052) 55 5207 4155 - the phone number for Mexico City Tourist Police
• (0052) 55 4891 1166 - the Whatsapp number for messaging Mexico City Tourist Police.

Make sure you have the number of your travel insurance provider too, in case you need to make a claim or seek assistance.

Transport in Mexico - how to get around

If you’re planning on travelling around the city you’re visiting or even different parts of the country, it’s useful to know about Mexico’s public transport system.

Buses are by far the most popular way to travel between towns and cities, and they’re usually pretty cheap too.

In major cities like Mexico City, you’ll have a choice of buses, subway and even cable cars to help you get around.

How to hire a car in Mexico

If you’d prefer to explore Mexico by car, there are plenty of places you can hire one. Popular companies include Avis, Hertz, Europcar and Sixt, along with local options such as Localiza and America Car Rental.

To hire a car in Mexico, you’ll need your UK driving licence, your passport or other form of valid photo ID and a debit/credit card. Many car hire companies also charge a premium for drivers who are under the age of 21-25.⁶

Laws, rules and customs in Mexico

It’s always recommended to brush up on local rules, laws and customs in the country you’re visiting. If the culture is different to what you’re used to back in the UK, you may inadvertently fall foul of the rules and end up in trouble with the law.

Here are some of the local laws you need to know about in Mexico:⁷

• It’s illegal for foreign citizens to take part in political activity in Mexico, which includes demonstrations.
• Same-sex marriage is legal in Mexico, but bear in mind that some parts of the country are conservative. Intrepid Travel has a handy guide to LGBTQIA+ travel in Mexico.
• Smoking and vaping is banned in all public places in Mexico.

In terms of customs and cultural differences, tipping is common and expected in Mexico. A tip of around 10-15% of the bill will be appreciated.⁸

What languages are spoken in Mexico?

Spanish is by far the most common language spoken in Mexico. But there are actually around 63 indigenous languages recognised by the Mexican government.⁹

You’ll find English spoken in tourist areas and in some parts of major cities. But it could be worth learning a few key phrases in Spanish just in case.

Money and currency in Mexico

Now, you’ll need to know the best way to spend while in Mexico, as well as how to manage and convert your money.

The first crucial thing to know is the official currency, which is the Mexican peso (MXN). Confusingly, the symbol is $ - just like the US dollar. It’s sometimes written as M$, MX$ or MEX$ because of this.

You can change your pounds for pesos here in the UK, or when you arrive. Just make sure to check the exchange rate and fees, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. It’s best to avoid changing currency in airports or hotels, as they are notorious for offering very poor deals in exchange for the convenience they offer.

Spending on a debit or credit card is also an option - you’ll just need to check whether your bank or card provider charges fees for spending in foreign currencies.

Mexico is quite cash-centric, although cards are accepted in many major towns, cities and tourist areas. You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Mexico, usually located in shopping centres, main streets, central plazas and outside Mexican banks.

Just be careful when using them, as it’s not unheard of for foreign tourists to be targeted by thieves at ATMs. Only withdraw cash in the daytime, choose a public place and have someone with you.

You may also want to avoid withdrawing large amounts, to make yourself less of a target. And make sure you get a money belt to wear under your clothes - it’s the safest way to carry cash around, keeping it out of the reach of pickpockets.

Read more about cash vs. card in Mexico here, to help you work out the best way to spend during your trip.

Pack the Wise card for low-fee spending in Mexican pesos

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise debit card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including Mexico. It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals for up to 200 GBP (or currency equivalent) each month. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Sign up with Wise for free 🚀

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And that’s about it - everything you need to know about travelling to Mexico from the UK.

You should now have all the essential travel tips and advice you need, on everything from money, visas and transport to health and safety. Have an amazing trip!

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Sources used:

1. GOV.UK - Foreign travel advice - Mexico
2. Skyscanner - Search - London to Mexico City
3. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Mexico - Entry requirements
4. Travel Health Pro - Mexico
5. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Mexico - Getting Help
6. The Family Voyage - Renting a Car in Mexico: An Insider’s Guide
7. Smart Traveller - Mexico
8. Moon - Everyday Customs & Etiquette in Mexico
9. Statista - Mexico: Distribution of languages in 2020

Sources last checked on date: 25-Mar-2025