Mexico Holidays

What is Mexico known for?

• Festivals and holidays. Festivals are important occasions in the Mexican calendar, giving the people a chance to celebrate various aspects of the country’s history and culture.
  
  Recognised across the globe, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is the most famous festival and typically takes place on the 1st and 2nd 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 culinary offerings to encourage the souls of the deceased to join in the celebrations. Tourists can 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 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 total of 35. Some of the most notable inscriptions include Uxmal, El Tajín and Teotihuacan. Mexico is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the city of Chichén Itzá. 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 littered 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 has coastlines in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Some of the best beaches here can be found on the Yucatán Peninsula, which is home to popular seaside resorts like Cancun and Tulum.

What food and drink should I try in Mexico?

Mexico’s mouthwatering culinary offerings are hardly a secret – it’s one of the most popular cuisines around the world. However, a trip here affords tourists 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.

Mexico has also provided the world with its fair share of beverage offerings which are commonplace in bars and restaurants just about everywhere. 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 popular drink was invented. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic drinks that are popular in this part of the world – try different varieties of agua fresca which comprises fruit, water and sweetener to create a refreshing beverage.

What is the best way to get around Mexico?

Mexico is a vast country, 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 during your holiday, you can make use of the bus network, 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 should never be short of a ride.

For travellers looking to discover different regions, domestic flights will generally be your best option. There are airports right across the country, meaning flying is a convenient 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.

For more information, read our guide on transport in Mexico.

What is the weather like in Mexico?

Mexico’s tropical climate means it experiences warm temperatures throughout the year, however, 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 backend of summer.

To make the most of the country’s cooler and drier conditions, the best time to visit is in winter or spring, between December and April. This period almost guarantees sunshine and comfortable mid-20ºC temperatures.

What is 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.

What languages are spoken in Mexico?

Spanish is the de facto official language of Mexico and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. A variety of indigenous dialects are also spoken in certain parts of the country. English isn’t widely spoken, but you will 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 11h 40m. There are daily direct flights connecting Mexico and the UK – 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.