Visitors Guide to Mexico

Residency, Visas and Passports

Depending upon the visitor’s nationality, visa entry requirements for Mexico can vary greatly. Europeans are able to visit Mexico for between 90 and 180 days without a visa, while other nationalities are required to apply for a visitor visa prior to departure. Tourist cards are often available on the flight and the visiting visa fee is often included in the air fare. While US citizens do not require a passport to enter Mexico, it is advisable to check with an embassy prior to departure to ensure up to date information is obtained.

To live and work in Mexico, an Immigrant Permit will be required for both long and short stays. Depending upon the industry where the applicant wishes to work, restrictions may be held over the conditions of the permit. Discussing full intentions with a lawyer will benefit the applicant in receiving correct information and clarify any confusion about the process.

Getting There

Various low cost airlines are operating to the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, including Ryanair, Easy Jet and Thomsonfly, amongst others. Flight time to the UK is approximately 10 hrs and less than 2 hours flight from the USA, making the location an attractive holiday hotspot.

The Cancun International Airport is accessible to almost every major city in the world, with internal flight connections to other cities throughout Mexico, Cancun being one of the major ports of entry to the Caribbean.

View Larger Map

Local Transport

Taxis and local buses are popular forms of transport in Mexican cities, such as Cancun. Taxis are famed for charging a higher price to foreigners and for setting their own prices. The hierarchy also extends to nationals visiting areas from a different town, who will be also charged a higher fare to the locals. Public buses are a much cheaper alternative to taxis however they can become very crowded during peak hours.

One of the preferred methods of visiting other regions is by coach, departing from the central bus stations. The fares for the coaches will depend upon the comfort level, with first and second class coaches available.

Health and Safety

Mexico has many excellent medical facilities and highly trained doctors, although it is highly recommended to take medical travel insurance. Tap water is best avoided unless there are signs claiming it has been purified. Taking general precautions to avoid petty crime such as pick pockets will help to make the visit more pleasant.

Back to Mexico Home