Most Western travelers enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days with a free FMM tourist card. November-April is dry season and the most popular time to visit, and a travel eSIM is worth setting up before you land.
Mexico is easy to underestimate in scope — Mexico City alone could fill a week, and that's before the coasts or colonial towns.
November through April is dry season across most of the country and the busiest, most expensive stretch. May-October brings more rain, usually as short afternoon downpours rather than all-day washouts, along with lower prices and fewer crowds.
Mexico City's metro is cheap and extensive for getting around the capital. Between cities, ADO and other first-class bus lines are comfortable and affordable; domestic flights make sense for longer hops like Mexico City to Oaxaca or the Yucatán.
Street food and local markets (mercados) stretch a food budget far further than tourist-zone restaurants. Mexico City in particular remains inexpensive relative to its size and quality of dining and culture.
Roma Norte and Condesa are the go-to base in Mexico City for cafes, walkability, and coworking spaces; the Centro Histórico is convenient for sightseeing but busier and noisier at night.
No. US, Canadian, UK, and EU passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 180 days with a free FMM tourist card, though the exact number of days is set by the immigration officer, not guaranteed to be the full 180.
A longer-stay option (1-4 years) for those who want to live in Mexico beyond the 180-day tourist limit. It requires roughly $4,300+/month in income or about $73,000 in savings, and must be applied for at a Mexican consulate before you arrive — not from inside Mexico.
November through April is dry season across most of the country and the most popular window. Rainy season runs roughly May-October, with short afternoon storms rather than all-day rain in most regions.
It's worth having one. Mobile coverage is strong in cities and most tourist areas, and a travel eSIM means maps, ride-hailing, and translation work the moment you land.