Key facts
Mexico is a country located in Central America. There are 3 countries (Belize, Guatemala, United States of America) that Mexico shares its borders with. The official language of Mexico is Spanish. Traveling across Mexico if English is your first (and only) language may be difficult due to language barriers.
In the EF English Competency Index (EF EPI), which assesses the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries, Mexico was ranked 92nd out of 100 countries in 2021.
The national currency in Mexico is Mexican peso (MXN). The dollar ($) is subdivided into 100 centavo (¢).
Mexican
Banknotes
$20$50$100$200$500$1000
Mexican
Coins
50¢$1$2$5$105¢10¢20¢$20$50$100
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Mexico is 103.36 Mbps and mobile is 61.39 Mbs.The global average is 187.01 Mbps and 128.37 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density When compared to the world average, Mexico has more ATMs.62.26 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration You can buy a SIM card in Mexico without having to register it with your ID or passport.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Mexico. Type A & Type B are widespread in North America (incl. the U.S.), Central America, Japan, and the Philippines.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, Mexico will celebrate 8 national public holidays. The next one Labor Day will take place on May 1.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024Moving holiday | New Year’s DayAño Nuevo | |
| February 5, 2024Moving holiday | Constitution DayDía de la Constitución | |
| March 18, 2024Moving holiday | Benito Juárez’s birthdayNatalicio de Benito Juárez | |
| May 1, 2024Moving holiday | Labor DayDía del Trabajo | |
| September 16, 2024Moving holiday | Independence DayDía de la Independencia | |
| November 18, 2024Moving holiday | Revolution DayDía de la Revolución | |
| December 1, 2024 | Inauguration DayTransmisión del Poder Ejecutivo Federal | |
| December 25, 2024 | Christmas DayNavidad |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Mexico?
There are Mariott hotels in 10 cities.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in Mexico.
The IHG hotel chain operates in Mexico.
The Best Western hotel chain operates in Mexico.
There are Radisson hotels in 7 cities.
The Accor hotel chain operates in Mexico.
What fast food chains are present in Mexico?
The McDonald’s chain operates in Mexico.
The KFC chain operates in Mexico.
The Burger King chain operates in Mexico.
The Subway chain operates in Mexico.
The Domino’s Pizza chain operates in Mexico.
The Starbucks chain operates in Mexico.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Mexico City?
Weather data for Mexico City (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems The subway system is available in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Theft Occurrence Rate 194.00 thefts per 100,000 people in 2020.The global average is 544.
Road Traffic Casualties 12.80 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019.The global average is 16.74.
Emergency phones in Mexico
Sources
- Mexico Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Mexico (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations, with limited exceptions.
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is legal.
The products are only for your own use or consumption, or as a present for members of your household. They may not be imported for commercial purposes under any circumstances.
Alcohol allowance
- 3L of wine or liquor
Tobacco allowance
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200 grams of pipe tobacco
Sources
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)