Guías por país

México

Última revisión:

Por ahora, esta guía está en inglés. Los títulos están traducidos.

Capital
Mexico City
Moneda
MXN · Mexican peso
Idiomas
Spanish
Enchufes
Tipo A, B · 127 V

Números de emergencia

Todos los números de emergencia
911
Policía
911
Ambulancia
911
Bomberos
911
Policía turística
078 (tourist assistance and Green Angels roadside help)

Los 5 mejores lugares

  1. Chichén Itzá · Yucatán

    Major Maya city with the El Castillo pyramid; arrive early to beat heat and crowds.

  2. Teotihuacan · near Mexico City

    Ancient city with the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, an easy day trip.

  3. Historic centre and Zócalo · Mexico City

    Cathedral, Templo Mayor and Palacio Nacional around one of the world's largest squares.

  4. Tulum ruins and coast · Tulum, Quintana Roo

    Maya ruins on a cliff above Caribbean beaches, with cenotes nearby.

  5. Oaxaca city · Oaxaca

    Colonial city known for food, markets, mezcal and nearby Monte Albán.

Cómo moverse

  • App de transporte

    Uber

    Widely used in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and other cities; generally safer than hailing street taxis. In Cancún and some resort areas, local taxi unions have protested against Uber and blocked roads; airport pickups may be restricted (varies).

  • App de transporte

    DiDi / Cabify / inDrive

    DiDi is often cheaper than Uber. Use in-app card payment and the ride PIN where offered to avoid fake-pickup scams.

  • Taxi

    Authorised airport taxis

    Buy a prepaid ticket from official booths inside the terminal. Elsewhere use 'sitio' taxis from a rank or ones your hotel calls, not street hails.

  • Transporte público

    Mexico City Metro and Metrobús

    Very cheap with unlimited transfers inside the Metro. Use a rechargeable Mobility Integrated card or contactless payment; paper tickets are gone. Women-only cars at peak times.

  • Autobuses

    ADO and other first-class buses

    Comfortable long-distance buses (ADO in the Yucatán and south). ADO also runs from Cancún airport to downtown and Playa del Carmen. Book in the app or at terminals.

  • Bicicletas compartidas

    Ecobici

    Docked bike share in central Mexico City.

  • Alquiler de coches

    Car rental

    Useful in the Yucatán. Mandatory Mexican liability insurance is often added at the counter. Use toll roads (cuota) and watch for topes (speed bumps). Green Angels roadside help: 078.

Dinero y efectivo

Moneda: MXN · Mexican peso

Cash is still important for markets, street food, small shops, colectivos and tips; cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and chains in cities and resorts. US dollars are accepted in resort areas but usually at a poor rate; pay in pesos. Use ATMs inside banks or malls in daylight, decline the ATM's own conversion rate, and carry small notes because drivers and vendors often cannot change 500-peso notes.

Comprobar un tipo de cambio a MXN

Propinas

Tipping (propina) is customary. In sit-down restaurants 10-15% is normal. Tips are voluntary by law: a business may not add a tip to the bill without your consent.

Restaurantes10-15% when service is not already included. Check the bill for 'propina incluida' or 'servicio'.
Cafeterías y baresAbout 10% for table service, or small change at counters.
Taxis y apps de transporteNot expected for metered or fixed-fare taxis; round up or add a little if they help with bags.
HotelesAround 20-50 pesos per bag for porters and per night for housekeeping is common (varies by hotel level).
Tours y guíasAround 10-15% for guides and drivers on day tours.
Comida a domicilioSmall tip, often 10% or 20-30 pesos, in the app or cash.

Cargo por servicio: lo que hay de cierto

Not usually included. Some tourist-area restaurants add 'propina' or 'servicio' (often 10-15%) to the bill. Mexican consumer protection rules say a tip cannot be charged without the customer's consent, so if it was added without being agreed you can ask for it to be removed. If you accept it, do not tip again.

Tácticas de presión que conviene conocer

In resort areas, card terminals or staff may suggest 15-20% or more, or quote tips in US dollars. Some bills include a tip already and still have a tip line. Say politely: '¿La propina ya está incluida?' and tip in pesos at the level you choose.

Frases útiles

  • La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
  • ¿La propina está incluida? Is the tip included?
  • ¿Tiene cambio de quinientos? Do you have change for 500?

Normas de cortesía

  • Greet with 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas tardes' when entering shops and before asking for anything.
  • A handshake is normal; friends often greet with a kiss on the right cheek.
  • Cover shoulders and remove hats in churches.
  • In restaurants, the bill is not brought until you ask for it ('La cuenta, por favor').
  • Haggling is fine at markets and with street vendors, not in shops with fixed prices.
  • Drink bottled or purified water, not tap water.

Estafas y cómo actuar

  • Timeshare touts at arrivals

    Dónde: Cancún and other resort airports, tourist streets

    Cómo funciona: People posing as tourist information or transport staff offer free tours or transfers to get you into high-pressure timeshare sales.

    Cómo evitarlo: Walk through the arrivals hall without stopping; pre-book transfers and ignore anyone offering 'free' gifts for a presentation.

  • Express kidnapping in unregistered taxis

    Dónde: Mostly big cities

    Cómo funciona: Criminals pose as taxi drivers and force passengers to withdraw cash at ATMs.

    Cómo evitarlo: Use app rides, authorised airport taxis, hotel-arranged taxis or sitio taxis from ranks. Do not hail street taxis at night.

  • Gas station tricks

    Dónde: Pemex and other stations nationwide

    Cómo funciona: The attendant starts pumping without zeroing the pump, swipes a card twice, or swaps your note for a smaller one and says you underpaid.

    Cómo evitarlo: Check the pump shows zero, keep the card in sight, and say the note value aloud as you hand it over.

  • Fake police and fines

    Dónde: Roadside and tourist areas

    Cómo funciona: People posing as police, or corrupt officers, demand on-the-spot cash 'fines'.

    Cómo evitarlo: Do not hand over money or your passport. Ask for ID, the badge and car number, and a written fine to pay at the station.

  • Virtual kidnapping calls

    Dónde: Phone, often targeting hotel guests

    Cómo funciona: Callers claim to have kidnapped a relative or say you are in danger and must move hotels and stay off the phone, then demand ransom from family.

    Cómo evitarlo: Hang up and contact the person directly. Do not share travel details with callers.

  • ATM and card skimming

    Dónde: Street ATMs, especially in tourist zones

    Cómo funciona: Skimmers copy cards, and some ATMs offer a poor conversion rate.

    Cómo evitarlo: Use bank ATMs inside branches or malls, decline the ATM's conversion, and cover your PIN.

  • Ride-hailing no-show with charge

    Dónde: Mexico City and other cities

    Cómo funciona: The driver marks the ride as started or complete without picking you up, and your card is charged.

    Cómo evitarlo: Enable the ride PIN, check the plate before entering, and dispute charges in the app.

Seguridad

  • Check your government's state-by-state advice; risk levels vary greatly across Mexico.
  • Crime affects resort areas too (Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen). Stay in well-reviewed places and keep to busy areas at night.
  • Do not leave drinks unattended. Methanol-tainted alcohol has caused deaths; avoid very cheap spirits and unlabelled bottles.
  • Pickpockets are common on the Mexico City Metro and in crowds; keep phones in front pockets.
  • Withdraw cash in daylight from ATMs inside banks or malls.
  • Swim only at beaches with lifeguards and observe flag warnings.

Nivel de inglés

Common in Cancún, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos and other resort areas and in upscale places in big cities; limited elsewhere. Basic Spanish helps a lot outside tourist zones.

Fuentes

Revisamos estas guías con fuentes oficiales y conocidas, pero las normas y los precios cambian. ¿Ves algo desactualizado? Escribe a support@tourits.app.