Preparing your trip to Mexico: practical guide 2026

Mexico is immense—1.96 million sq km, 130 million inhabitants, 32 states. Here's how to navigate it.

How much time to plan for

A minimum of two weeks for a first discovery. Mexico is too big to see everything in one trip. It's better to choose a region and explore it in depth.

10 days : a single axis — Yucatán (Mérida-Valladolid-Tulum) or Oaxaca + Pacific coast.

14-15 days Two regions combined — Mexico + Oaxaca, or Yucatán + Chiapas. This is the most common format.

21 days The grand classic tour — Mexico, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Yucatán. Ambitious but doable with a few internal flights.

My favorite format 15 days, Mexico City (3 nights) + Oaxaca (4 nights) + Pacific Coast (3 nights) + internal flight to Yucatan (4 nights). Two Mexicos in one trip.

What budget to plan for

The currency is Mexican peso (MXN). In May 2026, 1 EUR = approximately 18-19 MXN. ATMs are everywhere. Cards are widely accepted in tourist areas, but cash remains essential in markets and villages.

Economic : 40-60 EUR/day/person. Hostels, ADO buses, street tacos, attraction entrance fees. Mexico is very budget-friendly.

Comfort 100-180 EUR/day/person. Charming hotels, rental car, restaurants, guides. The best value for money on the continent.

Premium : 250-500 EUR/day/person. Converted haciendas, luxury lodges, private experiences. The high-end offering is exceptional, especially in Yucatán and Oaxaca.

Key budget position Internal flights. Mexico is large—a Mexico-Cancún flight (2h) costs 50-120 EUR and saves you 20 hours on the bus.

When to go

Dry season (November-April): the best period for most regions. Blue skies, temperatures 20-32°C depending on altitude. December-January is the peak (Mexican holidays + international tourism).

Rainy season (May-October): tropical afternoon showers (1-3 hours), lush vegetation. Fewer crowds, lower prices. September is hurricane season on the Caribbean coasts.

Micro-season Easter week (Semana Santa) is the busiest of the year. All of Mexico travels. Book well in advance or avoid entirely.

How to get around

Long-distance bus The ADO network (and its subsidiaries OCC, AU) is excellent—air-conditioned, comfortable, and punctual. Mexico-Oaxaca (6 hours, 25-40 EUR), Mérida-Cancún (4 hours, 15-25 EUR). Bookable online at ado.com.mx.

Internal flights Volaris and VivaAerobus offer low-cost fares. Book early. The Mexico-Oaxaca, Mexico-Cancun, Mexico-Tuxtla (Chiapas) routes are frequent.

Car rental Excellent option in Yucatán (flat, well-marked roads) and on the Pacific coast. Less recommended in Mexico City (hellish traffic). 25-50 EUR/day. Prefer international agencies and get full insurance.

Collectives Local shared vans, very cheap (1-3 EUR), dense network in Yucatán and Chiapas.

Formalities and Health

Visa No visa required for French, Belgian, Swiss, and Canadian citizens (stays up to 180 days). Passport valid for 6 months after the date of entry. FMM form to be completed online before departure.

Vaccines None required. Recommended: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid.

Security Mexico suffers from a security image that doesn't reflect the reality of tourist areas. Oaxaca, Yucatan, tourist Chiapas, and major cities are safe. Standard precautions: no ostentation, vigilance at night in major cities, official taxis.

Altitude Mexico City is at 2,240 m, San Cristóbal at 2,200 m. The first few days can be tiring. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol at altitude.

Toucan Discovery and Mexico

Mexico is a natural extension of our Central America tours — combine it with Guatemala (Cancún-Flores flight for Tikal) or Belize (land border from the Yucatán). French-speaking contact reachable 24/7 via WhatsApp throughout your stay.

For inspiration, check out our Travel Journal in Mexico. To plan day by day, our Mexico Travel Guide.

Plan your trip Toucan Discovery Dynamics — your trip, your pace.