Mexico holidays
Mexico holidays at a glance
Mexico is as famous for its food and festivals as it is for its ruins. Tacos al pastor from a street stall, mole in Oaxaca, fresh ceviche on the coast- Mexican cooking is a UNESCO-listed tradition, and it tastes better here than anywhere. Time your trip for Día de los Muertos, on 1 and 2 November, and you’ll catch the country at its most colourful, with parades, painted faces and marigold-strewn altars.
Mexico City is one of the world’s great capitals, a lively sprawl of museums, street food and distinct neighbourhoods, while the southern state of Chiapas is home to indigenous cultures, dripping rainforest and some of the country’s finest archaeological sites. Out west, the long desert peninsula of Baja California draws whale-watchers to its sheltered lagoons.
Our Mexico holidays offer far more than a beach break. A spine of mountains studded with cacti runs through the heart of the country, while the coastline shifts from the white sand of the Caribbean to the surf breaks of the Pacific. You can explore magnificent Maya ruins on the Yucatán, Teotihuacán near Mexico City and wander the cobbled streets of colonial silver towns, all on the same trip.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Mexico
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
“The food in Mexico City alone could keep you busy for a week, from the tacos al pastor in the centre to the tasting menus in Polanco. And if you can, pair the Yucatán with Oaxaca. They’re very different sides of Mexico, and together they give you the full picture.”
When to visit Mexico
Wondering when is the best time to visit Mexico? Explore our in-depth guide to the weather in Mexico by seasons, as well as wildlife spectacles and cultural events throughout the year.
Across the country, this tends to be the drier season with reduced rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures. December and January are some of the busiest months as they coincide with the holiday season. The cool, dry conditions of these months are ideal for outdoor activities- you may try hiking in the Copper Canyon or snorkelling in the clear waters of the Yucatán Peninsula. January – March are perfect for whale watching: you’ll likely spot blue, gray and humpback whales in Baja California and humpbacks in Puerto Vallarta. March and April see temperatures begin to heat up; the weather in Mexico City and its surrounding colonial towns becomes warm and pleasant. There are a huge range of cultural events to enjoy, too: Day of the Dead on 1-2 November is celebrated with costumed parades across the country, while the run up to Christmas is particularly festive in Oaxaca with nightly nativity plays.
This is Mexico’s wet season, with higher temperatures and steamy humidity. Heavy downpours sweep across the country, though there is still plenty of sunshine in between the showers in most places. May is not too wet and is an ideal month to visit as there are fewer visitors. July and August see plenty of rain but are some of the busiest months as they coincide with the holiday season. There is a higher risk of hurricanes June – September, particularly in Baja California, the Caribbean coast and the Yucatán peninsula. Independence day is celebrated across the country on 16 September, with fireworks and military parades.
Places to visit in Mexico
From the vibrant fiestas of Mexico City to the Mayan ruins of the Yucatan, the indigenous cultures of Oaxaca and the dramatic scenery of the Copper Canyon, you’re spoilt for choice on where to go in Mexico. Our Mexico travel experts know every region of the country and can advise on the best places to visit, exploring the most popular spots or discovering hidden gems away from the tourist trails. Discover our guide to the most exciting, memorable and inspiring places to visit in Mexico.
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the world’s great capital cities, where ancient civilisations, colonial heritage and contemporary culture converge. Built on the foundations of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, this vast metropolis offers everything from historic architecture and world-class museums to vibrant neighbourhoods and exceptional gastronomy.
Ancient Maya cities rise out of the jungle, colonial towns, and the Caribbean, this is the Yucatán Peninsula Mexico’s most varied region has to offer. Sites like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal and Tulum sit within easy reach of colonial Mérida and the Riviera Maya, making Yucatán Peninsula holidays one of the most rewarding trips.
White-sand beaches, turquoise waters and ancient Maya ruins meet along this stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Riviera Maya holidays run south from Cancún to the cliff-top ruins of Tulum, while Holbox Island offers a slower, sand-streeted alternative just off the northern tip of the Yucatán. This combines relaxation, nature and culture.
Top Things to do in Mexico
This country’s contrasting terrain is so varied that you’ll never be short of things to do in Mexico, whether exploring the ruins of Chichén Itzá, taking a cookery course in Mexico City, going whale-watching on the Pacific coast or riding the Copper Canyon railway. Our Mexico travel experts work closely with local partners to offer the best selection of tried and tested excursions to suit all preferences. Discover the best things to do in Mexico.
Take a memorable dip in one of the Yucatán peninsula’s distinctive turquoise limestone sinkholes and visit a hacienda brimming with colonial character.
Go on a sea-borne expedition to spot the shy blue whale, the largest animal ever found on Earth.
Bring home more from your trip than just photographs and souvenirs by picking up some easy cooking techniques to help recreate the taste of Mexico back home.
Accommodation in Mexico
With over 40 years’ experience in travel to Latin America we have an unrivalled portfolio of tried and tested Mexico accommodation to choose from, handpicked by our Mexico travel experts. We also regularly inspect the products that we offer so you can book safe in the knowledge that we’ve done all the hard work for you. Accommodation in Mexico is rich and varied, from former colonial haciendas to beachside resorts, modern luxury hotels, charming farmhouses and boutique properties. Our holidays include some of our favourite Mexico hotels, but our travel experts can talk through all the available options to find the right place to stay for you. Browse our wide-ranging portfolio of accommodation in Mexico.
A charming, friendly and expertly managed hotel in the colonial plaza of San José.
A simple hotel with pool catering well for visitors to the whale watching town San Ignacio in Baja California.
Posada de las Flores is a delightful, authentic colonial-style hotel right in the centre of unspoilt Loreto
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Mexico
From expertly designed Private Journeys to active Family Holidays and trail-blazing Escorted Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays to Mexico. Use the options below to filter by region, holiday style and duration.
Group Mexico Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Eagle: Aztecs, Mayas and conquistadores
Places visited: Mexico City · Oaxaca · Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Caribbean coast: Riviera Maya and Holbox
15 days from £4,598
Quetzal: The Best of Mexico and Guatemala
Places visited: Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Lake Atitlan and villages · Antigua and the highlands
from £3,999
Tailor-Made Mexico Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Discover Mexico: Oaxaca’s culture and coastline
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Oaxaca · Southern Pacific Coast
13 days from £3,500
Explore and Relax Mexico: Silver cities to Pacific coast
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Southern Pacific Coast
12 days from £3,800
Luxury Mexico: Yucatan in style
Places visited: Mexico City · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Caribbean coast: Riviera Maya and Holbox
11 days from £5,850
FAQs about visiting Mexico
Mexico is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to go to Mexico?
It’s a year-round destination. Over half the country enjoys temperate highland weather, while the coasts are mostly sunny, hot and relatively humid. The northwest has an arid desert climate. Elsewhere most rain falls from Jun to Sep though precipitation can be expected up to Nov. Hurricanes are possible around the Gulf of Mexico and Yucatán Peninsula Jul – Nov.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What is the official language of Mexico?
The official language of Mexico is Spanish and indigenous languages.
- What is Mexico's official currency?
The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card.
Credit card or debit cards are widely accepted, although cash is still useful in Mexico. You’ll need some Pesos (or US$) cash for smaller expenses such as tips or souvenirs. Pesos can be obtained locally at ATMs or a Casa de Cambio. - What is the time difference between Mexico and the UK?
The time difference between the UK and Mexico is GMT-6 hours; ;and -7 hours in Southern Baja California and the Copper Canyon.
- Do I need a visa for Mexico?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins.
If you are entering and/or leaving Mexico via a land border, you are required by the authorities to complete an electronic Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) form via the Gobierno do Mexico portal on https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html#
We recommend doing this several days before crossing the land border, as you need to upload a scan of your passport to complete the process and print the form once completed. If you arriving by air and leaving by land, you can ask our local partners to assist you with this process once you are in Mexico.
Anyone with a different nationality should ensuire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application. - What vaccinations do I need for Mexico?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What other countries combine well with Mexico?
A visit to neighbouring Belize, where there are luxury eco-lodges, superb diving and snorkelling all embraced in British Caribbean cultural heritage.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Mexico?
Independence Day, 16 Sep Celebrations throughout the country.
Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, 1 – 2 Nov. Celebrated throughout the country.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
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