40 Things To Be Aware Of Before Traveling To Mexico

With its intoxicating mix of gorgeous beaches, fascinating historical sites, vibrant nightlife, and stunning food, it’s easy to see why Mexico is a super popular tourist destination. If you’re planning a trip, though, it’s worth doing your research first. For starters, why not read this handy list of 40 facts you need to be aware of before setting foot on Mexican soil? We’ve got you covered.

40. The country is absolutely enormous

While it’s unlikely that anyone would travel to Mexico on holiday with the intention of trying to see the entire country, that would be an impossibility anyway. Why? Because Mexico is enormous — the 14th biggest country in the world, in terms of landmass. To give some context, that’s 10 times bigger than the U.K., which in itself is made up of four countries!

39. Many places still siesta

In the warmest areas of Mexico — such as the Yucatán and the Gulf Coast — most shops will still close in the middle of the day for a few hours. Sometimes it’s two hours, but it could even stretch to four. It’s just too hot to work at these times, so most employees will go for a nap. These stores then stay open later, usually until 8 or 9 p.m. at night.

38. Domestic flights are super affordable

If you need to get from A to B in Mexico, you could do worse than checking out the available domestic flights. Even if you book late — a day or two in advance — they’ll likely still be super affordable and can often be preferable to going on a 10- or 12-hour bus journey. Check out VivaAerobus and Interjet if you’re thinking of catching a plane during your stay.

37. Keep proof you paid your tourist tax

Before you travel to Mexico, print your flight confirmation and any ticket fee information. This is because you likely paid a $25 tourist tax as part of your fee. If you don’t have proof this has already been paid, an immigration officer could force you to pay again when you’re trying to fly out of the country. It pays to be organized!