6-8 h / - 7-9 h during our summer time

Mexico City

Main language
Spanish

Other national languages
Mexico’s Indigenous languages

Language commonly understood in tourist areas
English

127 volts / 60 hertz; an adapter is required for Swiss three-pin plugs. Type A and B sockets are used

Banks
8.30/9.00 am–5.00 pm, Monday to Friday. Some branches may also open for limited hours on Saturdays.

Shops
9.00/10.00 am–8.00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Opening hours vary by region. Some shops may also open on Sundays, especially in tourist areas and shopping centres.

• 1 January: New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)

• First Monday in February: Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución Mexicana)

• Third Monday in March: Benito Juárez’s Birthday (Natalicio de Benito Juárez)

• Easter Sunday: Domingo de Resurrección

• 1 May: Labour Day (Día del Trabajo)

• 16 September: Independence Day (Día de la Independencia)

• Third Monday in November: Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución)

• 25 December: Christmas Day (Navidad)

The following information applies to Swiss citizens resident in Switzerland. The following documents and conditions apply when entering Mexico:

• A valid Swiss passport is required.

• No visa is required for tourist stays of less than 180 days. The immigration authority decides the actual permitted duration of stay on entry.

• A return or onward ticket, valid documents for continuing the journey and, if requested, evidence of accommodation and sufficient funds must be presented.

• Young people aged 14 or under travelling alone must be collected by an adult on arrival.

Northern desert regions (Norte)

• Summer, June to September: daytime temperatures can be extremely high, often above 40 °C, while temperatures can fall sharply at night, sometimes close to freezing.

• Winter, December to February: temperatures vary considerably and may be pleasant during the day but fall sharply at night, often below 0 °C.

Central Highlands, including Mexico City and the surrounding areas

• Summer: days are warm to mild, with average temperatures between 20 and 25 °C. Nights can be cool.

• Winter: daytime temperatures are pleasant, often between 15 and 20 °C, while nights can be cool, with temperatures around 5 °C.

Pacific coast and Gulf of Mexico coastal regions

• Summer: temperatures can be hot, often above 30 °C, with high humidity. Occasional rain showers may occur.

• Winter: temperatures generally remain mild to warm, often between 20 and 25 °C, with lower humidity.

Southern regions and the Yucatán Peninsula

• Summer: very high temperatures, often above 30 °C, combined with high humidity. Rain showers are frequent, especially in the afternoon and evening.

• Winter: temperatures remain warm, often between 25 and 30 °C. Humidity may be somewhat lower than in summer.

The ideal time to visit Mexico

• Beach holidays: November–April/May

• City breaks: December–February

• Mobile phone use: using a mobile phone in Mexico may incur roaming charges. Check the applicable charges before travelling and consider purchasing a suitable roaming package to reduce costs.

• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is now available in many hotels, restaurants, cafés and public areas.

• Prepaid SIM cards: these can be purchased locally for calls and mobile data. Mobile network operators in Mexico include Telcel, Movistar and AT&T.

• Chichén Itzá, Yucatán: one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture, known for the impressive El Castillo pyramid.

• Teotihuacán, central Mexico: an ancient city famous for the large Pyramids of the Sun and Moon.

• Tulum, Quintana Roo: a well-preserved Maya archaeological site on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, set on a cliff above the azure sea.

• Cobá, Quintana Roo: another Maya archaeological site on the Yucatán Peninsula, known for the impressive Nohoch Mul pyramid. Climbing the pyramid is currently prohibited.

• Palenque, Chiapas: an important Maya archaeological site in the jungle, known for its well-preserved temples and palaces.

• Historic centre of Mexico City, Zócalo: the capital’s historic heart with the cathedral, the National Palace and other colonial buildings.

• Cenotes, Riviera Maya: underground caves and natural pools found throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, offering a unique experience.

• Beaches of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo: a popular Riviera Maya destination with beautiful beaches, first-class hotels and a lively atmosphere.

• Beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco: a charming Pacific coastal destination with picturesque beaches, water sports and vibrant nightlife.

• Pyramids of Monte Albán, Oaxaca: an archaeological site that was the capital of the Zapotec people and is known for its pyramid-like structures and tombs.

• Sierra Gorda, Querétaro: a picturesque region with spectacular landscapes, waterfalls, caves and historic missions.

• Cozumel, Quintana Roo: a Caribbean island off the coast of Playa del Carmen, known for spectacular diving and snorkelling.

• Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo: a small island near Cancún with beautiful beaches, a relaxed atmosphere and opportunities to swim with whale sharks.

• Copper Canyon, Chihuahua: a spectacular canyon system in northern Mexico that is deeper and wider in places than the Grand Canyon.

• Colonial city of Guanajuato: a charming city in central Mexico with colourful buildings, narrow streets, an underground road network and a rich cultural heritage.

Travel inspiration

• Mexican coastal paradises: Mexico’s most beautiful beaches

• Cancún travel: top tips for beaches, culture and excursions

Mexico is known for its diverse and rich cuisine, which combines Indigenous, Spanish and other culinary influences. Mexican cuisine is particularly known for the use of hot spices and chillies such as jalapeños and habaneros. Here is an overview of the best-known dishes and drinks:

• Tacos: soft or crispy tortillas filled with a wide variety of ingredients such as meat, fish, vegetables and salsas.

• Enchiladas: tortillas filled with meat, cheese or beans, rolled and covered with sauce.

• Mole: a rich sauce made with chillies, spices and, in some varieties, chocolate, often served with chicken.

• Pozole: a traditional stew made with hominy, meat, usually pork, and spices, often garnished with lettuce, onions and lime juice.

• Tamales: steamed parcels of maize dough filled with meat, vegetables or sweet ingredients and wrapped in banana leaves or maize husks.

• Agua fresca: refreshing drinks made with fruit, water and sugar, often using watermelon, lime or hibiscus.

• Tequila and mezcal: agave spirits produced in Mexico and enjoyed neat or in cocktails such as margaritas and palomas.

• Greetings: a warm handshake is customary, especially when meeting someone for the first time. A friendly “Hola”, “Buenos días” during the day or “Buenas tardes” in the afternoon or evening is also appreciated. In formal situations, the surname is often used with “Señor” or “Señora”.

• Saying please and thank you: politeness is important, so it is appropriate to say “por favor” and “gracias”.

• Clothing: dress codes vary by occasion and region but are generally fairly casual. Western clothing such as jeans and T-shirts is acceptable in larger cities and tourist areas, while more conservative clothing may be appropriate in rural areas.

• Dining culture: it is common to eat some foods with the hands, especially finger food such as tacos. It is polite to enjoy the food and eat more slowly, particularly in company. Meals are often treated as social occasions with time for conversation.

• Smoking: smoking is not permitted in many public areas, restaurants and hotels or is restricted to designated areas.

• Tipping: tipping is customary and often expected, especially in restaurants and hotels and for services such as taxi journeys. A tip of 10–15% of the bill is appropriate, depending on the service and quality. Some restaurants and hotels may already include a service charge on the bill.

• Other information: respect local traditions and customs, especially at religious sites and ceremonies. Avoid making negative comments about political or cultural matters that could cause conflict.

• Drinking water quality: tap water in Mexico often does not meet the standards travellers may be accustomed to in Western countries. Avoid drinking tap water and use sealed bottled water instead. Bottled water should also be used for brushing teeth and care should be taken with salads and ice cubes in restaurants.

• Vaccinations: no specific vaccinations are generally required for entry into Mexico. Travellers should nevertheless keep routine vaccinations up to date. Depending on the itinerary and personal risk, travel-medicine advice may include vaccination against hepatitis A and other diseases.

• Dengue fever: dengue occurs in both urban and rural areas of Mexico and is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, mainly during the day. Wear long clothing, use insect repellent and stay in accommodation with suitable mosquito protection.

• Mosquito protection: protection against mosquito bites is recommended. Wear long clothing, use insect repellent and use mosquito nets where appropriate.

• Malaria: the risk is low and limited to certain areas. Consistent protection against mosquito bites is important. Whether emergency medication or chemoprophylaxis is appropriate depends on the exact itinerary and should be discussed with a travel-medicine specialist.

• Medical care may be inadequate depending on the region. A European standard of care is available only in major cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey or in larger tourist destinations such as Cancún, primarily in private hospitals. Treatment in such clinics is considerably more expensive than in Switzerland. Serious illnesses and injuries should be treated in private hospitals or abroad, in the United States or Switzerland. Hospitals require a financial guarantee, such as a credit card or advance payment, before treatment.
• If you depend on particular medicines, carry an adequate supply in your travel pharmacy. Bear in mind that many countries apply special rules to medicines containing controlled substances, such as methadone, and substances used to treat mental health conditions. If necessary, contact the relevant foreign representation, embassy or consulate before departure.

• Stay informed about the current situation through the media before and during your journey and remain in contact with your tour operator.

• Further information on the current security situation is available from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

• Personal safety requires a high level of attention. Violent crime is very high throughout the country.

• The state has been combating organised crime with the military and police for several years. Shoot-outs between security forces and drug cartels occur frequently in some regions. Drug cartels and other criminal groups also fight one another, and uninvolved people are repeatedly affected. See the section on specific regional risks in the FDFA travel advice.

• Kidnappings for ransom and politically motivated kidnappings occur. See the section on crime in the FDFA travel advice.

• The risk of terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out in Mexico.

• Demonstrations and protests take place regularly in Mexico City and are occasionally accompanied by violence. Social and political tensions can also lead to local strikes, demonstrations and roadblocks elsewhere. Violence is sometimes used during demonstrations and roadblocks. Delays and disruption to travel as well as fuel shortages are possible. In the event of roadblocks and strikes, travellers must obtain local information about alternatives and, if necessary, wait for the situation to return to normal. The Swiss Embassy in Mexico City has only very limited, and depending on the situation no, means of assisting departure from affected regions.

• Exercise the utmost caution throughout the country. Ask a trusted local contact or the local authorities about the current security situation and follow their instructions. Travel with a trusted person on overland journeys and excursions. Avoid demonstrations of all kinds.

• Car hire: a Swiss driving licence is recognised, provided it has, depending on the hire company, been held for at least one year.

• International Driving Permit: recommended.

• Mandatory equipment: CH sticker and warning triangle.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.8‰.

• Long-distance trains: Mexico’s passenger rail network is limited but expanding. Tourist and intercity services include El Chepe through Copper Canyon, the Tren Maya in the south-east and the Interoceanic Train. Verify routes, operating sections and timetables before travelling.

• Regional trains: only a limited number of regional and suburban rail services operate. The El Insurgente intercity railway links parts of the Mexico City–Toluca corridor.

• Buses: buses are one of the most common and popular forms of public transport in Mexico. An extensive network of operators serves cities and regions across the country. Services range from luxury coaches with reclining seats and air conditioning to simple intercity buses.

• Metro / tram: major cities such as Mexico City and Guadalajara have metro and light-rail systems that provide fast and efficient urban transport. Mexico City’s metro is one of the largest in the world.

• Tickets: public-transport tickets can be purchased at railway and bus stations. In major cities, metro and light-rail tickets are also sold at machines and ticket offices. Fares vary by class and route, and reservations may be required for some buses and trains.

• Other information: keep valuables secure and remain cautious, especially in crowded or tourist areas. Check current timetables and fares before departure. Taxis, bicycle hire and ride-hailing services are also available in some cities and regions.

• Mexico City International Airport (MEX): direct flights from Zurich; no regular direct flights from Geneva are currently confirmed.

• Cancún International Airport (CUN): direct flights from Zurich; no regular direct flights from Geneva are currently confirmed.

• Guadalajara International Airport (GDL): no regular direct flights from Switzerland are currently confirmed; connections with stopovers are available.

• Monterrey International Airport (MTY): no regular direct flights from Switzerland are currently confirmed; connections with stopovers are available.

• Tijuana International Airport (TIJ): no regular direct flights from Switzerland are currently confirmed; connections with stopovers are available.

The main airlines operating in Mexico include Aeroméxico, Volaris, Viva Aerobus and TAR Aerolíneas.

00 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

• National emergency number for police, ambulance and fire brigade: 911

• Mexico City tourist police: +52 55 5207 4155

Paseo de las Palmas No. 405
11th floor, Torre Optima I
Lomas de Chapultepec
Miguel Hidalgo
11000 Mexico City

Telephone: +52 55 91 78 43 70
Email: mexicocity@eda.admin.ch

• The country lies in an active earthquake zone.

Special legal provisions

• It is prohibited to photograph uniformed personnel and military installations.

• Political activities are prohibited for foreign nationals.

• Drinking alcohol and smoking in public spaces, including streets, squares and parks, are prohibited. Urinating in public is also an offence. Violations are punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

• Offences against narcotics legislation are punishable by lengthy prison sentences.

• Prison conditions are difficult and include overcrowded cells, violence among detainees and poor hygiene.

• Crime is relatively high, especially in cities.