Make every visit to Mexico a memorable adventure!
Mexico offers a diverse range of activities and attractions for travellers. Here are some popular things to do in Mexico:
1. Explore Ancient Ruins: Visit archaeological sites like Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan, and Palenque to discover ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
2. Relax on Beaches: Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Puerto Vallarta for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.
3. Discover Colonial Cities: Explore charming colonial towns like Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, and Oaxaca, known for their colourful streets, historic architecture, and vibrant art scenes.
4. Culinary Adventure: Indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine, from street tacos and tamales to gourmet dishes in top-notch restaurants. Take a cooking class to learn the art of Mexican cooking.
5. Adventure Tourism: Experience adrenaline-pumping activities such as zip-lining in the jungles, scuba diving in cenotes (natural sinkholes), and hiking volcanoes like Popocatepetl and Parícutin.
6. Enjoy Nature: Explore the diverse natural landscapes, from the Copper Canyon to the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula. Whale watching in Baja California and exploring the Sumidero Canyon are also popular activities.
7. Visit Museums and Art Galleries: Mexico City boasts world-class museums like the National Museum of Anthropology and the Frida Kahlo Museum. Explore the vibrant art scene in places like Mexico City’s Roma neighborhood.
8. Attend Festivals: Experience Mexico’s vibrant culture through festivals like Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Carnival, and local celebrations in different regions.
9. Relax in Hot Springs: Enjoy natural hot springs in places like Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca or the hot springs in the Grutas Tolantongo.
10. Explore Underwater Wonders: Snorkel or dive in the Great Maya Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, located along the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Remember to respect local customs and traditions while traveling in Mexico and always prioritize your safety by checking travel advisories and taking necessary precautions.
What currency will I need?
The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso, abbreviated as MXN and represented by the symbol “$” or “Mex$”. The peso is further subdivided into 100 centavos. Coins are available in denominations of 5, 10, and 20 centavos, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 pesos. Banknotes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 pesos.
When traveling to Mexico, it’s advisable to have Mexican Pesos in cash, especially for small purchases, local markets, and transportation services. While major credit cards are widely accepted in larger cities and tourist areas, having local currency on hand is convenient, especially in more remote or rural areas where card payments may not be accepted. ATMs are widely available in Mexico, allowing you to withdraw Mexican Pesos using international debit or credit cards.
Should I use travel cash or a card?
According to Mintel, 90% of British travellers take some travel cash with them. It’s perfect for tips, taxis, street-side vendors and locations which do not have card machines (or where they are not working). It’s easy to budget with, and share with other members of your party. It’s also not prone to technical faults, does not require internet access, and you won’t be charged to use it.
Having a debit card is also a great idea as backup – just make sure you know what fees the card issuer charges to make payments in the foreign currency (better still, find one that makes no charges at all). Bigger purchases should be made on a travel-friendly UK-issued credit card to get that additional Section 75 protection (see https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit-and-purchases/how-youre-protected-when-you-pay-by-card). Make sure when paying by card that you ALWAYS pay in the foreign currency – do not let the card processor do the conversion to GBP as you will always get a worse rate. That applies even if the foreign currency is already loaded onto a prepaid multi-currency card – the card issuer will decide whether to settle from your foreign currency wallet or not.
Where can I buy currency?
You will typically get a better deal buying your travel cash here in the UK before you travel. Look for the highest possible foreign currency exchange rate to indicate the best deal. For example, a rate of MX$21.3809 better than MX$20.6993 when buying Mexican Peso (MXN). Airports tend to offer the worst rates – especially if you have not pre-ordered – and you may find a bureau de change on your High Street, in a supermarket or department store, in many travel agents, and at major transport hubs.
You can also buy Mexican Peso from Travel Money Club for next business day despatch to home via fully insured Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. Unlike the competition, we don’t hide fees and charges in our exchange rates – you just pay a fair and transparent handling fee based on how much you are exchanging. Get an instant quote now at https://yourtmc.link/quote-mxn.
