Buenos días
BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs
Good morning, hello
Greeting someone in the morning, until about noon
Travel guide
Learn Mexico before you go
Ancient pyramids, colourful colonial towns, Caribbean beaches and one of the world's great kitchens.
CapitalMexico City
CurrencyMexican peso (MXN)
Official languageNone is set by law. Spanish is used by almost everyone and by the government, and a 2003 law recognises Spanish and the Indigenous languages, such as Nahuatl and Yucatec Maya, as national languages
Drives on theRight
Calling code+52
10 phrases to learn
In Spanish (Mexican). Capital letters show the stressed part. Tap the heart to practise a phrase later.
Buenas tardes
BWEH-nahs TAR-dehs
Good afternoon
Greeting someone from about noon until it gets dark
Buenas noches
BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs
Good evening, good night
Greeting someone after dark, or saying goodnight
¿Cómo está?
KOH-moh es-TAH
How are you? (polite)
After hello, with someone you do not know well
Mucho gusto
MOO-choh GOOS-toh
Nice to meet you
Meeting someone for the first time
Por favor
por fah-VOR
Please
Asking for anything
Muchas gracias
MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs
Thank you very much
Thanking someone warmly
Con permiso
kohn pehr-MEE-soh
Excuse me (may I pass?)
Squeezing past people or leaving a table
Disculpe
dees-KOOL-peh
Excuse me, sorry
Getting someone's attention politely, or apologising
¿Mande?
MAHN-deh
Pardon? Sorry, what did you say?
A very Mexican, polite way to ask someone to repeat
At the table
- The main meal, la comida, is eaten in the early afternoon and can last a long time. Supper in the evening is usually light.
- Tacos are eaten with your hands, never with a knife and fork. Tilt your head, not the taco, so the filling stays inside.
- When you pass people who are eating, or before you start, it is polite to say '¡Provecho!', which means 'enjoy your meal'.
- Taste salsas carefully before you pour them on: the green ones are not always the mild ones.
- Waiters do not bring the bill until you ask. Say 'La cuenta, por favor', or make a small writing sign in the air.
- A tip of about 10 to 15 percent is normal in restaurants. Check first that it has not already been added to the bill.
Local tips
Drink bottled water
Do not drink tap water. Use bottled or boiled water, and be careful with ice in drinks. Many hotels and restaurants use purified water and ice, so ask if you are unsure.
Take it easy at altitude
Mexico City is about 2,240 m above sea level. On your first day or two, walk slowly, drink plenty of water and go easy on alcohol, especially if you have heart or breathing problems.
Prices are in pesos
Mexican prices are written with the same sign as the US dollar, but they are in Mexican pesos. Carry some cash for markets, street food and small shops, and use cash machines inside banks or shopping centres in daylight.
Tip about 10 to 15 percent
In restaurants a tip (propina) of about 10 to 15 percent is normal for good service. Check the bill first in case it has already been added. The person packing your bags at the supermarket also expects a few coins.
Use authorised taxis
At airports, use only authorised, prepaid taxis, bought at the official desk. In town, take taxis from an official rank (sitio) or ask your hotel to call one. Ride apps work in big cities, but in some resort areas, such as Cancún, taxi drivers have protested against them.
Many museums close on Mondays
Big museums such as the National Museum of Anthropology and the Frida Kahlo Museum are closed on Mondays. Plan museum days for Tuesday to Sunday, and buy Frida Kahlo tickets online in advance if you can.
Watch the hurricane season
Hurricane season runs from June to November and can affect both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts. If you travel then, keep an eye on the weather forecasts and follow local advice.
Protect yourself from mosquitoes
Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are spread by mosquitoes in parts of Mexico, especially in hot, low-lying areas. Use insect repellent and cover up in the early morning and evening.
Dishes to try
- Tacos al pastor: Thin slices of marinated pork, cooked on a vertical spit called a trompo, shaved into small corn tortillas and topped with onion, coriander (cilantro), salsa and often a sliver of pineapple.
- Mole poblano: A dark, rich sauce made from several kinds of dried chillies, spices, nuts, seeds, bread and a little chocolate, served over turkey or chicken. It can take a whole day to make and is served at weddings and big family celebrations.
- Chiles en nogada: Large green poblano chillies stuffed with minced meat and fruit, covered with a creamy white walnut sauce and sprinkled with red pomegranate seeds. It is served at room temperature.
- Cochinita pibil: Pork marinated in bitter orange juice and achiote (annatto), which turns it a deep orange, then wrapped in banana leaves and slow-roasted, traditionally in a pit in the ground. It is served with tortillas and pink pickled onions.
- Pozole: A hearty soup of large, chewy hominy corn kernels cooked with pork or chicken. It comes white, green or red, and everyone adds their own toppings: shredded cabbage or lettuce, radish, onion, oregano, chilli and lime.
- Tamales: Parcels of corn dough (masa) with a filling such as chicken in green salsa, pork in red salsa, cheese with chilli, or something sweet, wrapped in a corn husk or banana leaf and steamed. You unwrap them and eat only the inside.
- Tlayuda: A very large, thin, crisp tortilla spread with refried beans and pork lard, then topped with cabbage, avocado, stringy Oaxaca cheese and grilled meat. It is grilled over charcoal, sometimes folded in half.
- Enchiladas: Corn tortillas dipped in chilli sauce, rolled around a filling such as chicken or cheese, and topped with more sauce, cream, crumbly cheese and onion. The name means 'seasoned with chilli'.
Cities to see
- Mexico City (capital): The Zócalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral, The National Museum of Anthropology, The canals of Xochimilco.
- Guadalajara: Mariachi music, The Hospicio Cabañas, Birria, a spicy meat stew.
- Monterrey: Industry and business, The saddle-shaped mountain Cerro de la Silla, Grilled meat and cabrito (roast young goat).
- Tijuana: The border with San Diego, Avenida Revolución, The birthplace of the Caesar salad.
- Puebla: Mole poblano and chiles en nogada, Talavera pottery and tiles, The Battle of Puebla of 5 May 1862.
- Oaxaca: The Guelaguetza dance festival, Mole and tlayudas, Mezcal and craft markets.