Mexico tours & vacations

Many countries do not need to obtain a visa for tourist travel to Mexico.

However, all visitors are required to fill out an online Multiple Immigration Form (FMM) to obtain a Tourist Card for stays of less than 180 days.

To enter Mexico you may need:

• An undamaged passport valid for at least six months from the date you exit Mexico
• One blank passport page for an entry stamp
• A Tourist Card
• A return or onward ticket from Mexico
• Proof of funds to financially support yourself while traveling in Mexico
• Documentation supporting the purpose of your stay, like accommodation or tour booking.

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their adventure. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

Learn more about travel insurance

Tipping is expected in most parts of Mexico. Service workers typically earn a low wage and rely on tips to earn a decent living. We recommend leaving 10–15% at restaurants (if the service charge is not already included), 5–10% of your room cost for housekeepers, and a few dollars for porters, bartenders and local guides.

What you pack for your Mexico tour will depend on where you are traveling to. Thanks to its high altitude, Mexico City, for example, will be much cooler than the coastal areas of Playa del Carmen or Tulum. In the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing at night while reaching 73°F during the day, so it’s important to be prepared for both ends of the spectrum.

We do not recommend drinking water in Mexico. We also advise avoiding ice in drinks and peeling fruit and vegetables before eating. Your local leader will help you source purified water for drinking on your trip.

Cell phone coverage is fairly good in Mexico, especially in larger cities. If you want to stay connected, it's a good idea to purchase a local SIM card.

It's likely that you will encounter different types of toilets while travelling in Mexico. Western-style flushable toilets are commonly found in high-end resorts, hotels and restaurants, while squat toilets are common in rural areas and homes. Be prepared by carrying your own supply of toilet paper and soap, as these aren't always provided.

Mexico is becoming increasingly more accepting of same-sex relationships and has laws in place to protect those that identify differently, but it remains a country of strong Catholicism that has historically been hostile towards the local LGBTQIA+ community.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to Mexico directly support our foundation partner, Gastromotiva Mexico.

Gastromotiva Mexico

Gastromotiva Mexico is tackling food scarcity and homelessness while promoting a sustainable food movement. Donations help them provide nutritious, balanced meals to community shelters for vulnerable people, such as women affected by domestic violence and refugees.

Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Learn more or make a donation

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Many destinations in Mexico, including Mexico City and the resort areas on the Yucatan Peninsula, are seeing an increasing number of hotels, restaurants and tourist sights fitted out to accommodate travelers with limitations. That said, it can still be difficult for those with mobility issues and visual and hearing issues, particularly on public transport.

If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group rather than solo can help make your travel experience the best it can be.