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A first trip to Mexico: where to start

Mexico is too large for one trip, and the first decision is the most important one: which part. Three routes that work well for a first visit, and how to choose between them.

Heyo Travel editorialPublished 4 min read

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Palacio de Bellas Artes above the historic centre of Mexico City at sunset
Mexico City, Mexico

At a glance

Time needed
Ten days to two weeks for one region
Best season
November to April
Currency
Mexican peso (MXN)
Cards
Widely accepted in cities and resorts
Mexico City altitude
About 2,240 m
In this article7 sections
  1. Yucatán and the Riviera Maya: ruins, cenotes and the sea
  2. Mexico City and Oaxaca: food, art and history
  3. San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato: the colonial heartland
  4. Practical points
  5. Mexico with Cuba and the Caribbean
  6. Plan it with us
  7. Questions

Mexico rewards a first trip that does one region properly rather than three in a hurry. The distances are large, internal flights are often the only sensible way to cover them, and each region feels like a different country. Choose by what you want from the trip, then build the route around it.

Yucatán and the Riviera Maya: ruins, cenotes and the sea

The easiest first trip, and the one most people take. Fly into Cancún, then choose your balance between the Caribbean coast, the Maya sites of Chichén Itzá, Tulum and Uxmal, the cenotes, and colonial towns such as Valladolid and Mérida. The peninsula is flat, the roads are good and the beach is never far away.

It suits first-timers, families and anyone who wants culture and a beach in one trip.

Maya ruins on the cliff above turquoise Caribbean water at Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Mexico City and Oaxaca: food, art and history

Mexico City is one of the great cities of the world, and a first visit deserves at least four days: the historic centre around the Zócalo, the National Museum of Anthropology, the neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa, and the canals of Xochimilco. The city sits at about 2,240 metres, so take the first day gently.

Oaxaca is the natural pairing, about an hour away by air. Its colonial centre, its markets and its cooking, the moles above all, make it the food lover’s choice, and the Zapotec site of Monte Albán stands on a hill above the city.

The Santo Domingo church and its plaza in Oaxaca at golden hour, Mexico
Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico

San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato: the colonial heartland

North of Mexico City, the highland towns of the Bajío are the quieter choice. San Miguel de Allende is cobbled streets, galleries and courtyards around its pink-stone parish church; Guanajuato, an hour and a half away, is a university city of coloured houses climbing a ravine. Both pair well with a few days in Mexico City at the start.

Practical points

A few things are worth settling before you book.

  • Entry: many passports need no visa for tourism, and your entry is recorded on arrival. Some do need one; we process Mexico visas for Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian passports.
  • Money: the Mexican peso. Cards are widely accepted in cities and resorts; carry pesos for markets, small restaurants and tips.
  • Tipping: around 10 to 15 per cent in restaurants is usual.
  • Water: drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water.
  • Getting around: domestic flights for long distances, first-class coaches between nearby cities.
  • Insurance: not required to enter, but private medical care is the norm for visitors.
A passport with entry stamps and a boarding pass on a wooden tableEntryMexico visaFor Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian passports, for tourism. We check first whether you need one.From $35 per travellerCheck your passport

Mexico with Cuba and the Caribbean

Cancún is also a gateway to the rest of the Caribbean. Our Caribbean Grand Journey runs from Santo Domingo through Cuba and finishes with seven nights on the Riviera Maya, so the slow beach week comes after the busiest part of the trip.

Classic cars on the Havana Malecón at sunset, CubaSignature journeyCaribbean Grand Journey15 days · 14 nights · Dominican Republic · Cuba · MexicoFrom $4,990 per adultSee the journey

Plan it with us

What we arrange for a trip like this one. Each is booked and paid in one step, and priced in full before you pay.

Questions

Where should I go on my first trip to Mexico?

Most first-time visitors choose Yucatán and the Riviera Maya for its mix of Maya sites, cenotes and beaches. Mexico City and Oaxaca suit travellers who come for food, art and history.

How long do I need for a first trip to Mexico?

Ten days to two weeks for one region at a comfortable pace. A week is enough for Yucatán, or for Mexico City with a short side trip.

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Many passports enter Mexico for tourism without a visa. Some need one, so check for your passport before you book. We process Mexico visas for Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian passports.

When is the best time to visit Mexico?

November to April, the dry season, for most regions. From June to October the rainy season usually brings afternoon showers rather than days of rain.

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