BIENVENIDO

Welcome to Mexico (or almost!)

Please read this page before your trip for travel tips, cultural advice and what to expect in Mexico while you’re here!

(Written by Americans living full-time in the Riviera Maya for over a decade!)

First Things First

First Things First

  • Find Your Passport. Make A Copy. Put The Copy In Your Wallet.

  • Did You Buy Travel Insurance? Get A Quote HERE.

  • Notify Your Credit Card Companies Of Your Travel Dates (American debit cards do not work at point of sale).

  • Did You Arrange Airport To Resort Transportation? If Not, And You’d Like Assistance, Let Us Know (hello@bohemiaweddingtravel.com)

  • Click HERE for Peso to Dollar conversions.

Mexico: “Land of the Mexi” - nahuatl Language

Mexico is a large country in North America, and the number 3 most diverse country in the world with 68 native languages still spoken; Spanish being the most widely spoken language. Mexico has a rich native culture from foods and songs and dances to holidays and languages spoken to art and architecture.

Advice For Airports In Mexico:

Arrive To Airport At Least 2 Hours Early

(for departing international flights.)

Ignore Timeshare and Tour Sales People

(and anyone else trying to distract you at the airport or your resort.)

Look For Your Transfer Company Office or Service Person Outside

(and make sure your name is on their list.)

Additional Travel Advice:

  • Passports - Passports are required for everyone of all ages! Please call 1-877-487-2778 if you need to get a US passport quickly.

  • Cancun Airport Tax - For travelers going through the Cancun, Cozumel or Tulum Airports you must pay the visitor tax (not included with your airfare) on this website: https://www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio/ (approx $15usd a person).

  • Money Exchange - If you exchange your dollars to pesos in the airport, please double check their calculation and count back the money in front of them.

  • Equipment - Mexico has a maximum on the amount of equipment you can bring into Mexico. Please read more here: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/finlandia/index.php/traveling/customs-information

  • New Items - Please take the tags off your new items when bringing them into Mexico. You don’t want them to look like they are for “resale” and incur a resale tax.

  • Vapes and Smoking - Vapes were banned in Mexico in 2022. Smoking tobacco in public spaces was also banned. You can read more HERE. Do we still see public smoking and vaping at resorts? Yes. But taking that risk is up to you.

Popular Mexico Airports

  • Terminal 1 Airlines: Private and Charter Flights

    Terminal 2 Airlines: Domestic Flights + Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromar, Avianca, Azur Air, Conviasa, Eurowings, Gol Linhas Aereas, LATAM, NEOS, Rutaca Airlines, Swoop, Sunwing, Tag, Wingo, Alaska Airlines, Amerijet, Austrian Airlines, Blue Panorama Airlines, Copa Airlines, Corsair Airlines, Cubana, Euro Atlantic Airlines, First Choice, Martinair, Tui, Viva Aerobus, Volaris

    Terminal 3 Airlines: Aeroflot, British Airways, Lot Polish, Swift Air, Wingo (Air Canada), Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American West, Delta Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Iberojet, Spirit Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, United Airlines, USA3000, Wamos Air, World2Fly

    Terminal 4 Airlines: Air France, Flytap, KLM, Southwest, Turkish Airlines, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air Transat, Condor, Edelweiss Air, Frontier Airlines, Jetblue Airways, Lufthansa, Nordwind, Royalflight, Sun Country Airlines, West Jet

    *Subject to change

    To see maps of the Cancun Airport: https://www.cancuniairport.com/cancun-airport-map/

  • This Airport is new and info is TBD!

  • Terminal A: Domestic Flights

    Terminal B: International Flights

    Info: https://www.puertovallartaairporttransportation.com/puerto-vallarta-airport

  • Terminal 1: All domestic flights and limited international flights.

    Terminal 2 & 3: International Flights only.

    Airport Maps: https://www.loscabosairport.com/cabo-airport-maps/

Mexico To-Do’s + To-Don’ts

Tipping Culture

Mexico has a strong tipping culture! While it’s not expected at all-inclusive resorts, it’s much appreciated and will get you more attentive service.

Anywhere from 10%-20% is normal. The preference is Mexican pesos, but US dollars are ok too.

Be Nice

Traveling internationally can be frustrating at times with language barriers and different procedures than you’re used to. Mexican business culture closely abides by company policies and bending rules is not the norm. Being rude will not get you anywhere here, and being kind is the best way to get what you’re asking for.

Water and Ice

In Mexico, tap water is only used for washing and is not consumed. All water and ice you get at resorts and restaurants will use filtered water and are safe for consumption. We brush our teeth with tap water without issues, but if you might feel more secure using bottled water.

Wear Sunscreen

The UVA rays are much stronger in Mexico than what you may be used to in the US, and your skin will burn much faster! Don’t start your trip in sunburned misery- lather on the sunscreen! (Bring from home, because it’s very expensive in resort’s gift shops!)

Money and ATMs

We suggest exchanging your US Dollars for pesos, so that you get a better exchange rate when you spend money in Mexico. If you use an ATM to withdraw Mexican pesos, please only use ATMs that are attached to banks. Bank ATMs are more monitored for fraud and skimmers.

Taxis and Ubers

Uber is a sparse, unreliable option in the Cancun/Riviera Maya areas (even if the app is functioning, don’t plan to use it). All resorts have pre-vetted taxis that have special licenses to pickup from resorts. There is also an alternative to Uber in the Riviera Maya called Radio Taxi https://radiotaxipdc.com/

Packing List

Click below for reminders on what to pack for your trip!

  • Extra day of clothes / PJs

    Swimsuit

    Passport and ID

    Driver’s license

    Cellphone

    Camera

    Headphones (tips: noise-canceling ones are life saviors on a plane)

    Travel documents printed or saved to your phone.

    Wallet with some cash and 2 credit cards (tips: try to never have all your important stuff in one place)

    Medications with prescription if needed

    Snacks and reusable water bottle

    Sunglasses

    Antibacterial gel and moisturizer

    Pen

  • Reef-Safe Sunscreen

    Mosquito repellent

    Shampoo and Conditioner (if you prefer to have your own, but the resorts usually provide that as well)

    Deodorant

    Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

    Comb/brush

    Hair ties and bobby pins

    Hair spray

    Razors

    Makeup

    Glasses / Contacts / Solution

    Perfume (travel-size is best)

    Tweezers

    A small first-aid kit / Bandaids

    Feminine hygiene products

    Aloe vera gel in case you get a sunburn

    Vitamins

  • Airtag (highly recommend putting a GPS tracker in your checked luggage)

    Pajamas

    Swimsuits

    Day-dresses / cover-ups for the beach

    Nice clothes for going out/dinners (some resort require men to wear pants to dinner and don’t allow flip-flops)

    Shorts

    Light pants

    Dresses / Skirts

    Tank tops/tee-shirts

    Light jacket (for winter nights)

    Socks

    Underwear and bras

    Accessories/jewelry (tips: choose the ones that will go with everything and don’t bring anything expensive)

    Small purse for going out

    Hat or cap

    Flip-flops for beach, tennis shoes for excursions or gym, nice shoes for upscale dinners (and the wedding).

  • Phone

    Chargers (Mexico uses the same voltage/plugs as the US)

    Power bank (for airport delays)

    Small backpack for when you go on excursions;

    Ziplock or plastic pouch to put your wet swimsuit in

    Waterproof pack (for taking your items in the ocean with you)

    Snorkeling gear (if you prefer your own, some resorts will rent them out)

    Cameras/Go Pro

    iPad / Kindle / Book

    Basic Medications like Advil, Pepto, Tums, Dramamine

For Emergencies

We hope you don’t have an emergency in Mexico, but if you do, keep these tips handy:

Hospital Emergencies:

  • 911 is also the number used in Mexico

  • Hospitals require full payments upfront, unless you have insurance. It’s highly recommended that you travel with international health insurance using a company like VUMI.

  • Popular private hospital brands include: Hospiten, CostaMed, Galenia, Star Medica (General hospitals or Red Cross for low cost treatments).

Pharmacies:

  • Farmacias in Mexico are everywhere. We generally do not recommend no name pharmacies or pharmacies with gift shops.

  • Pharmacies we personally use?

    • Ahorro, Farmacias Guadalajara, Grocery store pharmacies like Chedraui, Mega or Soriana.

  • If you have stomach distress, an over the counter medication called “Treda” is our personal go-to stomach med.

Passport / Diplomatic / Other Emergencies in Mexico:

  • Visit the passport emergencies website for US citizens in Mexico: https://mx.usembassy.gov/passports/

  • For other US Embassy services: https://mx.usembassy.gov/services/

  • +55 8526-2561 (from Mexico) 

  • +1-844-528-6611 (from the United States)

  • Other consulate contact numbers: https://mx.usembassy.gov/contact/

Spanish Words To Know

(Good Travels!)

Buen Viaje!