Ancient civilizations and modern energy — Mayan temples at Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan, Pacific surf towns, Caribbean turquoise at Tulum, and a cuisine so complex it has UNESCO Intangible Heritage status.
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Population
- 130,575,786
- Area
- 1,972,550 km²
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Mexican Peso (MX$)
- GDP
- $1,692,640M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Tacos, Mole poblano,Chiles en nogada
Annual visitors
51,128,000 (2020)
Safety
Elevated (24.86/100k)
Big Mac
$6.17
Avg temp
21.3°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 060 · Ambulance 065 · Fire 068
Travel guide
Mexico (Spanish: México) is known for its cuisine, art, archaeology, history, pyramids, music, museums, haciendas, 9,600 km (6,000 mi) of shoreline, superb architecture, weather from snow-capped mountains in the Sierras to rainy jungles in the southeast and desert in the northwest, many golf courses and excellent fishing. Along with Chile, Colombia, and Peru, this once-poor nation is one of the Pacific Pumas, seeing significant economic growth and improved infrastructure during the 21st century.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Mexico
Best time to visit
December–April is the dry season across most of Mexico. Yucatan/Cancun best November–April (hurricane season June–November). Mexico City: year-round, slightly rainy June–September. Oaxaca: October–May. Pacific Coast: November–April.
Visa
US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most nationalities enter visa-free for 180 days. Mexico is among the world's most accessible destinations for international visitors.
Highlights
This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (48)
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Major cities
Mexico City
One of the world's great capitals — ancient Aztec ruins beneath a modern megalopolis, extraordinary museums, and spectacular food.
Cancun
Mexico's Caribbean jewel — turquoise waters, white sand beaches, ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, and legendary nightlife.
Oaxaca
Mexico's culinary and craft capital — mole, mezcal, Day of the Dead celebrations, and Zapotec ruins at Monte Albán.
Guadalajara
Mexico's second city and the birthplace of tequila, mariachi, and charreada rodeo culture.