Destinations / Mexico
Here's everything you need to know — currency, tipping, language, safety, and the tips that actually matter.
Currency
Mexican Peso (MXN)
Language
Spanish
Emergency
911
Plug Type
Type A / Type B (same as US — no adapter needed)
Voltage
127V / 60Hz
Driving Side
Right
Tap Water
Do NOT drink tap water. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth.
U.S. Embassy
Mexico City: +52 55 5080 2000
10-15% is standard. 20% for excellent service. Check if 'propina' is already on the bill.
Not expected for regular taxis. Round up for long rides or extra help.
20-50 MXN per bag. 20-50 MXN/day for housekeeping.
10-15% of the tab, or 20 MXN per round of drinks.
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ahs |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAHN-toh KWES-tah |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favor | lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR |
Don't drink the tap water — this includes ice at street food stalls
Use Uber or DiDi instead of hailing random taxis in cities
Street food is incredible and mostly safe — look for busy stalls with high turnover
ATMs inside banks are safer than standalone ones
Bargaining is expected at markets, not in stores or restaurants
Sunscreen (SPF 50+) — the sun is intense, especially at altitude
Bug spray for coastal/jungle areas
Light layers for Mexico City (7,000+ ft elevation means cool evenings)
No power adapter needed — Mexico uses the same plugs as the US
Currency, tipping, phrases, emergency info, and city guides for Mexico — offline and instant.