Top 10 Questions About Travel in Mexico

Do I need a passport or visa to go to Mexico?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport to travel to Mexico, but you will not need a visa. Upon entry into Mexico, you will be required to fill out a Tourist Card, which you will need to keep safe until you leave Mexico. If you lose it, you will need to make an appointment with the Immigration Office to obtain a new Tourist Card and you may need to pay a fine of up to $60 (USD) per person.

Is it expensive to travel to Mexico?

One of the best things about Mexico is that there are resorts, sights and activities for nearly every traveler - from those looking for an affordable option to those looking for something luxurious and upscale. Costco Travel Buyers rate every resort offered on a scale of one to five, based on the level of services and amenities offered. Currently, Costco Travel offers resorts in Mexico rated from three to five out of five. Regardless of which resort you choose, our Buyers are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the best value when purchasing through Costco Travel.

Should I bring pesos or USD to Mexico?

While US Dollars are widely accepted within the tourist-centric regions of Mexico and are great for tips while at the resort, consider exchanging some dollars for pesos if you have any interest in venturing off the resort and exploring local shopping and dining. Even if a local business accepts US Dollars, they may offer a lower-than-average exchange rate that will cost you more than if you had paid in pesos.

Should I tip in Mexico?

Tipping is a great way to reward friendly, attentive service. When traveling with an all-inclusive plan, your gratuities are included in the package price. However, you are still free to tip additional if you believe it’s warranted. If you are traveling without an all-inclusive plan, tipping etiquette in Mexico is similar to tipping etiquette in the United States: 15 – 20% for standard to exceptional service. At any resort, it’s customary to tip your bellhop $1 - $2 per bag, and to leave $3 - $5 daily for your housekeeper.

Can you drink the water in Mexico?

Water safety can vary depending on where in Mexico you are staying. While the tap water is typically filtered at both the municipal and resort levels, the best practice has traditionally been to rely on bottled water. However, in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of disposable plastic bottles, some resorts are now offering a reusable metal bottle at check-in and filtered water stations throughout the resort.

How can I avoid getting sick in Mexico?

Costco Travel offers resorts that obtain regular certifications of cleanliness. That said, avoid drinking water from the faucet and stick to bottled or filtered water.

Use caution when eating and drinking off resort property. Look for restaurants and bars that have been certified by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism as “Distinctive H” (or “Distintivo H”), which is used to recognize establishments that meet the standards of hygiene and quality. If they have received this rating, you will likely see it posted near the entrance.

Make sure to also exercise caution while flying to and from Mexico. Bacteria can lurk on or within much of the plane, so it’s best to follow common cleanliness practices. Don’t eat or touch your eyes, mouth or inside of your nose unless you have washed or sanitized your hands. Wipe down surfaces while on the plane and wash your hands after you disembark.

Finally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations, as well as to consider additional vaccinations before traveling. For more information, please see their Vaccinations and Medicines advisory for Mexico. - Opens a dialog

Is there a seaweed problem in Mexico?

Many beaches on the Caribbean side of Mexico experience an influx of a type of seaweed called ‘sargassum’ in the months of April - August. This seaweed floats in mats along the surface of the water and will wash up on beaches from Florida to Argentina. While this seaweed has had an ecological benefit, a variety of factors have caused the amount of sargassum that washes up on the shore to increase in recent years. The sargassum is unpredictable and may affect a resort one day and not the next.

Most resorts have adopted new practices to deal with the problem, such as hiring workers and bringing in machines to clean the sargassum up or erecting barriers to keep the sargassum from making landfall. The governments of multiple nations are working together with tourism business groups to develop new, effective strategies to combat this problem. For example, Mexico’s navy has devoted six ships to assisting with sargassum cleanup at a rate of 80 tons per day.

Bottom line? Nature can be unpredictable and beaches can be affected. If you are traveling during a time when sargassum may be an issue, prioritize finding a hotel with great pools as a backup.