Mexico

Located in southern North America, Mexico borders the United States to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the south, and is flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to the east. Mexico City serves as the capital and is one of the largest urban areas in the world. Spanish is the official language, the currency is the Mexican peso (MXN), and the culture reflects a layered identity — indigenous, Spanish colonial, and distinctly modern.

Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, can enter Mexico without a visa for tourism stays, typically up to 180 days. Some nationalities require a visa obtained in advance through a Mexican consulate. Travellers should consult the Instituto Nacional de Migración or their nearest Mexican embassy for current requirements specific to their nationality.

Chichen Itza in Yucatán state houses the stepped pyramid of El Castillo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Teotihuacan, northeast of Mexico City, contains the vast Pyramid of the Sun, once the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. Palenque's jungle-surrounded Maya ruins in Chiapas remain among the most atmospheric in the country. The colonial historic centre of Oaxaca City, also a UNESCO site, is renowned for its baroque architecture and indigenous craft traditions. The turquoise waters of the Bacalar lagoon in Quintana Roo offer a quieter alternative to the Riviera Maya's busier coastline.

Mexico's climate varies considerably by region. The central highlands around Mexico City experience mild temperatures year-round, typically 12–26°C, while the northern deserts see extremes from below 0°C in winter to above 40°C in summer. Coastal areas along the Caribbean are hot and humid, averaging 25–32°C. The dry season from November to April is generally considered the best time to visit most regions. A light rain layer is advisable for the interior highlands even in the dry season.

• Home to 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Chocolate originates from ancient Mesoamerican civilizations here.
• Mexico City is built atop a former Aztec lake bed.
• The axolotl salamander is native only to Mexican lakes.
• Mexico introduced vanilla cultivation to the world.

• gob.mx — official Mexican federal government portal
• visitmexico.com — national tourism board of Mexico
• inm.gob.mx — Instituto Nacional de Migración, visa and entry information
• smn.conagua.gob.mx — Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, official weather service
• sat.gob.mx — customs and tax authority for travellers