Mexico flights and travel guide

Whatever you pay for your cheap flights to Mexico it won't cost you much when you get there. The Aussie dollar has gained about 20 per cent against the peso over the past year or so, making this fantastic destination even more alluring.

Mexico is surrounded by three seas, has almost 10,000km of coastline and has a wonderful climate. Sun worshipper, surfer, golfer, culture vulture, party-goer - it's paradise for almost everyone.

Mexico City is the capital, a cultural, colourful city that never seems to stop. The resorts - Cancun, on the Caribbean Sea, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast - are renowned the world over. Mazatlan, the closest to the United States, is known for its excellent fishing and relaxed vibe.

Cozumel is considered one of the best diving destinations in the world. Playa del Carmen, its neighbour on Quintana Roo coast, is rightly popular with divers and is popular with the cruise-ship crowd too.

To the south, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo blends young resort (Ixtapa) with old fishing village (Zihuatanejo), but Los Cabos has become the starriest destination of all. A-list celebrities fly in from Hollywood to kick back on this part of the Baja California Peninsula.

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Mexico climate

The climate in Mexico varies by region. In general, there are two seasons. Late November to early June is the dry season and the rest of the year is, basically, the rainy season. In the north of the country, summer temperatures can top 38 degrees while winter temps plummet to zero and below. Along the Pacific Coast, in destinations such as Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, temperatures average about 35 degrees in the summer and 25 degrees in the winter.The Yucatan Peninsula and Southern Mexico (resorts in this area include Cancun and Acapulco) experience rain along with high temperatures - about 32 degrees.Hurricane Season runs June through October and occasionally into November.

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When to fly to Mexico

Peak Season: 

Late November to early June - the winter - is high season when most visitors from the US and Canada arrive on cheap flights to Mexico. 

Off Season: 

The rainy season - June to November - is generally low season.

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Mexico insider information

• Xochimilco, in Mexico City, is a World-Heritage listed village with canals and ancient floating gardens that dates back to pre-Aztec times. It's a very popular spot at the weekend, when Mexican families rent boats with musicians and food. The boats - trajineras - are gondola-like. 
• The bullfight is one of Mexico's oldest traditions. In Cancun on Wednesday afternoons, the Plaza de Toros comes alive for the bullfight and cultural show. The plaza also hosts a Mexican rodeo. 
• Mid-December to April is whale-watching season for the humpback whales in the waters around Puerto Vallarta. It's calving season then. April through December is dolphin-watching season. 
• A Mayan Eco Disney World sounds like it ticks all the boxes. It has been described as Disney-meets-National- Geographic. Xcaret, in Playa del Carmen, is an ecological park, resort and archaeological site. Attractions include underground rivers, beach, inlets, butterfly pavilion, and the "Xcaret Mexico Espectacular". 
• Sportsfishing: the Pacific Sailfish is the most abundant species in the waters around Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. It's available year-round. Between January and July, Blue and Black Marlin swim through these waters. Also found are Dorado or Mahi-Mahi and Yellowfin Tuna.

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Mexico airports

Mexico City International Airport(MEX) (website: www.aicm.com.mx) The airport is situated 10km east of Mexico City.

Cancun International Airport (CUN) (website: www.cancun-airport.com) is located in Cancun on the Caribbean Coast. It's about a 20-minute drive from the airport to the city centre.

Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL) (website: www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx) The airport is situated 16km south of Guadalajara.

General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY) is located in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Monterrey.

General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport (TIJ) (website: www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx) is in Tijuana.

General Juan N. Álvarez International Airport (ACA) The airport is situated 26km southeast of Acapulco.

Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) (website: www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx) is located in Puerto Vallarta.

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Passport/Visa

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Entry requirements

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