LAST UPDATED 2024-09-11

Travelling to Mexico

Please verify the documentation and health requirements for departure to/from, transit to/from and arrival at your destination. These requirements are changing frequently. It is your sole responsibility to ensure you meet all the requirements for travel to and from your destination. 

On this Page

  1. Entry & Exit Requirements
  2. Destination Info
  3. Airport Info
  4. Travel Gear
  5. Apps to Download Before You Go
  6. Manulife Travel Insurance
  7. COVID-19 Information
  8. Emergency Contacts

Entry and Exit Requirements

Entry & Exit Requirements
Check departure and return requirements on Sherpa - the tool that Travel Advisors use to check visa and medical requirements around the world.

Passports
The traveller's passport must remain during the entirety of the trip to Mexico. The passport must have at least 1 blank page per entry to Mexico.

Arrival Requirements - Cancun
If entering Mexico by air, you no longer need to fill out an immigration prior to or on arrival. Once you deplay, you will be direct to (or will choose) one of two options for going through immigration (option 2 is only available in some terminals at the Cancun airport): 

  1. Option 1: Normal immigration line.
    You will speak to an agent and have your passport stamped. Please keep your physical or digital boarding pass until you clear immigration, in case it is needed. 

  2. Option 2: Electronic passport control machines (only available for those 18 years and older)
    You will enter the machine and scan your passport. You will then wait for your photo to be taken and will collect a receipt with a QR code. Make sure you retain the receipt with the QR code as you may be asked for this upon departure  

After immigration, you will pick up your bags at the carousel. As you leave, you may be selected to have your bags checked. 

Proceed outside the terminal to meet your transfer - do not talk to the people inside, as they are trying to sell you a timeshare or a high-priced transfer. Just keep walking. Your people are outside! Find the representative from your tour operator (e.g. Air Canada Vacations, Sunwing, Transat, etc.) or your private transfer company (e.g. Canada Transfers). 

VISITAX
As of July 10, 2023, you are obligated by law to pay the VISITAX if you enter the State of Quintana Roo (where Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc. are located). You can safely and securely pay your VISITAX on this secure link: TravelKore. After paying you will receive an official Government QR code as proof of payment. There are MANY scam sites out there - do NOT use any other sites to pay this tax. 

Returning to Canada 
Use of the the ArriveCan app is now optional. Use it to complete your Advanced Customs Declaration to speed up your arrival process in most major airports.

Government of Canada Information

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PERSONAL ELECTRONICS

Travellers have been getting taxed (substantial amounts) on personal electronics (e.g. laptops, iPads/tablets, etc.) when they go through customs upon arrival at the Cancun airport. The Mexican government is making an effort to crack down on individuals who bring electronics into the country for resale. 

Passengers are allowed to bring, free of duty, merchandise in their personal luggage when entering the country. This includes, among other things: 

  • 2 cameras
  • 3 mobile phones
  • 1 laptop computer (Note that this seems to mean 1 laptop OR 1 tablet (e.g. iPad))

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. For the complete and updated list of goods, please consult the Mexican Customs website (in Spanish), which states that passengers can bring: 

"Two cameras or video recording cameras; photographic material; three portable cellular telephone or other wireless devices; a global positioning equipment (GPS); an electronic agenda; a portable computer of the so-called laptop, notebook, omnibook or similar; a portable copier or printer; a burner and a portable projector, with its accessories."

(More Information)

Destination Info

Time Zone
Quintana Roo (the state where Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc. are located) is in the same time zone as Toronto or New York. This means that it is one hour earlier than Atlantic Canada. 

Electricity
110 volts / 60 HZ, American-style two-pin plugs. Neither an adapter nor a converter are required if you are travelling to Mexico from Canada. 

Money
The local currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars can be readily exchanged in banks, or in authorized exchange offices around the country. Mexican pesos can be safely withdrawn from local ATMs.

Water
Tap water is not safe to drink, due to the high mineral content. Rest assured that all water and ice served at your resort and on excursions is filtered. It is recommended that you drink bottled or purified water. 

Hurricane Season
The official Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30, with September considered as the most active month.

Airport Info

Canada

Mexico

Travel Gear

Our Favourite Travel Gear
Check out the Stewart Travel Group team's recommendations for everything from luggage to shoes and tech gadgets to beach chair clips.

Cellular eSim Service
If you need cell data while you're travelling, one option is an eSim. Check out Airalo, our recommended eSim service. Use code FRANCE1734 for a $3 USD discount. 

Apps to download before you go

Tour Operator Apps
You will use these apps for various reasons - from booking à la carte reservations at some resorts to contacting your in-destination representative if required. 

ArriveCan - App Store (Apple) | Play Store (Android) 
You can complete your advanced customs declaration in the ArriveCan app within 72 hours of your return to Canada. This will speed up your arrivals experience, allowing you to use the customs express lane (if one is available at your arrival airport in Canada). Ensure you have the latest version downloaded before you depart.

Manulife TravelAid - App Store (Apple) | Play Store (Android) 
If you need assistance during your trip, this app will guide you in how to achieve medical attention or address other issues for which you have coverage under your insurance policy.

Google Maps - App Store (Apple) | Play Store (Android) 
You can save an area from Google Maps to your phone or tablet and use it when you are offline. Here's how.  

WhatsApp - App Store (Apple) | Play Store (Android) 
Useful for connecting with your Trusted Travel Advisor in an emergency while you are in destination or for contacting drivers, tour directors, or others.

XE Currency Converter - App Store (Apple) | Play Store (Android) 
This is a popular and trusted currency converter that you can use during your trip.

Translator App
Powerful translator apps that allows you to translate text from photos, conversations, etc. while you travel.

Manulife Travel Insurance

TravelAid - App Store (Apple) | Play Store (Android) 
If you need assistance during your trip, this app will guide you in how to achieve medical attention or address other issues for which you have coverage under your insurance policy.

Flight Assist
Did you purchase a travel insurance policy with Manulife through Stewart Travel Group? If so, you may have access to Manulife Flight Assistance. If you do, make sure you register your flights at least one hour prior to departure. Here's how it works: 

Infographic explaining Manulife Flight Assistance. You get forty dollars if you flight is delayed by three hours or more and an additional one hundred dollars if your flight is delayed by six hours or more or cancelled.

COVID-19 Information

  • Starting October 1, 2022, COVID-19 emergency border measures - including testing, quarantine, isolation - have ended. 
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not a requirement for Mexico; however, it is recommended that you bring a printed copy of your federal vaccine card with you when you travel. 
  • Masks are not required in public.

The Government of Canada recommends:

  • You pay attention to public health alerts and signals in your area as local public health authorities may re-instate COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations if the situation changes
  • You wear a high quality and well-fitted mask or respirator in public indoor settings, particularly those that are crowded or poorly ventilated, even if it's not required.

Emergency Contacts

Step 1: Speak to the staff at the front desk of the resort and/or the destination representative for the tour operator you booked with 

Step 2: Contact your Trusted Travel Advisor

Step 3: If your Trusted Travel Advisor is not available, contact one of Stewart Travel Group's emergency contacts: